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Teresa Earnhardt -- Keeper of the Flame?
A Commentary by Valerie Wood

It's really sad that Teresa Earnhardt has not admitted the value that Dale Jr. brought to Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated (DEI). Not only sad--it's downright amazing. For a woman CEO of one of the largest racing empires -- indeed, empires in sport today -- to totally diss her stepson, refusing to admit that in the still keenly felt absence of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Dale Jr. IS DEI, well one can only wonder what her mindset is.

The gently felt consensus is that without Dale Jr., DEI is a museum is not a thought that will soon go away. Fact of the matter is--whoever DEI puts in its main car next year--whether it's Martin Truex, Jr., Kerry Earnhardt or ? -- the scenario is not pretty. Talk about putting someone on the hot seat! Dale Jr. has made some Not So First Rate equipment run better thanks to his racing ability and that of his crew, most notably his close friend and cousin, Tony Eury, Jr. In a sport where DEI has obviously fallen to at least 4th among Chevys in competitive equipment, is it really likely that another driver next season will bring DEI back to the forefront? And, the potential merge with Yates racing (and Ford) is not something that Earnhardt fans -- fans of ANY Earnhardt -- will be delighted with. DEI going over to Ford is not quite as bad as, say, going over to Toyota , but it's the same idea.

It's undeniable that Teresa Earnhardt did a great job of managing the business aspects for Dale Sr. while he was racing. It was clearly Dale Sr., though, who was the persona that held the various interests together. Of course it was. From an outsider's point of view--admittedly a most interested outsider who has been an Earnhardt fan since 1978--it appears that Teresa has dropped the ball in a manner much akin to that of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo in last season's NFL playoff game. Well, if you're gonna botch it, do it right. It's hard, though, for someone with a lot of pride to step aside and admit that perhaps she has not managed things in the team's best interest. Even with the much ballyhooed addition of Max Siegal as President of Global Operations for DEI, attempting to make peace between Step-Mom and Number One Son, it was much too little, too late. One has only to observe to see the closeness of Dale Jr. and sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and the fierce love and protective instincts between the two siblings. And, it's nice to see that their mom, Brenda, has become a closer part of their lives. Dale Jr. is too modest and unassuming. He's finally realizing the impact he has among his fans in the sport. And, let there be no doubt about it. While he 'inherited' many fans even before the untimely loss of his father, he has gained a multitude of fans in his own right over the years. He's finally become aware of the clout he truly has. A clout that NASCAR is not entirely happy with; any more than they were happy with the clout Dale Sr. had with his huge fan-base.

I really do feel for Teresa. I have since February 18, 2001, when she lost her husband and partner. Six years later, however, she has also lost the one key person who could keep DEI in contention as a major player in NASCAR. And that, with a little give-and-take on her part over the years, could have been prevented. It's obvious that Dale Jr's decision to leave DEI was reluctant because it is a business that his father built specifically for his children. Perhaps the key phrase is "his children." Too bad Teresa could not have been more giving towards her husband's kids.

Dale Jr. rightfully wants to drive for an owner who will be there for him in victory lane with a sincere smile and true hug of congratulations. And that's all his fans want for him as well. NASCAR is so busy trying to push Jeff Gordon as their pre-eminent driver (more than ever this season, with the Hendrick teams winning all five of the 'car of tomorrow' races thus far -- a car that Hendrick was heavily involved in testing) -- well, let them follow in Teresa's footsteps. They might just be surprised to learn how much Dale Jr. is genuinely loved and admired--and not because he's been pushed at the fans by NASCAR. Dale Jr. is the real deal. Genuine and disingenuous. He doesn't have to play coy word games or whine about how he comes back from 'adversity' when he wins. He's the genuine article. Low-key, humble, but don't be so foolish as to mistake that for not being a competitor. He's a true Earnhardt. And that's quite a compliment, not to mention a major reason why he is the most popular racer in the sport.