There was a point in time that talk of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. centered on winning races and chasing championships.
After finishing third overall in 2003, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed to break through for DEI in 2004, capturing sixvictories and extending his strong performances beyond just the restrictor-plate races at Daytona and Talladega. Despite finishing fifth in the standings, it looked like simply a matter of time before Junior finally won a Nextel Cup championship.
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Since that point, though, all of the action at DEI has occurred off the track. During the previous two seasons, Earnhardt Jr. has gone through contract negotiations, crew changes and engine problems ? and an organization that seemed to be on the verge of greatness was suddenly struggling for answers.
Those problems, though, pale in comparison to what DEI and Earnhardt Jr. have experienced in just the first few months of 2007. It started in the offseason with an impromptu media battle between Earnhardt Jr. and stepmother Teresa Earnhardt, who currently controls DEI. With Junior?s contract once again up for renewal, Teresa publicly questioned his focus, citing his total of two wins over the past two seasons.
Earnhardt Jr., along with his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, responded with a surprise announcement that in addition to renewing Dale Jr.?s contract, they also wanted to be granted 51 percent ownership of DEI.
Sound like a soap opera yet? That was only the beginning. Last week, there were reports that DEI asked Dale Jr. to pay for controlling interest in the company his own father built, and now this weekend there was confirmation that DEI is looking to merge with Robert Yates Racing, which could give the organization far better motors, but would almost necessitate a switch from Chevrolet to Ford.
So what started off as a few words of frustration has turned into the NASCAR equivalent of a three-ring circus, but it is one that Earnhardt Jr. says is not affecting him.
“No, it is not a distraction at all,” Earnhardt Jr. said, “because really, there?s been nothing going on.”
That may be nothing more than wishful thinking, though. Junior, who has yet to find victory lane this season, is sitting 15th in the standings ? hardly the type of performance of someone who is not distracted, especially a driver of his caliber.
While there have been no official talks, there have been rumors that Richard Childress would be more than willing to bring back the legendary No. 3 car for Earnhardt Jr., if he was willing to leave DEI.
Is it time to go? Before the season, Earnhardt Jr. said that he would like to own DEI, but that he still had plenty to accomplish on the track.
“I just want to drive and win races and win championships,” Junior said, “and then hang it up one day.”
Ultimately, Junior has to decide, but right now it looks like his best chance to realize those dreams just might be behind the wheel of his father?s old car.
Get up to speed on the latest in NASCAR by listening to Wilson?s Race Report every Monday and Friday at 5:39 p.m. on 93.1 WPOC. You can e-mail Steve at [email protected].
