How Would You Describe The Relationship Between Dale Earnhardt Jr?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear on Monday that the tumultuous relationship with his stepmother would be a factor in negotiations to return to the Nextel Cup organization his father built after the 2007 season. He also made it clear he wants to return. Ownership appears to be the biggest stumbling block. “That’s the obvious,” Earnhardt said during the first day of preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway. “I want to be very involved in the company. “Aside from [DEI], I have no interest in ownership.” To own a part of DEI, Teresa Earnhardt would have to relinquish at least partial control of an organization she has run since Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. That means comments such as the one she made in the Dec. 14 Wall Street Journal about how Earnhardt needs to decide whether he wants to be a driver or a celebrity will make negotiations more emotional than most. She already has stepped aside in hopes of speeding up negotiations that DEI di
Granted, things are a bit more complicated these days when it comes to the legacy teams: They all have investors, one way or another. We have also now learned the team to which Richard Petty provides his name and expertise switched to Fords with the help of Yates Racing, but there’s not necessarily been a merger. Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s team continues, but after a joint venture between Teresa Earnhardt and Chip Ganassi. As for drivers, Mark Martin and Bill Elliott – each practically a legacy unto himself – had outstanding days in qualifying for the Daytona 500. Martin won his first Daytona 500 pole.
