[vincesanity82]

Dale Earnhardt Junior's interests would be much better served elsewhere. There's no reason why he must drive for the team that bears his father's name. Dale Sr. didnt even drive for DEI. Childress, the team Dale Sr. did drive for, would take Junior in a heartbeat. Any team would. He can write his own ticket. And he should. Fifty-one percent of DEI is far less than he is worth. He should sign with a proven winner that has the capital to compete. And if the CEOs of Ford and Toyota have the good sense that God gave them, they should offer Junior a deal to jump to one of their teams that would make George Steinbrenner gasp.



al.com: Everything Alabama

[Souporscotty]

Nope. Once again emotions cloud judgement. Yes, I know EVERYBODY wants to see Jr in that black #3, but I don't see how that would be in his long term interests.

[Racer Duck]

For some reason lots of people don't realize that Jr. is not Sr. putting him in a black 3 will not bring Sr. back, nor will Jr. drive like Sr. they need to let go...

I didn't start out liking Jr., but he's grown up and matured. I like the way he presents himself to the public and how he doesn't seem to be inflated with his own importance (like some in the sport.)

Jr. needs to do what's best for Jr and his family. I doubt leaving DEI meets those guidelines.

[RUSTYFAN2]

I agree! We would all like to see Jr in the black 3, but his best interest is staying with his dad`s company and helping to bring it back to it`s former greatness. That would make him a bigger hero.

[jks812]

I for one don't want to see him in the black #3. If the best thing is for him to stay at DEI or go somewhere else, I don't know that either. But I do think it'd be better if he had some say about the race team at DEI. I still think Teresa has so much on her plate that the race part of the business is suffering. Do I think she should give Jr ( or rather Kelly) 51% of everything DEI? No.I do think she should give him 51% of the race portion. She helped Sr. build DEI from the ground up to what it is today. But I do think Jr. could take the race part of it to where it should be, better than her now.

[HMS24]

I would love to see Jr in the 25 car, keep him in a Chevy anyway. Theresa is the driving force behind the DEI cars lack of performance. Gotta have an owner who understands more about the sport than the money. Besides, Jr looked pretty racey in the 5 car a couple weeks ago. Might even bridge some of the animosity the Dale (Jr and Sr) fans have for the 24 and all things Hendrick.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

I for one don't want to see him in the black #3. If the best thing is for him to stay at DEI or go somewhere else, I don't know that either. But I do think it'd be better if he had some say about the race team at DEI. I still think Teresa has so much on her plate that the race part of the business is suffering. Do I think she should give Jr ( or rather Kelly) 51% of everything DEI? No.I do think she should give him 51% of the race portion. She helped Sr. build DEI from the ground up to what it is today. But I do think Jr. could take the race part of it to where it should be, better than her now.

Well said, jks. I'm with you 100% on this one.

** Junior needs to get him own identity, not be a latter-day Dale Sr.

** I would appear that Teresa's main (but not total) interest is focused on things other than track performance.

** Your phrase in parenthesis, "or rather Kelly," says alot about the current situation at DEI.

Your solution of splitting the racing part of DEI from the Legacy portion is, to me, the perfect answer. Or it is, as of now. But all this talk of DEI and RYR merging could muddy up the waters unbelievably.

[oncea3fan]

JR. would do well at HMS,and they have the deep pocket and resources.

but, if DEI can pull off the yates deal, I think jr./todd parrott/doug yates would be a power house.

with that said , everyone thought dale Sr. and larry mac were going to be unstoppable, didn't work out. I think Daytona 98 was the only win they go together.
I think the chances of jr. going to RCR are slim at best, although rcr would take him in a heart beat(wouldn't anybody) kelly doesn't care about the setimental choices..............show her the money!!!!!!!! and afterall that is her job

it will be interesting to see were it all goes

[Gibbs Is God 28]

Unfortunately, I think he needs to leave DEI. He isn't Dale Sr. and is still living in his shadow. He needs to go black like Spiderman 3.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Nope. Once again emotions cloud judgement. Yes, I know EVERYBODY wants to see Jr in that black #3, but I don't see how that would be in his long term interests.

We've been over this. Not everybody wants to see Jr. in the 3. I certainly don't. I also think he deserves far more than 51% of DEI.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

We've been over this. Not everybody wants to see Jr. in the 3. I certainly don't. I also think he deserves far more than 51% of DEI.

Actually 51% is all he needs. That's enough to give him complete CONTROL. I doubt that money is an issue for anyone involved. I just don't quite understand the URGENCY. Why does everybody think he should get it yesterday?

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

We've been over this. Not everybody wants to see Jr. in the 3. I certainly don't. I also think he deserves far more than 51% of DEI.

It'd be neat to see him drive the #3 for one race as a tribute to his dad, but he's the #8.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Actually 51% is all he needs. That's enough to give him complete CONTROL. I doubt that money is an issue for anyone involved. I just don't quite understand the URGENCY. Why does everybody think he should get it yesterday?

I'm not sure about the urgency either. I'm not in the Boardroom or at the table during discussions.

It could be, and this is pure speculation, that Jr. hasn't had a good year so far, and wants to turn it around as soon as possible.

[LSC9901]

I see the sense of urgency coming from the fact that his contract with DEI expires this year. If he cannot get the percentage of ownership that he wants it gives him ample time to look at other teams and other teams time to look at him before signing other drivers. It also leaves open the possibility of starting his own cup team. I see it just as a matter of timing. Obviously there may be a lot more to it .... who knows.

[Mike24]

Jr getting 51% ownership in DEI - Winning races, and championships.

Should Jr leave DEI? No. I said this before, Sr started this company for Jr, so Jr wants to leave and let it rot? No, not happening. Jr is not driving the 3, Childress owns all rights to the 3, and he has said no one will drive the 3, so that is good. Jr won't bring back Sr... no one will. Jr should stay in the red 8 and make a legacy out of that car, like Sr did with the black 3. Jr just needs 51% ownership to do that though, in my opinion.

You can tell Jr is being affected by these contract negotiations. He's running well all year, yet the distraction is throwing him off. Once these contract negotiations are over, I think Jr could be contending with Gordon and a few others for the championship, like I predicted before the season started.