[LSC9901]

She does have a degree in commercial art and interior design. Understanding that has nothing to do with NASCAR it does say that she is an educated woman who has branched out into other fields. One of the steps to becoming successful is to surround yourself with competent people. I don't know if it was her that did that or Dale Sr. Point is that the business is successful and she is in charge .... hammers or not.

[wardfan]

People seem to forget that just because you can, say for example, are an excellent mechanic, can run a business to own your own repair shop. There is no doubt that Theresa is the business woman and Dale is the driver. Sister Kelly has been Dale's go to person for his contract dealings. She is the one with the education to negoitate his deals for him. Theresa would be stupid to hand over control of the company to Jr. I think it would be pretty safe to say its her that has kept DEI where it is. I can imagine alot of people/companies tied into DEI were tempted to jump with the passing of Dale Sr. She has to be one savy woman to have kept things together. And people seem to forget that she has Taylor's future to think about and mother bear is not about to hand over control to someone else.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by Lefturn

If I was one of the elite drivers of NASCAR, putting my life on the line every race I would expect a pretty decent paycheck. .

I'm really sorry, I may be well out of line; but this statement somewhat disturbs me. Did Barney Oldfield do it for a "pretty decent paycheck"? Fireball Roberts? All the people in the last 50 years? Did Smokey Yulick think he was gonna get rich off of racin? It's sad, I've been holdin out for some good old racin, but I guess it is all about $$$$$$

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I'm really sorry, I may be well out of line; but this statement somewhat disturbs me. Did Barney Oldfield do it for a "pretty decent paycheck"? Fireball Roberts? All the people in the last 50 years? Did Smokey Yulick think he was gonna get rich off of racin? It's sad, I've been holdin out for some good old racin, but I guess it is all about $$$$$$

No bad feelings to anyone intended but that is one of the differences between a driver fan and a race fan.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wardfan

People seem to forget that just because you can, say for example, are an excellent mechanic, can run a business to own your own repair shop. There is no doubt that Theresa is the business woman and Dale is the driver. Sister Kelly has been Dale's go to person for his contract dealings. She is the one with the education to negoitate his deals for him. Theresa would be stupid to hand over control of the company to Jr. I think it would be pretty safe to say its her that has kept DEI where it is. I can imagine alot of people/companies tied into DEI were tempted to jump with the passing of Dale Sr. She has to be one savy woman to have kept things together. And people seem to forget that she has Taylor's future to think about and mother bear is not about to hand over control to someone else.

Cha-Ching!

In all seriousness here, and not meaning to offend a single soul, (just my personal opinion and feeling), but I believe a lot of fans who think Dale's taking over DEI are coming from a point of emotion, not rationality. Many are Dale Jr fans for a multitude of reasons, none of them being wrong or bad. I think that many, if they look at the matter dispassionately and objectively, they would see that Dale's taking complete control of DEI might not be an altogether good thing.

I'm not against his taking over DEI because I don't especially appreciate him. I think its a bad deal strictly from a business point of view. As you do, I believe Teresa has done a good job running DEI, carrying on the Earnhardt Legacy Program, probably has a finger in the operation of Dale Earnhardt Chevy, and God knows what else. I know I couldn't hope to keep that many balls in the air.

I wonder how many of Junior's "Posse," involved followers, and groupies are pushing his demands? In hindsight I believe the quote given in the article I linked to; "People are always reminding me of the magnitude of me," says a lot about things. I'm wondering just who those people are and why they "keep reminding him?"

[Lefturn]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

No bad feelings to anyone intended but that is one of the differences between a driver fan and a race fan.

I wouldn't say that. That is todays reality. Does anyone have a clue what these drivers make? I don't but its gotta be in the millions right?

I have heard several drivers like Harvick, Johnson and others allude to the face that they love to race but have to look to the future when they don't hold the wheel any longer. Why do you think they are starting race teams?

So, if you were Jr. or any of the elite drivers out there, wouldn't you set yourself up for life after racing? I would bet that we won't see a 50 year old Stewart, Gordon, Johnson, Harvick or anybody in NASCAR. They will be at the tracks they own or on the pitboxes as owners.

I still gotta say that if it was me, I'm gonna maximize my earnings because I could hit the wall tomorrow and be done racing.

[LSC9901]

Gordon, who became the youngest Daytona 500 winner in 1997, has enjoyed a 10-year career at the highest level of American auto racing. The 32-year-old's multiple championships and 66 race victories have garnered him more than $60 million in winnings, and he earns millions of dollars in additional income each year through the sale of gewgaws like belt buckles, rings, knives, lunchboxes, dog collars, watches, bedding sets, and cigarette lighters with his face on them.


$60 million in winnings and then there is all the junk that gets sold. Yes I see setting oneself up for the future and far be it from me to say what is comfortable. The point (or mine anyway) is that DEI is being run just fine. If Jr. needs more income than he is currently getting then maybe he needs to start his own business instead of trying to take over a business that someone else started. At least wait until the current owner is willing to sell.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefturn

I wouldn't say that. That is todays reality. Does anyone have a clue what these drivers make? I don't but its gotta be in the millions right?

I have heard several drivers like Harvick, Johnson and others allude to the face that they love to race but have to look to the future when they don't hold the wheel any longer. Why do you think they are starting race teams?

So, if you were Jr. or any of the elite drivers out there, wouldn't you set yourself up for life after racing? I would bet that we won't see a 50 year old Stewart, Gordon, Johnson, Harvick or anybody in NASCAR. They will be at the tracks they own or on the pitboxes as owners.

I still gotta say that if it was me, I'm gonna maximize my earnings because I could hit the wall tomorrow and be done racing.

You make some very valid points. I'm hard pressed to disagree with any of them. In fact, I won't. I'll just say that you are right in everything you say, as far as I'm concerned.

What bothers me is the way Junior is going about it and I somewhat question his motives. Stewart started his own WoO teams and bought three race tyracks which were up for sale. Harvick used his own money to start his BGN teams. Jeffy-Pooh was given ownership of the #48 team for reasons which will probably never be made public.

Junior already has started his own Chance 2 team, and has met with some success. So, maybe the kid does have the ability to run a team? So, why does he have to go after DEI?

His proposed takeover has a certain bad odor to it. It would appear that he is attempting some kind of hostile takeover of his stepmother's enterprise. I don't think he needs to do it for money, nor do I think he wants to do it for the sheer Hell of it. Either he is being advised and being pushed into this thing, or he has some ulterior motive which doesn't leave me with a warm and fuzzy.

Whatever the case, the way the whole thing is playing out, and is being played in the media almost pegs the needle on my Creep Meter. But I will readily admit my feelings are tainted by my feeling toward him. Except for his willingness to say what hew thinks and for his ability to take responsibility for his actions on the track, I have found little to like about Junior. (Tonight's wreck is a good example. He just said, "I tried to push Elliott and he wasn't straightened out yet. It was my fault."

I still think that he won't renew his contract and that Teresa will sell out to another party. Time will tell.

I repeat, you made some very valid points in your post. Good talking to you.

[Lefturn]

If I sound heated, I assure you that I am not. It is hard to get the context in the written word so if you want to go for the jugular feel free. I like to play devils advocate and purposely disagree for the sake of argument. I don't do it to piss anybody off but its a habit I got into because of certain members of my family.

It's a pleasure to see uncle Edgar get red in the face over stuff and I'll argue black is white just to get his boxers all balled up.

So, back to the topic. I must admit that if he does not ink a deal it will be a massive distraction to him and his team. IF you saw the start of the Bud Shootout you saw the relief in him when the announcer stated he was not going to talk about 'the deal'. It will only build as the season progresses.

Does Jr deserve a piece? Tough question. Part of me thinks absolutely, and I'll bet that Dale Sr. was gearing up to give all of his kids a stake in it. I don't know who Kelly is or what she does. Up here in my neck of the woods I'm lucky to get a small paragraph of NASCAR related stuff on the last page of the sports section, so I am far from versed on this issue.

LSC I agree that DEI is being run fine, but I see no problems with involving Jr. I am also surprised that Gordon has only made 60 million in his carreer. I would guess he probably made as much or more in pedalling soothers, bibs and collector plates and is worth well over 100 million.

Now, me not being a smart businessman how much does it take to start a race team? I'm gonna go with a million for a building, 20 million for dynos and the truckloads of equipment. I would build about 10 cars at a cost of about 1 million bucks for all of them. Then get me some engines, another 100 grand or so. Hire me 50+ employees. I would guess before testing at this year in Daytona I would be looking at about 30 million dollars invested, leaving me 70 million. Oh but wait, I need to drop big bucks on a driver and crew cheif so I think about 10 million should get me a good driver and about 5 million for a crew cheif? I forgot a hauler and motorcoach plus the airlplane. And so on. I better get me a sponsor ASAP or I'll need to drive again

Racing must cost team owners an obscene amount of money. What does a sponsor pay these days?

[Quality88]

Kelly would be Jr's big sister. Kind of a guardian to him for many years.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefturn

LSC I agree that DEI is being run fine, but I see no problems with involving Jr. I am also surprised that Gordon has only made 60 million in his carreer. I would guess he probably made as much or more in pedalling soothers, bibs and collector plates and is worth well over 100 million.

Now, me not being a smart businessman how much does it take to start a race team? I'm gonna go with a million for a building, 20 million for dynos and the truckloads of equipment. I would build about 10 cars at a cost of about 1 million bucks for all of them. Then get me some engines, another 100 grand or so. Hire me 50+ employees. I would guess before testing at this year in Daytona I would be looking at about 30 million dollars invested, leaving me 70 million. Oh but wait, I need to drop big bucks on a driver and crew cheif so I think about 10 million should get me a good driver and about 5 million for a crew cheif? I forgot a hauler and motorcoach plus the airlplane. And so on. I better get me a sponsor ASAP or I'll need to drive again

Racing must cost team owners an obscene amount of money. What does a sponsor pay these days?

I see no problem involving Jr. either. Right now, and probably forever, we have no idea what it is that Jr. wants for sure. The media hype is just that ...media hype.

Sponsors "Donate" different amounts. Obviously the larger the amount offered gets you a larger decal on the car plus they expect a lot from you. Everything from winning to personal appearances. I suspect Bob can give you a little more info on the average amount it takes to run a team for a year.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I see no problem involving Jr. either. Right now, and probably forever, we have no idea what it is that Jr. wants for sure. The media hype is just that ...media hype.

Sponsors "Donate" different amounts. Obviously the larger the amount offered gets you a larger decal on the car plus they expect a lot from you. Everything from winning to personal appearances. I suspect Bob can give you a little more info on the average amount it takes to run a team for a year.

I think back in 1999 the average money for one race team was 15-20 million a year, if I remember my figures correctly. I would suspect it's just a tad bit higher now.

[Gr8RaceFan]

The widow Earnhardt is interested in "remembering the past". Her only interest in the now or future seems to be in how "he" is remembered. Dale Jr is a good driver but he was great when his Daddy was around to make sure he had the best equipment. The widow does not seem to have that same priority which to me disqualifies her from being the appropriate person to lead this racing team. Is Jr the person to manage the organization, perhaps not. The widow, however, needs to either turn him loose to do his best elsewhere or make sure he has what his Daddy intended. It is a good thing that Jr has Kelly in his corner. She is one smart woman who wants the team to win races. As far as DW is concerned......his only interest is promoting Toyota. I wonder what his cut is for each mention? Didn't anyone else pick up on that during his "commentary" last night?? (Perhaps he will retire soon)

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Gr8RaceFan

As far as DW is concerned......his only interest is promoting Toyota. I wonder what his cut is for each mention? Didn't anyone else pick up on that during his "commentary" last night?? (Perhaps he will retire soon)

Yesterday would not have been soon enough for me.

[LSC9901]

Is this the guy who will be the next CEO of DEI ??