NASCAR Fans - Dale Jr & Truex To Leave DEI For Jr Motorsports?

[kimmikayb]

With Jr. leaving perhaps it is now time to change DEI to TEI.

Yes, she does seem a little big headed, doesn't she???

 

[kimmikayb]

I think people are being too hard on Theresa in this, too quick to paint her as the greedy, wicked stepmother trying to keep control of the company at the expense of Earnhardt's children, and that isn't the impression I get of her at all. She built that company alongside Earnhardt. By all accounts, she was instrumental in the company's success, handling a lot of the business end of things even when Earnhardt was alive. And it often seems to be overlooked that she & Earnhardt also had a child together that she has to consider in her decisions of how much control she retains over the family business. And frankly, that's the child I'd be most concerned with if I were in Teresa's shoes too, not just because of the biological bond but also because Taylor did lose her father at such a young age and because Jr is in a position where no matter what happens, he'll be set.

I really do think this comes down to business differences. Take the Yates rumors, for example. Jr's been very clear on his loyalty to Chevy and his disinterest in driving for another automaker. If he had controlling interest, any deal that meant switching to Ford wouldn't go through no matter how much Theresa felt it was in the best interests of DEI in the long run. And she'd have good basis for those beliefs, with the trend in NASCAR favoring the "mega teams" that field tons of cars.

Although I agree partially with what you say, I don't believe Teresa has DEI best interest in mind. She has made many bad business decisions since Dale died. She cut back on the way the engine are built, choosing to go cheaper instead of better, she has snubbed her best driver and her PR is awful. As a car owner if she should have her butt at many of the races and she doesn't show her face. It's the nature of the game and she doesn't want to play by the game rules. So she will suffer because of how the fans percieve her, whether imagined or real perceptions.

 

[dturner]

I think people are being too hard on Theresa in this, too quick to paint her as the greedy, wicked stepmother trying to keep control of the company at the expense of Earnhardt's children, and that isn't the impression I get of her at all. She built that company alongside Earnhardt. By all accounts, she was instrumental in the company's success, handling a lot of the business end of things even when Earnhardt was alive. And it often seems to be overlooked that she & Earnhardt also had a child together that she has to consider in her decisions of how much control she retains over the family business. And frankly, that's the child I'd be most concerned with if I were in Teresa's shoes too, not just because of the biological bond but also because Taylor did lose her father at such a young age and because Jr is in a position where no matter what happens, he'll be set.

I really do think this comes down to business differences. Take the Yates rumors, for example. Jr's been very clear on his loyalty to Chevy and his disinterest in driving for another automaker. If he had controlling interest, any deal that meant switching to Ford wouldn't go through no matter how much Theresa felt it was in the best interests of DEI in the long run. And she'd have good basis for those beliefs, with the trend in NASCAR favoring the "mega teams" that field tons of cars.

Sorry, but I don't see DEI being sucessful after Jr. leaves.

I heard Dale Sr. say that he built DEI for his children to take over one day - Dale Jr., Kelly, Taylor and Kerry are all his children and thus they all should have some type of ownership and say in DEI and not be just an employee like Dale Jr. is now.

 

[dturner]

Although I agree partially with what you say, I don't believe Teresa has DEI best interest in mind. She has made many bad business decisions since Dale died. She cut back on the way the engine are built, choosing to go cheaper instead of better, she has snubbed her best driver and her PR is awful. As a car owner if she should have her butt at many of the races and she doesn't show her face. It's the nature of the game and she doesn't want to play by the game rules. So she will suffer because of how the fans percieve her, whether imagined or real perceptions.

I totally agree with you!!

 

[Colleen27]

I agree with you about Teresa. She's a fool!!

Not so sure about Truex staying at DEI - Jr. doesn't think he can win a championship at DEI with the way things are run now - I don't think with Jr. leaving that any of that would change.

I also don't want to see Truex in a Ford if he stays with DEI and DEI merges with Yates/Ford.

I actually have a lot of respect and admiration for Teresa. She is, in my view, one heck of a strong woman and a savvy businesswoman. If I were in her shoes, I doubt I'd give up controlling interest of DEI either.

I think Jr has tended to underestimate DEI since his father's death. I don't think it would take that much for them to be championship contenders again, and I think Truex will benefit from not being in Jr's shadow. He'll be DEI's top driver, and I think that'd be good for him.

Unlike most NASCAR fans, I don't really have a brand loyalty (other than "anything but Toyota", but that's a whole different rant!). Any of the Big 3 is fine by me. Maybe I'm just confused because I'm the granddaughter of a lifelong Chrysler employee on one side and a 50 year Ford supplier employee on the other side, and the daughter of a GM CAD designer. I've never been able to pick one over the others! So if Truex ends up in a Ford, I won't hold that against him.

 

[dturner]

Maybe Truex will go and race for his girlfriend's father????

I'd like to see Truex go and race for Jr. Motorsports.

 

[Colleen27]

Although I agree partially with what you say, I don't believe Teresa has DEI best interest in mind. She has made many bad business decisions since Dale died. She cut back on the way the engine are built, choosing to go cheaper instead of better, she has snubbed her best driver and her PR is awful. As a car owner if she should have her butt at many of the races and she doesn't show her face. It's the nature of the game and she doesn't want to play by the game rules. So she will suffer because of how the fans percieve her, whether imagined or real perceptions.

Oh, I agree she's made some bad decisions. I think without Earnhardt to guide her on the technical aspects of racing, she's screwed some things up big time. As far as not appearing at the track, I can understand that. She's gone out of her way to maintain some semblance of privacy for herself and her daughter, and who can blame her? I wouldn't want to be in the public eye at the track either, considering the first thing everyone seems to ask of her is "What would Dale have thought/done/said?". Do I think she could handle things better? In many aspects, yes. She needs to find people she can trust to surround herself with to get DEI back on track, and I think it is really sad that she couldn't seem to establish that sort of relationship with Jr. But I think people are too quick to write off her, the team, and to a lesser extent, Jr.

 

[KristinBelle]

I hope he goes to RCR! I'd love to see Harvick and JR as team mates.

 

[dturner]

I hope he goes to RCR! I'd love to see Harvick and JR as team mates.

Me too!! Richard Childress seems to love Jr. like his own son, I'm sure he will do what's right for Jr. and his racing career.

Now I'm worried about Truex.

 

[Colleen27]

I hope he goes to RCR! I'd love to see Harvick and JR as team mates.

I'm hoping that he goes to the one no one seems to be talking about - Joe Gibbs Racing. He & Stewart would make GREAT teammates!

I'm no fan of Harvick's, but I think RCR could work too. Childress seems to regard Jr as practically family, and I think that would be a great environment for Jr.

I just don't want to see him go to Hendrick. Not because I have anything against them and I'm sure they'd set Jr up with a winning ride, but it would make the Sunday afternoon rivalry with the Gordon fan I'm married to less interesting.

 

[dturner]

I'm hoping that he goes to the one no one seems to be talking about - Joe Gibbs Racing. He & Stewart would make GREAT teammates!

I'm no fan of Harvick's, but I think RCR could work too. Childress seems to regard Jr as practically family, and I think that would be a great environment for Jr.

I just don't want to see him go to Hendrick. Not because I have anything against them and I'm sure they'd set Jr up with a winning ride, but it would make the Sunday afternoon rivalry with the Gordon fan I'm married to less interesting.

My DS(11) is a Jeff Gordon fan too.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Well unless she can get a big name driver her days and DEIs are done. They have been supported and upstarted by Chevy . Look at their main sponsors they are there because of the late Sr and then Jr. Why would they stay with DEI with no vested interest anymore.

She shopped this Ford deal and it looks like she will be paying for it.

As far as securing the future for Taylor it would have been with a 49% part of DEi with Jr at the helm.

Most drivers would jump at a chance to race for him as well.

None of Truly matters to me but I just don't see her making it. She was given a lot of leeway because of respect for Sr and then for Jr being in her stable but without them she's just another owner of a few cars and a historical name. No Sr,Jr or the #3 car leaves her empty on the bargaining table.

 

[kimmikayb]

I'm hoping that he goes to the one no one seems to be talking about - Joe Gibbs Racing. He & Stewart would make GREAT teammates!

I'm no fan of Harvick's, but I think RCR could work too. Childress seems to regard Jr as practically family, and I think that would be a great environment for Jr.

I just don't want to see him go to Hendrick. Not because I have anything against them and I'm sure they'd set Jr up with a winning ride, but it would make the Sunday afternoon rivalry with the Gordon fan I'm married to less interesting.

It was said this morning that Hendrick's is full, no room in the inn for Jr. I'm pulling for RCR, but would love to see him and Tony as teammates too.

 

[kimmikayb]

Well unless she can get a big name driver her days and DEIs are done. They have been supported and upstarted by Chevy . Look at their main sponsors they are there because of the late Sr and then Jr. Why would they stay with DEI with no vested interest anymore.

She shopped this Ford deal and it looks like she will be paying for it.

As far as securing the future for Taylor it would have been with a 49% part of DEi with Jr at the helm.

Most drivers would jump at a chance to race for him as well.

None of Truly matters to me but I just don't see her making it. She was given a lot of leeway because of respect for Sr and then for Jr being in her stable but without them she's just another owner of a few cars and a historical name. No Sr,Jr or the #3 car leaves her empty on the bargaining table.

Yep, I agree! Although I doubt Taylor will ever be a poor girl financially, she would have been better off with Jr. still at DEI.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

It was said this morning that Hendrick's is full, no room in the inn for Jr. I'm pulling for RCR, but would love to see him and Tony as teammates too.

I agree and most would love to have JR as a teammate.

If he goes with just JRM then they will run a deal with Hendrick for his motors. Even though he wont be on the team he will be part of the family sort of to say.

 

[dturner]

I know Jr. says he doesn't want to drive the #3 car right now but I think it's his destiny to drive that car.

I'm all for the #3 Budweiser Chevrolet......come on Jr., carry on your father's legacy and win a championship in HIS car!!

 

[mickeyboat]

As far as numbers go, I was under the impression that the owners/teams "own" the numbers. I don't think Dale, Jr. can take either the #3 or the #8 with him, unless maybe Teresa lets him take it - or she could sell it to him.

Too bad, I think this is the end of DEI.


Denae

ETA - I found this:

Who owns the Nextel Cup car numbers?
NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers to an owner(s). NASCAR reserves the right to revoke or transfer car numbers to another owner/team at any time. Car numbers are non-assignable and non-transferable, except by NASCAR. NASCAR works with teams and sponsors when a specific number is requested. If duplication of numbers occur, which usually happens with the part-time teams, the fastest qualifier usually gets to use the number unless one team is considered full-time. In 2002, the #27 was used by Scott Wimmer for Bill Davis Racing and by Kirk Shelmerdine, both part time, however, Wimmer was listed in the #27 and Shelmerdine in the #`172 and when they attempted the same races, Wimmer got to use the #27 and Shelmerdine ran the #72, so NASCAR uses it's judgement in deciding who runs the number.(9-6-1999/9-17/2003)

 

[dturner]

As far as numbers go, I was under the impression that the owners/teams "own" the numbers. I don't think Dale, Jr. can take either the #3 or the #8 with him, unless maybe Teresa lets him take it - or she could sell it to him.

Too bad, I think this is the end of DEI.


Denae

ETA - I found this:

Who owns the Nextel Cup car numbers?
NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers to an owner(s). NASCAR reserves the right to revoke or transfer car numbers to another owner/team at any time. Car numbers are non-assignable and non-transferable, except by NASCAR. NASCAR works with teams and sponsors when a specific number is requested. If duplication of numbers occur, which usually happens with the part-time teams, the fastest qualifier usually gets to use the number unless one team is considered full-time. In 2002, the #27 was used by Scott Wimmer for Bill Davis Racing and by Kirk Shelmerdine, both part time, however, Wimmer was listed in the #27 and Shelmerdine in the #`172 and when they attempted the same races, Wimmer got to use the #27 and Shelmerdine ran the #72, so NASCAR uses it's judgement in deciding who runs the number.(9-6-1999/9-17/2003)

Teresa has no power over the #3 car - that number is owned by Richard Childress Racing.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Teresa has no power over the #3 car - that number is owned by Richard Childress Racing.

And he has already stated that JR would be the only one to drive that car as long as he owned it.

the #8 of DEI could be let go as a final peace offering but I don't think thats going to happen either.

Like he said I'm sorry for my fans but any number is OK .

 

[kimmikayb]

And he has already stated that JR would be the only one to drive that car as long as he owned it.

the #8 of DEI could be let go as a final peace offering but I don't think thats going to happen either.

Like he said I'm sorry for my fans but any number is OK .

I don't think Teresa will let #8 go either. I think a lot of people would like to know what she is thinking. I understand the need to savor her privacy, but in her position there has to be a little public announcements.