NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2008 News
Steak-umm adds 2nd race to DEI sponsorship: Steak-umm has added an additional NASCAR race sponsorship to its 2008 campaign with an agreement to serve as the primary sponsor of the #8 Chevy driven by Mark Martin in this weekend's Pocono 500 Sprint Cup Race at Pocono Raceway. Steak-umm previously sponsored rookie-of-the-year leader Regan Smith's #01 car in the May Richmond Sprint Cup race, and will again serve as the primary sponsor of Martin's #8 Chevy in the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono in August. Steak-umm also serves as an associate sponsor on the #8 car for the full 2008 season.(Yahoo Biz), see images of the scheme on my #8 Team Schemes page of #01 Team Schemes page.(6-5-2008)
Decorated NC Soldier to be Guest of #8 U.S. Army NASCAR Team: Staff Sgt. Michael Gainey, a decorated war hero from Albemarle, N.C., will be a guest of the #8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. team for Sunday's running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Gainey, who currently serves in the Army Reserve, was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions Oct. 22, 2007 in Iraq. Gainey was a gunner in a Humvee when his unit was under attack from sniper fire near Baghdad. Though he was injured with a burned neck from shrapnel, Gainey continued to fight by repelling the enemy and getting his fellow soldiers to safety. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat and the Bronze Star with Valor for his courageous actions under fire. Gainey is now a policeman in Mint Hill, NC. Attending the race with Gainey will be his wife Anne Marie.(US Army Racing PR)(5-25-2008) Comment here
Martin Ready to Salute the Troops in More Ways Than One: In the true spirit of Sunday's Memorial Day weekend classic at Lowe's Motor Speedway -- the Coca-Cola 600 -- Mark Martin’s #8 U.S. Army Chevy will feature photos of eight soldiers on the outside of the car. The unique paint scheme is part of the USO Salute the Troops Memorial Day
tribute to the armed forces. Despite his limited schedule in 2008 and having missed three of 11 events, Martin’s two top fives are as many or more than 21 drivers who have competed in all 11 races. His four top-10 finishes are more than 19 drivers who have taken part in every event this season.(U.S. Army Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #01 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2008)
#8 scheme to pay tribute to U.S. Army Reserve at Phoenix: Mark Martin's #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy will pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the United States Army Reserve in this weekend's Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. The hood on Martin's Impala SS will be covered with the Army Reserve's 100th anniversary logo and tag line -- Army Reserve, 100 Years Strong. The history of the Army Reserve dates back to April 23, 1908 when Congress established the Army's first federal reserve force.
The Army Reserve began as a small force of approximately 160 medical professionals. Today, the Army Reserve consists of 205,000 soldiers and is an operational, expeditionary and domestic force that is an essential piece of the U.S. Army. Joining the Army Reserve contingent for Saturday night's Cup race will be a local hero -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Cruse, a Phoenix native who received multiple honors for his service in Iraq, including the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal. Cruse was severely injured when his humvee was struck by an anti-tank mine on July 25, 2004. He is currently back in Phoenix, serving as an Army Recruiter in the Glendale area. Taking into account how Martin has performed in Phoenix, there's a good chance the Army Reserve car will run up front. In 22 races at the one-mile oval, Martin has one win, eight top fives and 14 top 10s. In addition, the veteran has led a track-high 608 laps, including 137 in the last three races.(DEI), see an image of the scheme on my #8 Team Schemes page.(4-9-2008) Comment here
Special Salute the troops scheme at LMS in May: Memorial Day Weekend is always thrilling for race fans at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This year, a special celebration of America's military personnel takes place with the Salute the Troops program. Dale Earnhardt Jr and Hendrick Motorsports join the celebration of America's heroes with a special National Guard paint scheme on the #88 Chevy. This special paint scheme features the Salute the Troops logo on the hood, as well as the lower side panels. Salute the Troops will be an on-track program based around strength, patriotism and philanthropy. By positioning this program around Memorial Day, Motorsports Authentics and the teams involved will look to celebrate and honor one of the greatest federal holidays for Americans all year long. The program calls for teams to carry the "Salute the Troops" insignia and/or showcase a special paint out featuring a branch of the United States military. The Salute the Troops program will be on track in May for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This program will celebrate the history and tradition of the military branches on this Memorial Day weekend. The pre-race show for Memorial Day will include a military demonstration for the fans and then followed by a concert for the troops. In support of this program, Motorsports Authentics will create a unique and collectible line of Salute the Troops merchandise. Motorsports Authentics will create a line of Salute the Troops die-cast and collectables that will raise money for military families. In addition, MA will work with corporate sponsors to raise money and awareness for the men and women of the armed forces.
Scheduled Participating Sprint Cup Drivers:
#88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Carrying the logo on hood and rear quarter panels
#24-Jeff Gordon - Carrying the logo on the decklid
#8-Mark Martin - Full military paint out with program logos
#21-Jon Wood - Full military paint out with program logos
#07-Clint Bowyer - Carrying the logo on the rear spoiler, along with Toast the Troops logo on the deck lid
Scheduled Participating Nationwide Seires Drivers:
#88-Brad Keselowski - Full military paint out
See the schemes on my #88 Team schemes page, #24 Team schemes page, #8 Team schemes page, #21 Team schemes page and #07 Team schemes page and on the Nationwide Series schemes Gallery.(4-8-2008)
Almirola, Menard to Test at Infineon: Sprint Cup Series drivers #8-Aric Almirola and #15-Paul Menard will come to Infineon Raceway on Wednesday, April 9, for a one-day test session. Almirola, who shares driving duties with veteran Mark Martin in the #8 U.S. Army Chevy, has never competed on the Sonoma Valley road course in the Sprint Cup Series. Neither has Menard, who drives the #15 Menards Chevy. Almirola and Menard are expected to test the challenging 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in late-model stock cars provided by a Northern California-based race team. They will be coached by road-course veteran Chris Cook, who has also worked with NASCAR drivers David Reutimann,
Johnny Sauter and AJ Allmendinger. Both will return for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, June 20-22, at Infineon Raceway. For tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit
www.infineonraceway.com.(Infineon Raceway)(4-7-2008) Comment here
Only four drivers left: only four Sprint Cup drivers have ran all fifteen Sprint Cup races at Texas Motor Speedway including the race Sunday: #8-Mark Martin, #31-Jeff Burton, #24-Jeff Gordon and #43-Bobby Labonte. Martin and Burton have won at the track.(4-5-2008)
Texas Soldier Honored for Heroism: Mark Martin and the United States Army NASCAR team will have an added incentive at this weekend's Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Along with the Army's prerace pageantry for Sunday's Samsung 500, the #8 team will be introduced to a special guest - Staff Sergeant Kenneth Thomas -- a hometown hero from Utopia, Texas, located approximately 85 miles northwest of San Antonio. Thomas, 23, a member of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Hood, Texas, was awarded the Silver Star, a decoration for gallantry in combat. Thomas' heroic action on Feb. 16, 2007 resulted in a number of his comrades’ lives being saved while his boat patrol platoon was under attack by heavy enemy fire on the Tigris River -- 20 miles north of Baghdad. Thomas will be accompanied to Sunday's race by his platoon sergeant in Iraq
-- Sgt. 1st Class Allen Johns. The Army will also have a visible presence during Sunday's national anthem. The 36th Infantry Division Band out of Austin, Texas will play The Star
Spangled Banner while 50 Army Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers from Ft. Worth will hold the 30-by-60-foot flags of the United States and Texas. The 1st Cavalry Division from Ft. Hood will provide the color guard for the national anthem along with 56 soldiers, who will hold the state and territory flags.(DMF Communications/US Army PR)(4-3-2008)
Almirola Soldiers to Impressive 8th-Place Finish in Bristol: #8-Aric Almirola sure didn't look like a driver who had not competed in more than four months. In only his seventh career Sprint Cup start the 24-year-old U.S. Army driver took on one of NASCAR's toughest tracks Sunday and psoted an eighth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.
"Awesome, just awesome," said crew chief Tony Gibson. "Aric drove the wheels off that Army Chevrolet. We had a decent car, not a great one. But Aric drove both patiently and hard. He has talent. The team believes in him and he believes in us. He is in the future and we're just happy that he is driving our stuff." Almirola's last Cup race was in November in Phoenix. "These guys on this Army team deserve the credit," said Almirola, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday. "I had a good car with a lot of speed and didn't have to hustle it. It was a lot of fun out there and I want to thank the U.S. Army, DEI, Tony (Gibson) and all the guys on this team for believing in me. The pit stops were excellent all day."
Almirola will also drive the #8 Chevy in the next Cup race at Martinsville Speedway (March 30) as part of his 12-race schedule with Dale Earnhardt Inc. He is sharing the ride with veteran Mark Martin. Almirola started the race from the 16th position and drove in the top 15 for nearly the entire race. Almirola's previous best finish in a Cup race was 26th in Phoenix last fall.(DEI PR)(3-17-2008) Comment here
Almirola to make season debut: When asked of what it's been like to have not competed in a race in more than four months, Aric Almirola gave a succinct response. "Painful," stated Almirola, who will turn 24 on Friday (March 14). Well, Almirola's wait to jump into the #8 U.S. Army Chevy that Mark Martin has driven in the first four Sprint Cup races of the season will soon be over. As part of his 12-race Cup schedule in 2008, Almirola will drive the Dale Earnhardt Inc. entry at the next two races -- this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway and March 30 at Martinsville Speedway. “The guys on the Army team are great and they are just as excited as I am,” added Almirola. “That makes me happy.”
The last time Almirola competed in a NASCAR race (Cup, Nationwide or Truck) was last fall in the Nov. 11th Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway. The only driving he has done since then was some testing in the #8 Chevy at Daytona, California and Phoenix. "I'm appreciative of the opportunity I have with DEI and learning from Mark Martin," explained Almirola. "But it's been very hard for me to watch the races on top of the pit box. It's not any fun being a spectator. I want to be in the action as a driver and mix it up."
Almirola's finish (26th) in Phoenix last fall was his best in six career Cup starts. The Bristol event will be Almirola's second Cup race at the half-mile bullring. His first race there -- August 2007 -- was also his maiden ride with DEI and the U.S. Army. He started 35th and finished 36th.(DEI PR)(3-14-2008)
#700 career start for Martin: Mark Martin will make his 700th career Sprint Cup start this weekend when the green flag drops at California Speedway,
becoming only the 13th driver in NASCAR history to reach the milestone. The Principal Financial Group will serve as the sponsor of the #8 Chevrolet and will feature a paint scheme that showcases a special 700th-start logo in tribute to Martin's accomplishments. Martin started his first Cup race on April 5, 1981 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He started fifth and finished 27th. During pre-race ceremonies at California Speedway, the Principal Financial Group and DEI will present Martin with a commemorative green flag emblazoned with the same 700th start logo that will appear on DEI's #8 Principal Financial Group Chevy. Following the race, this same green flag will be signed by Martin and auctioned on e-bay with proceeds benefitting the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. If Martin, who is running a partial schedule of 24 point races in 2008, stays on schedule he will end the year with 722 Cup starts.(DEI PR)(2-20-2008)
Principal Financial Group expands sponsorship of DEI: The Principal Financial Group, the nation's 401 and employee benefits leader, announced its expanded relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). The Principal has agreed to a multi-race primary sponsorship involving DEI's #8 Chevy, co-driven by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola and the #01 Chevy driven by Regan Smith during the 2008 Sprint Cup Series. The Principal will also serve as an associate sponsor on both cars for the entire Sprint Cup season.
"Rookie-of-the-year" candidate #01-Regan Smith will drive the Principal Financial Group Chevrolet Feb. 17 at the Daytona 500 and again July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Mark Martin will represent The Principal in the #8 Chevrolet at California Speedway February 24 in what will be Martin's 700th career Cup Series start. This marks the third season for The Principal as Sprint Cup Series team sponsor, and the second year that Mark Martin and Regan Smith will race in the Principal Financial Group colors. The Principal first joined NASCAR in Aug. 2006 with MB2 Motorsports [Ginn Racing then DEI].. For more information, visit www.principal.com.(DEI PR)(2-15-2008) Comment here
New sponsors for DEI: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has secured two new sponsors for the 2008 season, Steak-umm and Cub Cadet. Both deals are for mostly associate positions on DEI cars but also involve primary positions in select Sprint Cup races. Terms of the deals were not available. Steak-umm's sponsorship will involve a full season of associate sponsorship on Mark Martin's #8 Chevy, as well as a primary for the June Pocono race. In May, Steak-umm will be the primary sponsor on DEI's #01 Chevy driven by Regan Smith at Richmond. Cub Cadet, which also has status as NASCAR's official outdoor power equipment, has bought associate space on Martin Truex Jr.'s #1 Chevy with a primary planned for the Chicagoland race in July. Charlotte-based Camp Strategy represented Cub Cadet. There's also a business-to-business component, which involves Bass Pro Shops, the yearlong primary on Truex's car, possibly selling Cub Cadet equipment in its stores. .(Sporting News/Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal)(1-15-2008) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced that they have secured Steak-umm Company LLC as a primary sponsor on the #8 and #01 Chevys for select races during the 2008 season, including the May Richmond Sprint Cup race with Regan Smith and the June Pocono Sprint Cup race with Mark Martin. Steak-umm will also serve as an associate sponsor on the #8 car for the full 2008 season. Steak-umm’s entry into the NASCAR sponsorship arena coincides with the company's introduction of Steak-umm Burgers, a new line of frozen burgers available in Original, Sweet Onion and Real Cheese varieties. It is also part of a broad new Steak-umm marketing initiative that began last year with national TV ads for the company's thinly sliced, portion-controlled frozen sandwich steaks.(DEI PR)(1-18-2008) Comment
Carmichael could drive for DEI in 2008: Mark Martin said DEI is negotiating to sign motocross star Ricky Carmichael to drive a full Camping World East Series (formerly Busch East) schedule this year. "Ricky has the fire, desire and talent to do this stuff,'' said Martin, who worked with Carmichael at Ginn Racing before the merger with DEI last season.(ESPN.com)(1-8-2008)
Martin: First day of testing a waste of time: #8-Mark Martin said it was "idiotic" for NASCAR to only allow drivers to do single-car runs on the first day of testing at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR does not permit drivers to practice drafting in packs - and thus race conditions - on the first day, meaning Monday is a long day of cars running by themselves around the mammoth 2.5-mile speedway. Drivers expect that NASCAR will allow drafting beginning on Tuesday afternoon. "I feel that we're wasting our time with single-car runs," Martin said during the lunch break on Monday. "We should be drafting already, but it is what it is. We do get to start drafting tomorrow afternoon, so that's half a day sooner than we might have. Once we start drafting, we're really working on racing. The rest of this stuff is idiotic, with the [questions between driver and team]: 'Does this help? Not help? Is that faster? Is it not faster? Can you tell anything?' That's what we're doing right now."(SceneDaily.com)(1-8-2008)
Mark Martin and DEI announce 2008 Cup Schedule: Mark Martin will race in 26 Sprint Cup events in 2008, including 24 point races and two non-point events. Martin will kick off the 2008 season and his tenure in the #8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy with his record-extending 20th-consecutive Budweiser Shootout. Highlights of Martin's 2008 schedule include the 50th running of the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Sprint Cup All-Star event. Martin will share the #8 ride with rookie Aric Almirola, who will run the remaining 12 events in the car. Martin will enter in the first four point races of the season before handing the wheel over to Almirola at Bristol (March 16) and Martinsville (March 30). "I think it's going to be an exciting season," said Martin, who will enter his 26th year of Cup racing. "I'm so excited to be behind the wheel of the #8 U.S. Army Chevrolet and to be working with Tony Gibson (crew chief) and the #8 Team. It's an incredible honor to drive the #8 car for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and we are excited about moving into the season. Martin will compete in both the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 before making his 700th career start at California Speedway in February.(DEI PR)(1-7-2008)
2007 News
Richert to crew chief at DEI UPDATE: Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning Wednesday. Pemberton was scheduled to lead the #8 Chevy that will be co-driven next season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(12-12-2007) UPDATE: Doug Richert told Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody Friday that he will serve as crewchief for Regan Smith's #01 Chevrolet at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2008, and not for the Mark Martin/Aric Almirola driven #8 US Army Chevy, as has been widely reported.(Sirius Speedway), Tony Gibson was scheduled to crew chief the #01 Chevy, looks like he will stay as the #8 crew chief.(12-14-2007)
Pemberton leaves DEI? UPDATE 4 MWR names 3 new crew chiefs: hearing that Dale Earnhardt Inc #8 crew chief, Ryan Pemberton [#01 in 2007 with DEI/Ginn Racing], could be heading to Penske Racing as the crew chief for #77 Sam Hornish Jr.(12-5-2007) UPDATE: Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning Wednesday. Pemberton was scheduled to lead the #8 Chevy that will be co-driven next season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(12-12-2007) UPDATE 2: hearing Pemberton has not spoken to Penske Racing about a job, but he is speaking with other teams and will make a quick decision.(12-13-2007) UPDATE 3: A reliable inside source tells Rowdy.com that Ryan Pemberton is headed to Michael Waltrip Racing to become the crew chief for driver David Reutimann. Reutimann will start the year in the #00 before moving to the #44 car vacated by Dale Jarrett [when he retires] after the first five races of 2008.(Rowdy.com)(12-13-2007) UPDATE 4: Michael Waltrip Racing announced its 2008 Sprint Cup Series crew chief lineup with the recent hiring of Paul Andrews, Bill Pappas and Ryan Pemberton. Andrews will serve as crew chief for Michael Waltrip and the #55 Napa Auto Parts Toyota Camry team. Pappas is assigned to the team, which will field the #44 UPS Ccmry for Dale Jarrett then become the #00 team at Martinsville when David Reutimann takes over the #44 UPS ride. Pemberton is the crew chief for David Reutimann, who will race the #00 Aaron’s Toyota Camry for five races before switching to the driver of the #44 UPS team. Pemberton and Reutimann will remain together through the transition. Jerry Baxter remains as crew chief of the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry driven by David Reutimann in the Nationwide [was Busch] Series. Michael Waltrip comments on 2008 crew chief lineup: “My vision of Michael Waltrip Racing becoming one of the elite organizations in NASCAR has not changed since the day I started this team. Over the past four months we have made significant moves to position ourselves for success with the addition of my new business partner Rob Kauffman, our Technical Director, Dr. Eric Warren, and EVP of Business Operations Cal Wells. Our logical next phase was to bring in race and championship winning crew chiefs to lead our teams. And we have done that with the addition of Paul Andrews, Bill Pappas and Ryan Pemberton. The degree of difficulty in our monumental start up in 2007 was evident and standing flat-footed heading into 2008 was not an option for us. I could not be more proud of the recent developments. MWR is here to stay and I think these moves show our commitment to long-term success.”(MWR PR)(12-14-2007)
Richie Gilmore Back at Work: Richie Gilmore has returned to work and to his new job full time. Gilmore, Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s former vice president of competition, had suffered a mild stroke in early October. He is back at work as chief operating officer of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies.(SceneDaily.com)(12-11-2007)
Some changes at DEI? New crew chief for Menard? UPDATE confirmed: hearing that Dave Charpentier, current Paul Menard's crew chief on the #15 Menards/Dale Earnhardt Inc Chevy, will become DEI's Technical Director, overseeing the engineering support of the four Cup Teams [#01,#1,#8,#15] and development of DEI's race cars going forward. Also, hearing that Doug Randolph, current crew chief of Petty Enterprises #43 Dodge team that Bobby Labonte drives for, will become Paul Menard's crew chief of the #15 in 2008.(11-6-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. continued to strengthen its motorsports operation with the promotion of several key industry experts and the addition of a veteran crew chief to its roster. Dave Charpentier, current crew chief of the #15 Menards Chevy, has been promoted to technical director, and Doug Randolph, current crew chief of the #43 Petty Enterprises car driven by Bobby Labonte, will take over as crew chief for Paul Menard and the #15. Charpentier, a long-time Dale Earnhardt Inc. employee, will oversee all aspects of engineering for the four-car Nextel Cup Series operation. He was trained as a nuclear engineer during a seven-year career in the United States Navy, and since 1989 has served in an engineering capacity with multiple NASCAR teams. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in nuclear science. Randolph is a University of Tennessee graduate and served as a crew chief at MB2 Motorsports/Ginn Racing for the previous four seasons. He will join the team on November 26. Walter Giles, current race engineer on the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, was named Director of Race Engineering and Jason Anderson was named Director of Design and Project Engineering. Giles and Anderson will report to Charpentier. In addition, Rex Garrett has been promoted to Director of Motorsports Operations. The nine-year Dale Earnhardt Inc. veteran will oversee the day-to-day activities of the race shop.(DEI PR)(11-8-2007)
Four court cases against Ginn dismissed, settled? Former Ginn Racing drivers Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin as well as former crew chiefs Peter Sospenzo and Richard "Slugger" Labbe apparently have reached settlements with former team owner Bobby Ginn. All four cases - filed in North Carolina Superior Court in Concord, N.C. - have been dismissed, indicating that settlements have been reached. The drivers and crew chiefs were asking for the fulfillment of their contracts. The case files do not indicate how much they were paid, only that the drivers and crew chiefs have dismissed their claims. Ginn Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in July, leaving Nemechek, Marlin, Sospenzo and Labbe as well as several other crew members without jobs. There are still two lawsuits involving other crew members pending against Ginn.(SceneDaily.com)(11-6-2007)
DEI's Gilmore back in hospital: Richie Gilmore, vice president of competition for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., is back in the hospital, four weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm, said DEI’s Vice President of Motorsports Operations, John Story. According to Story, Gilmore was scheduled to return to work at DEI on Monday, but after a medical examination was checked into a hospital in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area on Saturday. Sunday morning at Texas Motor Speedway, Story said he had no update on Gilmore’s condition or prognosis for when he might return to work. Gilmore suffered the aneurysm four weeks ago, prior to the Talladega race weekend. He was hospitalized briefly in Birmingham and then returned to his home in North Carolina.(SPEEDtv.com)(11-5-2007)
Chevy Renews with DEI: Chevy will continue its partnership with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2008 and beyond. "Chevy enjoyed a successful relationship, including six NASCAR Cup championships, with the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel of his Richard Childress Racing Chevy, and we're proud of our longstanding relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. which extends all the way back to when Dale and Teresa Earnhardt founded the business," said Ed Peper, Chevy general manager. "We're pleased to be a part of the DEI family and look forward to continued success with one of racing's leading organizations."(Chevy PR)(10-26-2007)
DEI workers blamed for airborne shot at Bobby Ginn: Three DEI employees who allegedly planned and paid for a derogatory banner to fly over Lowe’s Motor Speedway last weekend have been fired. The banner, which read, “How much does Bobby Ginn owe you?” was pulled by a plane and flown over Lowe’s before the start of last Saturday night’s race. The banner was directed at the former NASCAR team owner, who allowed his organization to be acquired by DEI after just one year of ownership, leaving about 100 people out of a job.
But Kasey Brooks, Mike Clark and Greg Price were hired by DEI after the merger, and are believed to be responsible for the banner. Clark and Price were fabricators at DEI, and Brooks worked in the parts department. “We addressed the situation internally, dealt with it appropriately and we’re quite frankly embarrassed that this situation ever arose,” DEI general manager John Story said. There have been grumblings throughout the garage that Ginn owes former employees back salaries, and drivers Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs have sued him for payment. That lawsuit is in the final stages of being settled, and Ginn sent a Sept. 27 letter to most of his former employees that promised back-owed team bonuses would be paid in full via an Oct. 3 direct deposit.(AP/Thatsracin)(10-20-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Steve Hmiel Part Ways: UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. and director of competition Steve Hmiel have parted company. Hmiel’s responsibilities have been redistributed throughout the organization and his replacement will be named soon. “I have enjoyed a wonderful association with Dale Earnhardt Inc. over the past nine years,” said Hmiel. “It is time for me to pursue other endeavors and reestablish new goals for myself.”(DEI PR)(10-18-2007) UPDATE: Steve Hmiel says it was a difference in opinion that led to his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. "Just a difference in philosophy," Hmiel said of the split Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "It was a job I grew into, so there wasn't really ever a definition [of the position]. I started out doing one thing, then added things along the way and pretty soon, you find yourself doing a lot of different stuff. But I really enjoyed it. It's a different world now, a different time. Some of the things I saw chaffed against me, and some of the things I did chaffed against them. So we sat down and talked about it and thought we might ought to just go do this."(SceneDaily.com)(10-19-2007)
DEI to unveil #8 for 2008: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) to Unveil #8 U. S. Army Chevy this afternoon at Lowe´s Motor Speedway. Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will co-drive the #8 Chevy in 2008.(DEI PR)(10-12-2007) IMAGES: added a few images to the 2008 Sprint Cup Schemes Page of the #8 US Army Chevy.(10-13-2007) MORE: The U.S. Army Chevrolet, owned by Dale Earnhardt Inc., will carry the #8 during the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Veteran Mark Martin and rookie Aric Almirola will co-drive the #8 Chevy with Ryan Pemberton handling the crew chief duties. The #8 car was unveiled Friday, Oct. 12 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. "We are thrilled to be associated with the United States Army and representing our men and women in uniform," said Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc. "The #8 has a long tradition in the Earnhardt family and it is only fitting that it will be showcased on the soldiers' car that will be driven by Mark Martin, one of the most revered drivers in NASCAR history, and a young talent in Aric Almirola."
"As a proud partner of Dale Earnhardt Inc., the U.S. Army is honored to have the soldiers' car carry the # 8, which has a rich tradition and a remarkable Earnhardt family legacy," said Michael J. Sullivan, U.S. Army deputy director of marketing and advertising. “We are excited about continuing the Army spirit in NASCAR and having Mark Martin and Aric Almirola driving the #8 Chevrolet." Along with Martin and Almirola, DEI's driver lineup for the 2008 Cup season includes #1-Martin Truex Jr., #15-Paul Menard and #01-Regan Smith.(DEI PR)(10-15-2007)
Same Schedule for Martin in 2008:Mark Martin enjoyed his first season of part-time racing so much that he’s repeating it race for race in 2008 – Martin will enter both Sprint Cup all-star events and 24 points races. Aric Almirola will drive the #8 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevy in the remaining 12 points races next season.(SPEEDtv.com)(10-12-2007)
Gilmore falls ill, hospitalized, released UPDATE 2: SPEED qualifying coverage reported that DEI's VP of Competition Richie Gilmore, was taken to a Birmingham, AL hospital for a possible stroke, but was later diagnosed as an aneurysm. Gilmore was released and is headed in NC.(SPEED qualifying coverage)(10-6-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. vice president Richie Gilmore has been treated and released from a Birmingham, Ala. hospital after suffering what has been diagnosed as a minor aneurysm. Gilmore suffered stroke-like symptoms on Friday and was taken to Birmingham for evaluation. He is currently back home in Mooresville, NC. “I spoke with both Richie and his wife Lisa on a couple of different occasions today and Richie is doing well,” said Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “He was released today from the hospital and he’s back home getting some rest. He will undergo further evaluation and precautionary testing next week.”(DEI PR)(10-7-2007) UPDATE 2: Richie Gilmore is expected to be out at least a month after suffering a brain aneurysm last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Gilmore was released from a Birmingham, Ala., hospital on Saturday and returned to Charlotte by plane. He was hospitalized again on Monday for tests, but his blood was too thick to do a proper dye test. He underwent the dye test on Wednesday and was scheduled for two MRI's on Thursday. Hmiel said Robbie Benson has taken over Gilmore's duties heading up DEI's side of the engine program with Richard Childress Racing.(ESPN.com)(10-11-2007)
Gibson takes over at Dale Jr.'s crew chief: Tony Gibson will be the crew chief for the #8 Budweiser team for the remainder of the season. He was the interim crew chief for six races earlier in the season after Tony Eury Jr. was suspended. In the six races with Gibson at the helm, the team recorded an eighth-place finish at Charlotte and two top-five finishes. Gibson, a native of Daytona, joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2003. He was crew chief for Steve Park and Michael Waltrip at DEI before becoming the car chief for the #8 Bud team in 2005. He spent six seasons and won two championships as the car chief for Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports before coming to DEI. In his long NASCAR career, he also won a Cup title with driver/owner Alan Kulwicki and has worked with drivers including Bill Elliott, Cale Yarborough, Lake Speed and Rob Moroso. His goal is to win a fourth championship with a third organization.(Bud Racing/fingerprintinc PR)(10-9-2007)
DEI West to house Cup cars; #01 stays: Max Siegel, president of Global Operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said the facility DEI inherited in the merger with Ginn Racing has been renamed DEI West. Siegel said Sunday that the #15 Chevrolet team and the #01 Chevy operation already have moved to the DEI West building. The #8 team and the #1 operation will stay at DEI headquarters until the end of the season. "We don't want to do anything to disrupt the 1 [Martin Truex Jr.] or the 8 [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] right now," Siegel said. "Those teams work really well together." Truex is DEI's one driver in the Chase. After all the Cup teams move to the new facility, current DEI headquarters will house all the administrative offices, along with the Busch Series team and Busch East operation. Siegel also said he hopes to make an announcement within two weeks on a new sponsor for the #01 Chevy. Siegel confirmed that DEI has decided to continue to use 01 as the number.(ESPN.com)(10-1-2007)
Coors Light to replace Bud as official beer of NASCAR UPDATE 2: Coors Light may become the official beer of NASCAR, replacing Budweiser, according to sources, and Coors may also become the new sponsor of what is now the Busch series tour.(Winston Salem Journal) AND also hearing Coors could be the sponsor of the #01 DEI team in 2008.(9-9-2007) UPDATE: Coors Light will announce Tuesday a $20 million deal over five years to become the official beer of NASCAR starting in January. Coors replaces Anheuser-Busch as the official sponsor. The new deal includes renaming the pole award to the Coors Light Pole Award from the Bud Pole Award. For Coors, the NASCAR deal also replaces its sponsorship of the #40 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series. "Our deal was up with those guys, and this opportunity came up," says Andy England, chief marketer for Coors. "It feels like we are elevating our game." For consumer product marketers, a league deal opens up greater opportunity for strong retail display — especially in and around cities when races occur.(USA Today) Coors Shootout? no word on what happens to what is known as the Budweiser Shootout BUT, per Florida Today: From Daytona International Speedway: NASCAR’s agreement with Coors does not include the Bud Shootout race, which is a separate entitlement with DIS. There will be a Bud Shootout event in 2008.(9-25-2007) UPDATE 2: Coors Brewing Company and NASCAR today announced a multi-year partnership, making Coors Light the official beer of NASCAR. The five-year sponsorship agreement gives Coors Brewing Company category exclusivity starting with the 2008 NASCAR season. “We’re proud that Coors Light, the World’s Most Refreshing Beer, is now the official beer of NASCAR – refreshing race fans every weekend from the start of the season to the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup,” said Andy England, Chief Marketing Officer, Coors Brewing Company. “This partnership allows us to deliver exciting and relevant programs to our distributors and retailers – all centered around the number-one spectator sport in the country.” The sponsorship agreement gives Coors Light exclusive rights to NASCAR logos in advertising, packaging and promotions, as well as the right to brand the Pole Award. In addition, Coors Light will build distributor and consumer promotions giving fans exclusive access to one-of-a-kind NASCAR experiences.(Business Wire)(9-25-2007)
Latest on Dale Jr. testing for Hendrick: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to test a car for Hendrick Motorsports at the upcoming Atlanta car of tomorrow test, but said he would only do so if Dale Earnhardt Inc. allowed it. DEI's answer? Go ahead. "We're talking about it and we don't necessarily have a problem with it," DEI vice president John Story said. "We recognize that Dale Jr. and Tony [Eury] Jr. both need to get going with their new program and we're not going to stand in their way." DEI had already planned to put Regan Smith in the #8 car during the two-day Atlanta test, which will take place in the two days following the Nextel Cup race at the track. Tony Gibson will be the crew chief at the test for DEI, as Eury will already have left for Hendrick. "It would be positive for everybody," Story said. "It would give Regan a chance to work with our team and give Tony Jr. and Dale Jr. an opportunity to go work with their new guys. In the spirit of cooperation, I don't think there's anything wrong with that."(SceneDaily.com)(9-24-2007)
Eury Jr. to leave DEI after Talladega: Tony Eury Jr. will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports earlier than expected, team officials confirmed on Thursday.
Eury, who has been Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car or crew chief for all but one season since the two broke into the Nextel Cup Series in 2000, will step down after the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway. He will be allowed to take four members of Earnhardt's #8 team with him under a deal made by DEI when it agreed to free him contractually to join Earnhardt at HMS in 2008. DEI vice president John Story said he met with Eury's crew this week and only one person has mentioned leaving thus far. Eury and Earnhardt could work together for HMS as early as the Car of Tomorrow test at Atlanta Motor Speedway following the Oct. 28 race. Tony Gibson, who replaced Eury during Eury's six-race suspension earlier this year, will complete the season with Earnhardt Jr. Mark Martin will step into Earnhardt's #8 next year, bringing crew chief Ryan Pemberton and his entire crew with him from the #01 team. Gibson is a candidate to move to the #01 car that will be driven by Regan Smith. "Tony Gibson needs an opportunity to get his team together,'' said Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(9-20-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Candy from Hershey: If you're a Dale Earnhardt fan and you like chocolate, you'll likely love the new "collector edition" Hershey bars that will hit the market in January. Hershey Co. unveiled four bars featuring different images of Earnhardt, two Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar designs, one Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar design and one Kit Kat wafer bar design. The images span the career of the seven-time NASCAR champion, including an image of the #3 Chevrolet with which Earnhardt won the 1998 Daytona 500. Also, the candy bars will feature a design that include Earnhardt's signature and the stylized #3. Hershey will invite consumers to make a donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation through an online charity event. The bars will be available in January at retail outlets nationwide, Hershey said. The promotion will run through May 2008.(SceneDaily)(9-19-2007)
More Earnhardt candy with Dale Jr.: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is bringing his heavy-hitting brand and high-profile name to the candy business, announcing the launch of his new candy bar, “Dale Jr.’s Big Mo’ ” through R.M. Palmer Company. Earnhardt Jr. introduced Big Mo’ to buyers and industry media today at the 2007 Candy Expo at McCormick Place. The name Big Mo’ is a play off Earnhardt Jr.’s hometown of Mooresville, NC., and the longtime moniker used for he and his closest friends, the Dirty Mo’ Posse. The milk chocolate candy bar will come in two flavors – creamy caramel and peanut butter. It is scheduled to hit stores nationwide in January 2008. Known for its seasonal novelty candies, R.M. Palmer Co. has been specializing in traditional holiday candies since 1948, but this is the first of its product line to be a milk chocolate everyday candy bar. To coincide the announcement of the Big Mo’ bar, R.M. Palmer Company is launching the “Big Mo’ment with Dale Jr.” sweepstakes [more info on my Contest Page](JR Motorpsorts PR)(9-19-2007)
Budweiser to sponsor Kahne and #9 in 2008: Budweiser announced Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will become the next world-class racer to take the wheel of the iconic red Budweiser car when the 2008 Sprint Cup season kicks off in February. "Budweiser has a long and storied history with NASCAR and some of its most successful drivers. We're excited about Kasey's ability to add to that outstanding lineage," said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Along with team owners George Gillett and Ray Evernham, we feel the pieces are in place for the #9 Budweiser Dodge to contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup championships for years to come."
"The fan in me is thrilled because driving for Budweiser is the kind of opportunity you dream of when you break into this sport. I'm excited about getting behind the wheel of a car that's been driven by some of the best this sport has seen," said Kahne, who has seven wins, 31 top-fives and 46 top-10s in three and a half years on the Cup circuit. "We'll be out to win races and championships, and everyone involved with our organization feels we can do that."
"If Kasey's proven anything in his young career it's that he has the talent to be one of our sport's most consistent winners," said Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner Evernham.
"He's already one of the most popular drivers on the circuit and only stands to benefit more from Budweiser's track record for helping develop drivers with sponsorship activation that's second to none," added Gillett.
Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983, and in 1998, Budweiser became the "Official Beer of NASCAR," cementing the brand's place among stock car racing's elite sponsors. Budweiser is also the sponsor of the Bud Pole Award in all NASCAR divisions, the title sponsor of the annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, the exclusive beer and malt beverage advertiser of the Daytona 500, and the "Official Beer Sponsor" of Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400.(GEM PR)(9-18-2007)
Drivers May Test with New Teams at Atlanta: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and J.J. Yeley both know they'll be with new teams next year, and both know where they're headed, but they can't escape their contracts until season's end. There's a possibility they could get a chance to at least test with their future teams in a few weeks, when there's an open trial at Atlanta, though a series of dominos would have to fall if that's to happen. Yeley hopes to test the #96 car that Tony Raines currently rides, which would allow his eventual replacement, Kyle Busch, to steer the Interstate Batteries Chevy, but in order for that to take place Earnhardt would have to be allowed to take Busch's seat in a Hendrick Motorsports machine. Whether that'll happen, however, remains in question. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. president Teresa Earnhardt has already said Regan Smith will test with Junior's current team at Atlanta, but hasn't yet released her stepson to test with Hendrick, so the whole equation may break down and leave the lame ducks with their soon-to-be defunct teams. "The biggest domino is if Teresa will let Dale Jr. go drive for Hendrick," Yeley said. "If that'll happen, I think you're going to see next year's lineup four months in advance, but that comes down to Teresa." (Concord Monitor)(9-16-2007)
Marlin, Nemechek file lawsuit against Ginn Racing, DEI Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek have sued Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. for alleged breaches of their contracts, which included a base salary of $1.2 million apiece. The separate suits, filed Sept. 7 in Cabarrus County, N.C., do not specify how much they have been paid or what they exactly are owed. Also suing Ginn and DEI are crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo. Ginn and DEI merged prior to the Indianapolis race in July, and Marlin and Nemechek found themselves without a place in the organization. The points of the #14 of Marlin ended up moving to the #15 of DEI with Paul Menard as the driver, while the #13 Nemechek team was eliminated. "Demand for payment has been made ..., but [Ginn and DEI] have failed and/or refused to pay all or any part," the complaints state. The contracts of both drivers and both crew chiefs were filed as part of the complaints and give an insight to what the current rate is for drivers. Both drivers joined the organization when it was MB2 Motorsports. Marlin began in 2006 with a base salary of $1.1 million, and that increased to $1.2 million for 2007. Nemechek started with MB2 in 2004 and received $900,000 for 2004, $1 million for 2005, $1.1 million for 2006 and $1.2 million for 2007. Both drivers got to keep 45% of their race winnings (Nemechek, who was 27th in points in 2006, had $4,099,914 million total in race winnings last year, while Marlin, 34th in points, had $3,248,034 million) and 33% of souvenir sales. Their bonus schedules were $50,000 per win, $25,000 for a top-five, $10,000 for a top-10 and $5,000 per pole. Winning a Cup title was worth a $500,000 bonus, while second through fifth in the final standings were worth $250,000; sixth through 10th were $150,000; 11th through 15th were $100,000 and 16th through 20th were $50,000. Each received a $500 per race travel allowance, a seat on the team plane and a hotel room for each race. They also got a personal car. They agreed to 50 hours of personal appearances for a sponsor plus two days for commercials or media events as well as unlimited track hospitality visits not to exceed 30 minutes in length. They were both responsible for their own insurance. There is a morals clause in each contract stating they "shall not associate with gamblers or other notorious characters; shall not use illegal drugs; and shall not consume alcoholic beverages except in moderation but in no event within eight hours prior to driving in a race or practice."
As far as the crew chiefs, Labbe, hired as the crew chief for Marlin in August 2006, and Sospenzo, hired as crew chief for Nemechek in October 2006, were earning $450,000 annual salaries. Labbe was guaranteed another $50,000 if his bonus money didn't reach that amount, while Sospenzo was guaranteed $25,000. Their bonuses were $20,000 for a win, $10,000 for second-fifth, $5,000 for sixth-10th, $2,500 for 11th-15th and $1,000 for a pole. A season championship was worth $100,000, second-fifth ($75,000) and sixth-10th were $50,000 for Labbe and sixth-12th were $50,000 for Sospenzo. They also got a personal vehicle as well as reimbursement for motorhome expenses. They agreed to make 10 away-from-the-track appearances. They also signed confidentiality agreements related to technical data and car setups. They also agreed that if they left they company, they would not attempt to hire any crew members for a year.(SceneDaily.com)(9-10-2007)
Gibson to be #01 crew chief in 2008: Tony Gibson, who substituted as the crew chief for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. earlier this year and was crew chief for Michael Waltrip at the end of the 2005 season at Dale Earnhardt Inc., will be the crew chief for Regan Smith next year. Gibson replaced Tony Eury Jr., who is heading to Hendrick Motorsports with Earnhardt Jr. DEI Vice President John Story expects the current #8 team to become the #01 team next year with Smith while the current #01 crew moves to the #8 along with drivers Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. All of the other crew chiefs remain the same for their drivers - Kevin Manion with #1-Martin Truex Jr., Dave Charpentier with #15-Paul Menard and Ryan Pemberton with the #8-Martin/Almirola team.(SceneDaily.com)(9-9-2007)
Martin and Almirola will drive the #8 in 2008: Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced on Friday that Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will split next season in the car that has become famous with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt had hoped to carry the number with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season, but was unwilling to agree to the terms of DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, his stepmother. Martin will drive in 23 to 26 races with Almirola taking the rest. Sponsor U.S. Army and most of the #01 crew that has worked with Martin this season as he's split the year with Regan Smith will move to the #8. Smith will drive the #01 [team, could be a different car number] next season. DEI officials have described next year as a transition year for the car, hoping to land one of the high profile free agents that will become available to run a full schedule in 2009.(ESPN.com) AND: The team said the number [#01?, #14?] and sponsor [Coors?] for Smith would be announced at a later date.(SceneDaily.com)(9-7-2007)
Dale Jr. to open a nightclub: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to open Whisky River, a bar and live-music venue, in uptown's new EpiCentre development this December. "It's going to be a cool hangout," said Chris Epstein, a nightclub veteran in Charlotte who is partnering with Earnhardt, the majority owner. But don't expect Whisky River -- named for the bar at Earnhardt's house -- to look like a racing watering hole with NASCAR memorabilia strewn about. Rather, it will resemble a basement bar that anyone would enjoy hanging out in -- including Junior when he's in town, Epstein said. Think lots of wood and metal decorations, multiple TVs and a mechanical bull "with rides a bit rougher than those in a race car," according to a news release. As for food, think bar staples, such as chicken wings. "He really wants it to be a cool place he can take his friends and not be a shrine to anyone," said Epstein, who owned the former Liquid Lounge in Charlotte. He and Earnhardt worked with Charlotte's Bar Management Group, which operates Dixie's Tavern uptown and bars in 21 other cities, to land the EpiCentre location. Earnhardt, who has been sponsored by Budweiser, looked at other markets across the country and closer to home, including Mooresville, before choosing Charlotte. Unavailable Thursday for comment, Earnhardt said in a news release: "Charlotte is where I'm at the most and it's home." Whisky River will open in a 10,000-square-foot space facing East Trade Street across from the Bobcat Arena's main entrance. When asked how much Earnhardt was investing in the entertainment venture, spokesman John Rhodes left it at "a lot." Earnhardt and Epstein expect Whisky River to be popular with Charlotte residents looking for uptown entertainment as well as visitors, especially those checking out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, slated to open in 2010 at Stonewall and Caldwell streets.(Charlotte Observer)(9-7-2007)
How Dale Jr. can make the Chase: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. still has a shot to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. A longshot, granted. “I want [our fans and sponsors] to know that no matter what, me and the team are giving everything we got,” Earnhardt said. “We're not going to lose focus or give up or pack it in.” Earnhardt is 13th in series points coming into Saturday night’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400, 128 behind 12th-place #29-Kevin Harvick. The top eight drivers in the current points have clinched Chase spots. Drivers in ninth and 10th place must only start on Saturday night to clinch. The lowest Earnhardt can finish at Richmond is fifth to still have a chance at making the Chase. The two caveats to that scenario: He must also lead the most laps and Harvick has to finish 43rd. He can also finish fourth and lead one lap, or finish third and lead no laps and still qualify – as long as Harvick finishes last. On the other end of the spectrum, if Earnhardt wins Saturday night and leads the most laps, he’ll clinch a spot if Harvick finishes 33rd or worse OR if Kurt Busch finishes 37th or worse. If Earnhardt wins but doesn’t lead the most laps, he’ll need a Harvick finish of 34th or lower OR a Busch finish of 39th or lower.(NASCAR PR)(9-5-2007)
Eury Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008: When driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season, Tony Eury Jr. will be his crew chief. Eury, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief for the past two seasons, signed a multi-year agreement with the organization this week. "Tony Jr. and Dale have a successful history working together," Hendrick said. "They have trust in each other, which is the biggest part of the relationship between driver and crew chief. We have the utmost confidence in their ability to win races and compete for titles at Hendrick Motorsports." A Kannapolis, N.C., native, Eury will move to Hendrick Motorsports immediately following the current NASCAR season. He will continue the work of Darian Grubb, who will finish the 2007 schedule as crew chief of the #25 Chevrolets before moving into a senior competition role with Hendrick Motorsports. "Dale Jr. and I are both excited to continue working together," said Eury, 34, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief or car chief for the majority of the driver's NASCAR career. "With the resources we'll have at Hendrick Motorsports, it's an opportunity to consistently run up front and be in title contention every year. The goals are winning races and winning championships." Grubb, 31, who hails from Floyd, Va., will coordinate the at-track engineering efforts of the Earnhardt and Mears teams with emphasis on supporting Eury's transition to Hendrick Motorsports and Mears' switch to the #5 Cup Series program. The personnel moves will give Hendrick Motorsports additional depth with the Earnhardt and Mears teams. Grubb, who earned a championship as an engineer with the #48 Chevrolets and has won three times in 29 races as a crew chief, will work hand-in-hand with veteran team manager Brian Whitesell. Hendrick Motorsports is evaluating alternative numbers for the Earnhardt team, which currently uses the #25 on its Chevy race cars. A timetable for that announcement has not been set.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
Martin/Almirola in the #8 in 2008? UPDATE 2: Serious discussions are underway at Dale Earnhardt Inc. to place Mark Martin and Aric Almirola in a split role in an Army-sponsored No. 8 Chevrolet in 2008, sources close to DEI told ESPN.com on Thursday. DEI president Max Siegel said nothing has been finalized. "If there's anyone that would represent Dale Earnhardt Inc. and what the #8 means to this company it would be Mark Martin," Siegel said. "But there has been no official decision made on this yet." Sources explained that Army ran the #01 at Ginn in conjunction with its "An Army of One" marketing initiative, but given that that program has since been abandoned in favor of the new "Army Strong" slogan, the number change doesn't overtly affect Army's marketing focus. A Martin/Almirola split schedule in 2008 would leave the door open for another driver, possibly Greg Biffle, to join DEI full-time in 2009. Biffle currently has a contract with Roush Fenway Racing through the end of the 2008 season but has been speculated to be a candidate as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s permanent replacement in the #8. It is uncertain at this point what this would mean for the #01, though sources say DEI "has several options" for that team.(ESPN.com)(8-23-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Vice President John Story says he's not going to put a timetable on naming the new drivers for the team. Story said that despite reports to the contrary, he would not confirm that Mark Martin will move over to the #8 and share that Chevy with rookie Aric Almirola next season. In addressing that, Story said that "anything's possible and nothing's definite."(SceneDaily.com)(8-25-2007) UPDATE 2: Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will be introduced as next season's drivers for the #8 at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in two weeks at Richmond International Speedway barring a last-minute objection from sponsors, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. Regan Smith is the leading candidate to step into the #01 that he has split with Martin and Almirola this season. Sources said a deal could be reached by Friday. Jeremy Mayfield, who recently announced he would not drive for Bill Davis Racing in '08, also has been under consideration. Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, acknowledged that Martin is a possibility for the #8. But he would only confirm that DEI should have its five-driver lineup in place by the end of the week and would announce it at Richmond. Without identifying the car, Siegel said Martin will drive in 24 to 26 Nextel Cup races next season and that Almirola will take the remaining events. He added that Almirola would be in a Busch and/or Truck Series event every weekend in '08. Siegel added that all the sponsors are set for next year and also will be announced at Richmond, but would not elaborate. U.S. Army, which has been the sponsor of the #01, and the entire #01 crew are expected to move to the #8 with Martin and Almirola. Martin has made it clear that he wants to remain with crew chief Ryan Pemberton. Although DEI has a year left on its deal with Budweiser, the beer company will not be on a DEI car in '08 unless there is a last-minute breakdown in negotiations with other teams. Budweiser has been working on a deal to be on the #9 of Kasey Kahne. Siegel said '08 will be a transition year for the entire organization, acknowledging the driver lineup could be quite different in '09. Greg Biffle, who has had talks with DEI about driving the #8, has a year left on his deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle told ESPN.com he will not make a decision on '09 until probably this time next season, and that it will be based on performance.(ESPN.com)(8-26-2007)
Dale Jr: People should give Teresa a break: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. met with media members Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed the new Bristol surface, tomorrow night's race and resolution to not running #8 in 2008 and beyond. Select quotes from driver interview:
ON FEELING BAD FOR FANS OVER SITUATION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE #8 TO NEW TEAM FOR 2008 AT AND BEYOND: "I feel pretty bad. There isn't much I can do about it. It was pretty much out of my control. I do want to say while I have a couple of media members here that it is about time to give Teresa a break. She makes the decision on the number because she owns it. And as much as I am disappointed and frustrated over the fact that I don't get to keep driving the #8, the stuff I read that I read on Internet and the stuff that I am hearing that is going on, the remarks about her, directed toward her, I don't think anybody deserves that. If people just take a step back and look, she hasn't done anything intentionally that is detrimental to me. I have a good future, I have a good opportunity in my hands, she is doing what she needs to do, what she feels like she needs to do. I think everybody needs to lay off a little bit because she was married to my Daddy and I know he wouldn't be too happy about it what is going on and what is being said about her. It bothers me a little bit. NASCAR needs Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to be healthy and to be around. I never thought it would fall apart. I think the company will be active and productive. I always thought that. It has never crossed my mind nor have I ever pondered what if DEI doesn't make it out because it will. It is going to be fine. I am not worried about DEI's future. Because I think it is right. I hate to see somebody be crucified on the Internet and whatnot like Teresa has. She has a daughter that goes to school, that has friends. She has to put up with that stuff. It is just hard-core man. People have just been really really rude and really over the line, way over the line, on some of the things that have been said. I know Teresa doesn't know half of it because won't read it and she won't put up with it. If anybody in their right mind knew that was going on, they wouldn't be around it and deal with it. It still gets back to Taylor, maybe it does, I don't know, but nobody deserves that and it just isn't fair.(GM Racing PR)(8-25-2007)
Dale Jr and Sharpie help kids win back-to-school: It's back to Bristol - which can only mean it's back to school for hundreds of thousands of students across the country. To commemorate the official start of the school year, NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr and Sharpie are teaming up with Speedway Children's Charities to help a special group of kids cross their own finish line this school year. Dale Jr will step into Victory Lane on the afternoon of Friday, August 24 to present members of the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, Virginia with a win of their own - $10,000 in backpacks full of much-needed school supplies, along with a check to help further the Club's mission to provide tutoring, computer training, sports education, homework help, and mentoring to area youth. The donation is part of Sharpie's Autographs for Action program, which annually collects one-million autographs in exchange for $1 million in funds and school supplies for schools, community groups and charitable organizations nationwide. Dale Jr also will join Club members in signing Sharpie's giant autograph wall, contributing his much-coveted signature to Sharpie's collection drive for charity.(Sharpie PR)(8-23-2007)
DEI close to naming 2008 driver lineup: Dale Earnhardt Inc. could announce its full driver lineup within a week or two, the company's president of global operations said Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. Max Siegel said DEI still had plenty of options as to who could drive the #8 car next season. "We're trying to figure out who will fit in our driver lineup that complements the entire team and where we want to go as a company," Siegel said. "Right now, I want to put the most competent driver in the car. Anyone that's going to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc. has to fit in with the drivers that we have on our staff right now." It remains a possibility that Mark Martin could split the #8 car driving duties with Aric Almirola while Regan Smith takes over the #01, though drivers as David Reutimann, J.J. Yeley and David Stremme have also been rumored to be in the mix for the #8 ride.
Regardless of who drives the car and who sponsors it - Siegel reiterated that the team has contingency plans in case Budweiser leaves - DEI will have four fully-funded cars next season, he said. Those cars will likely be Chevrolets, he said. Richard Childress Racing was the first of the Chevy teams to re-sign with the manufacturer, and RCR shares an engine program with DEI. "We have had very positive discussions and are well down the road to being with Chevrolet," Siegel said.(SceneDaily.com)(8-20-2007)
History of the #8: in part from an ESPN.com article: 82 drivers have run the #8, beginning with Billy Carden, from Mableton, Ga., started third and finished 15th in NASCAR's second-ever Strictly Stock (now Nextel Cup) race, run on the grueling 4.15-mile beach and road course in Daytona. The #8 has run a total of 1,264 Cup races, steered by two Jacks, three Joes, six Dicks, and guys named Possum, Pop, Tiny, Skip, Banjo, Elmo, Bud, L.D., J.D., E.J. and D.K. Earnhardt is the third Junior to drive the car and isn't even the first Dale Earnhardt. Senior made one start at Charlotte in '75. Dale Jr. is not the racer responsible for the majority of the #8's visits to Victory Lane. That distinction belongs to Little Joe Weatherly, considered by some to be the most talented driver ever to own a NASCAR license and by most to be among the greatest partyers in American history. Weatherly slipped into the #8 in 1961, having already won four races with other teams and numbers as he bounced from team to team. But it was in car owner Bud Moore's Pontiac that Weatherly became a legend. From 1961 to '63, he started 109 races in the #8, earning 20 wins, 16 poles, and back-to-back championships in '62 and '63. For those of you scoring at home, that means Little Joe tops Little E in wins, poles, championships. Unfortunately, Weatherly died behind the wheel of #8 at the Riverside, Calif., road course only five races into the '64 season and the numeral went into a nosedive. For the next 35 years, the number won only one race despite having some all-time all-stars behind the wheel. However, between Weatherly's last win on Oct. 27, 1963, and Dale Jr.'s first on April 2, 2000, one other man was able to celebrate a victory as Driver #8. On July 27, 1986, at Talladega Superspeedway, Hillin was the original, check that, only young gun in the Winston Cup Series. On a wild day that saw 26 different leaders and an epic multicar crash on the final lap, the pride of Midland, Texas, became the third-youngest driver to win a Cup race. Of the 82 men who have driven the #8, his win is one more win than 79 of them. Totals (as of Watkins Glen, Aug. 17): 1,264 starts, 38 wins, 300,817 laps run, 8,465 laps led $41,227,649 won. (see full article and list of drivers who have driven the #8 at ESPN.com)(8-20-2007)
Dale Jr.: Teresa Earnhardt made 'ridiculous' requests for #8: Dale Earnhardt Jr. blames his step-mother Teresa Earnhardt, the owner of Dale Earnhardt Inc., for not allowing the #8 to move with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season. "She either feels too personal about the number, or the rift between me and her is too personal," Earnhardt Jr. said Saturday. "I'm not going to sit here and get personal about this. It's upsetting as hell and unfortunate, but that's just what happens sometimes." Earnhardt Jr. said he never believed he would get the number when he made the decision to leave DEI at the end of this season. "I'm not really all that surprised," he said. "I knew I wasn't going to get the number a long time ago." But Earnhardt Jr. praised DEI president Max Siegel for his efforts in trying to make it happen. Earnhardt Jr. said Siegel worked closely with Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Junior's sister and business manager. "Max tried his butt off to make it work," Earnhardt Jr. said. "He was trying to talk to Teresa and get some sense into her." Siegel said he had nothing to say about Earnhardt Jr.'s comments on Saturday, but added he might address them Sunday. Teresa Earnhardt was not at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. She rarely talks to the media. Earnhardt Jr. said negotiations broke down when Teresa asked for part of the licensing revenue, along with wanting the number back after he retired. "Just ridiculous kind of requests," Earnhardt Jr. said. "We just wanted the number, but I was willing to give the number back when I was done driving. I wouldn't have any use for it personally." Earnhardt Jr. said he wanted the number to carry on a family legacy. "I feel like it's an Earnhardt tradition because my grandfather and my dad used it a little bit, too," he said. "I'm using it right now, and I figured that we would be able to keep using it. But unfortunately we're not going to be able to." Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward now. He said he is considering a number in the 80s for his new ride at Hendrick next season. "That's just common sense," he said. "I want a number that I'm going to like. I'll design the shape and the look. We'll build a new identity with that." Earnhardt is trying to look at the bright side. "Maybe it's for the best," he said. "Maybe it's sort of a blessing in disguise to really make a clean break. If I was to get the 8 and allow Teresa to still have control over it, I would still have to deal with it. That is not what I wanted. I have to let it go."(ESPN.com)(8-18-2007)
No #8 for Earnhardt Jr at Hendrick: Hendrick Motorsports will not have the ability to field #8 entries for Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the Sprint Cup Series driver joins the organization in 2008. "We've been working hard to secure the #8 for Dale Jr.'s car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense, and now we have to move forward with other options. "We appreciate the efforts of Max Siegel and his team (at Dale Earnhardt Inc.), and are excited about unveiling our plans for 2008 in the near future." No timetable has been set for an announcement of Earnhardt's car number or team sponsor.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(8-15-2007)
Dale Jr. at Graceland tonight: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make a special appearance this evening (Monday, August 13th) at Graceland in Memphis, TN, hosting a special night in honor of Elvis Presley. Junior and Bud's NHRA star Brandon Bernstein will get a private tour of the mansion before an on-stage question-and-answer session. Then Dale Jr. will introduce a special performance of his 10 favorite Elvis songs and the debut of a digitally remastered version of the Elvis' film 'Viva Las Vegas...' more info below a few spots.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(8-13-2007)
Drivers to the #8 team? MORE on ESPN's NASCAR Now on Sunday, it was reported that David Reutimann's name [#00 Waltrip racing Toyota] has popped up as a driver who could end up at DEI and in the #8 Chevy, but that he cannot talk to other teams until Oct when his contract with MWR is up. Other drivers DEI are interested in include J.J. Yeley who will leave the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing ride at the end of the season, #01-Regan Smith, currently part time at DEI and without a ride, could stay. Plus, the team could switch Mark Martin and Aric Almirola from the #01 Army Chevy to the #8 next season.(8-12-2007) MORE: Greg Biffle, Regan Smith, J.J. Yeley and David Reutimann are among the drivers being considered for the #8 car at Dale Earnhardt Inc., a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. Don't count Mark Martin out, either. Biffle is under contract through 2008 at Roush Fenway Racing, so he's a long-shot for next season. But should he opt to sign with DEI for 2009 and not be released by Roush, there's a scenario in which Martin and Aric Almirola split the #8 next season and Smith moves into the #01 currently shared by those drivers. Then in 2009 Biffle would move into the #8 that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is vacating after this season.(ESPN.com)(8-13-2007)
Stremme to DEI? DENIED: Hearing #40-David Stremme is one of the candidates for the #8 seat at DEI. In the midst of all the buzz about who will take the #8 ride at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., since the merger with Ginn Racing, David Stremme has emerged as one of the frontrunners.(7-31-2007) UPDATE: on Wednesday's NASCAR Now [ESPN2] Angelique Chengelis reported that DEI's Max Siegel said Stremme was not a candidate [no way] and Stremme's agent, Jeff Dickerson said Stremme is signed with Ganassi Racing thru 2008.(8-9-2007)
Dale Jr. to race Elvis scheme at Richmond: The King of Rock 'n' Roll will roll with the King of Beers when NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NHRA young gun Brandon Bernstein pilot commemorative Elvis Presley's 30th Anniversary paint schemes on the #8 Budweiser Chevy and Bud King Racing Top Fuel dragster in September.
Earnhardt's #8 Budweiser Chevy is a predominantly white scheme with black and red highlights and features Elvis' image on the hood and rear quarter panels, plus the King's image and "Elvis 30th" on the deck lid for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 8. A custom Elvis themed helmet and black driver firesuit includes the young Elvis' silhouette on the torso with Budweiser in red down each leg. The car will be unveiled Monday, Aug. 13 on the front steps of Elvis' Graceland home, and be on public display during Elvis Week in the Elvis Auto Museum, Aug. 14-18. Earnhardt and Bernstein will rev up the 30th Anniversary Elvis Week celebration by hosting the first night of the "Elvis Music & Movies" series on the front lawn of Graceland on Aug. 13. "Elvis Music & Movies" marks the first ever Elvis Week entertainment event inside the gates of Presley's famed home in Memphis. In addition, Budweiser will honor Elvis' passion for horses with a visit by the Budweiser Clydesdales, which will be stabled in Graceland's main tour center area for public viewing Aug. 14-18. For additional information on Elvis Week events and to buy tickets, visit ElvisWeek.com.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR), see images of tjhe car on my #8 Team Schemes page.(8-3-2007)
Eury Sr. talks about HMS/JRM merger: Tony Eury Sr, Director of Competition at JR Motorsports, talked with Claire B. Lang on XM Satellite Radio Tuesday about the developments in the JR Motorsports Busch operation this week. He told her that he and the JR Motorsports team visited the team at Hendrick Motorsports yesterday. JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports have merged their Busch operations and Eury told CBL he was amazed by what he saw. Eury Sr. said: "I had not actually been through Hendrick Motorsports until yesterday and I took my first tour through there yesterday and we all sat down and kind of tried to address this thing out how it's going to happen you know how it's going to work. Kelly (Earnhardt Elledge) and myself and Dale Junior and Rick (Hendrick) and Marshall (Carlson) and Doug Duchardt you know and Ken House and everybody thats
involved in this deal we all just trying to figure out how we're going to make this thing work and no bumps in the road. And I actually took my first tour yesterday with Kelley through Hendrick Motorsports and I really was amazed at what I seen you know. I actually made a phone call to Tony Jr last night after I got back and told him we need to
pat ourselves on the back if we ever outran a Hendrick Motorsports because it's one heck of a race shop no doubt about it.
Claire B. : What was it that they had that you were so impressed with or that you saw?
"They are just swarmed with engineering help I mean every building you go in is engineered very well they just have the seven post rig and they have just all kinds of engineering stuff to work with. They have the...the engine shop is just amazing the machine and equipment the CNC stuff thats running in there. You know it's it's just really amazing to walk in there and see so much stuff going on and they build a lot of carbon fiber seats for a lot of the drivers over there, they have a carbon shop. It was really just amazing to walk through there
and see how much he has accomplished, you know, in his racing career because he has really built a really nice place over there.(XM Radio)(8-1-2007)
Pepsi? National Guard? #81? for Dale Jr.? No final decision has been made regarding #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s future team sponsor at Hendrick Motorsports, but one is expected within the month and possibly within the next two weeks, multiple sources close to the negotiations said Monday. It is widely speculated that PepsiCo. is the leading candidate to sponsor Earnhardt through its Mountain Dew brand, but sources with knowledge of negotiations say National Guard is also a top candidate as part of a split sponsorship package. National Guard currently sponsors Hendrick's #25 Chevy, driven by Casey Mears. Sources say the combined deal will be the richest team sponsorship in NASCAR history, somewhere between $25 million and $30 million annually. Earnhardt said last week that Navy will continue its sponsorship of JR Motorsports' #88 Busch Series entry in 2008, but sources said that would not conflict with a potential National Guard association in the Sprint Cup Series. As for the other key piece of the Junior puzzle -- his car number -- DEI and Hendrick are actively negotiating. Hendrick has submitted a proposal to DEI. This is an intricate proposal that carries obvious emotions. NASCAR owns the car numbers and leases them to the teams each year, and gives the team that ran a respective number the previous season last right of refusal on running it again the following year. Therefore, DEI holds the rights to the #8. NASCAR said it won't stand in the way of any potential transaction. Earnhardt last week reiterated his want to drive the #8 in 2008, but said if the deal ultimately doesn't pan out he'd like #81, which he has run at times in the Busch Series.(ESPN.com), so how would this effect the #25 and Mears? Kellogg's and Carquest are supposedly signed with Hendrick thru 2009, so they could sponsor Mears, who would drive the #25 or #5 if Earnhardt Jr. gets the #8 or #81.(7-30-2007)
No crew chief changes at the new DEI: There will be no immediate crew chief changes as a result of the Dale Earnhardt Inc.-Ginn Racing merger, but not all the crew chiefs will work out of the same shop. Paul Menard's #15 team will move immediately into the Ginn Racing building, where the former Ginn #01 team also will be housed, DEI Vice President John Story said Thursday. The DEI teams of #1-Martin Truex Jr. and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will remain at the current DEI shop until the end of the season. As far as drivers, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will complete the season co-driving the #01 car. That leaves Regan Smith, who was named last week to drive the now-defunct #14 Ginn car, without a Cup ride. Having started the year as Martin's co-driver, Smith will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night in Indianapolis. The rest of the schedule for Smith is still being evaluated. As far as crew chiefs, Dave Charpentier, who became Menard's crew chief in June, will remain as his crew chief, and Ryan Pemberton remains with Mark Martin. Former Ginn crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo (who worked with the now-defunct #14 and #13 Ginn teams) are in the pool of employees who are waiting to see what happens. Crew chiefs aren't the only ones in limbo: DEI already had two development drivers - Jeffrey Earnhardt and Trevor Bayne - in its fold. With the merger, it also now has Kraig Kinser, Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael. Story said Carmichael's program is fairly solid because it has sponsorship from Monster energy drink, and DEI currently has Earnhardt's and Bayne's cars sold for the rest of this season. As far as executives, it still is to be determined what role former Ginn Racing Chief Executive Officer Jay Frye will play in the company. "We've only just begun to discuss it," Story said. "Jay has put his heart and soul and blood and guts into this company over the years, and we really want to know what Jay wants to do. We haven't gotten to that point where we've drawn a new [organizational] chart."
Workers in the fabrication shop know where they're headed. As part of the transition, DEI will move all of its fabrication work all to the Ginn shop, which has a seven-post shaker rig, a million-dollar piece of machinery that evaluates how a car handles. The Ginn shop has 180,000 square feet in one large room, which will allow all four Cup teams to be on the same floor and should improve communications among the teams, Story said. The two shops are at most 10 minutes apart. Story said the existing DEI shop will house two Busch Series teams in the future, as well as possibly a Craftsman Truck Series program and a two-car Busch East program.(SceneDaily.com)(7-26-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing Merge; Official Announcement: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has become even stronger through a merger with Ginn Racing. Effective immediately, the team will feature the Chevys of #15-Paul Menard, #1-Martin Truex Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #01-Mark Martin and #01-Aric Almirola. Martin and Almirola will combine to drive the #01 Army Chevy for the remainder of the 2007 season as well as the entire 2008 season. Menard drives the Menards Chevy, Truex drives the Bass Pro Shops Chevy and Earnhardt handles driving duties of the Budweiser Chevy. All four entries are inside the top 35 in Nextel Cup points heading into this weekend's Brickyard 400. Regan Smith, who was originally slated to drive the Ginn Clubs and Resorts Chevy in the Brickyard 400, will instead compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday night in the Ginn Resorts Chevy Silverado. Specific schedules for Martin, Smith and Almirola will be announced later. In addition to Nextel Cup Series competition, the company will continue to field entries in the Busch Series, the Busch East Series and will analyze its future involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series. The numerous teams of Dale Earnhardt Inc. will operate from both the original facility built by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt as well as the nearly 180,000-square-foot facility currently housing Ginn Racing's teams. The buildings are less than five miles apart in Mooresville, N.C. Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s current management team will be responsible for all day-to- day activities and transition plans have already begun to develop. John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for DEI will oversee the expansion of the company's racing efforts. In completing this merger, points on Ginn Racing's #13 car, which was 34th in Nextel Cup owner's points, have been eliminated.(Dale Earnhardt Inc PR), been told the #78 team will NOT be allowed to buy the points for the #13 car, so the #21 Ford supposedly will move up into the top 35 of owners pts and get the guaranteed spot. Bill Elliott will run the #21 car at Indy with Ken Schrader in the #49, no word yet if Schrader will return to the #21 at Pocono next week.(7-25-2007)
DEI, Ginn Merger to Be Announced Wednesday: Dale Earnhardt Inc. will announce on Wednesday that it is merging with Ginn Racing, effective immediately, and will acquire all Ginn assets, including its massive headquarters. Sources said the company will be known as Dale Earnhardt Inc., but that Ginn owner Bobby Ginn will remain a partner in the business. DEI president Max Siegel will oversee the operation, and Ginn CEO Jay Frye will assist DEI executives John Story, Steve Hmiel and Richie Gilmore in sorting out personnel details, sources said. DEI will field four fully-funded racecars in the Allstate 400 this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- the #1 Chevy driven by Martin Truex Jr., the #8 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the #15 driven by Paul Menard and the #01 driven by Mark Martin. One of Ginn's other two former cars, the #13 or 14, essentially becomes Menard's #15 team, and the other team will simply discontinue operation [rumors still say that the #78 team will get the owner points from the team]. Menard will pick up the owner's points held by Ginn's # 13 car that was 34th. DEI plans to move its entire operation to Ginn's Mooresville, N.C., facility. The organization begun by the late Dale Earnhardt has been looking for land for almost a year because there is no room to expand at the current facility. #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin were given their release last week, with rookie Regan Smith moving into Marlin's car for the remainder of the year before the merger. Smith likely will finish the season splitting the #01 with Martin. Sources said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with the developmental driver program as he was at Ginn.(ESPN.com)(7-25-2007)
DEI buying Ginn? UPDATE 3: hearing a deal could be announced in the next week or so, where Dale Earnhardt Inc. would buy into or outright Ginn Racing. Ginn Racing currently fields the #01-Mark Martin/Regan Smith, #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin teams.(7-16-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [#s 1, 8, 15] and Ginn Racing [#s 01, 13, 14] are working on a merger agreement that, if finalized, would meld the two organizations into a single company, multiple sources close to negotiations told ESPN.com on Monday. The deal is not done, but a decision will be made soon. Both organizations hope, sources said, to firm up outstanding details and announce a partnership immediately. This deal is an elaborate proposition that entails several obstacles, including how best to reduce from six Nextel Cup teams to the maximum four. The obvious answer, sources said, would be to eliminate Ginn's financially-strapped #13 and #14 teams.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2007) UPDATE 2: Tim Packman talked with Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway Tuesday afternoon and stated that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has entered into a meger/acquisition of Ginn Racing. Reportedly, the #14 team's points will go to #15-Paul Menard and he will be locked into the field. #01-Mark Martin will drive at Indianapolis under the DEI banner, and the #13 team points will possibly be sold to Furniture Row Racing and #78-Kenny Wallace to lock him into the field. It is unknown what will happen to Regan Smith, who was scheduled to drive the #14 this weekend.(7-24-2007) UPDATE 3: ESPN's David Newton reported on NASCAR Now Tuesday that #01-Mark Martin, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr, and #15-Paul Menard will drive for DEI this weekend at the Brickyard. Menard will be locked into the race using the #14 team's points. Ginn Racing CEO Jay Frye will stay with DEI. DEI will move it's motorsports operations to the Ginn facilities in Mooresville, NC. A determination has not been made on Regan Smith's future with the team. An announcment should come sometime Wednesday.(7-24-2007)
#78 to get #13 owners points? UPDATE: hearing the #78 Furniture Row Racing team will 'buy' the owners points of the #13 Ginn Racing team unless a sponsorship deal can be put together for the #13 team to run at Indy. A deal could be announced for the owners pts early this week. Joe Nemechek was driving the #13 Chevy for Ginn Racing and was recently told he was free to look for another ride by Ginn Racing. Kenny Wallace drives the #78 Chevy for Furniture Row Racing. The #78 is 43rd in owners pts and out of a guaranteed starting spot; the #13 is 34th in owners pts and has a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup.(7-24-2007) UPDATE: Ginn Racing hopes to have a decision on the future of the #13 car before Friday's Nextel Cup qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. The financially strapped organization has been in discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. about possibly selling the #13 team for its owner's points or merging with the company formed by the late Dale Earnhardt. There have also been discussions with selling the points to the #78 car of Kenny Wallace in time for Sunday's race at Indianapolis. The Barney Visser-owned team is 42nd in points and has made only nine races this season. Ginn could also race the car with Joe Nemechek if a sponsor can be lined up at the last minute for the high-profile race. But sources said it is clear the car, 34th in owner's points and comfortably inside the top 35 guaranteed a spot in each race with a 244-point lead over 36th, will not be idle this weekend.(ESPN.com)(7-24-2007)
Budweiser to Evernham? UPDATE: hearing that Budweiser could sponsor one of the Evernham Motorsports teams in 2008, leaving DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. it could be the sponsor for Kasey Kahne if Dodge lets him out of their sponsor deal of the #9 and if Bud feels Kahne meets their demographics, or even #19-Elliott Sadler team. Supposedly DEI could still be in play for the Bud sponsor, but looks like Bud will not follow Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports and that Pepsi/Mountain Dew will sponsor Dale Jr. in 2008.(7-10-2007) UPDATE: Budweiser officials are shopping around for their best sponsorship option in NASCAR, a clear indication that the beer company will not sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports next season, sources confirmed Tuesday. It's expected that PepsiCo Inc., possibly with the Mountain Dew brand or a combination of Pepsi products, will sponsor Earnhardt next season in the #5 Chevy [or possibly the #8] for Hendrick. And Anheuser-Busch is negotiating with Evernham Motorsports to possibly move the Bud sponsorship to Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge next season. Budweiser officials also have contacted officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway about the possibility of holding a news conference at the Lowe's Speedway Club next week if a new team sponsorship agreement is reached. An Evernham Motorsports official said Tuesday that no agreement has been reached with Budweiser and that the Evernham marketing department was talking to several other companies about potential sponsorships for 2008. Team owner Ray Evernham has an agreement with Dodge, through the Dodge Dealers, to sponsor both Kahne's car and the #19 Dodge of Elliott Sadler through 2010. The Dodge dealers would have to sign off on any deal to allow Budweiser to move to Kahne's car.
One source close to the negotiations told ESPN.com that it's still possible Budweiser could stay at Dale Earnhardt Inc., depending on whom DEI signs to replace Earnhardt. Budweiser officials now have targeted four other drivers they would consider sponsoring next season, including Kahne. The other three drivers are not known.(more at ESPN.com)(7-11-2007)
DEI interested in adding existing Nextel Cup team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. is looking to expand its Nextel Cup operation and has inquired about acquiring an existing team [#13 Ginn Racing?]. DEI vice president John Story said Monday the purchase of a team in the top 35 of car owner points would be used to shore up DEI's #15 team driven by Paul Menard. Menard is 39th in owner points and has failed to qualify for six races.(Fort Worth Star Telegram/AP)(7-11-2007)
DEI News, Dale Jr replacement; Menards to return: Max Siegel, president of global operations for DEI said that he hopes to have a replacement for Dale Earnhardt Jr. hired by the end of the month. He would not discuss possible drivers for that seat. Siegel also said that despite some speculation Paul Menard and sponsor Menards will return for next season. DEI hired Kevin Buskirk to lead its test team. Buskirk, who had been an engineer and crew chief at Robert Yates Racing, replaces Tony Eury Sr., who left to join JR. Motorsports.(Roanoke Times)(7-8-2007)
RCR-DEI Engine Debut at Daytona: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies will debut the new common engine package this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. All six Richard Chiledress Racing [#07,#29,#31] and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) cars [#1,#8,#15] will run the new engine.(RCR PR)(7-4-2007)
New York Investors Looking for Cup Teams: The buzz in the garage in New Hampshire is that at least two New York-based investment banking firms have been making the rounds among Nextel Cup teams, looking to invest in one or more teams, eventually taking a race team public with a stock offering. So far, there have been no takers among the NASCAR team owners. At least one of the investment firms has talked with multiple teams in the garage, including Robert Yates Racing [#38 & #88], Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [#1, #8, #15] and Roush Fenway Racing [#6, #16, #17, #26, #99], multiple sources said. The idea has been for the companies to make cash investments of upwards of $50 million in a team and then at some point sell their interests, perhaps by public stock offering. “We looked at their business plan and it didn’t make sense to us,” said Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith, who confirmed his team had been contacted by a New York-based investment fund that he did not identify by name. Robert Yates talked extensively with the potential investors and reached the same conclusion. “You sit in a room with about 20 bankers and you spend about 18 hours in there with them and you realize that they didn’t contribute anything to the gross national product except maybe going to the bathroom,” said Yates, who also has entertained merger and/or partnership offers from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Robby Gordon Motorsports and Hall of Fame Racing, among others, before deciding to go it alone. Another team principal who spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday morning at New Hampshire, said the team he works with was approached by investors, but chose not to get involved with them, either. “They had a ton of money, but they didn’t know anything at all about racing,” he said, adding the team was not in need of a cash infusion and would only consider an outside investor if that investor could add significant value to the team.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-2-2007)
Hendrick wants to buy the #8 from DEI UPDATE 2: Car owner Rick Hendrick has let it be known to officials at Dale Earnhardt Inc. that he'd like to purchase the #8 for Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he begins driving for his organization in 2008. "I'm not sure what their position is or what they want for it," Hendrick said Saturday between practices at Infineon Raceway. Earnhardt said last week he would like to stay in the #8 if a deal can be reached with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, who has the rights to the number [NASCAR owns the number and leases them to a team to use and market] and his long-time sponsor, Budweiser. Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, said he will not act until there is a formal proposal. Hendrick doesn't expect any sort of announcement for at least a few weeks. "Honestly, we're leaving everything open," he said. "It's just so early. If you say you're going to do something and you really think you are, six weeks from now we might change our mind again. We're working through our sponsors and everything."(ESPN.com)(6-24-2007) UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports wants to buy the #8 so that Dale Earnhardt Jr. can race it next season. But it's not for sale, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer. The story quoted NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston, who said NASCAR owns and issues the numbers and that teams can't sell them. He said a team can allow another to use the number for a year as long as NASCAR approves. The report said Dale Earnhardt Inc., which uses the number, was aware of NASCAR's policy on selling numbers. Hendrick Motorsports officials weren't available for comment.(Dallas Morning News)(6-26-2007) UPDATE 2:There is nothing keeping Hendrick Motorsports from buying the #8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. as long as NASCAR approves the transfer of the number. While NASCAR owns all numbers and issues them to organizations on an annual basis, teams sell numbers all the time. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said it is unlikely the governing body would prevent such a transfer, adding the financial terms are not a concern.(ESPN.com)(7-2-2007)
DEI Still Talking to Budweiser; Working on Fourth Team: Max Siegel, president of worldwide operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., said Saturday that the team is still talking with Budweiser, still hoping to add a fourth Nextel Cup car in 2008 and is still looking for a replacement for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the #8 next year. “We still have our existing commercial relationship with Bud, talking about what’s best with everybody, still engaged in conversations with potential drivers,” Siegel said Saturday at New Hampshire. “Hopefully in the next four weeks we’ll get something wrapped up here.” Of the team’s car count next year, that’s still up in the air, too. “We have a couple of unique situations that could give us a fourth (car in 2008),” Siegel said. “Realistically, by ’09, definitely we’ll be a four-car team.”(SPEEDtv.com)(7-1-2007)
Eury Sr. leaving DEI...to JR Motorsports? UPDATE: Claire B. Lang reported on XM Radio Tuesday that Tony Eury Sr. [former #8 and #15 crew chief] has resigned from Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s research and development team and will be named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports today.(XM Radio) AND David Poole reported on Sirius' Morning Drive that Tony Eury Sr is expected to announce this afternoon that he is leaving DEI to become the team director at #88-JR Motorsports. Early in June, Eury reportedly accepted a Research and Development position with DEI after stepping down as Paul Menard's Nextel Cup crew chief.(6-27-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has turned to a familiar face and proven winner to help lead the competition efforts of his race team, announcing today that his uncle and longtime NASCAR crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., has been named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports. Commonly referred to as “Pops” around the NASCAR garage, Eury Sr. will oversee competition and technical support for all of JR Motorsports, which includes a full-time Busch Series program, a USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series entry, and three late model teams. His new role at JRM will begin immediately, as he will work closely with crew chief Wes Ward, motorsports director Steve Crisp, and
driver Shane Huffman in preparation for Saturday’s Camping World 200 Busch Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway. “Tony Sr. brings wins, championships, and an immeasurable amount of knowledge to JR Motorsports,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He also brings a sense of trust that you only have in family. This company needs his expertise, and I’m glad he sees the potential at JR Motorsports to want to work here. I hope I can provide him the same amount of success here that he has achieved over the years, and I hope he enjoys working here as much as I know he enjoyed working at DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.).”(JR Motorsports PR)(6-27-2007)
Dale Jr. ranked 6th in Poll: For the fourth consecutive year, Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevy in the Nextel Cup Series, has been named among "America's Favorite Sports Stars" in a national poll by Harris Interactive. Earnhardt Jr. is ranked sixth overall this year, and has ranked no worse than eighth place since 2004. He is again the only race car driver among the top-10 athletes.
This year's top-10, according to the Harris Interactive Poll:
1.) Tiger Woods
2.) Derek Jeter
3.) Michael Jordan
4.) Brett Favre
5.) LeBron James
6.) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7.) Tim Duncan
8.) Peyton Manning
9.) Kobe Bryant
10.) Tom Brady
For more details and methodology, click to the Harris Interactive site.(fingerprint inc./Bud PR)(6-26-2007)
Eury Jr. to Hendrick? #8 crew chiefTony Eury, Jr. is likely to join Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports next season sources said.(Ford Racing)(6-24-2007)
Sony and Dale Jr. and more on Adidas UPDATE: Sony will announce Thursday [6/21] that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has signed a personal endorsement contract with the high-end consumer electronics company. Adidas is set to announce another deal with Earnhardt next month. Sony was an easy choice for Earnhardt, an avid online racing gamer who likes high-tech gadgets and computers. He primarily will hawk high-definition products (such as TVs, camcorders, cameras and Blu-ray disc players) for Sony, joining Peyton Manning and Michelle Wie as its high-profile endorsers.(USA Today)(6-21-2007) UPDATE: Sony Electronics announced a personal endorsement deal with #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Jr Motorsports to participate in
the company's upcoming marketing efforts. The multi-year deal provides Sony the use of Earnhardt's name, likeness, image, voice and endorsement for use in advertising, promotions and merchandising for consumer marketing campaigns aimed at driving sales of Sony Electronics products. Among the products Earnhardt will promote are Sony's high definition BRAVIA televisions in which he will appear in Sony's new HD ad campaign. In addition, Earnhardt will participate in major electronics industry events and trade shows and will make personal appearances each year on behalf of Sony as part of the agreement. Sony Electronics is an active supporter of NASCAR for the past seven years and is the official high-definition TV partner of NASCAR.(Paine PR)(6-22-2007)
Gordon Knew Hendrick was Negotiating with Earnhardt: #24-Jeff Gordon was in on the secret all along. Privately he listened to team owner Rick Hendrick agonize over the arduous, closed-door maneuvering to sign #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Rick was going back and forth, back and forth," Gordon said. "He was like, 'Man, I would love to do this,' and at the same time, 'I don't know how I'm going to do it.' And, 'Should we do it?' " Gordon didn't waver. "I was very supportive of it from the beginning," he said, sitting in the lounge of his team transporter during preparations for the Citizens Bank 400. "Because I've been at Hendrick for 15 years and I have equity in the company, I probably got let into it a little bit sooner," Gordon said. "I actually told Rick, 'Don't give me too many details because I know I'm going to get asked.' But I knew they were in talks."(Orlando Sentinel)(6-18-2007)
Some teams looking to add 4th team: The season is not even half over and several teams say they want to expand for next season. Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing have said they'd like to expand to four cars next year. There have been hints other teams might look add a team. How many actually do will depend on what kind of sponsorship they can find.(Greensboro News and Record)(6-16-2007)
Dale Jr. to host Elvis event at Graceland; scheme at RIR: Lifelong Elvis fan, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., will rev up the 30th Anniversary Elvis Week celebration by hosting the first night of the "Elvis Music & Movies" series on the front lawn of Graceland on Monday, Aug. 13. "Elvis Music & Movies" marks the first ever Elvis Week entertainment event inside the gates of Presley's famed home in Memphis. The 30th Anniversary Elvis Week, anticipated to be the largest Elvis event ever, runs Aug. 11-19. Earnhardt will be joined on stage by NHRA driver Brandon Bernstein. Earnhardt will discuss racing, his love of Elvis music, introduce his favorite songs, and interact with the evening's entertainers, Andy Childs and the rockabilly trio, The Dempseys. Following the live performances, Earnhardt will introduce the Elvis movie Viva Las Vegas which has been restored and digitally remastered as part of a new release of Elvis movies from Warner Bros. For additional information on Elvis Week events and to buy tickets visit ElvisWeek.com.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR), plus Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to run a special Elvis scheme at Richmond in September.(6-21-2007)
Chevy unveils paint schemes to commemorate 50 Years of the '57 Chevy: One of the most recognizable cars in American motoring history reaches a notable milestone this year, a milestone which NASCAR, Chevy and Motorsports Authentics proudly celebrate. The 1957 Chevrolet, a car which turns 50 years old this year, will be commemorated at August 19’s 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway by at least 11 Team Chevy drivers. Unveiled by Jimmie Johnson at MIS today, a Monte Carlo SS race car featuring decals with cues from the iconic 1957 design is similar to the ones Johnson and other Team Chevy drivers will race during the August event. On August 18, ’57 Chevys along with many other historic vehicles will hit the streets during Metro Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise. That same weekend, Team Chevy Nextel Cup Series drivers #4-Ward Burton, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #14-Sterling Marlin, #01-Mark Martin, #15-Paul Menard, #96-Tony Raines, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #78-Kenny Wallace and #18-J.J. Yeley will take to the track at MIS with their cars wearing special ’57 Chevy paint schemes. To commemorate this special event, Motorsports Authentics will replicate their cars with die-cast models and offer apparel and novelty items related to the event.(GM Racing PR), see an image of the #48 Scheme on my #48 Team Schemes page.(6-16-2007)
DEI Willing to Discuss Transfer of #8: Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has sealed his future for the next five years with Hendrick Motorsports beginning next season, there are other issues on the table. For instance, will he be able to take the #8 with him from Dale Earnnhardt Inc.? Earnhardt said Friday after qualifying at Michigan that there has not yet been any communication with DEI about obtaining the #8. "Obviously, we'll see if there's any interest from [team owner] Teresa [Earnhardt] and [DEI president of global operations] Max [Siegel] to do that, but they've probably got to answer a couple more questions of their own to be able to have a good idea how they feel about that," Earnhardt said. "Whether they feel like they have any interest in talking about it, I'm sure that's something Rick [Hendrick] and my sister [Kelley Earnhardt Elledge] would be interested in doing." Siegel said Friday that he would be willing to discuss a transfer of the number. "We're open to talk about anything," Siegel said. "But in order to consider it, there has to be some formal proposal. No one has contacted me. Other than knowing his desire to have the number, no one has approached me with a formal proposal. I'm not going to talk about it until I get one."(ESPN.com)(6-16-2007)
Anheuser-Busch Statement Regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Tony Ponturo, Vice President, Global Media and Sports Marketing
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.: "Anheuser-Busch has enjoyed a remarkable relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. since our sponsorship commenced back in 1999. Dale Jr. is an excellent ambassador for the sport and our company, and we look forward to exploring options with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports to continue Budweiser’s relationship with him as he enters this new stage of his racing career." Per Anheuser-Busch policy, there will not be any additional public comments, nor interview requests granted regarding on-going
negotiations or contracts.(fingerprint inc./Budwesier PR)(6-13-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to drive for Hendrick in 2008: announced via live on TV, Dale Earnhardt Jr., current driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevy for DEI, will drive for Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2008. Dale Jr. started the press conference with a short speach/explanation, then introduced his new team owner Rick Hendrick and unveiled the Hendrick Motorsports logo. One thing noticed...the biggest smile ever seen on Dale Jr.'s face.
Hendrick was asked about having a full stable of drivers, Hendrick immediately brought up Kyle Busch and working on a contract extension, that Busch was talking to other teams, Hendrick said conversations with Busch led both to realize it would be better for Busch to look at his other opportunities and part ways, but that Busch would run the #5 Chevy for the remainder of the season.
As for a car number and sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick said none of that has been finalized as of yet.
Dale Jr. said concerning Budweiser that sponsorship has not been talked about, before the press conference, SPEED reported that Budweiser is talking to other teams, including Kasey Kahne.
As for the #8, Dale Jr. mentioned he would like to keep the #8 and would talk to Teresa Earnhardt [owner of DEI #8] and that drew a large laugh from the media, but said he is looking for a number and car design that would look 'cool'.
Asked about crew members and current crew chief Tony Eury Jr., Dale Jr. said it would have to be discussed down the road.
Dale Jr. said all the other rumors to other teams [Gibbs/VISA, RCR] came out of thin air.
Hendrick said Kyle Busch would finish the season in the #5 Chevy and run for the championship
Hendrick said he would be open to swapping the #5 for the #8 if DEI is interested, but no discussions so far. But said the #24 and #48 are locked up and nodded his head when said the number Dale Jr would use was between the #5 and #25.
The deal is a five-year deal 2008-2012
The press conference ended at 12:05pm/et....let the speculation begin
(TV Coverage of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Press Conference, transcript will be available later and posted)(6-13-2007)
Dale Jr. to make announcement Wed. UPDATE 3 looks like to Hendrick #25? #5?; Kyle Busch to DEI?: could this be the big announcement of where Dale Earnhardt Jr. will go and who he will drive for in 2008 and the future? NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday at 11:00a,/et at his JR Motorsports race shop. [This is NOT open to the public] A full transcript will be released shortly after the news conference.(JR Motorsports PR) UPDATE NEWS: Officials with Ginn Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing each said their teams were not involved in the news conference while a spokesperson for Richard Childress Racing said the team owner is out of the country [New Zealand] on a hunting trip and that he is not expected to be back in the country tomorrow. A Hendrick Motorsports spokesman had no comment. A call to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s spokesman was not immediately returned.(SceneDaily.com) UPDATE 2:ESPN.com's Marty Smith reports: Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Wednesday will announce his intent to drive the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy in 2008, multiple sources with intimate knowledge of negotiations told ESPN.com Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Hendrick Motorsports declined comment Tuesday, and e-mails and calls sent to Earnhardt's representation were not returned. Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who has handled contract negotiations for her brother, declined to comment on the report. There was some speculation that the wheels are already in motion to plant Earnhardt in the #5 now driven by Kyle Busch before season's end, but Dale Earnhardt, Inc. president Max Siegel, contacted by phone Tuesday, discounted that scenario, saying Earnhardt would remain in the #8 through season's end. Sources said there are indications that Busch may not finish the year in the #5. Busch is under contract with HMS through the end of next season, and Hendrick had been working to sign the 22-year old driver to an extension. Jeff Dickerson, an attorney for Busch, told ESPN.com that "a lot of things may or may not occur. Out of respect for Hendrick Motorsports, we're not really sure what's going on yet. But we're trying. I don't think anything's changed yet. I can not tell you that Kyle is out of the #5 for 2008." Meanwhile, one potential scenario would be Casey Mears moving to the #5 and Earnhardt moving to the #25 currently being driven by Mears [Budweiser sponsored Hendrick and the #25 for many years]. It is unknown whether sponsor Budweiser will follow Earnhardt to Hendrick. Budweiser officials are expected to release a statement Wednesday saying the company wishes Earnhardt well and that it will begin exploring its relationship with Earnhardt after the announcement. Hendrick Motorsports does have a history with Budweiser as a sponsor in the 1990s with [Ken Schrader] Ricky Craven and Wally Dallenbach Jr.(ESPN.com), the Associated Press is reporting similar news/speculation.(6-12-2007) UPDATE 3: Hearing that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will end up at Hendrick Motorsports, taking Kyle Busch's roster spot. As to what happens to Busch, he'll take Junior's place at Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated.(6-12-2007) UPDATE 4: also heaing another scenerio: Jr will be in the #5 in 2008, Kyle Busch to Ginn [#01] and Mark Martin will finish out 2007 in the #5. No word on who would be in the #8 in 2008....if this happens.(6-13-2007)
TV & RADIO COVERAGE of the Dale Jr. Press Conference: The pre preconference show advertised, is not on at 10:00am/et, so I guess tune in to SPEED, ESPN2, ESPNews at 11:00am/et for LIVE coverage of the press conference. SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128 and XM Radio Chennel 144 will also carry live coverage via Satellite Radio.
Viewer's can also watch the event via LIVE Streaming Video see SPEEDtv.com Press Conference coverage link at SPEEDtv.com [been told they may remove the link] and also at FoxSports.com.
France funeral slows Earnhardt Jr. talks: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that with most people in the industry juggling schedules to attend the funeral of NASCAR executive Bill France Jr. on Thursday, little was done as far as where he will drive in 2008 this past week. Earnhardt Jr. was one of many drivers who attended the funeral in Daytona Beach, Fla. of the man who guided the sport from 1972 to 2003. Earnhardt Jr. said there would not be much done over the Pocono race weekend. "We don't really get a whole lot going on during the weekend because I like to be around when we're talking and discussing." Earnhardt Jr. said.(SceneDaily.com)(6-10-2007)
VISA Says No Truth To Reports Of Deal With Dale Jr. A Visa spokesperson today refuted reports that the payment card company was close to a deal to become Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new primary sponsor. “We haven’t even had conversations," said Visa spokesperson J.J. Carter.(SportsBusinessDaily.com - need subscription)(6-6-2007)
Latest Dale Jr. to 'news' UPDATE 2: Depending on who one believes in the Nextel Cup garage, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is headed either to Ginn Racing with sponsorship from Budweiser or Joe Gibbs Racing with backing from credit card giant Visa. Either way, expect an announcement next month. “We're trying not to comment too much on how things are going or what's going on until we can really have something to say, but I can tell you that things are positive,” Earnhardt said after qualifying on Friday. “I've just been overwhelmed with the personalities that I've met, with the owners and the individuals working at each company. There are certainly a lot of great people out there with good morals and good values and with great attitudes about the sport and about what they want to accomplish. It makes me feel good about where the sport's going to be in the next 5-10 years with some of these individuals I've met.”(SPEEDtv.com) UPDATE: on FoxSports NASCAR pre-race from Dover, Jeff Hammond said sources tell him that Dale Earnhardt Jr, would sign with Joe Gibbs Racing and have sponsorship from VISA, with the announcement coming within the next 10-14 days.(6-3-2007) UPDATE 2: PRN's Steve Richard's talked to Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs, who chose not to address specifically comments made by Fox TV’s Jeff Hammond during the rain delay at Dover that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would sign with JGR. Gibbs chuckled, “Its news to me we’re getting our news from Jeff Hammond. We don’t have anything new to say than we said several weeks ago at Darlington (and that is) we’re going to give them time. Anyone would love to talk with him and see the possibilities but for us we’re just gonna give them their time and sort through how they need to do it, he and Kelley, and if the time is right great, if not we understand that too.” Gibbs went onto say, “No sense really talking about it. It’s just speculation so it just fuels the fire. Right now let’s just focus on our three deals and let the rest lay where it may. Gibbs also confirmed they have no plans to expand their operation to four teams in 2008 but will aim to do so in 2009.
Richard's also talked to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Media Relations Representative Jade Gurss who said this rumor is no different from the rest. “We hear three or four each weekend so it does us no good to deny every single fact or confirm…we’re just doing what we did before…we’re gonna keep our heads down and when Dale Jr is ready to decide he’ll let us all know together.” As far as a set timetable Gurss doesn’t know of one. “I don't know that it's ever been in stone. The last I heard someone theorized because the merchandise people needed to get to working on the diecast they would like it to be done by the end of this month. My gut feeling is he and Kelley are going to make a decision on what’s right for them, not in a timeframe based on getting a diecast car to Daytona. He says he wants this to be the last move he makes so I don’t see them being pressured by that.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(6-3-2007)
Dale Jr plans to stay with Chevy, comments on plans: some comments from a Dale Earnhardt Jr./GM Racing press release: HAS IT BEEN AN EYE-OPENER TO SEE OTHER SHOPS? HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY MORE CLARITY ABOUT NEXT YEAR?
"I have never had the opportunity to see any shops outside DEI in my driving career. That was a big surprise for me. I didn't see anything
out of the ordinary or didn't see any golden eggs laying around. But there were basically, you know, I was surprised at how on par in some
places DEI really is. And there's . I never really felt like me and Tony, Jr. (crew chief Eury) had any trouble competing and being competitive at DEI. The reasons why I left were truly personal and not competition related. But you look at these other teams that win more
races and there's an obvious difference between the two companies or three or four companies. So you look at that and you say, 'What are we not doing?' Well, I got a chance to look around these shops and see some of the areas where teams are sort of branching out and growing."
"When I can really get down to business and tell you guys what's going on, we'll definitely do that. I'll be as excited as heck to be able to
tell everybody what I'm going to do and where I'm going to be. And I'm looking forward to that. And I think that's going to happen within the
time schedule that my sister has expressed over the last several weeks. It's looking good."
"As I have said, I want to continue driving Chevrolets. That spells it out pretty good for a lot of people. Chevrolet has been good to me. They
have complimented my Busch Series program. They have supported me and complimented me in my career. And just for a couple of extra bucks, I wouldn't want to go drive for another manufacturer. I don't have those relationships with those other manufacturers although I am sure there are great people working there."(GM Racing PR)(6-2-2007)
More on Dale Jr to Ginn; Martin back full-time in 2008? Marlin part-time? UPDATE Martin denies: Many drivers seem convinced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will accept an offer to drive for Bobby Ginn [Racing #01,#13,#14], even though Ginn, a Florida real- estate developer, is new to the sport, with less than a year on the circuit. Ginn has been spending lavishly to turn the Jay Frye-run Chevy team into a top-flight operation. Driver Mark Martin led the Nextel Cup standings early this season and even after missing three of the year’s 12 races he’s still 15th in the points. Martin may return to the Nextel Cup tour full-time in 2008, according to sources. But Martin’s teammate #14-Sterling Marlin is planning to cut back to a partial schedule, and Ginn said that would open the 14 car and its top-35 exemption for Earnhardt.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-1-2007) UPDATE: Mark Martin said Friday at Dover International Speedway that he has no intention of increasing his schedule with Ginn Racing next year. If anything, Martin will run fewer races next year, he said. "The schedule laid out here with seven races in a row right through this stretch here has really been a challenge," Martin said. "It's been a challenge for everyone, all the guys who work on the cars and everything else, with all the testing that's been going on. I'm just going to learn from 2007 and look at 2008, and I'll either do the same number of races or maybe a little bit more like what I had planned originally, which was more like 20 points races instead of 24."(SceneDaily.com)(6-2-2007)
Dale Jr. on DEI dropping the penalty appeal: from Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s XM Satellite Radio Show, "Dale Jr. - Unrestricted"
(Channel 144/XM Sports Nation/7:30pm ET) regarding Dale Jr.'s thoughts on DEI dropping their penalty appeal.
Dale Jr. - "DEI decided to drop their appeal of that penalty that we got for the wing in Darlington, which was a wise choice."
Josh Snider - "Why?"
Dale Jr. - "Well sometimes you can go get your appeal and actually get a worse penalty and there was a possibility, there were some discussions about forcing the eight car to have to qualify into every event...Taking away our top 35 exempt deal where we were automatically locked in the field, so we were worried that if we went to appeal and it didn't go, you know somebody said a cross word and upset somebody or something didn't go right it could become a worse penalty and decided to drop it and just take our lickings."(6-1-2007)
Tryson close to a deal with DEI: Pat Tryson, who was fired by Roush Fenway Racing last week, is close to a deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Richie Gilmore, the director of motorsports at DEI, hopes to have Tryson signed within the next two weeks. "He's looking at a couple of other options, but right now we're at the top of his list,'' Gilmore said before Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. DEI officials also are narrowing their search for a driver to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is leaving the company his father built after this season. They have a list of five candidates and could have that narrowed even further by the end of this week. They are looking not only at drivers currently inside the Nextel Cup garage but drivers who have been champions of other series. "The testament to this organization and what the company stands for is reflected by the high level of interest from people across this entire sport,'' said Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(5-27-2007)
Junior Can't Bring Budweiser to Gibbs Team: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. ends up at Joe Gibbs Racing, team officials are adamant it won't be with sponsor Budweiser. Bobby Ginn, however, has no problem with a beer sponsorship and is still hotly pursuing NASCAR's most coveted free agent. And Richard Childress? He had nothing to say on the subject Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. With Hendrick Motorsports apparently out of the Earnhardt sweepstakes - Hendrick has four drivers under contract and claims he isn't looking to drop any of them - three other Chevrolet teams have emerged as the front-runners to sign NASCAR's most popular driver.
JGR could be the leading candidate, but owner Joe Gibbs insisted Saturday night he won't accept a beer sponsorship at his family business. Earnhardt is closely associated with Budweiser, his longtime sponsor, and the company can leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. with him at the end of the season. "For me personally, and my background and everything that has happened to me, it wouldn't fit me," Gibbs said. "It doesn't mean it's not fine for everybody else." Gibbs officials also said they won't be expanding to four teams in 2008. That means they'd have to dump a driver to sign Earnhardt, and #18-J.J. Yeley could be on the hot seat. Ginn, meanwhile, has room for Earnhardt and has planned to expand to four teams since taking over majority ownership of the team known as MB2 Motorsports last season. Ginn said Saturday he's had "exploratory conversations" with Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, but has yet to speak to Earnhardt himself. He said he never would have taken it this far if he didn't think his organization was a perfect fit. Childress, who said Friday he had yet to speak to the Earnhardts, wouldn't give an update Saturday on any discussions. With three cars under the RCR roof, he said he'll be at four in 2008 with or without Earnhardt behind the wheel.(Associated Press)(5-27-2007)
Earnhardt hopes to solidify new team, sponsorship details soon: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to solidify his future in very short order. Earnhardt's sister and chief negotiator, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, told ESPN.com Friday that they hope to finalize Earnhardt's future professional address within the next 30 days and then solidify sponsorship details before announcing his decision to the public sometime in late July. Elledge said Earnhardt has "visited a few race shops and had a few meetings alongside myself, with team owners" in the weeks since he announced he would leave the company his father founded, Dale Earnhardt Inc., at season's end. Elledge said she has personally spoken with "about seven" existing Nextel Cup teams and "about 10 investment groups who are on the verge of starting teams or buying a team." But the top three candidates all have slight issues that could slow the process.(ESPN.com)(5-26-2007)
Earnhardt's will left 100 percent of DEI to Teresa: When #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. demanded 51 percent ownership of Dale Earnhardt Inc., it might have seemed logical that the son of the team founder would already own part of the company. So why doesn't he? Because the will of his father, the seven-time Cup champion killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, didn't give him an ownership stake in the team. Earnhardt's will, signed in December 1992, awards 100 percent of DEI to his widow, Teresa, Dale Jr.'s stepmother. The estate filings, which were probated in Iredell County, N.C., show that Teresa Earnhardt owns the race team.(SceneDaily.com)(5-24-2007)
No deals done, no teams out, Elledge says: People already trying to rule things in or out about where Dale Earnhardt Jr. might drive in the 2008 Nextel Cup season are getting ahead of themselves, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge said Wednesday. “I think a lot of people are drawing conclusions,” said Elledge, the driver’s sister who is also helping to negotiate his next deal in the sport. Most of the speculation, it seems, has been in trying to figure out which teams - for various reasons - might not be in a position to add Earnhardt Jr.
But Elledge said Wednesday that no bets are off. “The process has not reached a point where we have eliminated options,” she said. “All of our options remain viable until we have 100% decided on one.” Elledge, who also is vice president and general manager of JR Motorsports, which fields Earnhardt Jr.-owned cars in the Busch Series and other developmental racing series, said that since that announcement she has fielded even more calls than she expected to get. “We have gotten tons of support from the industry and more importantly our fans since we have made the announcement to leave DEI as a driver,” she said. “I have received more calls that expected, but the more options the better." Elledge said she and Earnhardt Jr. have put together what they’re looking for in the next deal for him as a driver, and that conversations with various owners have started. “We communicated that by mid to late summer we would definitely have our position solidified,” Elledge said. “Obviously, if we want to make the most out of this change, a date no later than August 1 would be best, due to sponsor point of sale, advertising, licensed products and other things that need time to be developed and produced."(Thatsracin)(5-24-2007)
DEI Drops Appeal of Penalties: UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. dropped its appeal of penalties levied against #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his crew chief for illegal modifications made to the Car of Tomorrow. The appeal was scheduled to be heard Wednesday, but the team informed NASCAR on Tuesday it will not fight the penalties. Earnhardt was docked 100 points and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was fined $100,000 and suspended six races after NASCAR discovered illegal brackets on the rear wing of the #8 Chevy at Darlington.(Associated Press), see more information about the penalty on my #8 Team Page.(5-22-2007) UPDATE: DEI issued the following statement: “The rules are black and white,” said Richie Gilmore, DEI’s Vice President of Motorsports. “We were clearly in violation of those rules and accept the penalties handed down by NASCAR. Going forward, we’ve reviewed our internal processes and procedures to insure something like this doesn’t happen again.”(DEI PR)(5-22-2007)
Budweiser Desert Camo Car To Honor Troops This Weekend: You may need to look a little closer to find the #8 Budweiser machine during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway this Sunday. The iconic red paint scheme is being replaced this Memorial Day weekend with a special desert camouflage look, honoring our troops around the globe. Budweiser will donate proceeds from the sale of the collectible diecast camo cars to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), which provides full-ride college scholarships to surviving dependents of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training missions, and immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terror. More than 700 dependents
currently benefit from the efforts of the SOWF. For more information, visit www.specialops.org. The Budweiser team will also carry a special red, white and blue paint
scheme during the July 4 weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Budweiser will also donate proceeds from the sales of collectible
merchandise of that car to SOWF.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR), see images on the #8 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2007)
DEI looking for #8 replacement, sponsor, may keep Bud: Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) is working on finding a replacement to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the #8 Nextel Cup car. "It's hard to say how far along we are," DEI executive board member John Story said Saturday prior to the Nextel All-Star Challenge. "We've had a lot of interest. We've obviously made a few phone calls ourselves. We've had a lot of unsolicited phone calls from some top athletes that are interested in it, but clearly I can't discuss any names. We don't have a template in mind for a driver other than we need a winner, we need another driver to complement our group, somebody that is capable of winning championships, winning races. Whether he's young or old is less important than making sure he's a top athlete that is a winner."
DEI would likely need to either extend its current deal with Budweiser (which said it is reviewing its options in light of Earnhardt Jr.'s departure) or find a new sponsor to lock in a top-tier driver. "There will be a sponsor of that car, that's no doubt," Story said. "We won't be able to get a top-name, championship-caliber driver without a solid commitment from a sponsor."(SceneDaily.com)(5-21-2007)
No Dale Jr. to Hendrick: Cross Hendrick Motorsports off the list of teams interested in signing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Although he's spoken to Earnhardt, car owner Rick Hendrick said Saturday "there's no room at the inn" for NASCAR's most popular driver. Earnhardt is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) at the end of the season. He wants to stay with one of the top Chevrolet teams so he can contend for championships, and Hendrick is the best in NASCAR right now with eight wins in the past nine Nextel Cup races. Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing are the next best Chevy teams, and both owners have indicated they are interested in speaking with Earnhardt. Only Hendrick had been silent on the issue, but as he walked toward pit road before Saturday night's Nextel All-Star Challenge, he said he was maxed out with four drivers right now and couldn't fit Earnhardt in his stable. "We're good friends and I've talked to him, because I really want him to make the best decision and do the best thing for himself," Hendrick told The Associated Press. "But right now, I'm full." Hendrick fields Cup cars for four-time series champion #24-Jeff Gordon, defending Cup champion #48-Jimmie Johnson, #5-Kyle Busch and #25-Casey Mears. All are under contract through at least 2008, and Hendrick is currently trying to extend Busch's deal. Hendrick said he's offered to help Earnhardt if he elects to field his own Cup team.(Associated Press)(5-20-2007)
Dale Jr. talking to owners/teams: The car owners are calling and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is ready to listen. In fact, NASCAR's most popular driver is enjoying the courtship part of free agency. Earnhardt said Friday he's had preliminary talks with potential employers, and his sister has been prioritizing all of his options. He announced last week that he was leaving DEI, his late father's company, at the end of the season. "It's really neat to get down to the core of some of these guys and understand 'em more," Earnhardt said. "It's a big new world out there. I'm really excited about my opportunities and the possibilities and what's going to be on the table and I'm excited about how the response has been from some of the owners. Their excitement really makes you feel appreciated and makes you feel necessary and like you'd be an asset - which is a great feeling." Earnhardt wouldn't reveal who he has spoken to so far, and said early discussions had yet to produce a clear favorite. But he's been surprised at how nice the owners have been. His sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, also has spoken to several teams and has scheduled meetings with others as she negotiates her brother through the biggest free agency period in NASCAR history.(Associated Press)(5-19-2007)
DEI and RCR team up to build engines: One of NASCAR's greatest partnerships - Childress and Earnhardt - has been expanded with the creation of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies. Richard Childress and Teresa Earnhardt announced today that the joint venture partnership will combine the Chevrolet engine departments of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), with engine development work to begin immediately. Construction of a permanent stand-alone facility located between RCR and
DEI will begin later this summer with completion expected by mid 2008. A specific site has not been announced, although a location has been identified pending zoning approval. Until that facility is complete, all work will be divided between the RCR's engine shop in Welcome, N.C. and DEI's shop in Mooresville, N.C. It is anticipated that all six RCR and DEI cars will run the first common engine at Daytona in July. Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies will develop and build engines for the Chevrolet Nextel Cup Series and Busch Series teams campaigned by the two companies. A long-term goal of the joint venture will include an engine leasing program for teams in NASCAR's top three divisions. The partnership also has long-term plans to diversify and expand beyond NASCAR by providing race engines to teams competing in series such as the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, various off-road and stock car series, sports car series, etc. This is not the first time RCR and DEI have worked together in a technology partnership. RAD, an acronym for the three teams owned by Richard Childress, Andy Petree and Dale Earnhardt, was formed in the late 90's as an aerodynamic consortium between the programs. The partnership was considered wildly successful with the three teams dominating the aerodynamically sensitive restrictor plate tracks Daytona and Talladega for the next few years.(DEI PR)(5-18-2007)
Andrews tests for DEI been told and confirmed that Tim Andrews, son of #43 crew chief Paul Andrews, tested a DEI Chevy at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, May 15th. Andrews is running a part-time ARCA and Busch East schedule in 2007.(5-17-2007)
Dale Jr. Merchandise Still Selling Well: Sales of Dale Earnhardt Jr. merchandise has skyrocketed 107 percent in the week since NASCAR's most popular driver said he was leaving his late father's company at the end of the season. The surge surprised industry experts, who believed sales of Earnhardt's red #8 Budweiser Chevrolet merchandise would dip while he searches for a new team, number and maybe even a new sponsor.(Associated Press)(5-17-2007)
Illegal wing brackets on #8 car could mean penalty UPDATES: During pre-race inspection Saturday at Darlington Raceway, the #8 Budweiser Chevy of Dale Earnhardt Jr. was found to have illegal brackets used to mount the rear wing on the Nextel Cup Series' new Car of Tomorrow, an infraction series director John Darby said could result in the first COT penalty. Officials forced the team to remove the brackets, then reattach the wing with a proper set. "We have specific blueprints for all the parts on the car," Darby said. "[Series officials] are a little sensitive to those parameters." Asked if doctoring the rear wing on the COT is a substantial no-no, Darby responded, "Yes." The infraction will not affect Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s starting position for the rain-delayed Dodge Avenger 500, Darby said. Darby said he plans to speak with #8 crew chief Tony Eury Jr. further next week.(ESPN.com)(5-13-2007) UPDATE: Tony Eury Jr. fully expects a penalty from NASCAR this week and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is prepared to help his crew chief pay it. NASCAR confiscated the rear wing mounts from Earnhardt Jr.'s car on Saturday before the Nextel Cup race at Darlington Raceway was postponed until Sunday due to rain. Eury called it an "interpretation." "It was a bad deal," he said. "It was a part that got put on there that shouldn't have. We've done a lot of offseason testing for NASCAR. There's been three different styles of brackets on there and it just happened to be one of those old-style brackets." Eury said the brackets were the same ones that weren't discovered during pre- or post-qualifying inspections. "It fit all of their templates," he said. "It just had a problem when you put [the angle] to where you should have." Eury said he tried to explain how to fix the problem to series director John Darby. "I was definitely not trying to get away with nothing, so you can take it for what it is," he said. "There's nothing I can do about it. Whatever they hand down, it certainly wasn't on purpose."(ESPN.com)(5-14-2007) UPDATE 2: Hearing from sources that the Tony Eury Jr. will be fined $100,000 and be suspended for 6 weeks. In addition, the team will lose 100 owner and driver points. Eury is expected to appeal only the severity of the monetary fine. Tony Gibson will take Eury Jr's place as crew chief during the suspesion.(5-15-2007) UDPATE 3: NASCAR announced today that the #8 Chevy team has been penalized and fined for rule violations committed last week at Darlington. The #8 team was found to have violated Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules), and 20-3.1.3B (the NASCAR-approved upper and lower rear wing mounting brackets must not be modified to obtain a rear-wing angle of less than zero degrees or more than 16 degrees) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr., has been fined $100,000 and suspended from NASCAR until July 4, 2007 which includes this weekend’s NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and the next six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events. He has also been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007. Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has been penalized with the loss of 100 Championship Driver points. Car owner Teresa Earnhardt has been penalized with the loss of 100 Championship Owner points. The violations were found during pre-race inspection on May 12.(NASCAR PR) AND: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. issued the following statement:“The car in question was a brand new car for the #8 team and the brackets that were found to be nonconforming were built as test pieces before the final design was established by NASCAR. They should not have been on the car and with Tony Eury Jr. away from the track Thursday during inspection, the error was not caught. We do not question the infraction which is clearly spelled out in the NASCAR rule book. However, we have appealed the severity of the penalty.”(DEI PR)(5-15-2007) Comments from Eury: Tony Eury, Jr. spoke with PRN's Garage Pass concerning the punishment NASCAR hit him and the DEI #8 team with. What is your reaction to the penalties?
“It was not a performance deal, we documented wind tunnel reports to show that, but the fact of the matter is it was not a NASCAR approved part. It was an honest mistake, but it was a big mistake. From my standpoint, I think it’s pretty crazy if you compare it to some of the other things that have happened over the year. Will you appeal?
“Yeah I’m going to appeal it, just for the severity of the penalty. I know the part was wrong, but six weeks and a hundred grand that’s kind of ridiculous. Three years ago it would have a two thousand dollar fine.” What about the team?
I’m perfectly happy with my team. I left them with 10 races to go and they did fine. I’m a 100-percent behind them. Tony Gibson will be the crew chief and I’m just one piece of the team. I’ve got a great group of guys and they’ll do just fine.” Did you expect the penalty to be so harsh?
“They’ve been headed that way but where do they draw the line, where do they stop? But, like I told John Darby it was an honest mistake, but it’s a big one, so whatever he wanted to throw out, throw it.”
“They’re going to set an example out of somebody. People think we get away with more than anybody so I kind of expected it. I expected the worse.”(PRNs Garage Pass)(5-15-2007)
Gibbs: Dale Jr. yes; Budweiser...probably not: J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing [#11,#18,#20], answered questions from members of the media at Darlington Raceway on Saturday afternoon:
ON HIS REACTION TO DALE EARNHARDT, JR.'S ANNOUNCEMENT: "Really from our standpoint we're kind of watching stuff unfold as you guys were. I thought they did a great job on their press conference. I know that was hard for him. I think for us really we're just really focused on what we're doing now, our three cars. Would everyone want a chance to talk to Dale Jr.? Sure. Who wouldn't want a chance to talk to Dale Jr.? Right now it sounds like he and Kelley, whatever decision they come up with will be a good one. They just want a little time to think about it. When the time is right we'd love to sit down and talk to him and see what their plans are but right now we're just focusing on what we're doing."
WOULD YOU HAVE BUDWEISER AS A SPONSOR? "For us it would be hard. It'd be hard. They've been a great partner of the sport and do a lot for us but personally that would be a hard deal for us to do."
WOULD IT BE DEAL BREAKER HARD? "I'll just leave it at that right now. I'm not sure if that would fit for us. Even though we really appreciate what they're doing and they're a great group, it'd be hard for us to do."
WILL TONY STEWART AND DENNY HAMLIN'S CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. PLAY INTO THAT AT ALL?
"You know I really don't know. Just from what I heard him say that might but for the most part he just wants to go and run well. I think he'll have a ton of opportunities and when the time is right, hey if the opportunity is there we'd love to sit down and talk to him but right now I think he's just focused on his deal and just we're focused on our deal."
SO YOU DON'T PLAN ON PROACTIVELY SEEKING HIM OUT AND TALKING ABOUT IT?
"I feel like right now he's got enough stuff going on and we'll just let stuff roll where it is. The best thing we can do in any situation is if
we run the best we can week in and week out, no matter what happens down the road, I think that's our best plan. There's nothing really interesting. all I have to say is that I'm kind of watching it unfold like you guys are. Sounds like if he and Kelley, they're on the same page they'll make a good decision. I think they'll have a ton of opportunities. If the time is right, we could talk to them about that but right now, I think we're just going to focus on what we're focusing on and let that fall where it may."(in part from a GM Racing PR)(5-13-2007)
Earnhardt Jr. Will Wait to Sign Deal: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. went back to work Friday, climbing into his race car at Darlington Raceway to escape the frenzy surrounding his free-agent status. As his late father's boss threw his name into the race to sign NASCAR's most popular driver, Junior made it clear he needs a little time to figure out his future. He said Thursday he'll leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season. "I would like to take a week or two to clear my mind a little bit, drink some beers and have some fun," he said after practice. "I have felt about as un-normal as I possibly could the past few days. Lost a lot of sleep. So I want to relax and just clear my head and get in a good football stance to go after this new deal that we're seeking." Richard Childress, who fielded cars for six of Dale Earnhardt's seven championships, indicated he'll make a run at adding Junior to his three-car team as soon as the time is right.(Associated Press)(5-12-2007)
DEI/RYR possible merger 'different' now: Doug Yates, co-owner of Robert Yates Racing, said talks about a merger or partnership with Dale Earnhardt Inc. are part of just once scenario his team is considering. “We’re trying to do whatever we can do to get our team as strong as we can get it, so we’ve looked at a lot of situations, DEI being one of them,” Yates said. “They’ve talked to us and we’ve talked to them, plus there is other stuff. We haven’t gotten anywhere with that in particular. Actually, we’re getting really close to some things that we think are going to help our team take that next step and make it strong for a long time to come. Hopefully, we can put some of that stuff together.” Yates said this week’s announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will leave DEI at season’s end changes that potential equation. “I think looking at DEI without Dale Jr. is a different situation,” Yates said. “It doesn’t mean that it’s any better or any worse, it’s just different. ...I think it’s going to take a little while for everybody to realize how big a move that was for the sport and what that means to the sport and what that means to DEI and Dale Jr. going forward.” Yates said that his team is committed to running Fords and he does not see that changing. If DEI would not shift from Chevrolets, he said that “is a deal breaker, I would guess.”(Thatsracin)(5-12-2007)
Penske would like to talk to Dale Jr. Roger Penske said Friday that he has an interest in adding Dale Earnhardt Jr. to his Nextel Cup team, but he realizes it isn't likely to happen. "Certainly we'd like to talk to him," Penske said. "Obviously, he's one of the top drivers in the sport. But from everything I've heard, he wants to say in a Chevrolet. We have a contract with Dodge and we're loyal to that."
Even at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the day before Indy 500 pole day, Earnhardt Jr. is a big topic. Penske is hoping to win his 15th Indianapolis 500 as a team owner. He has a two-car IndyCar Series team with Sam Hornish Jr., last year's winner, and Helio Castroneves, a two-time Indy 500 winner. But Penske also has a two-car Cup team with #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman. Cup team owners are allowed to have four cars, so Penske has the space to add Earnhardt. Penske also is a team owner with the money to make a serious bid for Earnhardt's services. Forbes magazine recently listed Penske's net worth at $2.2 billion.(ESPN.com)(5-12-2007)
Eury Jr. comments about Dale Jr./DEI: Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr at DEI was on "Dialed In with Claire B. Lang", XM Satellite Radio Thursday, some comments: "I´m not one way or another on the deal. I know how our situation stands as far as the company right now, but also I´ve got a big piece of my heart because I felt like I helped Pops and Dale Sr. build a big part of it."
Q) So will you have a decision to make and how will you make that decision?
A) "Is it like deciding between two children? It´s kinda like that. Dale Jr., when he started the deal, I told him, "Do what´s best for Dale Jr. Look down your road and whatever´s best for you, that´s what you need to do. You know, my biggest concern is with my team, honestly. I mean, I want to do whatever´s best for them. I´ve expressed interest, you know, if he went somewhere and I could take my guys with me, or take a few of them, then that would be a possibility. When Dale Jr. left in 2004 we all bonded together and stayed together, and when he come back we done the same thing. So there´s a lot of camaraderie between all of us that work there. We´re racers, we work as hard as we can with what we have and just try to make the best of it week in and week out, and I think we do a real good job. The biggest thing is, I think my whole group, that we´re happy to work with one another, you know, we´ll do whatever it takes." "I haven´t really sat down and talked to Max or Dale Jr about it. You know, I told Dale Jr I really want to be his crew chief. That´s one of the reasons I stayed at DEI, and you know, if I can do it somewhere else, I´m all for it. But my biggest thing is, I want to make sure my guys is took care of, or maybe I can take `em with me, maybe I can´t, but the biggest thing is where those guys stand. They mean the world to me, and they´ve done a lot for me in general. They stuck by my side when we took on Michael´s deal, they right beside me and said "We´re wiling to take on a challenge", and those guys mean the world to me. I´ve worked at DEI 14 years, so I know every one of them. We´ve been together for 8 years, so....You know, I´ve got a decision to make, too. But I also want to do the right thing. I want to make sure Dale Jr´s kosher with it. I want to make sure Teresa´s kosher with it.
Q) Are you under a contract? Are you bound to do something for a certain amount of time?
A) "Well, I mean...my contract, when I signed up with DEI, I made it real clear that if Dale Jr wasn´t my driver, I wanted to have an open contract to whether, you know...not saying that if Dale Jr. leaves, I´m outta here, you know? I just wanted to have it open where I could weigh my options, you know? The worst thing you can do is be standing there with a driver like Dale Earnhardt Jr...everybody knows he´s one of the best...then they come and they stick somebody in that´s just gonna be a ride-around. You know, you don´t want to be stuck in one of those situations. So I tried to make it real clear that that´s what I didn´t want to do. And you know, my heart....I want to be with Dale Jr, but I also want to take care of the guys that have took care of me so long."(5-11-2007)
DW interviews Dale Jr. during the rain delay at Darlington Saturday night, FOX aired a interview by Darrell Waltrip of Dale Earnhardt Jr., see it at FoxSports.com: Dale Jr. Q&A: 'Ain't no turning back' by Darrell Waltrip.(5-12-2007)
Dale Jr. to RCR? done deal? #33? UPDATE 2 RCR denies:FOX25(Boston's FOX affiliate) is reporting.......Dale Earnhardt Jr. will soon be racing under the same legendary #3 Chevy that his dad used to race in. A source with direct knowledge of negotiations tells FOX25 that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has finalized a deal with Richard Childress Racing Thursday night and an official announcement will be coming soon. At a press conference today to announce that he was leaving the company his late dad built, Dale Jr. said he would have mixed emotions about driving his dad's #3 Chevy, but again, FOX25 has learned that this is a done deal.(FOX25)(5-10-2007) UPDATE:FOX8 News has confirmed Junior is negotiating late Thursday night with Richard Childress to join Richard Childress Racing. An announcement could come as early as Friday. Childress has scheduled a news conference Friday at Darlington Raceway, the site of Saturday's Nextel Nextel Cup race. Sports Director Rich Brenner has also confirmed the talks between Junior and Childress include plans for Earnhardt driving the #33 Chevrolet for RCR. Budweiser, the primary sponsor for Junior's #8 car with DEI, will follow him to his new race team. (FOX8 News)(5-11-2007) UPDATE 2: been told by sources at the track that Richard Childress addressed the media at Darlington this morning and denies signing Earnhardt, details as I find any.(5-11-2007) UPDATE 3: Richard Childress said Friday morning at Darlington Raceway that he has not signed Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to drive for Richard Childress Racing and is giving the driver time and space to weigh his options. Along with Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, RCR is considered one of three front-runners to sign Earnhardt, Jr. for 2008 and beyond, but the car owner emphatically denied that a deal already had been struck, has reported by at least three television stations Thursday. "Dale, Jr. just made a major decision in his career and in his life yesterday," Childress said Friday morning at Darlington. "And out of respect for Teresa (Dale Earnhardt, Inc. team owner Earnhardt), Dale, Jr. and this situation, let´s all give him some time to make the decisions that he needs to make and be fair. He´s got a lot of tough decisions to make coming up with the direction he´s going, and I just think it´s fair if we all let him have some space and some time to kind of think about what he wants to do in the future." Childress said that while he would welcome Earnhardt on his team, the two sides have not yet begun negotiations. "We will sit and talk, I´m sure," Childress said. "I´m hoping he´s considering us, but I think right now, we just give him some time and space to do is own due diligence on the race teams he´s looking at. I´ve been friends with the family for many years and I´m sure we´ll talk." As for television reports that a deal was already struck, Childress was categorical in his denials. "There´s nothing to it ... it´s way too soon to even talk about it," Childress said.(SPEEDtv.com)(5-11-2007)
GM Statement on Dale Jr./DEI: Statement from Brent Dewar; General Motors North America Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Regarding the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. announcement to leave Dale Earnhardt, Inc. at the end of the 2007 Nextel Cup Series season: "Chevrolet and General Motors are proud of our long-standing relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. For more than 20 years, the Earnhardt family has relied on Chevrolet products to achieve their legendary on-track success. As the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, Chevrolet shares the individual goals of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to win races and championships. We look forward to discussing future opportunities with DEI and Dale, Jr."(GM Racing PR)(5-11-2007)
TRANSCRIPT view the full transcript from Thursday's news conference, in which Nextel Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced his plans to drive for a new team in 2008 on the Dale Jr. Transcript page.(5-10-2007)
Earnhardt Jr. To Drive for New Team in 2008 Four-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced today at a news conference at JR Motorsports that negotiations to extend his driving contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. have come to an amicable
end. Earnhardt Jr. will continue driving the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet through the remainder of the season, while his sister, Vice President and General Manager of JR Motorsports, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, will begin exploring new opportunities for 2008. Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday he would look at his options in the coming months and hopefully announce a decision mid to late summer. “What team I drive for next season, I don’t know,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “But what I do want to say is that it’s been a privilege to drive for DEI. After a year of intense negotiations and concerted efforts to extend my contract there, it became evident that while we want to get to the same place, we simply have different visions on how to get there.” Earnhardt Jr. made the announcement with his sister, Earnhardt Elledge, by his
side, and many of the Earnhardt family in attendance. “DEI will always be a special place for me and my family,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
“(Owner) Teresa (Earnhardt) and (Vice President of Global Operations) Max Seigel are taking the necessary steps to bring DEI back to one of the front-running NASCAR teams. However I am 32 years old – the same age as my father when he made his final and most important career decision – and the time for me to compete on a consistent basis and contend for championships is now. Since that is what I plan to do, I feel strongly that I would have my father’s blessing.” Earnhardt Jr. said JR Motorsports will continue to work with DEI on many projects that will benefit both companies and protect the legacy of his father. A full transcript of today’s news conference will be released later this afternoon.(JR Motorsports PR)(5-10-2007)
Budweiser Statement: Statement from Tony Ponturo, Vice President, Global Media and Sports Marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr's decision to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the 2007 Nextel Cup season: "Budweiser, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have enjoyed a great relationship since 1999. Dale Jr., and his father before him, have been excellent and loyal ambassadors for our company and the sport of NASCAR. Budweiser and JR Motorsports have an agreement in place to ensure Dale Jr. will continue to personally represent Budweiser through 2008, and we look forward to discussing our future with Dale Jr. and DEI in the weeks ahead."(fingerprint inc./Bud Racing PR)(5-10-2007)
Dale Jr. to leave DEI after 2007 season UPDATE: Statement from Teresa Earnhardt/DEI: In response to today's announcement by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., that he will be leaving DEI, Teresa Earnhardt, CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. issued the following statement. "While we are very disappointed that Dale Jr. has chosen to leave the family business, we remain excited about our company's future. Our aggressive expansion and diversification plans have not changed. This company has continued to thrive since Dale left us in 2001, and it will thrive following today's announcement. Dale and I built this company to be a championship-contender, and those principles still apply. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will win, and we have other extremely talented drivers and hundreds of employees that are dedicated to the programs we founded. This company has a great legacy and a bright future, built on loyalty, integrity, and commitment."(DEI) UPDATE: some highlights from the Dale Earnhardt Jr. press conference:
Dale Jr. will leave DEI at the end of the season
Sponsor/Budweiser? will be discussed in a timely manner
Car #8: No decision, but Dale Jr. expects DEI to keep the car number 8. Note: 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. Team have been known to 'sell' car numbers, like when DEI got the number from the Stovala Brothers in 2000, #15 from Bud Moore, etc.
Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr.: no decision on if crew chief Eury Jr. will go with DaleJr, Dale Jr. said he can't speak for Eury Jr.
DEI Teammate Truex Jr.: is not part of this situation or discussion
Possible Plans:
1) sign with a top tier Nextel Cup team [one that wins and runs for the championship
2) sign with a second tier team
3) and the last choice, would be to run Nextel Cup with Dale Jr's own team, JR Motorsports, but no plans for that to happen at this points, Dale Jr. does hope he can drive a few Busch Series [or whatever it will be called in 2008] out of the JR Motorsports shop.
Why leave DEI? Dale Jr. said he negotiations were never close, and he knows fans are disappointed, but so is he.
More on this and hopefully a transcript will be posted in a bit.(5-10-2007)
Dale Jr. & Truex to JR Motorsports? press conference at 11am/et UPDATE 3: Dave Moody reported on Wednesday afternoon's Sirius Speedway that rumor has it that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will announce tomorrow [Thurs, May 10th] at JR Motorsports, that both he and #1-Martin Truex, Jr. will drive in the Nextel Cup Series for JR Motorsports in 2008. Hendrick Motorsports will provide engines for the team. A press conference is planned for 11:00am/et at JR Motorsports headquarters per a PR from the team and SPEED will interrupt regularly scheduled programming to go LIVE from the JR Motorsports race shop at 11:00am/et for a news conference with NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.(5-9-2007) UPDATE: Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's biggest star, has been in contract negotiations with his current employer, Dale Earnhardt Inc., and is asking for 51% ownership of the team. But the location of the press conference, at JR Motorsports, which Earnhardt Jr. owns separately from DEI, indicates his future plans might not include DEI. Earnhardt Jr., who was at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Wednesday evening for a sponsor appearance, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he planned to talk about "some ideas I've got for the future" but would not elaborate. Officials from DEI did not return phone calls seeking comment. But Earnhardt Jr., answering questions from fans at an event held by his sponsor Budweiser, indicated that his plans for JR Motorsports might not include adding two Nextel Cup cars. He said his main goal in being a team owner is to be able to help young drivers and mechanics advance their careers. "I don't want the company to get too big," he said. "I've got about 70 employees now, and I don't want to get too many more." He also seemed to squelch another persistent rumor — that he was headed to Richard Childress Racing to drive the #3 Chevrolet made famous by his late father. "'I'd like to do it for a year or two at the end of my career, when I'm 50 or 55," he said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(5-9-2007) UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. officially will say goodbye to Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Thursday morning. A highly placed source within DEI as well as additional sources familiar with the situation told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday afternoon that both Junior and teammate Martin Truex Jr. will announce Thursday morning that they are leaving the DEI camp at the end of this season and will drive for Earnhardt's heretofore Busch Series operation, JR Motorsports. Sources at Hendrick Motorsports reportedly disavowed knowledge of a pending partnership. Also, various reports have indicated that Earnhardt Jr. will announce his plans to leave DEI, but that he won't necessarily be driving for a JR Motorsports team in association with Hendrick. Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that Earnhardt Jr.'s primary sponsor, Budweiser, will follow Junior to JR Motorsports or wherever he lands. Budweiser's contract with DEI is due to expire at the end of 2008, but Yahoo! Sports sources believe there are provisions within the contract for an early exit if Earnhardt Jr. does not drive the #8 Chevrolet for DEI. There has been no comment thus far from either DEI president Teresa Earnhardt (Dale Jr.'s stepmother) or company director of global operations Max Siegel. Truex's contract with DEI reportedly runs through 2008, though '08 might be only an option year on his deal with the team. It also is possible Truex has an out tied to primary sponsor Bass Pro Shops' future with the DEI. Sources have told Yahoo! Sports that the sponsor has explored moving to a different team after this season.(Yahoo!Sports) UPDATE 3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to put himself on the open market as a free agent today, opening the way for a break with his stepmother and Dale Earnhardt Inc. NASCAR's most popular driver has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. today at his own race shop, JR Motorsports, and not at DEI -- an indication he may be going his own way. Indications were strong Wednesday night that Earnhardt would not announce he's moving anywhere specifically, or even that he will definitely break with DEI. A report that Earnhardt will field his own Cup team under the JR roof, with engines and chassis supplied by powerful Hendrick Motorsports, was flatly denied by sources close to both organizations. Another report that Earnhardt is leaning toward signing with Hendrick outright was denied from within the Hendrick organization.(Orlando Sentinel) AND Contrary to published reports, hearing that Hendrick Motorsports is not involved in the Thursday press conference at JR Motorsports.(5-10-2007)
Dale Jr. leans toward Hendrick? UPDATE denied: The efforts to sign #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. to a NASCAR driving contract for 2008 and beyond has reached a critical point, and the top two teams on Earnhardt’s list are the Chevrolet teams owned by Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick, according to men familiar with the negotiations. Earnhardt today is leaning toward a deal with Hendrick [NOTE: where would Earnhardt go? HMS has four Cup teams and all three drivers signed for a couple more years, unless some sort of deal with Haas CNC Racing or Ginn Racing would be worked out], largely because of Hendrick’s very strong engine program, sources here said yesterday. Earnhardt and veteran crew chief Tony Eury Jr., his cousin and close confidante as well as the man who has led him to many of his 17 Cup victories, have talked with both the Hendrick and Childress camps in recent weeks about the positives and negatives each team owner would have to offer, sources said yesterday. And Eury will have a major voice in the decision, because Earnhardt’s primary goal now, at age 32, is to win a championship.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-9-2007) UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports General Manager Marshall Carlson told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Tuesday that his team is fully stocked with drivers for 2008 and beyond, and that he has not spoken with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., about the possibility of joining the Hendrick stable.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(5-9-2007)
RIR Prez responds to Dale Jr. commnets about track surface: Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz was surprised as anyone to hear the comments from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. yesterday regarding his concerns about the track surface. "This is completely out of left field," said Fritz. "All of the comments I have heard about our track surface from the drivers have been overwhelmingly positive since we repaved it before the 2004 season. Between our two-day test session in early April and our races this past weekend, I did not hear one comment or concern regarding our track surface from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or any other driver," said Fritz. "I'm always available and accessible to the drivers and I have received feedback from many of them over the years on a number of issues. I was in the garage frequently this past weekend and talked to many of the drivers, and there was no mention of any issues with the track surface. In fact, we've made numerous changes and enhancements at the drivers' request over the years, including concreting our pit stalls, taking out a kink in the backstretch wall, relocating the spotters' stand to a better location and many other improvements related to the competition side," continued Fritz. "Certainly, if there is a consensus among the drivers and NASCAR that we need to do something with this issue or any other, we will certainly take a look at it. Obviously, the drivers are busy today testing, but we have reached out to a number of them, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to talk about this." During testing Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway Earnhardt
told reporters, "The thing about Richmond, now honestly-they need to start sealing that track again. You ain't gonna have a second and third groove at Richmond if the sealer ain't up there to use. I don't know why that ain't registered in anybody's brain. I mean, when that track was good is when they were sealing it ever year...You know-hello?" Track officials have not applied any sealer to the asphalt after it was
resurfaced prior to the 2004 season. Since it was repaved, the track has received rave reviews from the drivers-including Earnhardt-on the
quality of the repaving job and the quality of the racing. "Considering his positive comments about our track and the repaving job during our test session last month and after his victory in last May's Crown Royal 400, I'm even more surprised at his statement," said Fritz. NASCAR has also not heard any complaints from any of the drivers. "Neither (Vice President, Competition) Robin Pemberton or (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Director) John Darby has heard anything from any of the drivers on this," said Kerry Tharp, Director of Communications, Competition, for NASCAR. This past weekend's Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400 featured more of the great side-by-side action Richmond International Raceway is known for. The race tied the track record for the most lead drivers (12) and fell one short of the record for the most lead changes (25), which has happened twice, most recently in March 1996.(RIR PR)(5-9-2007)
Rusty/Dale Jr. rank among top-20 in Athlete Biz Index: Although former NASCAR champion, ABC / ESPN Lead Auto Racing Analyst and Busch Series [#66-Steve Wallace] team owner Rusty Wallace has retired from driving, his well-known commitment to corporate partners and sponsors undoubtedly remains as solid as ever. This was proven recently, as New York-based TSE Sports and Entertainment released the April 2007 edition of the Athlete Business Index. The index, highlighted in Sports Business Daily, ranked Wallace 16th among all athletes. Other athletes appearing in the top-20 of the index included Michael Jordan [3], Tiger Woods [4] and Lance Armstrong [6] - (Magic Johnson was 1st). Danica Patrick [15th] and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. [11th] were the only other auto racing-related personalities to appear in the top-20. The rankings were based upon the results of surveys completed by 213 Fortune 500 marketing executives who make use of athletes for corporate purposes. In explaining the rankings, TSE notes that the executives surveyed were asked to score athletes' ability to succeed in ten specific corporate categories or functions. These categories included trade show appearance, keynote speech, sales promotion, clinic / demonstration, meet and greet and others. Athletes are graded on a point system in each category and are given a score for both local market presence and national marketability.(RWI PR)(5-8-2007)
Earnhardt Jr.: 'We'll be driving Chevys' UPDATE 2: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. nearly started laughing Friday and said, 'Nah,' when asked if it was really possible he could drive a Ford next season. Dale Earnarhdt Inc., which is in negotiations with Earnhardt Jr. for a contract extension and also must sign a new dale with Chevrolet, has had preliminary talks with other manufacturers and also has talked about a possible merger with Robert Yates Racing. But Earnhardt Jr. couldn't see himself driving anything but a Chevy. As part of his negotiations with DEI, he wants majority ownership of the team. "We'll be driving Chevys, I'll promise you that," Earnhardt Jr. said following qualifying Friday for the Crown Royal/Jim Stewart 400.(SceneDaily.com)(5-5-2007) UPDATE: The latest on the Dale Earnhardt Jr. saga: The “Robert Yates” NASCAR brand will remain a Ford brand, even in any merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc., according to sources familiar with the Yates-DEI negotiations. However Earnhardt, who has been the heart of DEI, insisted he will be in Chevrolets again next season, no matter what. Those two facts make the DEI-Yates negotiations peculiar, particularly since Earnhardt has been negotiating a new contract with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. demanding controlling interest in DEI. If DEI officials are negotiating a possible switch to Ford, then Earnhardt would clearly appear to be not involved with those talks. Which would mean if Yates and DEI do come to terms, it would almost certainly be a Yates-DEI merger without Earnhardt in the mix. There has been rampant speculation the past few days that Earnhardt may be moving to either Richard Childress’ Chevy team or Rick Hendrick’s Chevy team.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-7-2007) UPDATE 2: Before he hit the track for the official test at the Lowes Motor Speedway, #Dale Earnhardt, Jr. told PRN's Garage Pass there was no news on his contract talks with Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated. As for DEI talking with Robert Yates about a possible merger with him and Ford, Junior had this to say, “I haven’t been asked about it. I haven’t been asked if I would or wouldn’t. I haven’t been part of those discussions with Yates and I don’t even know what those entail or when those happened or what they’re about or what the mechanical parts and pieces are that they’re discussing. But I like Chevys and I’ve got a great relationship and rapport with all the guys over there. Obviously that’s where I’m staying.”,BR>
Q: What would it take for your to drive a Ford?
A: “Take a big ‘ol, big ‘ol pile of money! But I don’t think that’s out there.”
Q: So, are you saying everyone has his price?
A: “There’s a price on everything but I don’t think that pile of money…I don’t think that kind of money is out there,” he joked.(PRN's Garage Pass)(5-7-2007)
Ford Racing Aware of DEI-RYR Merger Talk: In response to media reports from this past weekend, Ford Racing confirmed it is fully aware of merger talks that have taken place between Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) and Robert Yates Racing (RYR) officials. “Ford is fully committed to Robert Yates Racing for the long-term, and they have assured us that are similarly committed to Ford,” said Kevin Kennedy, Ford Racing Technology Communications Manager. “Robert and Doug have been in contact with Ford about the nature of the discussions. We have a valued partnership with them, and they are keeping us informed of those discussions like a true partner would.
We fully expect they will remain with Ford for many, many years.” Robert Yates Racing and Ford have a relationship that goes back to the formation of the race team in the late 1980s, and Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology, has repeatedly stated that the manufacturer is fully committed to bringing RYR back to the top of the field. Media reports this past weekend also stated that Ford had been in discussions with DEI about a switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2008 season. Davis has repeatedly said that Ford is interested in adding championship-level teams to its Cup roster. “We definitely have been talking with DEI. Truthfully, we’ve been having informal talks with them for several years,” said Kennedy. “We have not yet made a formal offer to them, but we know that their GM contract is up at the end of the year. We had some discussions with them, and we’ve made it clear that we’d love to have them in our program.”(Ford Racing)(5-1-2007)
DEI to buy RYR? UPDATE 4: It was reported on SPEED's NASCAR Raceday that Dale Earnhardt Inc (DEI) is interested in buying Robert Yates Racing (RYR) and RYR is interested in joining forces with DEI. It was also reported that the teams would end up being in the Chevy camp.(4-29-2007) UPDATE: In attempts to strengthen its teams and expand to four cars, Dale Earnhardt Inc. [#'s 1,8,15] has had preliminary discussions with Robert Yates Racing [#38, #88] about a partnership, as well as Ford Motor Company and another manufacturer, DEI executive team member John Story confirmed Sunday morning. While the company also is in the midst of contract negotiations with NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., DEI is working toward trying to solidify its future. That means getting the finances and the technological support it needs from a manufacturer and working toward fielding a fourth team by 2008 or 2009, said Story, who oversees sales, marketing and communications activities at DEI. What would be more startling would be the potential move to Ford or another manufacturer considering Chevrolet's long relationship with team founder Dale Earnhardt. The Chevrolet deal is not contingent on Earnhardt Jr. remaining at DEI, Story said. Yates said his team would remain Ford. Story said that talks with Yates could continue even if DEI remains with Chevrolet.(in part from SceneDaily.com)(4-29-2007) UPDATE 2: With Robert Yates Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. discussing a potential merger, how would that affect Yates-Roush Engines, which makes the motors that power all of the Ford NASCAR Nextel Cup teams? RYR co-owner Doug Yates was adamant that his team will not switch to Chevrolet power no matter what, and Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said he hopes any deal will build up the Ford NASCAR Nextel Cup effort. “We’re aware that he’s marketing his teams,” Smith said of Robert Yates prior to Sunday’s Talladega race. “We have a joint engine business that’s affected by the number of customers that we have. We want to see the Ford number of teams remain at least at its current level for the benefit of the engine business and for the competitive benefit for Ford Motor Co.”(SPEEDtv.com)(4-30-2007) UPDATE 3: Dale Earnhardt, Inc., [DEI] will move to four Nextel Cup Series teams by 2009, be it through the acquisition of another team or the addition of a fourth team in-house, team executive John Story said Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Story said DEI has been in discussions with Robert Yates Racing for four-to-six weeks about a partnership, but cautioned that those talks are preliminary and that no documentation has been exchanged between the teams. If DEI were to acquire Yates, one of the two teams would have to forsake its manufacturer. Yates, a Ford flagship team for nearly two decades, would move to Chevrolet; or DEI, whose founder, Dale Earnhardt, won seven championships in Chevrolets, would move to Ford. "The only proposal we have right now for a manufacturer next year is from Chevrolet," Story said. "Teresa [Earnhardt] has been tremendously loyal to Chevrolet for a lot of years. We've had some conversation with a couple other manufacturers. They've called to inquire what our contract situation was. We told them, in fairness, we are going to sit down and exhaust our options with Chevrolet first, and if the opportunity came up we'd talk to somebody else. We haven't seen anything in writing from anybody else." RYR president Doug Yates said they'd rather stay in Fords, and that Ford Racing officials see a DEI merger as a way to get Ford back to prominence in Nextel Cup. But he didn't rule out a manufacturer switch. How this impacts Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s contract negotiations isn't known, but Story said a deal with Ford and RYR isn't contingent on Earnhardt Jr. staying at DEI. Earnhardt Jr. wants controlling interest in DEI, but Chevrolet officials want to keep him.(ESPN.com)(4-30-2007) UPDATE 4 Toyota denies talks: Toyota’s Lee White says his company was not involved in any talks with DEI: “We have not had any conversations with Dale Earnhardt Jr. “There is a tremendous amount of both equity and liability involved with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet has such equity built into Dale Earnhardt Jr. and that particular race team - that equity is great for the bigger picture and the health of our sport. Right now Toyota is not ready to take on the liability that would come with that scenario.”(Winston Salem Journal)(4-30-2007)
Dale Jr.:Gordon's tribute to Dale Sr - Cool:Q. There seems to be a split in your fan base where the smaller number of fans who might have gotten upset with #24-Jeff Gordon, thinking he's the Intimidator, not understanding the move last week, is being kind of overwritten about as compared to the fan base that doesn't feel that way. You have a certain aspect of your fan base that wouldn't throw a beer can, that understands this whole thing. Do you hear from them, too? DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I mean, not all my fans are going to throw a beer can at Jeff Gordon every time they see him. I don't really know. I didn't really see a replay as far as the amount of trash that got thrown on the track last week. I was pretty surprised to hear that it even happened. I was blown away that anybody would even take what Jeff did wrong and be offended. Hello, I mean, he was waving a 3 flag. Just seems like to me he was trying to do the right thing and trying to say this guy was really good and I'm honored to have met one of his accomplishments. Every time I meet one, I'm pretty dang happy about it. I was pretty happy that Jeff – I like to beat Jeff. I don't like seeing Jeff win. I like to win. But when he honored my father, that was really cool. That was a lot of class. I wanted to make that known.(NASCAR teleconference Transcript in part)(4-25-2007)
Dale Jr. talks contract...nothing new..but feels it will get done..with DEI: from a NASCAR teleconference Transcript) Q. An update on where you're at right now as far as the contract negotiations go. DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We're basically where we've been over the past couple weeks. Not much has changed. Unfortunately, I know you guys want to know more than that, and I want to tell you more than that, but there's not more to tell. Whenever we get the information, when I have what I have, know what I know, believe me, I won't hold it out for long. Really nothing to report at this time. Q. It's been the main story around you. Has it served as a distraction at all? DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: No, it's not a distraction at all because really there's nothing been going on. I get worried really that it's being run into the ground. When we find out what we want to do and we decide what to do, how it goes down, what the plan is, we will tell the press. We'll be ready to tell the press. We'll be happy to make those announcements. I get worried that the story is just going to become stale, old, it's going to wear people out. They're going to get tired of hearing it. One of my favorite shows is Around the Horn on ESPN. They were talking about it on there. I know it's getting old when Around the Horn is debating whether it's getting old 'cause they were debating whether it was an old story, we were hearing too much about it, whatever. Q. I know you don't want to talk about the contract. I'm not asking you to belie any confidences. Would you say it's fair to say now or all along that this has been, how we can get a deal done, not whether we can get a deal done? Has it progressed at all in that direction or has it ever been anything different than that? DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: It's not been "if" at all. We've both worked together and it's all been positive. We've just made an agreement between ourselves to try not to talk about it in the media or insinuate anything until we're ready to release the details. Both sides have made that agreement. We had to make it a little bit firmer obviously after this weekend. Q. Dale, with all due respect to what you already said about your contract this morning, can you at least say whether you're hopeful or confident of staying with DEI? DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I am. I'm pretty excited that things are going to be fine, things are going to work out with our negotiations.(NASCAR teleconference Transcript in part)(4-25-2007)
51% of DEI = $55 million? Taking control of DEI, his late father's company, might come at too high a price for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. Last week, it was reported DEI offered Dale Earnhardt Jr. 51% ownership, which NASCAR's most popular driver quickly denied. That's not to say there weren't informal discussions, rather it could be Junior simply stopped listening once he heard the asking price. Several people familiar with the contract negotiations told The Associated Press that DEI has not made a formal offer and that any discussions centered around the 51% ownership share came with a steep asking price - $55 million or more - that the Earnhardt Jr. camp didn't take seriously. That number would be in line with the going rate for a stake in a NASCAR team. Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is believed to have spent about $60 million in February for a minority stake in Roush Fenway Racing. Those familiar with the negotiations requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak. When reached Monday, Junior's sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge declined comment, citing the reporting of inaccurate information over the weekend in her desire to refrain from commenting until a formal announcement.(Associated Press)(4-24-2007)
DEI Announces the Earnhardt Entertainment Division: Max Siegel, President of Global Operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., announced the formation of the Earnhardt Entertainment Division, a new entertainment division within DEI that will merge the various aspects of the entertainment industry with NASCAR. The Earnhardt Entertainment Division will develop, produce and distribute
music, film and television, visual imaging and digital content, as well as special event projects. The company will announce its plans to collaborate with major entertainment partners on several exciting projects in the upcoming months.(DEI PR)(4-20-2007)
Teresa already has agreed to 51% of DEI for Dale Jr.? UPDATE: The Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. / DEI contract negotiations continue and the influence of ace negotiator Max Siegel may be bearing success. One contact told me [MaxChevy's Glen Grissom] on the down-low that the 51% (or majority ownership) that Dale Jr. requires to stay with DEI has essentially been negotiated – agreed to by Teresa Earnhardt. But that she, in turn, is requesting that an independent, impartial review board be set up within DEI that would take into consideration and review any major operational changes that Dale Jr. would want to take place – acting like a board of directors it seems to me [MaxChevy's Glen Grissom], with Dale Jr. basically reporting to it. So far, this has been balked at – but stranger management structures have survived in the business world. All parties say they want to have the contract resolved by May, so with April half-over, it’s crunch time.(MaxChevy.com)(4-19-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said an online report that he has been offered ownership in DEI is "news to me." After qualifying, he was asked about the story that he has been offered 51% ownership of the company started by his late father. "I don't know anything about that," Junior said, raising his eyebrows. "As far as I know, there's been nothing new in the last week or more." Earnhardt, in the final year of his current contract with DEI, said he isn't worried about the negotiations. "I just want to get some wins and some good finishes and concentrate of what we're doing on the track," he said. A story on ESPN.com Thursday said Max Siegel, president of global operations at DEI and the team's chief negotiator, said Earnhardt has been offered ownership in the company but would not say what percentage. Siegel could not be reached Thursday for comment.(Associated Press)(4-20-2007)
Why did Dale Jr. get in the #5 car after he was out of the race? For much of the day, it looked like the first two-time Texas titlist would be Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #8 Budweiser team, as they led 96 laps, and repeatedly opened leads of three seconds or more before a strange incident ended any chance of victory. On lap 252, while running second, Dale Jr. was behind the lapped car of Tony Stewart rounding turn four when the aptly-nicknamed "Smoke" spun out, creating a giant wall of thick tire smoke. As Dale Jr. slowed down in the midst of the murky mess, #5-Kyle Busch, who was running third, slammed hard into the Bud car from behind. Despite the damage, the Bud crew went to work on the red #8 machine, making repairs and keeping Dale Jr. on the lead lap despite multiple pit stops under the caution flag. The race ended for the Bud car on lap 288 when the engine imploded, resulting in a 36th-place finish.
However, Dale Jr's day was not done, as a crewmember from Kyle Busch's crew interrupted Dale Jr's media session to ask if Driver #8
would step into the #5 car (the car that had smashed into his ownonly 30 minutes before) to finish the race after Busch had left the premises. Soon, Dale Jr. was being strapped into the Hendrick Motorsports car, and he completed the final 10 laps of the race, improving Busch's finishing position one spot ahead of Hendrick teammate #48-Jimmie Johnson. At the conclusion of the afternoon, Dale Jr. found his own car in 36th, and - for the first time ever - had driven a car other than the #8 Budweiser machine in a Nextel Cup event. Dale Jr. dropped to 18th place in the Nextel Cup standings, but is only 43 points out of the top-12.
Dale Jr. was soon pulled from the media swarm to climb into the #5 car. After the race, the media throng again clamored for comments.
What did the car drive like?: "Like it was wrecked." Why would you get in another car? "Because they asked me. I have some friends on that team - and I'll always jump at a chance to climb into someone else's car to see what it's like. They used to do that all the time back in the day. You'd have relief drivers getting into someone's car almost every week, so it was kinda like a step back into NASCAR history or something. Old school! It was cool."(fingerprintinc/Budweiser PR)(4-16-2007)
Siegel: DEI 'working hard' to meet Earnhardt Jr. deadline: With #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sister and chief negotiator reiterating last week that the a new contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. [DEI] needs to be completed in the next 45 days, Dale Earnhardt Inc. President Max Siegel says that's a possibility. "We've been working hard with the goal to meet that deadline," Siegel said Sunday before the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. "We have had really productive conversations. ... We are looking at every single issue in great detail. We've got a great group of people, we have a great foundation. We've been running pretty good. We can always do better. What we're doing is we're looking to see how we can improve every area of competition. We're addressing it right away. Things are happening to take it up a notch. I've never given any thought or much thought at all to anything other than having a healthy, long-term relationship with those guys, what I feel now that is different than when I got there, as we build a relationship, I think Kelley and Dale would make really, really great partners."(SceneDaily.com)(4-16-2007)
Dale Jr.'s sister not yet convinced deal will happen [with DEI]: Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, sister, business manager and chief negotiator for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., isn't yet convinced a contract extension with the company their father founded is on the horizon for NASCAR's biggest star. It's not that talks are going badly. But many variables exist -- and time is precious. "I don't know if we'll get there," Elledge said of an extension. "It's hard. When you start talking about the piece of ownership for Dale in [Dale Earnhardt, Inc.], that's part of my business, too. That's part of [half-brother] Kerry's business. That's part of [half-sister] Taylor's business. "There's a whole lot of dynamics that play into it all." Two variables, in particular, are crucial to Earnhardt's desire for a majority stake in ownership of DEI. "One is the family piece," Elledge explained. "Obviously our dad started [DEI] to field race cars, and all intentions of [Dale Jr.] being a part of that, and the rest of us being a part of it, in terms of my other brothers and sisters. But I think the biggest reason we want a piece of DEI is for control of [Dale Jr.'s] brand, and where it's going. They can all coexist -- the whole Earnahrdt family -- as one big brand. And there's several brands underneath it." Elledge said she and Dale Jr. feel DEI has done a good job maintaining their father's brand, but that Dale Jr. has an entirely different brand that they want to control and mesh into the overall Earnhardt brand. She said the entrance of new DEI President Max Siegel into the equation has helped tremendously, and is a bright spot that makes her believe an extension is indeed feasible. "With Max coming onboard, that's something I can foresee in the long run," Elledge said. "At this point, we don't have a lot of time so we're trying to work really hard to make something of it. We met last week. I usually talk to Max at least once a day, if only to say 'Hi.' We're keeping in touch and bouncing ideas off each other, because we really are trying to discuss all options." Elledge admitted, though, that this is not an easy time to be renegotiating. "You've got a new guy on board who's trying to get the ship turned in the right direction, and you still have Teresa there who's trusting this new person, and she's not had anybody in there for a while and things have kind of fell down. So there's a rebuilding going on. It's a bad time to try to renegotiate a contract. You've got the old still sticking there, and this new on the horizon that could be really good, and you're trying to make sense of it all. We'll see if we can get there."(ESPN.com)(4-14-2007)
Special Paint Scheme for Dale Jr. at Daytona/LMS UPDATE:: Hearing that #8-Dale Jr. will run a special red white and blue Budweiser paint scheme in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. See an image of the car on my #8 Paint Schemes Page.(4-10-2007) Special Paint Scheme for Dale Jr. at Lowes Too: Hearing that #8-Dale Jr. will run a special camouflage Budweiser paint scheme in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. See an image of the car on my #8 Paint Schemes Page.(4-11-2007) UPDATE: Budweiser and NASCAR's four-time Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., are saluting the troops this NASCAR season with two military-themed paint schemes and collectible diecasts, the proceeds from which will provide college educations for surviving dependents of fallen Special Operations soldiers. The cars debuted during a special "One Night Stand with Dale Earnhardt Jr." event held for more than 1000 fans and many area-based troops last night at the Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie. Budweiser's brown and beige Desert Camo #8 Chevy will race Memorial Day weekend during the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The red, white and blue Stars & Stripes car will run in honor of Independence Day at the Pepsi 400 on July 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Budweiser will donate proceeds from the sale of the two collectible diecast car models to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation
(SOWF), which provides full-ride college scholarships to surviving dependents of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special
operations personnel killed in combat or training missions, and immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel
severely wounded in the global war on terror. More than 700 dependents currently benefit from the efforts of the SOWF. For more information, visit www.specialops.org.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser Racing PR)(4-13-2007)
Earnhardt Still Wants Majority Ownership of DEI: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not backed down from his demand for majority ownership in his late father's company, his sister said Tuesday. "Fifty-one (percent) is the right number because that gives us control," said Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Junior's sister and business manager. "We'll take 75 or 95 or whatever we work out. At the end of the day, 51 gives you control. "And we want control." Earnhardt is in the final year of his contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has made owning a share of the company a major issue of his negotiations. He raised the stakes even higher in February when he said he actually wanted 51 percent of DEI - not just a piece of the team. Earnhardt Elledge said the ownership stake was not the breaking point of negotiations, but that time could run out for a new agreement to be reached. [DEI President Max] Siegel has said he believes a decision can be made by May, and Earnhardt Elledge said the next two months are crucial.(Associated Press)(4-11-2007)
JR Motorsports signs Motorcycler Jeremy McGrath: JR Motorsports introduced seven-time Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath as its newest late model driver on Tuesday, pairing one of the most popular Supercross stars of all time with NASCAR’s four-time most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The announcement was made at the grand opening of the team’s new 66,000-square foot shop. McGrath will compete in a limited 10-race schedule in a Chevrolet late model stock car sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, with R&B Auto Body Transport Refinishing as an associate sponsor. His first race is slated for April 21 at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C. “This is something I’ve always wanted to try, and I’m really grateful that Dale Jr. is giving me this opportunity to drive one of his race cars,” McGrath said. “We are going to test this week, weather permitting. I’ve got a lot to learn when it comes to racing something with four wheels, but I’m confident I can pick it up pretty quick.” The addition of McGrath and the Monster Energy car gives JRM its third late model entry. Scott Young and Curtis Truex Jr. currently compete in full-season touring schedules in late model cars sponsored by R&B. JR Motorsports also fields a full-time NASCAR Busch Series team with driver Shane Huffman and full-time USAR Hooters Pro Cup team with driver Richard Boswell. All of these teams operate out of the new JR Motorsports facility located in Mooresville, N.C. “I’m proud to have Jeremy here, and it’s cool to see how excited he is about getting into one of these late models,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I like his approach, his mentality, and the energy he brings to this shop. I know this isn’t just some fleeting interest on his part. He is as serious about this as anyone I’ve ever been around.” McGrath is easily one of the most recognizable motorcycle racers of all time, as he dominated Supercross from 1993-2004, compiling 74 main event victories and seven titles. He also won the gold medal in the 2004 X-Games Step-Up competition, and earned silver in the 2005 X-Games Supermoto. “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of success in Supercross, but this is a new type of racing for me,” McGrath said. “I want to succeed at this. It’s not like I’m coming in here and saying that I’m going to be a Nextel Cup driver or anything like that. I want to focus on this chance.”(JR Motorsports PR)(4-11-2007)
Earnhardt Says JR Motorsports Could Move to Cup at Some Point: Dale Earnhardt Jr. indicated in the past that he didn't envision his JR Motorsports team going Nextel Cup racing. But now that he's unveiled a new shop for his Busch and Late Model teams, well, he could envision it "years down the road." "It was just so, so far down the road, it was ridiculous to even think about [Cup racing] or dream about it," Earnhardt Jr. said Tuesday during an open house of the new shop. "Being closer and closer to something like that being a reality, it's always a possibility." Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who handles Earnhardt Jr.'s business affairs, was asked if Earnhardt Jr. could be the team's driver in Nextel Cup. Her answer: "No way." But Earnhardt Jr. says ... "With any company like ours, the sky's the limit," he said. "You just have to maximize your opportunities and make sure you're picking the right ones, working with the right people."(SceneDaily.com)(4-11-2007)
Dale Jr. Say DEI Exceeding Expectations in COT: Dale Earnhardt Jr. never doubted whether or not his team could rally back into championship form. But he does recognize that some other organizations are ahead of his when it comes to the car of tomorrow - and that could be key this season. Earnhardt Jr. quickly points out that a lot of teams suffered setbacks at some point in the opening series of six races. He had DNFs in the first two, but has since rallied back to 11th in the standings. The top 12 qualify for the Chase For The Nextel Cup 10-race title-determining segment of the season. Even when his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team endured setbacks, Earnhardt Jr. felt confident with their strength and ability to come back into the elite group. Still, he looks at the Hendrick Motorsports cars and sees a group that will be tough. "They're at the top of the charts right now, winning every week and running up front every week, and they'll be hard to challenge going into the Chase at this point," he said. "But if we can just continue to finish good and take good cars to the race track, we should be able to make that top 12."(SceneDaily.com)(4-7-2007)
Earnhardt Elledge to 'get back to work' soon: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. says his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, continues to recuperate from recent surgery and should be back to form soon. Earnhardt Jr. has put his contract negotiations on hold until his sister is once more well enough to participate in the process. She underwent surgery March 23. "She's doing a whole lot better," he said Tuesday during testing at Richmond International Raceway. "She's going to be sore and she can't lift anything for several weeks but she's doing really, really good. She's out of the woods, so to speak, and we're all really, really happy about that. She'll start carrying out here typical duties and she's starting to phase back in to what's been going on over the last six to eight months and get back to work."(SceneDaily.com)(4-5-2007)
Dale Jr, gets debris in eye, is ok: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. led at Martinsville until the rain showers came, causing a 33-minute red flag period on lap 357. Dale Jr. climbed back into his car as the leader, but was showered in debris from a stationary jet track dryer. Some of the debris became lodged in Dale Jr's left eye, but he was able to continue. Following the stoppage, the changed track seemed to negate the speed advantage of the Bud car, and Dale Jr. fought back from 11th place after his final pit stop to gain his first top-five tally of 2007. "I got something in my eye when I got back in the car after the rain. The jet dryer was moving really, really slow - and I was helpless just sitting there while it blew (stuff) inside my car for what must have been 15 to 20 seconds. I mean, that's ridiculous. I was sitting there thinking 'Go! Move on! Let me out! Help!' It was crazy. They need to be better about that. Either dry the track before we get in - or keep those dryers moving."(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(4-2-2007)
New DEI deal for Dale Jr. by May a 'realistic goal': Although negotiations are on hold, that shouldn't prevent #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. from having a new deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. by May. "Absolutely," Max Siegel, the president of Global Operations for DEI, said before Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. "All of the issues are properly framed. That's a realistic goal."
Negotiations were put on hold when Earnhardt Jr.'s sister and business partner, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, underwent surgery on Friday to remove tumors from her pancreas. She is expected to stay in the hospital for four or five days. "She's at a critical part of this process," Siegel said. "I don't want the focus to be on her recovery for the contract negotiation. "Every day we're checking in with her and making sure that the first priority is her getting healthy. As soon as they're ready to resume any kind of discussions we're ready." Siegel doesn't foresee any situation in which negotiations would continue without Kelley. But Siegel sees no reason why a new deal can't still be done by May while DEI still has exclusive negotiating rights. "You can't really rush the process," he said. "We're all headed in the right direction, so just as soon as it makes sense for us to sit back down we will. But none of us want to do anything that is going to interfere with her recovery or frame of mind." Earnhardt Jr. is in the last year of his contract with the company his father built. He said earlier this year he wanted majority ownership to be a part of his new deal.(ESPN.com)(3-25-2007)
Dale Jr./DEI conracts on hold while sister is in hospital UPDATE: Negotiations to re-sign with the company his father built isn't #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s top concern at the moment. The health of his sister is. Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who has been negotiating the new deal at Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) with her brother, is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday. "My sister is in the hospital right now, so we're going to have to put everything on hold for a while," Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway. "She's going to be in the hospital for a couple of days. We'll be watching that pretty closely. Everything in life is on hold until that gets better." Representatives of DEI would not discuss specifics of the surgery, only to say that the family was concerned. A source close to the situation said a benign cyst was discovered on Elledge's pancreas last week. Elledge's situation has forced the postponement of several negotiation meetings the past week and a half. But sources close to the situation said the meetings prior to that had gone well and that Teresa Earnhardt, Earnhardt Jr.'s stepmother and the owner of DEI, was actively involved. "Our No. 1 priority right now is for Kelley to have a speedy recovery," said Max Siegel, the vice president for Global Operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(3-22-2007) UPDATE: Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who handles brother Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s business affairs and is general manager of JR Motorsports, is resting comfortably after surgery earlier today, said JR Motorsports Director of Motorsports Steve Crisp. Crisp would not disclose the exact nature of the surgery. "She's good," Crisp said. "Everything went as expected. She's resting right now. ... Everything was a success. All indications are that everything is all taken care of." Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday that his contract negotiations with Dale Earnhardt Inc. were on hold until Earnhardt Elledge could return to the negotiating table. Earnhardt Elledge is married to Jimmy Elledge, crew chief for #41-Reed Sorenson in the Nextel Cup Series at Chip Ganassi Racing. Jimmy Elledge was not at the track Friday, with Busch Series crew chief Brian Pattie helping fill that role. Jimmy Elledge is expected to be at the track Sunday to call the shots.(SceneDaily.com)(3-23-2007)
Sharpie Introduces #8 Marker, Sharpie Scheme and more: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, is making a bold statement on and off the track as he prepares for the Sharpie MINI 300 Busch Series race this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). The new Sharpie/Dale Earnhardt, Inc. relationship will officially kick off Saturday when Dale Jr steps behind the wheel of the new DEI #8 Chevy, co-sponsored by Sharpie and Budweiser. Race fans will get a glimpse of the race when Sharpie introduces the first-ever Dale Jr #8 Sharpie marker, rolling out in stores now. Dale Jr will unveil the marker and new paint scheme Thursday, March 22, at 5 pm at the track's Tower 8, where he will also sign Sharpie's giant autograph wall. Dozens of children representing Speedway Children's Charities will join him, lending their signatures and support to the Sharpie "Autographs for Action" campaign to benefit Speedway Children's Charities with $10,000 in funds and supplies. The Sharpie MINI 300 is Dale Jr's second Busch race this season. Dale Jr is a former winner at Bristol, going to Victory Lane in the 2004 Sharpie 500 Nextel Cup Series race. DEI and Dale Jr's new Sharpie partnership also includes a bold new addition to the BMS landscape - a giant three-story billboard covering Tower 8 and featuring Dale Jr's larger-than-life likeness. The banner, which also includes an image of the Sharpie #8 paint scheme and the new #8 marker, will be unveiled Thursday along with the #8 marker. It will become a permanent fixture at BMS throughout the 2007 race season. The Dale Earnhardt Jr #8 Sharpie marker is the only marker endorsed by Dale Jr. Available in black fine point and imprinted with his autograph and #8, it is rolling out now in select stores nationwide where office products are sold. Autographs for Action annually seeks one million autographs as part of its program to give away $1 million in funds and supplies for community groups, charitable organizations and schools nationwide (go to www.sharpie.com). Sharpie will donate $10,000 in funds and supplies to Speedway Children's Charities as part of the Bristol autograph drive. Visit sharpie.com for more information.(Sanford PR)(3-21-2007)
DEI Engine problems appear to be solved UPDATE: Teammates #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #1-Martin Truex Jr. both suffered blown engines last Sunday at California, and it appears the engine department has solved the problem. Earnhardt Jr. said “The unleaded fuel lubricates the valve train less so we’re going to have to address that by applying more oil in the left front side of the motor in the valve train. The right side of the valve train looked really, really good. Centrifugal force pushed all the oil over so we have to somehow pump more oil over to the left side of the valve train and give that more durability. That’s what our company has done this past week and we should
have no problems.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-9-2007) UPDATE: However, the issue might have been deeper than just lubrication. A source inside the DEI organization said a broken valve spring and a spun bearing caused the engine to fail. Neither issue was directly related to running unleaded fuels. "We tossed away a bunch of defective valve springs to solve on of the issues," said the source. As for the bearing, the failure was the result of an oiling failure no previously seen by the engine department. We looked at our process of building engines and it wasn't an issue with construction."(Circletrackplus.com)(3-10-2007)
Dale Jr. not worried about points standing: Headed into Sunday’s UAW-Daimler-Chrysler 400, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t concerned about his 40th place point standings. “I’m not really worry about it”; said Earnhardt Jr. “I’m upset we’ve finished how we have but there’s nothing we can really do about it. If I was 40th in points with the chase two races way I’d be really upset…very upset…but it’s early in the season and we’ve got time to remedy it.” Nobody is panicking on the Bud Chevy team and that includes the driver. According to Earnhardt Jr.; “I think getting worried or panicky won’t improve the situation; it’ll only spread through my team like a virus. Panic is
very contagious so you really have to have a positive outlook and try to propose that on the team that they work hard to try and come out of it.” The team has had no luck the first two races of the season suffering a blown motor at California and getting swept up in a crash at Daytona. “I can only do what I can do” said Dale Jr. “We’ll try and come back the best we can and get the best finishes we can to get out of that hole. I think we’ll be able to do that.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-9-2007)
Can Dale Jr, still make the chase? after two races, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 40th in Nextel Cup Drivers Points, the highest finishing drivers who stood at 40th after 2 races in the past 15 seasons?
2001: Kevin Harvick finished 9th [was 8th after 26 races, The Chase starts race #27], Harvick stepped into the #3 car at Rockingham, renumbered to #29 after the death of Dale Earnhardt, so after two races he had only run one race.
1996: Geoff Bodine 17th; 2006 [was 18th after 26 races]: Scott Riggs 20th [failed to make the Daytona 500, was 18th after 26 races]; 1998: Johnny Benson 20th [was 19th after 26 races].(from ESPN's NASCAR Now with some facts added by yours truely) ALSO: in 1996 Jeff Gordon was out of the top-40 after 2 races and came back to finish 2nd to Terry Labonte and was leading after 26 races [the Series only ran 31 races in 1996](3-7-2007)
Siegel says DEI, Junior still working on deal: Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said business dictates that contract negotiations with Dale Earnhardt Jr. be resolved soon. And what exactly does that mean in terms of a timetable? "If I had a goal, it would be by May," Siegel said in a telephone interview. "That's probably what makes sense." Siegel said dialogue among DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt (who founded the company with her late husband, Dale Earnhardt) and her stepchildren (Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and Dale Earnhardt Jr.) has been open and candid. Elledge is business manager of her brother's JR Motorsports and his negotiating partner. "I wanted to cut through all of the clutter to see what needed to be addressed," Siegel said. "We've done that. The tone of the conversation last week between me and their team was very positive. Everyone is working on a solution to keep Dale Jr. at DEI. Everyone would argue the continuation of this business is a top priority. If not, [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] could have walked away and driven for anyone else." He said Elledge and Dale Jr. have been very much involved with infrastructure issues at DEI the past few weeks, so much so that Siegel described their involvement as "diligent" and "refreshing." It is that future that Siegel is eager to begin expanding. He comes from a music and entertainment background and sees the potential in digital entertainment and developing original programming, to name a few things on the to-do list he intends to explore.(see full story at ESPN.com)(3-7-2007)
DEI's Max Siegal to be honored: The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding will honor Max Siegel, President of Global Operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., on Thursday, March 8th, 2007 during their annual New York Spring Benefit at the home of Denise Rich. During the ceremony, President Rabbi Marc Shcneier and Chairman Russell Simmons will award Max Siegel the Joseph Papp Racial Harmony Award in recognition of his efforts to promote better relations between African-American and Jewish communities. "These awards mark outstanding achievement by corporate leaders who have advanced the cause of diversity and race relations," says Rabbi Marc Schneier. Max Siegel was recently appointed to President of Global Operations of Dale Earnhardt Inc., the top motor sports franchise in NASCAR. Siegel oversees the entire organization including competition, marketing, sales, sponsorship and distribution for all DEI¹s properties including motor sports teams, licensing, promotion, business development, and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, under the leadership of Rabbi Marc Schneier, President, and Russell Simmons, Chairman, is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting racial harmony and strengthening inter-group relations. The organization is committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face dialogue between ethnic communities is the most effective path towards the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.(Susan Blond PR)(3-7-2007)
Dale Jr./DEI find what caused engine problem: Quotes from #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. about starting the season with two Did-Not-Finish (DNF) results: "We're not happy about it, but we're keeping our heads up. We've had some rough starts before and came back strong. We were 38th in the points after two races in 2003, and we came back to finish third. It seems like we always get better as the year goes on. Don't forget, we had back-to-back last-place finishes in the middle of the summer last year and dropped out of the top-10 in points, but we fought back into the Chase when we needed to. As a team, you can't let it be a distraction - we have to go out and run every lap as hard as possible and not worry about it. This team has always performed well when the pressure is on, and I expect nothing less this week. We found out what caused the engine failure at California, and our guys have been busting their (butts) to make sure we don't have that problem again. The most positive thing we took from California is that we had a car that was really fast. We had a flat tire, but then we came back out and passed Matt Kenseth even with a loose wheel that caused a bad vibration. That shows we have a really good set-up and we're taking that same chassis to Las Vegas."(Budweiser Racing PR)(3-5-2007)
Dale Jr. has good races after 2 DNF's in row: when #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't finish the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Sunday, it was the 4th time in his career that he had two straight races with DNF's [did not finish]. At Texas in 2000 after two straight DNF's Earnhardt won; At Phoenix in 2004, he won; At Indy in 2006 he finished 6th; and at Las Vegas in 2007.....? (ESPN's NASCAR Now)(2-27-2007)
Teresa at Daytona: The start of the Daytona 500 was 20 minutes away when Teresa Earnhardt strolled down pit road toward the No. 8 Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr. She was laughing and smiling, enjoying the pageantry the way she always did before the last lap of this race in 2001. She had a glow about her as bright and warm as the Florida sunshine that kept this stock car racing shrine from feeling like Lambeau Field during the NFL playoffs. It didn't fade as she made her way to the side of Earnhardt Jr., whose soap opera relationship with his stepmother and car owner has been the center of attention as NASCAR's most popular driver attempts to negotiate a new deal. They posed for pictures. They hugged. See full story at ESPN.com.(2-19-2007)
Eury Jr. would leave DEI if Dale Jr. bolts: If #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. opts to leave Dale Earnhardt, Inc. at the conclusion of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, his crew chief will follow suit. Tony Eury Jr., Earnhardt's crew chief and first cousin, told ESPN.com on Sunday that if Junior goes, he'll go, too. "Yes, [I'd go]," Eury responded when asked if he'd follow Earnhardt to a new race team. "That's the way I based my feelings when I decided to stay there and sign a long-term contract. I made it very specific to them that if 2007 comes and Dale Jr. decided to do something else, I'd like to have my options open to do whatever I want to do." Ultimately, though, Eury hopes Dale Jr. stays put. "The best thing is to stay at DEI," Eury said. "DEI is his Dad's deal. [Junior] should be running the company. That's what Dale Sr. built the company for, was for those kids to have something later on in life. However it turns out, it turns out. I really don't want to get into the politics side of it with them, so I just let them handle it and we'll figure it out from there." Earnhardt said on Feb. 8 he must get majority ownership of DEI in order to remain with the company his father founded. Eury said he's uncertain where the contract negotiation stands. He's staying out of it. "I just told Junior for him and Kelley [Earnhardt Elledge] to figure out whatever they want to do -- stay or go," Eury said. "I hope he stays, but if they can't get things worked out, that's fine, we'll just figure out what's best for all of us."(ESPN.com)(2-18-2007)
Dale Jr. commercial to debut during Daytona 500: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., fends off a posse of post-apocalyptic mutant
warriors in Budweiser's newest ad titled "Apocalypse," set to debut during Sunday's Daytona 500 on Fox-TV. Dale Jr.'s pursuers chase the red #8 Chevy across a barren desert landscape, flinging fire bombs and wielding chainsaws, in pursuit of the last Budweiser on Earth. Just when he seems surrounded, Dale Jr. emerges from the Budweiser #8 car to confront his pursuers, exuding the same Southern moxie that has made him one of the most liked athletes in America. In addition to the Dale Jr. ad premiere, Budweiser is utilizing its position as the Official Beer of the Daytona 500 to introduce special Budweiser aluminum bottles featuring a checkered flag neck and the Daytona 500 logo. The bottles are on sale now in NASCAR race markets nationwide. Fans can get a look at the making of the ad at Budweiser.com, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, and interviews with Dale Jr. and the production team. The 60-second ad, filmed near Lancaster, Calif. in mid-November, was directed by DDB Worldwide, Chicago. Dale Jr. has appeared in more than a dozen ads for Budweiser since 1999.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(2-14-2007)
DEI Prez happy with Dale Jr. contract negotiations: Dale Earnhardt Inc. President of Global Operations Max Siegel said Saturday he is pleased with the way negotiations are going with driver #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. but would not talk about specifics. "The lines of communication are open," Siegel said Saturday night prior to the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. "It's not prudent to talk about the substance of the negotiations. Everything is moving in a positive direction." Earnhardt Jr., son of the late Dale Earnhardt and stepson of owner Teresa Earnhardt, is under contract through the 2007 season. "It's a top priority for us," said Siegel, who started Feb. 1. "Things have a natural rhythm to it. So as long as we continue to talk about [it] and as long as we continue to focus on it, I think it will resolve itself when it is supposed to." On Thursday, Earnhardt Jr. said he wanted to own a majority of the team. "I try not to read the press, so I can focus on making sure that we can reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial and keeping him part of the family forever," Siegel said. Siegel, a former gospel music executive, met Wednesday with Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who handles Earnhardt Jr.'s business affairs. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dale Jr.," Siegel said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kelley and Teresa Earnhardt. I just want to focus on the issues we need to focus on to have a long-term relationship."(
SceneDaily.com)(2-11-2007)
Miller challenges Budweiser: Miller Brewing Co. today issued a NASCAR challenge to competitor Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., and the temporary naming rights to Milwaukee's Miller Park would be stake. The long-standing "battle of the beer cars" on NASCAR tracks would take on added significance during the 2007 Nextel Cup season if Anheuser-Busch accepts Miller's challenge to the Budweiser team. Miller is putting the naming rights to Miller Park on the line for a weekend series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008. If the Miller Lite #2 Dodge, driven by Kurt Busch, finishes ahead of the #8 Budweiser Chevy, driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the 2007 season standings, Busch Stadium would be renamed Miller Lite Stadium for a yet-to-be-determined 2008 series in St. Louis. If the Budweiser car finishes the season ahead of the Miller Lite car in 2007, Milwaukee's Miller Park would be renamed Budweiser Park for a 2008 series in Milwaukee. "We're more confident than ever that Kurt Busch and the #2 Miller Lite team are going to be regular contenders for the Nextel Cup championship," said Tom Long, Miller's president and chief executive officer. "It's too bad for Anheuser-Busch that they didn't take us up on our challenge last year, when Kurt and the team were dealing with the first-year 'new team' transition. Kurt already has one title, and now he and the whole Penske Racing garage are focused on adding to that total. We expect to see plenty of Miller Lite flowing in victory lane this year." The new wager was officially proposed via certified letter from Long to Anheuser-Busch president and CEO August Busch IV, and delivered this morning. Busch had not yet responded.(Small Business Times)(2-9-2007)
Dale Jr's Reps to meet with DEI Reps UPDATE 2 Jr. wants majority ownership? Representatives of DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will meet on Wednesday to discuss Dale Jr.'s contract and ownership stake in the team. Earnhardt Jr., his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who serves as his business manager, DEI competition director Richie Gilmore, and DEI's new president, Max Siegel are expected in the meeting. Teresa Earnhardt, the owner of DEI who also is Earnhardt Jr.'s stepmother, will not be at the meeting, by design. Gilmore said the parties wanted to try to keep the emotions to a minimum, and they wanted to keep Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Jr. separate. Dale Jr.'s contract with DEI expires in 2007, and he said during testing at Daytona that he wanted a greater stake in DEI, the company that his father started. Gilmore says the ownership stake in the team is still the major determining factor in the contract negotiation process for Dale Jr.(ESPN.com)(2-7-2007) UPDATE: it was reported in ESPN's NASCAR Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s representatives met with some DEI execs, including new president Max Siegel on Wednesday, basically just a meet-and-greet and there is nothing else to report. UPDATE 2: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't mince words on Thursday when asked what it would take to get him to re-sign with the Nextel Cup organization his father built. "I want majority ownership, basically," Earnhardt Jr. said for the first time during media day at Daytona International Speedway. As in more than 50%? "Absolutely," Earnhardt Jr. said emphatically. Earnhardt Jr.'s contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. expires at the end of the 2007 season. Negotiation on a new deal began in the middle of 2006, with ownership of the company a major sticking point. Asked if stepmother Teresa Earnhardt, who inherited sole ownership of the company when Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, was willing to budge, Earnhardt Jr. said, "We'll see." Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley, met with Max Siegel, DEI's new president of Global Operations, on Wednesday along with director of motorsports Richie Gilmore. Earnhardt Jr. said it was more of a get-to-know-you meeting with Siegel than a contract negotiation, but added Siegel could expedite the process he initially hoped would be concluded by April or May. "He's a great guy to talk to and a great guy to work with," Earnhardt Jr. said of Siegel. "He's going to speed things up. He's going to improve negotiations and help those things make it a little bit easier." Not in the meeting was Teresa, who has been asked to step aside in negotiations because of her somewhat tumultuous relationship with Earnhardt Jr.(ESPN.com)(2-8-2007)
DEI signs development driver? UPDATE 2: hearing that Jeff Earnhardt, son of Kerry Earnhardt, has signed a development deal with DEI that will have him driving a second car owned by Andy Santerre to team up with Sean Caisse in the NASCAR Busch East Series, with a few potential Busch Series races with DEI.(1-14-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. didn't have to look very far to find its soon-to-be newest driver. He shares a last name with organization's founder. Jeffrey Earnhardt, the 17-year-old grandson of Dale Earnhardt, will compete in the NASCAR Busch East Series next season in a Chevrolet prepared by DEI, said Tam Topham, who fielded cars for Earnhardt last year at Motor Mile Speedway.
An official announcement about the fourth-generation driver's future should come next week at the NASCAR preseason media tour in Charlotte, N.C, his stepmother, Rene, confirmed. The son of Kerry Earnhardt and nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. will share time between Busch East, the UARA Late Model touring series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (formerly the Dodge Weekly Series). A handful of Late Model dirt track starts could also be in the cards. "This week or next week, they're going to try to have everything finalized," Topham said. "His mom and dad and DEI and himself -- they're all working out the particulars." DEI will field the Busch East entry exclusively; Topham will be under contract with Kerry Earnhardt to oversee the Late Model and UARA operations out of his Wytheville-based TAMCO Motorsports shop. Jeffrey Earnhardt's 2007 schedule will include up to eight races in a Late Model at Motor Mile as well as the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville Speedway in late September. Busch East, along with the NASCAR AutoZone West Series, is a regional feeder division for NASCAR's three national series -- Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck. Jeffrey Earnhardt's Late Model Stock car will have #01. The news of Earnhardt's deal with DEI comes just days after Kerry Earnhardt took a full-time position with the company. The elder Earnhardt will serve as a liaison between the organization's Cup and Busch programs and make cameo driving appearances.(Roanoke Times)(1-20-2007) UPDATE 2: Teresa Earnhardt announced that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has officially signed Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale Earnhardt and son of Kerry Earnhardt, to a long-term driving services contract. "In his young career to date, Jeffrey has displayed many of the attributes we are looking for in a driver," said Mrs. Earnhardt. "Experience will be key to developing and preparing Jeffrey to progress to and compete at higher levels." Earnhardt, 17, has competed on the Late Model series, and most recently took part in the General Motors Developmental Program where he performed impressively. "Signing with DEI is a dream come true," said Earnhardt. "To progress as a driver at the premier organization that Dale and Teresa built means a lot to me. I know I'll be surrounded with the right equipment to take me to the next level, so now it's up to me to prove myself." Initially, Earnhardt will be a DEI developmental driver, driving Chevrolets fielded by Andy Santerre Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch East Series. Earnhardt will also drive Chevrolets in the UARA Late Model Touring Series.(DEI PR)(2-7-2007)
Dale Jr. sponsors a Bull Rider Clash: Charlotte, N.C., hosts the high octane excitement of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) this weekend at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena for the Dale Jr. PBR Clash on January 26-28. The world’s top 45 bull riders will clash against the best bulls in the industry in this three-day event. It couldn’t be the Dale Jr PBR Clash without the host of the weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The four-time most popular driver in NASCAR will be at Bobcats Arena on Saturday and Sunday waiting to see who will be crowned the Dale Jr. PBR Clash Champion. “I can’t wait to see all the action,” said Earnhardt Jr. “It’s been a while
since the PBR has come to Charlotte and I’m glad to be included in their return to the area. It’ll be fun to see J. B. represent his home town, along with some of my other friends like Ross Coleman and Sean Willingham go for some wild rides. I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with the PBR and watching to see who I’ll be giving the big check to on Sunday." Tickets start at $20 and guarantee you more than two hours of bull riding action including rock & roll music, pyrotechnics and an up close and personal view of
the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Tickets are available at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena Box Office, online at charlottebobcatsarena.com, by phone at 800-495-2295, or at your local Lebo’s retail store.(PR)(1-26-2007)
Chevy offering Free Premiers of 'Dale' to race fans: Chevrolet and GM Goodwrench will support the premier of the highly
anticipated documentary "DALE" as presenting sponsors and by hosting exclusive screenings in 40 markets across the U.S. mirroring the Nextel Cup schedule. Chevrolet and GM Goodwrench dealers will hold over 100 premiers of "DALE," a documentary showcasing the life of Dale Earnhardt. The first Chevrolet/GM Goodwrench showing will take place in Clearwater, Fla. on Jan. 28 with 23 additional Florida screenings to be held throughout Daytona, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach prior to the Daytona 500. Go to www.dalethemovie.com or see your local Chevy Dealer for details?
Race fans can find a list of participating dealers, relive their favorite memories of Earnhardt, express their relationship with the #3 team, view exclusive interviews and fresh content on the film, as well as Earnhardt's racing career at www.Goodwrench.com.(GM Racing PR)(1-25-2007)
DEI hires two more executives: Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has announced the appointment of John Story to the DEI executive team. Story, a sports marketing veteran who has served as CEO and General Manager of Robby Gordon Motorsports since the company's inception in 2003, will manage sales, marketing and communication's activities at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and will assist and report to recently appointed company president, Max Siegel, in strategic development of the company. In addition to his role with Robby Gordon Motorsports, Story has held marketing and/or communications positions with Greg Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises, International Speedway Corporation, Walt Disney World and the PGA of America. Mrs. Earnhardt also announced the appointment of Andrew Campagnone to Director of Sales. Campagnone has a long and varied sports sales career, and comes to DEI from Ganassi Racing where he served a similar role.(DEI Site)(1-24-2007)
Wrangler re-ups with Dale Jr: As the 2007 NASCAR season begins, the Wrangler brand is strapping in with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and DEI's #8 Budweiser Chevy once again. Earnhardt Jr. has re-signed as an endorsee for Wrangler and its Wrangler Jeans Co. TM line. The relationship extends Wrangler’s high-profile sponsorship of the #8 team and continues to build on a historic NASCAR partnership. Wrangler Jeans Co. reigns as the official jean of Dale Jr. and the #8 DEI racing team.(DEI Site)(1-24-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the Co-Founder of the New Social-Networking Site: Infield Parking (www.infieldparking.com), a new social-networking website targeting NASCAR's more than 75 million fans, has chosen ABC Regional Sports Sales, a division of ABC National Television Sales, as its exclusive national sales representative. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is President and Co-Founder of Infield Parking. Currently available as a Beta launch and gearing up for its formal debut prior to the February's start of the 2007 NASCAR season, Infield Parking allows website users to create a personal profile ("Infield Parking Space"); exchange messages; and post photos, blogs, podcasts and video clips.(ABC PR)(1-24-2007)
Teresa a 'deadbeat' owner per Harvick; Dale Jr. says "That's ridiculous": #29-Kevin Harvick knows the odds of #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving the company his father built for the company his father raced for are very long. But Harvick would understand if NASCAR's most popular driver left Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Richard Childress Racing after the 2007 season if contract negotiations broke down. He can't imagine how difficult it is for Earnhardt Jr. to work in a company where the owner, stepmother Teresa Earnhardt, seldom comes to the track. "It's hard when you have what I call a deadbeat owner that doesn't come to the racetrack," Harvick said during Tuesday's visit to RCR on the second day of NASCAR's 2007 media tour. "Richard [Childress] is one of the best owners in the garage.
You always see Richard Childress. You always see Chip Ganassi. All these owners, they all come to the racetrack. It's not just a money pit that somebody says, 'Well, I can make money off of Dale Jr. I can make money off of Dale Earnhardt.' " Harvick, who owns a Busch Series team, said race teams can't be run from home. "You have to be at the racetrack and you have to play the politics of the sport and you have to be a part of your team and you have to understand what's going on," he said. "To me, from the outside looking in, it doesn't look like that's happening."
Earnhardt Jr., at a dinner Monday night in Concord, said, "You're killing me. That's ridiculous," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I don't think there is a comment for that remark." Earnhardt Jr. said with everything his stepmother has dealt with since the death of his father in 2001 on the last lap of the Daytona 500, "she had a full plate. We're successful on the racetrack, the people are in the right place." Earnhardt Jr. said negotiations are ongoing for a contract beyond 2007, and he expects to settle in the next couple of months.(ESPN.com)(1-24-2007)
Sharpie Signs Dale Jr., to run spring Bristol Busch Race: Sharpie, a Newell Rubbermaid brand, announced it has inked an agreement with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2007. The first time associate sponsorship will feature Dale Jr. driving the #8 Sharpie car in the Sharpie MINI 300, the Busch series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in March. In celebration of the partnership, a line of "#8" Sharpie markers also will debut in stores nationwide in April. Sharpie is planning a series of on and off track activities throughout the year, including brand advertising and in-store merchandising support for its new line of #8 Sharpie markers, a special #8 appearance at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Sharpie MINI 300 March 24 and a nationwide show car program. Dale Jr. will also lend a hand to Sharpie's Autographs for Action program, a national cause-related marketing platform benefiting charities with $1 million in both funds and supplies. For more information, visit sharpie.com.(DEI PR)(1-19-2007)
Teresa wants Junior at DEI: Teresa Earnhardt is willing to discuss a larger role at Dale Earnhardt Inc. with stepson #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. as part of the ongoing contract negotiations to keep him at his late father's company. "We are moving full speed ahead with negotiations, moving ahead as we normally would," Teresa Earnhardt said Thursday night in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where she was promoting the documentary "Dale." Asked if she was committed to keeping Junior behind the wheel of the #8 Chevrolet, she didn't waver: "Absolutely." Junior's contract expires at the end of this season, and his status with the company has been in question since Teresa Earnhardt seemingly questioned his commitment in a December article in The Wall Street Journal. Teresa Earnhardt indicated the two have since spoken but seemed fuzzy on when the conversation occurred. "I don't know, it has just been a short while ago," she said. "We talk." Teresa Earnhardt said Thursday there's been nothing unusual about these extension talks. "It's all been very typical," she said. "We're moving forward, discussing everything and trying to get this done."(in part from the Associated Press)(1-19-2007)
DEI Using Hoosier at Lakeland UPDATE 2 more testing at Lakeland: A top DEI official stated Monday afternoon that the company would be using Hoosier tires on at least one car they will test at Lakeland Speedway later this week. One of the burning questions since Goodyear started leasing, instead of selling, tires to race teams was where would the teams to get tires to test with away from the seven official NASCAR test sessions. While it was widely speculated teams would turn to Hoosier for the tires needed to test, most teams had a sufficient stockpile to get them through the 2006 season. A DEI executive confirmed Monday that organization's stockpile was almost gone. In fact, it was low enough that at least one of the their teams testing at Lakeland Speedway later this week would do so on Hoosier tires. "It's working," said the executive of NASCAR's desire to reduce the amount of testing teams could do away from the official tests. "The lack of tires has forced us to rethink how we test and what we test. At Lakeland we won't be able to compare one car against another. We'll look more to establish a baseline and then gauge our improvement based on the incremental speeds after each change. How that will relate to a race set-up we just don't know yet."(Circletrackplus.com)(1-15-2007) UPDATE: hearing that #25-Casey Mears, an Hendrick Motorsports unmarked Chevy COT, the #20 Home Depot team [no idea on driver] and an unmarked Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy COT tested at USA Speedway/Lakeland on Wednesday and were running Hoosier Tires. AND #5-Kyle Busch will test Hendrick Motorsports' COT today at Lakeland.(St Petersburg Times)(1-18-2007) UPDATE 2: #5-Busch was joined at Lakeland Thursday by #24-Jeff Gordon...both COT testing.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show); AND hearing all three DEI teams were there testing COT with the Dale Earnhardt Jr, Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard. Bill Davis Racing's #36-Jeremy Mayfield tested a Toyota COT and will be back on Friday. Hendrick Motorsports tested with #25-Mears, #5-Busch and Gordon in an un-numbered Hendrick Chevy Impala.(1-19-2007)
Kerry Earnhardt to work at DEI, as test driver and more: Kerry Earnhardt will join Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a full-time employee next week, serving as a liaison between the Nextel Cup and Busch programs and driving in a handful of races. "Teresa and Richie have been talking to me about coming there for several years," Kerry said of team owner/stepmother Teresa Earnhardt and director of motorsports Richie Gilmore. "I've been thinking about the company a lot in my head. It's hard to give up driving. Now I've come to a point where I realize that doing the things I'm doing is not doing me any good, just riding around and not having any decent finishes." Kerry, 37, has asked to drive in at least five Busch races and a couple of Cup races for DEI, but said his future with the company doesn't hinge on that. "I always wish I had the opportunity to be in equipment like this," said Kerry, who was 20th-fastest in the morning practice while Earnhardt Jr. honored previous commitments. "Now if I run three to five Busch races and can be successful with that maybe more things can come to me." Kerry hopes to fill part of the role of Tony Eury Sr., who has moved from team liaison to crew chief for DEI's third Cup team with Paul Menard.(ESPN.com)(1-11-2007)
Kerry to take over testing for Dale Jr. at Daytona: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he plans on leaving the rest of the testing of the #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy to sibling Kerry Earnhardt. Speaking at the NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest, Earnhardt Jr. seemed satisfied with his two days of testing, which wound up with him on top of the drafting chart Tuesday night.
Kerry Earnhardt will test Wednesday. The teams also can stay and do single-car runs during a four-hour session Thursday.(SceneDaily.com)(1-10-2007)
Gilmore Expects Dale Jr to sign with DEI soon AND Dale Jr comments, quarrel slowing deal?: Dale Earnhardt Jr. likely isn't going anywhere. Negotiations to re-sign the signature driver of Dale Earnhardt Inc. are on the fast track and likely will be finalized by May if not sooner, DEI director of motorsports Richie Gilmore said on Monday. "Before we come back here in February [for the Daytona 500] would be my wish [to have a deal done] so we wouldn't have the distraction of that every week," Gilmore said during the first day of preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway. "I would say, realistically, probably May." Gilmore said losing the most popular driver on the Nextel Cup Series and the son of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt never has been a consideration for anybody at DEI, including owner Teresa Earnhardt. Gilmore discounted comments in the Dec. 14 edition of The Wall Street Journal in which Teresa said: "Right now the ball's in [Earnhardt's] court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality. I'm around Teresa pretty much every day and I've never heard her comment that way," Gilmore said. "Teresa doesn't get out there a lot to the media, but when I talk to her, it's never negative against Junior that way." Gilmore said every conversation he's had with Teresa involved re-signing her stepson. Gilmore said Teresa has tried to remove herself from negotiations as much as possible "because she thinks it will happen faster maybe if she takes the personal side out of it." Gilmore doesn't find it unusual that Teresa and Earnhardt haven't discussed the comments to the WSJ, noting the two sometimes go two or three months without talking. But he wouldn't describe their relationship as tumultuous as it often is made to sound. "A lot of stuff does get blown out of proportion that makes for good stories," Gilmore said. Gilmore said Earnhardt has become DEI and he can't imagine the company without him, although Earnhardt does talk of driving his father's black #3 for Richard Childress Racing late in his career. "I've never even thought that far down the road," Gilmore said. "Being in the circle with [Earnhardt] and Teresa I don't believe any of us have thought that way." AND 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. "My relationship with the car owner is definitely going to be a factor in my decision to drive there," Earnhardt said. "I haven't talked to Teresa about what she said in [the Journal]. I figured if anything needed to be said she'd call me up and say it. But you know, my and her relationship definitely factor into my decision." Earnhardt became increasingly pointed in remarks about the contract and his stepmother during a break between practices, at one point saying the relationship with Teresa "ain't a bed [of] roses." He took several shots at her, indirectly referring to her absence from the track. He admitted the uncertainty of having the contract issue settled is the most frustrating part about approaching this season. He also said it is the goal of him and his sister, JR Motorsports executive Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, to get a deal done.(much more at ESPN.com)(1-8-2007)
Kelley expects Dale Jr. to re-sign with DEI, talks about Teresa's comments: Thursday [Jan 4th] on "The Morning Drive" on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio / channel 128, hosts Marty Snider and David Poole spoke with Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Dale Jr.'s sister and JR Motorsports executive. On Dale Jr.s' contract: Host, David Poole: "Where does [Dale's] contract stand? What's the situation? Obviously he's got one more year [signed thru 2007] with DEI and beyond that where do we stand?" Kelley Earnhardt Elledge: "Well, we are continuing to negotiate with DEI and it is our hope and intent that we can remain a driver there for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and to carry on what my dad has started in the late 90s but we haven't come to terms on anything yet. It's our hope that we have something about mid-year that we can announce our direction and maybe even sooner if we can get things worked out. It's just a very lengthy process. There are a lot of variables for all of us to contemplate. Obviously they've added new staff over there so as the new people come on board, maybe they have some new ideas and changes as we continue down the path and try to negotiate with them. We've been negotiating for about four months, I would say, and there's just a lot to think about on both sides of the plate. So, to date we haven't come to terms on any kind of agreement but we're working diligently at it and we hope to be able to announce something in probably mid-year of 2007." Host, Marty Snider: "Have other car owners called you just to say, 'Hey, just in case, just want to let you know we're here and if you're interested we would be interested?'" Earnhardt Elledge: "It's actually pretty interesting. We haven't had a lot of calls in that regard. I think most everyone in the sport believes and would like to see Dale continue at DEI. It's obviously the perfect fit in terms of family, in terms of the fans, in terms of the sport and what all that means to the sport. So I think the reason that people haven't called is because of that, because they automatically think, 'Hey, that's the best place for him.' So if we can work out all the things on the side of competition and our endorsements and sponsors and how we work together and partner with them, that is the best scenario. So it's just a matter of whether we can come to terms with that." On Teresa's comments on Dale Jr. in the Wall Street Journal:
In the December 14 article on new DEI executive Max Siegal, Teresa Earnhardt was quoted as saying about Dale Jr., "Right now the ball's in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality."
Earnhardt Elledge: "I was surprised at the comment. I think Dale was surprised at the comment. But I think most everybody in the industry knows that Dale's focus has been at its highest. His number one desire and his passion is driving that race car and that'll never change. He's not interested in the business and the personality in the way that he is with the race car. And I don't think any of the drivers are. When you're a race car driver your passion is the excitement and what you get out of the feel of that race car. I've been in the race car and I know how that feels. We have a strong staff here at JR Motorsports that handles the business side so he can concentrate on driving."
"Being a public personality comes with the territory of being a public sports figure and Dale is the most popular driver, voted by the fans for the fourth year in a row. He's the son of Dale Earnhardt. That, in itself, lends it to being a public personality and it just comes with
who he is. He is extremely marketable. He's extremely popular. He's very true to himself. He's very authentic and that's why the fans,
that's why other entertainers, other music entertainers, that's why they like him and want him to be a part of things."
"We haven't been able to speak to Teresa about exactly what she meant with the statement but it is part of who he is and who he is as a race car driver but his number one focus is being competitive in that race car. If he's not doing that he's not having fun and the rest of it doesn't matter to him." "The Morning Drive" airs weekdays (7-11am/et) exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio / Channel 128.(Sirius PR)(1-5-2007)
2006 News
Teresa Earnhardt questioning Earnhardt Jr.'s commitment?: Dale Earnhardt Inc. team owner Teresa Earnhardt appears to be questioning stepson #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s commitment to racing in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The story in Thursday's edition [subscription only] says Earnhardt Jr.'s contract with the team founded by his father expires after the 2007 season, but Teresa Earnhardt expressed uncertainty about his future. "Right now the ball's in his court to decided on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality." Earnhardt Jr. "was not available for comment" on the statement, the story said.(SceneDaily.com)(12-15-2006)
DEI hires a new president: Dale Earnhardt, Inc., announced the appointment of Max Siegel as President of Global Operations. In what will be an unprecedented move for the motor sports industry, the Zomba Label Group/Sony/BMG executive will oversee marketing, promotion, sales, sponsorship and distribution for all Dale Earnhardt, Inc. properties including the company's top-rated motorsports teams, airlines, licensing and auto dealership, as well as the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Siegel brings over 15 years of deal brokering and project management experience to the company established by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt in 1980.(DEI PR)(12-14-2006)
Martin talked to Dale Jr about Busch ride: Mark Martin told Sirius Speedway (MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio) Monday that he
spoke to Dale Earnhardt, Jr., about a possible, part-time Busch Series ride with Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports in 2007. Martin, who has already inked deals to drive the Ginn Racing/US Army Nextel Cup Chevrolet next season, as well as a Craftsman Truck for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, said sponsor conflicts prevented the deal with Earnhardt from coming to fruition. “I talked to Dale Junior about sharing a Busch car with him and a couple of other guys next season,” said Martin. “We both wanted to do it, but we couldn’t get the details figured out. The Army and the Navy (sponsors of Earnhardt’s #88 Busch car) were kinda like oil and water, and we couldn’t figure out a way to make it work.” Martin said he could run for as many as four different teams next season on the Cup, Busch and Truck Series.(MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio)(11-28-2006)
Dale Jr. tapes PSA: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. has taped a public service announcement about Internet safety for children. It will be aired on NBC. He becomes just the third sports figure to appear in one of the PSA ads, joining Pat Riley and John Madden.(Tennessean)(11-8-2006)
Boxing Decklid on the #8 at Phoenix: Budweiser is sponsoring the HBO Pay-Per-View battle royale Saturday night, November 18, and to promote the fight, the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet will carry a special decklid this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Bud team fight for their own title in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.(fingerprintonline.com)(11-8-2006)
Dale Jr. Opts out of Young Guns Program; Kahne In?: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't renew his membership in the Gillette Young Guns program next year as he seeks to refine his endorsement strategy, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.
The razor company is in the process of formulating plans for 2007 and is not expected to make an announcement on changes until February at Daytona International Speedway, staff writer Michael Smith reports. The Young Gun program this year included Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards.(SceneDaily.com), hearing Kasey Kahne is in line to replace Earnhardt Jr.(11-8-2006)
Dale Jr. under the weather at Texas: #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is under the weather going into day one [Friday] at the Texas
Motor Speedway. He's got a bad sore throat, but said it was better than it was yesterday. When asked if he had gone to the infield medical center to gain some relief Dale Jr. replied, "No, I just took some Tylenol." [sponsor plug](PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(11-3-2006)
Dale Jr. and 60 minutes video: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is now featured on the new Yahoo News/60 Minutes site. You can see more than 15 video segments from Junior's interviews with the legendary Mike Wallace, including some new footage not included in the original segment. You can see a series of new photos and vote on "Why is Junior So Popular?" The original story ran in September 2004, with the interviews taking place in Daytona and Mooresville, NC. The Mooresville segments were taped soon after Junior's fiery Corvette crash and immediately before he went to Bristol for a weekend clean sweep, winning the Busch and Cup races on successive nights.(fingerspintonline.com)(10-18-2006)
Dale Jr's "Back in the Day" show to return in 2007: SPEED is bringing back Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Back in the Day for another season, signing a deal with the Nextel Cup Series star's production company, Hammerhead Entertainment, for another 13 episodes of the 30-minute homage to NASCAR races of the 1960s and '70s. New shows will debut during Daytona Speedweeks in 2007. "I think it's important to show our history of the sport and to have a platform like Back in the Day to share them with everybody is cool," Earnhardt Jr., said. "We're going through the library of shows for another season and will add a few surprises along the way. I'm looking forward to get it started." Season One DVDs of Back in the Day, a modern adaptation of the vintage race program Car and Track with Bud Lindemann, will be available in November. "We've had a lot of fun with this show," said Hunter Nickell, SPEED EVP &
General Manager. "It's cool to work on a project with one of the most popular and talented drivers in motor sports. Dale really knows the history of the sport ... he literally grew up surrounded by the legends of NASCAR. So, teaming for a second season of Back in the Day is great news for Earnhardt fans and SPEED viewers."(SpeedTV.com)(9-26-2006)
Alabama Track Complex Bears Name of Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Gulf Coast Entertainment announced plans to construct a major motorsports and entertainment park in southern Alabama. The investor group has narrowed its site choices to a location
in Mobile County in the area across from the University of Mobile and two potential sites in adjacent Baldwin County--one on the Foley Beach Express and the other in central Baldwin County. The project - which is to include an asphalt speedway, a road course, a
drag strip and a dirt track - will be named "Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway." Joining the motorsports star and a diverse group of investors from various southern states in participation in the project are Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and Kerry Earnhardt, marking the siblings' first professional collaboration. "Our family business is racing and it's been our business for three generations," said Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Kelley, Kerry and I want to continue the family business with hopes that the next generation of Earnhardts will want to be involved in the sport. This new venture with the Alabama Motorsports Park provides yet another avenue in which the Earnhardt family can participate. The site plan developed by HOK Sport of Kansas City includes parking, a
significant RV resort, multiple music theaters and an arena and reserves land for commercial, residential and light industrial activities. The schedule calls for the project to be completed in the fall of 2009. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has provided input on the lighted, 75,000-seat,
7/10-mile oval. Features will include pedestrian/vehicle tunnels and banking and multiple grooves to promote close racing with extensive passing opportunities. Kerry Earnhardt has provided input on both the track and on a freshwater lake that investors believe will attract national fishing events. The 3.5-mile road course will feature two distinct but connected segments to enhance testing on the track. The 1/4-mile drag strip and 3/8-mile dirt track will be designed to attract national events. The park's website, alabamamotorsportspark.com, will provide future project and construction updates.(PSE-3 PR)(9-12-2006)
No 4th DEI team in 2007..but: In July, officials from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. said that not only would they had a third Nextel Cup team next year, they were seriously contemplating a fourth Cup team as well. But Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, DEI Vice President of Motorsports Richie Gilmore said the fourth Cup car won’t happen until 2008. Next year, the team will expand from two cars to three, with #15-Paul Menard joining forces with #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and #1-Martin Truex, Jr. “Right now, we’re focusing on the three (teams) and trying to get the fourth for ’08,” Gilmore said. “We didn’t get the driver and everything put together. We’ve got some sponsor stuff that we’re close on, but right now we want to focus on getting three where they need to be.” Gilmore said a new building for Menard’s team on the DEI campus in Mooresville, NC, will be complete in four weeks.(Speed Channel)(8-27-2006)
Dale Jr's XM Radio show doing well: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and XM Satellite Radio proved to be a lethal combination for XM's phone lines last Tuesday night. Earnhardt, Jr., who hosts his own show on XM, "Dale Jr's Unrestricted," featured a call-in show this week. From 8:00 - 9:00pm/et, 13,496 attempts were made to dial into the show, which eventually blew out XM's NASCAR call-in lines. "Dale Jr's Unrestricted" airs Thursdays, 7:30-8:00pm/et on NASCAR XM, channel 144.(XM Radio PR)(8-20-2006)
Dale Jr. featured on ESPN.com From the Comedy Central studios to the Budweiser One Night Stand music event, ESPN.com tagged along last Thursday with Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, as he made his rounds in New York. The end result is an ESPN eTicket feature piece that gives an upclose and personal account of NASCAR's most popular driver as he deals with fame, ownership, and transition. To read "The Son Also Rises" by Wright Thompson, go to ESPN.com or click here.(fingerprint, inc. / Budweiser Racing PR)(8-18-2006)
DEI and Dale Jr casually working on a new contract UPDATE: With #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. set to become a free agent at the end of next season, constant but casual negotiations are under way to [at Dale Earnhardt Inc.] re-sign NASCAR's most popular driver. "We talk about it all the time," director of motorsports Richie Gilmore said. "It's different when you work on his contract because it's business, it's family. It's very complicated when you work with Dale Jr. and (stepmother/team owner) Teresa because there's so many different parts to it. It's his dad's business and it's complicated. I know Teresa wants it to be Dale Jr.'s and Kelley's and Kerry's (also Dale Earnhardt's children) someday because that's what Dale built it for and that's in the long-term plans." Gilmore said he personally avoids the talks though he is the team's highest-ranking executive in the racing operation. Earnhardt Jr. is signed to a typical driver contract, he said. "Never mix business and family and when you do, you let the family handle it," he said. Earnhardt has several times entertained the idea of driving the #3 Chevrolet made legendary by his late father [he has been quoted as saying he'd like to drive the #3 towards the end of his career], but that number is owned by Richard Childress Racing. Still, Gilmore thinks Earnhardt Jr. will remain at DEI. At least, he hopes so. "It's tough to tell," he said. "You never know how things are going to happen, but you would think so, with the name on the building and the billboard."(St Petersburg Times)(8-9-2006) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. says negotiations concerning his new contract with DEI are "coming along alright." Junior says "I haven't really messed with it here in the last month but we've got plenty of time to sort that out. They're showing what they want and we're showing what we want and we'll all have to kind of continue to compromise and I think that's going really well."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-12-2006)
Dale Jr. to star in Payback, thank his sister Kelley: #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will surprise sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge with a new custom Chevrolet Tahoe SS in the Speed reality series, Payback on Aug. 9 at 10:00pm/et. Kelley, who handles much of Earnhardt, Jr.'s personal business dealings, is the oft overlooked hero behind the driver's successful marketing, licensing and promotional machine. Bud Brutsman, producer of Payback, talked about this episode: "As a NASCAR fan, it was great to see Junior outside his element. I think he had a lot of fun putting this together with us. You can tell how much Kelley means to him and it's really cool to see a brother and sister that close together."(Speed Channel PR)(8-3-2006)
Budweiser to Feature Dale Jr on 12-Ounce Cans, Aluminum Bottles and Packaging: Though Dale Jr.'s image has appeared on Budweiser plastic and shrink wrapped bottles, and 16-ounce cans in the past, the move to Budweiser's primary package and the aluminum bottle will be a first for NASCAR's most popular driver. The metallic red Budweiser aluminum bottle will feature a white #8 logo, racing and checkered-flag silhouettes, and Dale Jr.'s signature, wrapped in a unique red four-pack carrier or 15-pack loose box featuring the #8 Budweiser car. The Budweiser-Dale Jr. aluminum bottles will roll out nationally on July 24. Dale Jr.'s image, car and red #8 will grace the main panel of Budweiser's 12-ounce cans and will be distributed only in race markets within 30 days of the final 16 races of the Nextel Cup season. The program begins July 10 in Indianapolis in advance of the Allstate 400 on Aug. 6.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(7-7-2006)
DEI to 4 Cars in 2007? UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Vice President of Competition Richie Gilmore said Friday morning that the team is mulling an expansion to four Nextel Cup cars in 2007, up from two cars now. DEI already has committed to a third Cup car in 2007 for its full-time Busch Series regular driver, Paul Menard [#15 Chevy], but Gilmore said a fourth car is an option, possibly in concert with MB2 Motorsports. “We do want to make some determinations by the end of July about how many teams we will have next year,” Gilmore said. “Right now, we know we’re locked in on three Cup teams … next year. Moving that to four is a possibility for us right now. We hope to have that locked in by the end of July. We’re looking at all our options right now. Space is an issue with us right now, and that’s why we’re looking at MB2. That was one of the biggest reasons we were looking at MB2. We could help with resources and they could help with space.”(Speed Channel)(7-1-2006) UPDATE: DEI has asked Tony Eury, Sr., to become crew chief of DEI's fourth Cup team next season, if it happens.(Ford Racing)(7-2-2006)
Dale Jr on TV Guide Cover: As NASCAR approaches the midpoint of its 2006 Nextel Cup season, TV Guide magazine roars into newsstands with the annual mid-season special issue, featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr., (June 26 issue, on sale June 22). In an exclusive interview with TV Guide's resident NASCAR expert Robert Edelstein, Earnhardt speaks candidly about his reemergence at the head of the pack--after enduring his worst season ever last year, finishing 19th-and how adopting a new attitude has made all the difference. Also on Friday night there will be a Dale Jr webcast at
budweiser.com[over 21].(6-22-2006)
Dale Jr. - DEI agree on name trademark rights: #8-Dale Earnhardt told NASCAR.COM on Saturday that he and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. had agreed to terms Friday evening that awarded him sole ownership of the trademark rights to his lucrative name.
Amazingly, it won't affect the earning potential of an asset estimated at some $5 million annually. Earnhardt said the current agreements between he and DEI won't change.(NASCAR,com)(6-18-2006)
Budweiser / Earnhardt Legacy Ad Debuts Sunday: Budweiser honors the Earnhardt family’s three generations of NASCAR success this Father’s Day with a “NASCAR History” ad showcasing imagery representing more than 50 years of the family’s racing legacy and Budweiser’s long-time support for auto racing. The 60-second ad will debut Friday on Budweiser.com, and will premiere on national television during Sunday’s broadcast of the 3M Performance 400 from Michigan International Speedway at 1pm/et on FOX.
The spot melds black and white images of six-time NASCAR Sportsman Series champion Ralph Earnhardt racing a cream-colored 1955 Chevrolet, followed by the contrasting black #3 Goodwrench car of “The Intimidator,” Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR series champion. Finally, the ad brings into the fold the #8 Budweiser car driven by NASCAR’s only third generation champion, Dale Earnhardt Jr., seamlessly relating how the Earnhardts, NASCAR and Budweiser have come a long way together over the past 50 years. In addition to the legacy ad, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Dale Jr. and Budweiser will honor Ralph and Dale with a commemorative Father’s Day paint scheme for the #8 Budweiser car. The predominantly cream-colored paint scheme is based upon the #8 cars driven by Ralph and Dale during their NASCAR careers, while the Budweiser bow-tie logos are vintage 1974 marks commemorating Dale’s NASCAR debut and the year Dale Jr. was born. The car is the second DEI paint scheme this season to honor the legacy of a member of the Earnhardt family. Previously, Dale Jr. raced a black and silver #8 Budweiser car at Talladega on April 30 to celebrate his late father’s induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.(Budweiser/fingerprint inc PR)(6-16-2006)
DEI and MB2? UPDATE 3 merge denied: There's speculation that Teresa Earnhardt [who own's DEI, #1,#8,#15] is planning to buy MB2 Motorsports, with drivers #01-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin, in addition to the ongoing speculation that she may be planning to sell DEI to John Menard, a home-improvements czar who has long been involved in racing. Marlin, who drives for the Jay Frye-run MB2 Chevy operation, said he has heard the sale talk, but that he doesn't know what's going on. Ryan Pemberton, the crew chief for Nemechek, said he has talked with Frye about it, but he's not sure, either, what might be going on behind the scenes. Earnhardt doesn't grant interviews, and Frye isn't due here until today. So yesterday it was up to Richie Gilmore, the general manager at DEI, to try to explain the situation. "We're not selling out," Gilmore said. "Our plans right now are to go to a three-car operation next year with Paul Menard (John's son). John is a great sponsor for us, and we do a lot with Menard's, engines, and he's at our company a lot, and I guess people speculate when they see him around."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-3-2006) UPDATE: According to sources in the NASCAR garage MB2 Motorsports could merge with, or be sold to Dale Earnhardt Inc. MB2 still has unsold sponsorship inventory available for Sterling Marlin's #14 car, and the team's other driver, #01-Joe Nemechek, is said to be on Toyota's short list for 2007.(Ford Racing)(6-4-2006) UPDATE 2: Jay Frye, the general manager and part-owner of the MB2 team, said that much of the speculation about a DEI-MB2 merger is just that, speculation. "Everyone's got this four-team program idea, but we're like two and they're like two.... so how do we both do things more efficiently together," Frye said. "That's how this all got started. Our buildings are four minutes apart. So we're trying to work together on this car of tomorrow. It's not about engines; it's about car-building. Everything beyond that is purely speculation."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2006) UPDATE 3: MB2 Motorsports officials say the team isn't for sale, but minority owner Jay Frye has had discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. about working together on the competition side. "Becoming more efficient is what we've talked about going into next year," Frye said Sunday. "... There's lots of different programs that are starting next year with the 'car of tomorrow' and things like that.
We've talked to them about how maybe, as a group, we can do things [like build transmissions, gears or even cars] more efficiently together. It's all just ideas at this point. Nothing [concrete]. It's, 'How can we work together to make things more efficient.' Everything else has just blown out from that." Frye said the team, controlled by majority owner Nelson Bowers, is not for sale. But the fact that Frye has been to DEI's shop and Richie Gilmore, DEI's vice president of competition, has been to MB2 has sparked talk that DEI would buy MB2, with John Menard then buying DEI. Gilmore agreed that nothing is for sale. DEI has previously said that it would field a third full-time team for Paul Menard (John Menard's son) starting in 2007. DEI would like to expand, but Gilmore said there are no plans to purchase MB2. Frye said talks are still exploratory, sparked by the car of tomorrow. Teams will not only have to build versions of their current cars for 2007, but the newer car as well. Frye said the two organizations would need to form an alliance within the next two months to get a start on next season.(SceneDaily.com)(6-5-2006)
Dale Jr. limited to races outside of Cup: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. comments why he doesn't do many races outside of Nextel Cup: Q). Did Budweiser tell you that you can't run any other races"
A) "They done it. I got a deal where I can only run "X" amount of Busch races and blah, blah, blah. That's the sponsor's decision more for continuity with me driving the red car every week. They want consistency for the fans seeing me in a red car. They really don't want to see me in a Taco Bell or KFC car. Bud would rather have me in a red Bud car. That's why I don't really get the opportunity to run more." Q). Did they do that after your accident?
A) "#We've had that contract."(GM PR)(6-4-2006)
DEI executive urges GM to unify its engine program: Richie Gilmore, the general manager at Dale Earnhardt Inc., said that General Motors' racing executives may have to change the way they do business in order to compete against Toyota next season on the Nextel Cup tour. Toyota, a newcomer to the Nextel Cup, will be centralizing many of its key operations. Gilmore said that Chevrolet may have to do likewise, or at least make some major changes in the way that it approaches the sport. Gilmore said that Chevrolet's four independent engine-building operations may have to unify. "I really think that's something GM will have to do," Gilmore said. "We (Chevy teams) all work closely on engines, but it needs to go up another step (in centralization). We each spend a lot of money on engines, dynos and people. We have 78 people (building engines), and Hendrick has 120. I think GM is looking at that and trying to figure out the best thing to do ... because when Toyota comes in the sport, it will be strong."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-3-2006)
Dale Jr to run special scheme on Father's Day: Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Budweiser will honor three generations of racing success with a commemorative Father’s Day paint scheme for the #8 Budweiser car that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will race at Michigan International Raceway on Father’s Day, June 18. The paint scheme is based upon the #8 cars driven by Ralph Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt during their NASCAR careers. The predominantly cream-colored car will feature vintage Budweiser bow-tie logos which were introduced in 1956 – the same year Ralph Earnhardt won the NASCAR National Sportsman title, a series that eventually became the modern-day NASCAR Busch Series. The car is the second DEI paint scheme this season to honor the legacy of a member of the Earnhardt family. Previously, Dale Jr. raced a black and silver #8 Budweiser car at Talladega on April 30 to celebrate his father’s induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. While Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR champ, is most famous for driving the black #3 car with Richard Childress Racing, he raced much of his early career with the #8 on his cars. Earnhardt raced the #8 during his 1974 debut season in a NASCAR series, the same year Dale Jr. was born. Driving a cream-colored #8 car, Ralph Earnhardt finished in the top 10 of the NASCAR National Sportsman point standings six times, won more than 350 NASCAR races, and was selected as one NASCAR’s Top-50 all-time best drivers in 1999. He passed away in 1973.(fingerprint inc/Bud/DEI PR), image of the scheme added to my Paint Scheme Gallery.(5-31-2006)
Earnhardt Jr. wins at Richmond: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the lead with 43 laps to go and held on to win the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway, for his first win of 2006, 1st in 28 races [last year at Chicago in July] and 17th of his career. #11-Denny Hamlin finished 2nd for his career best finish, followed by #29-Kevin Harvick [who led the most laps], #16-Greg Biffle and #5-Kyle Busch. The rest of top-10 were #20-Tony Stewart, #99-Carl Edwards, #12-Ryan Newman, #14-Sterling Marlin and #07-Clint Bowyer. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson fell a lap down, got the lucky dog pass and finished 12th to maintain the points lead by 55 over Stewart. #17-Matt Kenseth, who came into the race 2nd in points, had a brake rotor break and ruptured the oil tank, Kenseth finished 38th. #24-Jeff Gordon had an engine problem, made up some laps and finished out of the race in 40th. There were 11 cautions for 61 laps and 6 leaders with 12 lead changes. Race Results on my Richmond Race Results/Awards Page. Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Richmond page. Race Rundown: see my Richmond Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(5-6-2006)
Dale Jr. scheme at Talladega? UPDATE OFFICIAL, IMAGES #1 also: hearing Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a black #8 Budweiser Chevy at Talladega in the Aaron's 499 in honor of Dale Earnhardt's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame this week.(4-23-2006) UPDATE: ESPN's Mike Massaro reported on ESPNEWS 4Qtrs tonight that DEI is expected to make an announcement later this week that Dale Jr. will run a black #8 Budweiser Chevy in honor of his father, 10 time Talladega winner, Dale Earnhardt. There is also a rumor that Dale Jr. would run the #3 also, but have not heard that and the image clearly shows the #8.(4-24-2006) UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to announce that he will pilot a black Budweiser Chevy during the "three days" of on track action this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway in honor of his father's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. More details of this special paint scheme that will resemble the famous #3 could come in Tuesday's NASCAR NEXTEL Teleconference where Earnhardt Jr. will be the guest. Earnhardt Jr. is also scheduled to appear live on QVC’s For Race Fans Only from Talladega on Friday at 8:00pm/et. This could be the first time we see a die-cast version of the car.(RacingOne)(4-25-2006) UPDATE 3: In a unified effort, the primary sponsors of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will pay tribute to Dale Earnhardt with special paint
schemes at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. The schemes will salute Dale Earnhardt Day (April 29th), his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and his accomplishments at Talladega. Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR champion is the winningest driver at Talladega with 10 trips to Victory Lane. Fittingly, his 76th Nextel Cup victory occurred at the track in October of 2000. And, he did it in Earnhardt fashion by coming from 17th to first in the closing laps. The #1 Bass Pro Shops, #8 Budweiser and #11 Menards Chevys will carry paint schemes reminiscent of the familiar black theme Dale Earnhardt ran while driving for DEI in the Busch Series. Additionally, Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Martin Truex, Jr. in Saturday's Busch Series race. Truex, a two-time Busch Series champion and two-time winner of the NBS race at Talladega, will drive the #8 black Bass Pro Shops Chevy.
"I think this is a great tribute to Dale on such a special weekend," said Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. "To have all of our sponsors come together with this tribute and want to be a part of it says a lot about the respect they have for Dale's
accomplishments." In addition to the black paint schemes, Dale Earnhardt Day and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction, all Busch Series teams are being asked to carry a Dale Earnhardt Legacy Logo on their cars. Fans are asked to participate from the grandstands, or wherever they are watching the race, by raising three fingers in the air on Lap 3 of Saturday's Busch Series race.(DEI PR / fingerprintinc PR), see images on the #8 Team Schemes page and the #1 Team Schemes page.(4-25-2006)
Dale Jr. on ESPN: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will appear on the Budweiser Hot Seat segment of ESPN's SportsCenter tonight [May 17th] at 6pm/et, then get additional exposure when a one-hour ESPN SportsCentury documentary on the driver is shown Monday, May 22 on ESPN2 at 2:00pm/et, then again on ESPN Classic at 8:00pm/et and 12midnight/et.(5-17-2006)
Eury Jr. Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Richmond: Tony Eury Jr. helped Dale Earnhardt Jr. snap a 27 race winless streak this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The pivotal moment of the event came when Earnhardt Jr. relinquished his second-place position to pit for fresh tires during the closing stages of the Crown Royal 400. The strategy allowed Earnhardt Jr. to track down the leader and fend off the advances of a hard charging Denny Hamlin before capturing the checkered flag. Eury's winning call earned him the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. A panel of voters; including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser and a WypAll Wipers representative; all cast their vote for Eury Jr. as the Crew Chief of the Race. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, WypAll Wipers presented Eury Jr. $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Eury's second Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him for the lead with Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis in the standings. Darian Grubb, Todd Berrier Chad Knaus and Roy McCauley are tied for second-place, each with one win.(Wypall PR)(5-8-2006)
Fifth Annual Dale Earnhardt Day Celebration April 29th: Organizers at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. have confirmed that celebrations honoring the life and legacy of Dale Earnhardt will take place at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., on Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Dale Earnhardt will be honored and inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 27 in Talladega, Ala. The Busch Series race will be held on Dale's birthday, April 29th. In honor of both events, this year's theme will highlight Dale's incredible track record at Talladega International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt is the winningest driver at Talladega with 10 trips to Victory Lane during his illustrious career. His 76th, and final, victory occurred at the 2.66-mile superspeedway on October 15, 2000 when he
roared from 17th to first in the final laps.
Fans attending the Dale Earnhardt Day festivities at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. on Saturday, April 29 are in for a special day. Aside from all the functions and activities that surround the birthday of our co-founder and seven-time NASCAR champion, they will also get to
hear from a major network news anchor. Brian Williams, lead anchor of NBC Nightly News, will be the Grand Marshall. A fan of NASCAR and friend of Dale Earnhardt, Williams will preside over the 3:00pm/et ceremony to officially mark Dale's birthday. He will share stories of his relationship with Dale and assist the Dale Earnhardt Foundation in recognizing achievements from the past year. He will join Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of DEI, at the 3:00pm/et. ceremony, as well. They will sign a special Dale Earnhardt Day flag which will be auctioned during the day. Later in the afternoon, Williams will be honored during a VIP guest reception. And, just like last year, there will be some autographed sheet metal and other exclusive items up for auction throughout the day. The first silent auction is from 9:00am - 12:00pm/et and the second one will run from 1:00 - 3:00pm/et. The main silent auction will begin at 9:00pm/et and end at 3:00pm/et featuring 10 items of very exclusive nature. For more information of times and events, activities, places to stay and things to do while in town for Dale Earnhardt Day, check out www.DaleEarnhardtInc.com under the Legacy Section..(4-24-2006)
DE Foundation logo to appear on all DEI cars: The logo of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is making the rounds, literally, at NASCAR races this season one lap at a time. The familiar "victory" silhouette of racing legend Dale Earnhardt is now part of the official paint scheme on all Dale Earnhardt, Inc. race cars in both the Busch and Nextel Cup series races. The logo made its debut this past week during races at Texas Motor Speedway. The Dale Earnhardt Foundation logo will be visible on the right rear "taillight" of all DEI cars, just above the car number decal. "We're very pleased that the DEI race teams are showing their support for the Foundation and its charitable efforts in such a visible manner," said Dick Baker, Executive Director of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. "This is a creative idea that will help us to expand awareness and recognition for the Foundation with race fans and the general public alike." Dale Earnhardt, Inc. races the #11 Menard's Chevy driven by Paul Menard in the Busch Series. In the Nextel Cup Series, the team races the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy driven by Martin Truex, Jr. and the #8 Budweiser Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Founded in 2002 by Teresa Earnhardt, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation was established to carry on Dale's name and good works through charitable causes that support Children, Education and Wildlife Preservation. For more information please visit www.thedaleearnhardtfoundation.org.(DEI PR)(4-14-2006)
Eury Jr. Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: Martinsville Speedway delivered 500 laps of incensed racing excitement in this weekend's DIRECTV 500. Pushing, bumping and shoving were the norm at the half-mile bull ring, leaving the garage
littered with numerous torn up vehicles by the event's end. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. weren't exempt from the action, as the #8 Budweiser Chevy was involved in two separate incidents on the race track, forcing lengthy pit stops to fix the damage after each episode. Still, with Eury Jr.'s guidance, Earnhardt Jr. was able to climb back and finish inside the top-five. Eury Jr.'s comeback earned him the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Earnhardt Jr. suffered extensive damage to the right side of his Monte Carlo after getting collected in a multi-car accident during the opening stages of the DIRECTV 500. Eury Jr. ordered vast repairs to the #8 Chevy and worked his driver inside the top-10 following the maintenance, but contact wit the #12 car on lap 318 forced another unscheduled stop. Despite the two setbacks, the Earnhardt Jr. and Eury Jr. combination fought to a fourth-place finish. A panel of voters; including Robbie Reiser, Mike Mulhern of the Winston-Salem Journal and a WypAll Wipers representative; unanimously agreed that Eury Jr.'s comeback deserved Crew Chief of the Race accolades. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, WypAll Wipers gave Eury Jr. $1,000. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Eury Jr.'s first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb, Kenny Francis and Roy McCauley for second-place in the standings.
Robbie Reiser is in the lead with two wins.(Wypall PR)(4-5-2006)
DEI Graphic Artist's work wins EVIE Award: In a recent competition, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was nominated in four categories at the EVIE Award ceremony in nearby Charlotte. Kellie A. Schmidlin, our Graphic Artist, created the only award winner for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. when her work won Best Invitation. The award-winning creation was used for the 2005 Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Holiday Party last December. Schmidlin, 27, has been with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. since June of 2001 as a graphic artist. Originally from Bristol, Va., she's a 2000 graduate of Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va. where she studied Mass Communications and Art.
This was the second nomination in this category, but first award for her work from EVIE (Events in Excellence). The award and invitation are currently on display in the company's Trophy Room where employees dine.(DEI)(44-2006)
Dale Jr. testing at Greenville: Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials say Dale Earnhardt Jr. is testing the team's #8 Budweiser Chevy at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina today. The team is testing a new short-track car that will likely be the primary car for this weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway. Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th in yesterday's race on another half-mile oval, Bristol Motor Speedway.(SceneDaily.com), plus Dale Jr, Truex Jr. and others are scheduled to race online at simracingnetwork.com.(3-27-2006)
Dale Earnhardt Foundation rides with Andy Pilgrim into "The Driving Zone" The Dale Earnhardt Foundation has partnered with four-time road racing champion Andy Pilgrim in the release of "The Driving Zone" DVD for new drivers. The 30-minute presentation has an introduction by Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and her daughter, Taylor. They are joined by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as he assists Pilgrim in the instructional portions. Pilgrim discusses issues pertinent to new drivers throughout the DVD. He addresses everything from "internal distractions" to his "3-2-1-Go" method utilized before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. The catalyst for Pilgrim to host and produce this presentation came from events he witnessed and heard of during his travels around the country. Pilgrim started to receive immediate feedback from students and parents. They said there was so much good information in his talks and they couldn't have said it better to their own children. As a champion race driver, Dale Earnhardt knew daily the risks we all face behind the wheel. As a father, he made sure his children exercised good judgment and had proper training before getting behind the wheel - whether it be a race car or personal vehicle.
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is proud to help make this video possible, both as a valuable teaching and training aid for today's
young driver; but also in the hope that the lessons taught will reduce highway accidents involving young drivers and ultimately save lives.
The Foundation supports charitable causes regarding children and their education. A portion of the proceeds will directly fund the
continuation of those efforts through the Foundation. During an upcoming appearance on QVC Friday, Aug. 19 at 10:00pm/et,
Earnhardt, Jr. will talk a little more about "The Driving Zone" during a segment of the show. It will be available for purchase ($14.95 plus
shipping) through TheDaleEarnhardtFoundation.org, the E Store Online at
DaleEarnhardtInc.com , DaleJr.com, and AndyPilgrim.com. You can also order one by calling 1-800-220-5711 beginning on Friday, August 19. This is NOT the toll free number for the Retail Store at
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in Mooresville, NC.(DEI PR)(8-19-2005)
Born to Win Print..by Garry Hill:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. In The #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Chevy Takes The Checkered Flag In The
46th Running Of The Daytona 500
“The Great American Race” February 15, 2004
It is with great excitement that we [Garry Hill] present “Born To Win”. The artwork captures Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s historic victory in the 2004 Daytona 500,“The Great American Race”. 500 prints and 50 artist’s proof prints have been produced, each signed and numbered by NASCAR licensed artist Garry Hill. 100 Prints And 50 Artist’s Proof Prints are Being Hand Signed By Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. More info and to see the print, goto garryhill.com.(2-16-2005)
Snap-On Tools extends with DEI: Snap-on announced they have extended their sponsorship commitment with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. With this multi-year contract renewal, Snap-on will serve as an associate sponsor to DEI. "Snap-on has played an important role in our team's success through the years," said Teresa Earnhardt, president and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. "This long-term renewal reaffirms the strong relationship that Snap-on and DEI enjoy. We look forward to our continued partnership with Snap-on and its quality tools."
"Snap-on Tools has been a part of the DEI family since my father began racing," said Dale Earnhardt, Jr. "Their products have
been in our shops for decades and we rely on them to help us win races. They've been a solid partner through the years, and it's great we can continue working with them well into the future." DEI is currently comprised of four teams - the #1 Bass Pro Shops, #8 Budweiser and the #15 Menard's Chevy teams which compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. They also field the #11 Menard's Chevy in the NASCAR Busch Series. Snap-on franchisees build relationships and distribute products directly to technicians via the Snap-on van, which has remained an icon for the company since the mid 1940s. In addition, products are sold directly to consumers via snapon.com.(Ogilvy PR)(3-9-2006)
Dale Jr. gets to fly: Mark McFarland, driver of the #88 Navy Chevy in the Busch Series and his team owner, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. have a new perspective on the word. On Monday the two flew with the Navy's Flight Demonstration Crew, the famous Blue Angels [F/A 18 Hornet], in El Centro, Cal. There they were introduced to speeds in excess of mach 1.2, or 890 mph, and G-forces seven times that of their body weight. "That is the roller coaster that they can't build," sounded Earnhardt, Jr. "I thought we pulled a lot of G's at places like Bristol and Atlanta, but riding with these guys gives you a new perspective. This is a testament to the condition they are in." Lt. Kevin Davis, Blue Angel #7, put the two through roughly an hour each of twists, turns and rolls over the mountains that border NAF El Centro, which is the winter home of the Blue Angels. Pensacola, Fla., The Cradle of Naval Aviation, is their home during the "flight season." A "season" can be made up of 35 locations, the same as a NASCAR Busch season The Blue Angels are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. By comparison, NASCAR is 58-years-old. (see more and images at the Jr Motorsports site)(2-28-2006)
Dale Jr.'s show gets 8 more episodes: Speed Channel has picked up an option for eight additional episodes of "Back in the Day" with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The 30-minute program, which airs Mondays at 9:00pm/et on the Charlotte-based network, is a journey through the history of NASCAR with an emphasis on the 1970s. "This is the right show on the right network at the right time," Speed vice president of programming Robert Ecker said in an e-mail. "The decision to place the full-season order was a virtual no-brainer. Dale Jr.'s obvious affection for the material and his clever approach to presenting it instantly and understandably struck a responsive chord with the audience. We are eager to respond to the demand for additional episodes as quickly as we can."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(2-26-2006)
Miller Challenges Bud UPDATE: Miller Brewing Company is kicking off a new era in its 35-year history of motorsports sponsorship by boldly declaring its confidence in Kurt Busch's ability to drive the #2 Miller Lite Dodge to victory lane. Miller's chief marketing officer Tom Long today sent a letter to Anheuser-Busch vice president of brand management Marlene Coulis, betting the beer-market leader that Miller Lite driver Kurt Busch will finish ahead of Budweiser driver #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the final 2006 Nextel Cup Series season standings. The terms of the friendly wager: The losing sponsor must change the paint scheme on its car to match the winning brand's car for one Nextel Cup Series points-paying race next year. Budweiser has until the start of Sunday's season-opening race to accept the Miller challenge. Fans can win BEER: Earlier this week, Miller Lite announced that legal-drinking-age consumers can register to win its "When Kurt Wins, You Could Win" sweepstakes online at www.millerbeer.com until 11:59am/et Sunday, Feb. 19. If Busch takes the checkered flag in Daytona Beach, then 500 randomly selected registered fans will win a year's supply of Miller Lite. (See the official contest rules online.)(Tom Roberts PR)(2-17-2006) UPDATE: Anheuser-Busch's response came quickly: "I sincerely doubt we're considering it," said Brian Eaton of Busch's Public Affairs Office. Though Anheuser-Busch didn't formally say no, that's only because they don't want to entertain the idea. Better to leave their race car driver to speak for the company, though he was caught by surprise. "You're joking, right?" the Bud driver said when asked. "No … That's something dreamed up by the guys in Milwaukee."(ESPN.com)(2-18-2006)
Miller Challenges Bud: Miller Brewing Company is kicking off a new era in its 35-year history of motorsports sponsorship by boldly declaring its confidence in Kurt Busch's ability to drive the #2 Miller Lite Dodge to victory lane. Miller's chief marketing officer Tom Long today sent a letter to Anheuser-Busch vice president of brand management Marlene Coulis, betting the beer-market leader that Miller Lite driver Kurt Busch will finish ahead of Budweiser driver #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the final 2006 Nextel Cup Series season standings. The terms of the friendly wager: The losing sponsor must change the paint scheme on its car to match the winning brand's car for one Nextel Cup Series points-paying race next year. Budweiser has until the start of Sunday's season-opening race to accept the Miller challenge. Fans can win BEER: Earlier this week, Miller Lite announced that legal-drinking-age consumers can register to win its "When Kurt Wins, You Could Win" sweepstakes online at www.millerbeer.com until 11:59am/et Sunday, Feb. 19. If Busch takes the checkered flag in Daytona Beach, then 500 randomly selected registered fans will win a year's supply of Miller Lite. (See the official contest rules online.)(Tom Roberts PR)(2-17-2006)
Teresa doesn't expect to see #3 run again: [DEI Team owner] Teresa Earnhardt doesn't believe anyone -- including her stepson, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- will bring the #3 the late Dale Earnhardt made famous back to Cup racing."Contrary to popular belief, everyone cannot be replaced," Teresa Earnhardt said. "Legends live on forever. I don't think the #3 will ever be driven by anyone else."
The rare public comment from Teresa Earnhardt comes from a one-hour television show, "NASCAR Five Years Later," that will air tonight on Speed Channel at 8:00pm/et. The #3 has not been used in the Cup series since Earnhardt's death. NASCAR controls car numbers and assigns them to team owners on an annual basis. Richard Childress has maintained control of the #3 since Earnhardt's fatal crash. Earnhardt Jr., who drives the #8 Chevy for Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company his father formed and his stepmother now runs, said again recently he would like to drive the #3 before the end of his Cup career. "I really think that'll happen," Earnhardt Jr. told NASCAR.com. Earnhardt Jr. said his desire to drive the #3 does not mean he has any short-term plans to leave DEI. At the Speedweeks media day on Thursday, Earnhardt Jr. said he'd like to run DEI one day. "I'd love to take over at DEI," he said. "Teresa and I will talk about that when the time comes, but that's not in the near future." Earnhardt Jr. started JR Motorsports, which owns a team that plans to run in the Busch Series this year.(Thatsracin)(2-14-2006)
Daytona 500 Media Day, An interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr: some of the interview..in parts: Q. Do you think people underestimate your commitment to making the company that your daddy built [DEI] into what he dreamed it could be?
A. Dale Jr: Yeah, I think so. I think people see -- you know, know what I want to do. I know I want to win a championship. I know I have sort of a vision of where I want to be at a certain age. But I don't look that far into the future and get specific. You know, I drive right off the hood. I look at where I'm at right now. I would love to drive the 3 on down the road, and Richard [Childress] knows that. I hate him talking about it, because I don't want to put it off on him, put any pressure on him or disrupt what he's trying to do with RCR to date. But he knows that. That's the extent of it. There's nothing more to it conversation-wise between me and him or anything. We've just made that clear to each other and dropped it. Q. Would you like to take over at DEI?
A. Dale Jr: I'd love to take over at DEI. Me and Teresa will talk about that when the time comes. We'll talk about that before the
time comes obviously. That's not in the near future. I think JR Motorsports is a natural process of a company growing from one rank to
the next, and it can go as far as it wants to go. I am not going to stop it at this level or that level. We'll just see however profitable.
It don't even have to be profitable. If it breaks even, we'll keep on racing. Q. Do you want to win a championship in the #3 car?
A. Dale Jr: I mean, I could do it. We could do it now, but that would be just kind -- that would be a phoney tribute if we did it now. It just wouldn't feel right. I think it's something we can do whenever we want. I really seriously got to take my career -- I got to take my career seriously right now. I can't be fooling around with tributes and feel-good stories all the time. You know, we got to get down to business and race. When that opportunity comes to have that chance, we'll do that. I think -- I don't think a lot of people are ready for it. It's not even than a option. When the time comes, we want to do it, we'll do it, have a little fun with it. No, I just want to be -- I want to win a race with Budweiser as my sponsor, with that 8 on the side, with Tony, Jr. as my crew chief.(GM Racing PR)(2-10-2006)
New Speed Show featuring Dale Jr.: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is putting his newly formed production company to work, as Hammerhead Entertainment has reached a deal with Speed Channel to deliver up to 13 30-minute episodes of Back in the Day, a modern adaptation of the vintage race program Car and Track with Bud Lindemann. Back in the Day will make a Prime Time premiere during Daytona Speedweeks on Feb. 13 at 9:30pm/et. Car and Track, a collection of American racing footage from the 1960s and early 1970s, ran in replays on Speed from 1996-2000. Earnhardt Jr., a longtime fan of the series, will host the updated version, which will revisit NASCAR in its infancy, touching on not only what was going on at the race track, but what was going on in America. "I've always been a big fan of Car and Track," Earnhardt said. "Bud Lindemann had the vision to bring auto racing to television over 30 years ago. I watched every episode as a kid and still watch them today. We're going to show everyone the grassroots of our sport and bring the past to the present in a fun and entertaining way."(Speed Channel PR)(1-19-2006)
Dale Jr. to do XM Radio show: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join XM Satellite Radio for a weekly show to be broadcast exclusively to XM's six-million-plus subscribers from coast to coast. Dale Jr.'s show will debut during the week of February 13 on XM's NASCAR Radio (XM Channel 144) during Daytona Speedweeks. XM is the nation's leading provider of satellite radio and the official satellite radio network of NASCAR. Dale Jr. will discuss the latest happenings on the NASCAR circuit, as well as music, video games and other personal interests on the wide-ranging show. Dale Jr. will also play a key role in various XM promotions as part of a multi-year agreement with XM.(Yahoo Biz)(1-19-2006)
2005 News
Rusty and Dale Jr. well liked in poll - Genius Insight’s 25 Most-Liked Athletes Of ’05: The following presents recently released data from Genius Insight report, detailing the top 25 most-liked active athletes in ’05. The report includes 1,988 stars, approximately 400 of which are athletes, rated by U.S. respondents aged 13-49. Stars are ranked by the percentage of people who say they “like the star a lot.” Data was compiled during a six-month period, ending October 1. Fan base figures are rounded to the nearest whole (Genius Insight StarPower Report). The top five most well-liked were: Lance Armstrong (27%), Tiger Woods (15%), Shaquille O’Neal (14%), Brett Favre (14%), Serena Williams (14%). NASCAR's Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr were 8th with 12%, no other drivers were mentioned in the top 25.(Sports Business Daily(need sub/or Rustywallace.com)(12-22-2005)
DEI gearing up for 2006: It's full steam ahead for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the improved #8 brew crew. The team's fabrication shop is refurbishing the stable and has two intermediate cars, a new Bristol car and two speedway rides ready to roll. The engine department tested earlier this month at Nashville and tested restrictor-plate engines with ARCA journeyman Mark Gibson last week at Daytona. #15-Paul Menard will test at Daytona the next week to prepare for his first of seven Cup races. Dan Stillman will be his crew chief.(Sporting News)(12-19-2005)
Sleigh Ride preferred over Dale Jr. Hoping to help "drive home" the message of responsible celebrating this holiday season, Anheuser-Busch today released the results of its annual Designated Driver survey to kick off National Designated Driver Awareness Week. The survey found that most Americans (41%) would prefer to be driven home in a Hummer by their designated drivers of choice Katie Couric and George Clooney. In addition, according to the poll, respondents favor a sleigh ride (45%) over a speedy ride in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 Chevy (27%) as their favorite mode of transportation. For the last 20 years, Anheuser-Busch has made it a goal to educate the public about its Designated Driver program through advertising, server training programs and its 'free cab ride home' offer, which since 1989 has provided more than half a million rides home. For more information on designated drivers and responsible drinking programs visit www.designateddriver.com.(G.S. Schwartz PR)(12-16-2005)
Earnhardt Jr. OK to test: Dale Earnhardt Jr. says the Dec. 9 surgery he had on his left wrist will not keep him from preseason testing at Daytona. This week's edition of NASCAR Scene reports that Earnhardt Jr. said he would be able test a car approximately 10 days after the surgery, if necessary.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(12-15-2005)
Dale Jr. has minor surgery: Despite some panicked e-mails claiming otherwise, Dale Earnhardt Jr. does not have any fractures of his right or left arm. He had a minor procedure done to remove calcium build-up in his wrist. It's a chronic condition he's had for several years, and apparently decided to have it taken care of Friday morning. That is why folks are seeing picturs of Dale Jr. at the Busch Series banquet wearing a cast in a sling on his left arm.(fingerprint inc)(12-12-2005)
Cousin of Earnhardt dies: Orange County [FL] Deputies tased a man on the West side, who later died. They say he was likely high on drugs and running into traffic early this morning. Barbara Miller with the Sheriff's Office says the first deputy on scene couldn't calm him down, so he tased Jeff Dean Eanhardt. "He tried it a second time and again it had no effect on the subject. Unfortunately when more deputies arrived, they were able to restrain the subject and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance, but he died at around 7:25 this morning." WDBO confirmed Jeff is the first cousin of Dale Earnhardt.(580wdbo.com)(12-1-2005)
More Changes at DEI: Dale Earnhardt Inc. [#1,#8,#15] is expanding and reorganizing its current campus to 160,000 square feet. DEI will house the #8 team with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. in the same building with rookie Martin Truex and crew chief Kevin Manion. The #15 Cup team will be combined with the Busch program and used for research and development with Paul Menard driving. Earnhardt and Truex will split Busch Daytona driving duties, Earnhardt driving the season opener, Truex the July race.(Sporting News)(11-28-2005)
Dale Jr. to buy track with Schrader? UPDATE Official: A Kenny Schrader/Dale Earnhardt Junior owned Paducah Raceway would certainly focus a lot of attention on the area racing scene. Not only for PIR, but for Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway as well. Both run dirt track races and would be in direct competition. Eddie Jarvis, Tony Stewart's manager, says Kenny Schrader approached Stewart to purchase the Raceway. Stewart declined and Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed interest. "Dale Jr went out this morning before he left town. Hopefully he'll own something around here and that he'll have a chance to come back to Paducah quite a bit," Jarvis said.(News Channel 6)(10-7-2005) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Ken Schrader along with well known Midwestern promoter Bob Sargent are now the proud owners of Paducah International Raceway. The trio recently finalized their purchase of the popular McCracken County, KY, venue that boasts a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval, 1/5-mile race track and a Motocross/TT run with grandstands that accommodate 5,000 spectators. In addition to PIR, Schrader is the co-owner of another dirt track - I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO. Located off of I-24 in Paducah, the track hosts the most popular touring sanctions from the AMA motorcycles to various 700+ horsepower super late model series. Paducah International Raceway will also host prominent special events including the Tri-Track Challenge, U.M.P. Summernationals and the track's annual banner event - "The Wayne Coakley/Bob Memmer Memorial 'World 50'". Racing action will take place at PIR every Friday night during a seven-month season from March through September and will feature U.M.P. Super Late Models, U.M.P. Modifieds, Crate Late Models and Pure Street Stocks. Additional divisions including quads, 4-cylinder hornets and mini-sprints will also compete on a limited schedule.(Paducah International Raceway site)(11-28-2005)
First Trees Planted in Dale Earnhardt Forest: The first 50 of 77,000 trees that will honor the memory of NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt were planted recently by the national nonprofit American Forests and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. The trees were planted in Sloan Park outside Mooresville, NC home of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. A total of 77,000 trees are planned for the 15-county region surrounding Charlotte. The goal of the Dale Earnhardt Forest is to restore trees to the city of Charlotte and to restore wildlife habitat, expand greenways, and return trees to riparian areas. The project was announced last year with the planting of seven trees-symbolizing Earnhardt's seven NASCAR Championships -at Dale Earnhardt Day, which coincides with Arbor Day and the late racing legend's birthday. The former Mooresville resident and NASCAR legend was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who championed environmental causes and environmental education. The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is also supporting American Forests' efforts to bring high tech environmental education program to 120 middle and high school classes in 2006. The program combines computer technology and math, science and geography with tree care and hands-on activities to teach students to value trees in their local areas. The saucer magnolias, willow oaks, and red maples in the Dale Earnhardt Grove at Sloan Park will be part of the Park's Historic Tree Trail. The Historic Tree Trail consists of numerous trees propagated from trees found at various national landmarks, historic sites, and locations related to significant historical figures. Those wishing to find out more about the Dale Earnhardt Forest or contribute to planting trees can do so by visiting www.americanforests.org and clicking on campaigns or by visiting the Dale Earnhardt Foundation at www.thedaleearnhardtfoundation.org.(DEI PR)(11-27-2005)
Dale Jr wins Wix Award: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award at Atlanta Motor Speedway for his first award of the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. The WIX Filters Lap Leader Award is presented to the driver who leads the most laps during each race in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck racing series. The award includes a cash prize presented to the winning driver during a ceremony before the next race and an end-of-year payout and trophy for the driver who earns the most WIX Filters Lap Leader awards over the course of the entire season. Cash awards for the end-of-year honor are: $75,000 for the NEXTEL Cup Series; $20,000 for the Busch Series; and, $10,000 for the Craftsman Truck Series. In order to be eligible for the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award for a single event, drivers and teams in each series must run the WIX Filters decal on the front fender and use WIX oil or air filters in their vehicles. Additionally, for any year-end payout, teams must run the decal on the front fender for every race they participate in, with an allowance for one race, and they must always use WIX oil or air filters. Fans can sign up for the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award contest, make picks and try to beat Speed's John Roberts by visiting www.wixlapleader.com. WIX Filters' Internet address is www.wixfilters.com.(11-3-2005)
Wind Tunnel Q & A: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. one of the quotes from Sunday's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED Channel. Sunday Wind Tunnel guest was Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt talked bout DEI crew shuffles, his desire to be a car owner and the possibility of teaming with Richard Childress in the future. Despain: Is there ever a time that RCR could get you to drive the #3 car?
Earnhardt: Richard Childress is a great friend of mine. How he has treated me since my father passed away has amazed me. How that whole company looks at me and my family amazes me. It would be an honor for me to drive for Richard. I look at that way into the future. That is something that is an opportunity for us and I think it would be fun for me and Richard to do something like that in the future. We haven't sat down and decided that is what we will do, but maybe the last one or two years in my career, that's a possibility. I look forward to it. That is something we just leave laying out there it out there and joke about it, but if it is something that we want to do, we will do it.(see more quotes at Speedtv.com)(11-2-2005)
Live Dale Jr. appearance on Bud site:Budweiser.com will host a live webcast of Dale Earnhardt Jr's "One Night Stand" appearance from Atlanta this Thursday evening, October 27 at 8:00pm/et. You must be
21 years of age or older to enter the Budweiser site.(fingerprint inc. PR)(10-26-2005)
DEI pays tribute to the loss of an employee: On Thursday, October 13, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. lost a friend and co-worker.
Angie M. Safrit, 33, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She started with the company in 1994. This weekend, her teammates will pay tribute to her life by placing a memorial decal on their race cars. The decal will be displayed on the "C" posts of the #8 Budweiser and #15 NAPA Chevys in the Nextel Cup Series. They will also be on the #8 Bass Pro Shops, #11 Menards and #81 Menards Chevy in the Busch Series race. The flags in front of DEI's corporate headquarters are flying at half mast in Angie's honor, as well. "Angie was an integral part of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. for the last decade," said Judy Queen, Vice President of Operations. "She started out in the brick building with Dale and Teresa and was a major part of DEI's growth." Angie is survived by her husband, Scott Safrit, and a three-year old daughter, Rachel. She is also survived by her parents, Jimmy and Phyllis Miller of Kannapolis and grandmother, Clara Kidd.(DEI)(10-14-2005)
Dale Jr. to buy track with Schrader? A Kenny Schrader/Dale Earnhardt Junior owned Paducah Raceway would certainly focus a lot of attention on the area racing scene. Not only for PIR, but for Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway as well. Both run dirt track races and would be in direct competition. Eddie Jarvis, Tony Stewart's manager, says Kenny Schrader approached Stewart to purchase the Raceway. Stewart declined and Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed interest. "Dale Jr went out this morning before he left town. Hopefully he'll own something around here and that he'll have a chance to come back to Paducah quite a bit," Jarvis said.(News Channel 6)(10-7-2005)
Ride with Ride with Dale Jr. Auction Fetches $42,100: After spending seven days at the top of eBay's "Most Watched" list, the opportunity to ride shotgun with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., sponsored by the Wrangle* brand, went for $42,100 with 100% of the winning bid benefiting the American Red Cross. NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr., The Dale Earnhardt Foundation, and the Wrangler* brand conceived the auction to raise funds for relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and subsequent hurricanes during the 2005 season. The winning bidder will ride with Dale Jr. on Oct. 26, 2005, at the Wrangler brand's "Take a Test Drive with Dale Jr." event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. A check ceremony will be held that same day recognizing the donation with officials from the American Red Cross. The winning bidder was Don Crawford of Ocala, Fla. Mr. Crawford bid on the auction as a gift for his wife Debbie, who is a Dale Jr. fan. Having felt the impact on Florida from last year's hurricanes, Don wanted to do something to help the people along the Gulf Coast.(DEI)(10-7-2005)
Dale Jr. buys Busch shop? Dale Earnhardt Jr is rumored to have purchased a building in the South Iredell Industrial Park in Mooresville, NC for Jr. Motorsports. The building used to be owned by a financial securities company (and a race shop before that) is down the street from Joe Nemechek's NEMCO Motorsports. The building is not extremely large, but is a comfortable size to house a Busch Series team, which is what Dale Earnhardt Jr is apparantly going to use it for. The South Iredell Industrial Park is located a few miles north of the Hwy 150 and 115 intersection in Mooresville, NC.(Motorsports Lounge PR)(9-15-2005)
More on Dale Jr./Eury Jr. reuniting UPDATE 2 Official: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. will be reunited in time for Sunday's race at New Hampshire. Eury has been Michael Waltrip's crew chief this season. Tony Gibson, Waltrip's car chief, is likely to succeed Eury as crew chief and stay with the #15 team for the remainder of the season. Waltrip is leaving with NAPA at the end of the year to drive the #23 car for Bill Davis Racing[not announced yet, still speculated and expected]. With Tony Eury Jr. moving back to the #8 team, Steve Hmiel will return to his previous post as head of DEI's research-and-development operation and concentrate on building the intermediate-track version of "the car of tomorrow (COT)" for 2007. Hmiel says that several organizations are participating in the process, but it was important for DEI to get a head start, "since this will be the biggest change to come along in Cup since NASCAR moved to smaller cars in '81."(Sporting News)(9-12-2005) UPDATE: Tony Eury Jr. will take over crew chief duties for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. beginning this week in New Hampshire, ESPN's Mike Massaro confirmed with sources at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated [DEI]. Eury had been the crew chief for Michael Waltrip throughout the 2005 season but was a key member of Earnhardt's team up until the infamous personnel swap this past offseason with DEI teammate Waltrip. Earnhardt has had a sub-par 2005 season, already missing out on the Nextel Cup's 10-race playoffs. It already seemed in recent weeks as if Earnhardt is looking to next season, anyway. Eury Jr. stopped by his car at Michigan and helped his crew make some adjustments that Earnhardt said improved his #8 Budweiser Chevy. The two were separated at the end of last season because of their constant bickering -- the two are cousins -- and both have said the year apart helped strengthen the relationship.(ESPN.com)(9-13-2005) OFFICAL: Dale Earnhardt Incorporated announced Wednesday that, starting this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, Tony Eury Jr., will take over as crew chief for the #8 Budweiser Chevy. Eury Jr., who has been crew chief for DEI’s #15 Chevy this season, will be reunited with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who Eury Jr. worked with for eight seasons prior. The two will be paired for the remaining races of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season in preparation for 2006 where they will compete together for the NASCAR championship. “This is the best plan for us as a company,” Eury Jr. said. “We haven’t been in the same pit box this year, but we’ve been working closely as a team. Looking at where we want to be for 2006, it made sense to switch now and get that much further ahead.”
With the 2005 chase contenders decided, Richie Gilmore, DEI’s Vice-President of Motorsports, knew now was the best time for the restructuring. “After evaluating our programs for next season, we went back and looked at all the resources at our disposal,” Gilmore said. “By putting Tony Jr. back with Dale Jr. now, it enables us to start working towards our goals for next season. Those two can start finding their rhythm for next year, while Steve Hmiel can return his full focus on the technical aspect of our programs.” Hmiel, who has been the interim crew chief for the #8 team since May, will return to his position as Technical Director for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Tony Gibson, car chief for the #15 team, will serve as the #15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy crew chief for the remainder of this season. DEI’s line-up of teams will be stronger than ever for 2006 with three Nextel Cup teams and two Busch Series teams. Chance 2, which is co-owned by Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the defending Busch Series champions and currently leads in the series point standings.(DEI PR/Site)(9-14-2005)
Dale Jr. and Eury Jr. back together this year? Next week? Transcript: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Media Conference on Thurs. Sept 8th: Q) Are you going to make changes to the team for next year? Dale Earnhardt Jr. driver of the #8 Bud Chevy: "Yeah, we'll make changes. I really can't talk about the changes we're gonna make. I'm not gonna announce the changes this time, so y'all will just have to wait or ask somebody else." Q) Do you want to be back with Tony Eury Jr. this season if you're going to work together next season? Dale Jr: "If me and Tony Jr. are going to work together next year, that'd be a good idea to begin work on that relationship. With the few races left, use it to kind of work on... (the 8 and 15 teams) they've been working a lot together the last couple of weeks as far as set-ups and stuff, and moving some of their stuff over to my car. But it's not the whole thing. It'd be good to get on track with (Tony) Jr. if that's what we're gonna do next year. See full Q&A at fingerprintonline.com. AND MORE Richie Gilmore, vice president of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., hinted Friday that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. could be reunited as soon as next week at New Hampshire International Speedway. "If me and Tony Jr. are going to work together next year, that'd be a good idea to begin working on that relationship,'' Earnhardt said. Gilmore said the team announced all its changes for next year to its employees but is waiting to make those decisions public. "We don't really feel like we need to take away from anybody in the chase,'' Gilmore said. "Maybe at Loudon, we'll go there and we'll announce our plans there.'' Gilmore said the team plans to use the last 10 races preparing for next season. "I feel we can go to Daytona and run great again with our plate program, but I want to focus on ... California and Las Vegas,'' Gilmore said of the second and third race next season. "Coming out of the box those have never been great race tracks for us and we can work on that the rest of the year. Looking at the season as one big test.''(Roanoke Times)(9-10-2005)
DEI and RCR...merge? a merger between RCR and Dale Earnhardt Inc. is rumored to be in the works. Although DEI vice president Richie Gilmore says the partnership will involve nothing more than promotional plans, the two organizations enjoyed a beneficial aerodynamic alliance several years ago. Considering the strength of powerhouses Roush and Hendrick Motorsports, a marriage between RCR and DEI would move their programs up a level. Another benefit? Dale Earnhardt Jr. could follow in his late father's footsteps in an RCR car.(Sporting News)(9-5-2005)
Eury Dr. signs with DEI too: Tony Eury Sr., affectionately known as Pops, has signed his first contract with DEI. Eury led Earnhardt Jr. to two Busch titles and stepped down at the end of last season as Junior's Cup crew chief. Eury, who's under contract through 2008, is working in research and development.(Sporting News), his son, Tony Jr. recently signed thru 2008 to stay at DEI and supposedly will be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief in 2006.(9-5-2005)
Earnhardt Jr. Participates In Pursuit Training With Roanoke PD: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was chased by two police cars Wednesday - and when the chase ended he got a pack on the back and a handshake from the officers instead of a ticket. Earnhardt Jr. participated in a pursuit training exercise with the Roanoke Police Department on the Texas Motor Speedway infield road course. Earnhardt Jr., wheeling a silver 2005 Chevy Corvette, was the chase subject as Roanoke's finest were in hot pursuit in fully loaded squad cars with the sirens blaring and lights flashing. Roanoke Lt. Robert Crawford, Officer James Johnson and Traffic Officer Gary Stroud joined Earnhardt Jr. during the simulation with Lt. Crawford and Officer Johnson driving the squad cars. Traffic Officer Stroud helped end the pursuit by pulling his vehicle across the road course to block Earnhardt Jr.'s path as well as throw down a "spike" strip to simulate an actual highway situation. Earnhardt Jr. admitted that this was the first time he has been involved in a police "chase." Earnhardt Jr.'s pursuit ended with Traffic Officer Stroud blocking the road, and the NASCAR star then broke into a series of doughnuts in the 'Vette, filling the speedway infield with tire smoke. "Doing doughnuts is always a good time," Earnhardt Jr. said with a smile.(TMS PR)(9-1-2005)
Dale Jr. in a Mag: You can find a fun article starring #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the September issue of ESQUIRE Magazine, now on a newsstand near you.(fingerprint inc)(8-25-2005)
McFarland up to Busch with Dale Jr/ team? UPDATE 5 The Navy: BGNRacing.com is hearing hearing that Mark McFarland, current driver for the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. owned team, JR Motorsports in the Hooters ProCup Series, will venture into Busch next season with possible backing from the NAVY. UPDATE: Director of motorsports for the NAVY, Senior Chief Jeff Priest, said Saturday at The Glen,"We think it's awesome to have our name linked to such a good organization like that. I will tell you we are currently evaluating our situations and we should know within the next few weeks." AND I am hearing that the NAVY may be the sponsor of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team in 2006, and that Lowe's would not be back to sponsor the car.(8-13-2005) UPDATE 2: Lowe's and a number of its vendor partners will continue to sponsor the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy in the Busch Series in 2006.(8-17-2005) UPDATE 3: JR Motorsports, the USAR Pro Cup team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will be making an announcement today concerning their future plans. Speculation revolves around moving the team to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2006 with driver Mark McFarland. An existing NBS sponsor may be making the move to this new team.(BGNRacing.com) UPDATE 4: hearing the U.S. Navy will be the sponsor.(8-23-2005) UPDATE 5: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expanding his role as a car owner, announcing plans Tuesday to field a team in the Busch Series next season. JR Motorsports, the business Earnhardt owns independently of all his other ventures, will run Mark McFarland in the #88 Chevy. The U.S. Navy will sponsor the team. "When I started JR Motorsports, I didn't have a vision or a dream or a five-year plan," Earnhardt said. "We have basically let this thing grow legs on its own." The team debuted in the Hooters Pro Cup Series this season, with McFarland earning one win and 10 top 10 finishes in 13 starts. It's a separate entity from Dale Earnhardt Inc., the team Earnhardt drives for but is owned by his stepmother, Teresa. It also has no relation to Chance 2 Motorsports, a Busch Series team Earnhardt co-owns with his stepmother. Martin Truex Jr. won the Busch Series title in that car last season and is currently first in the points standings this year.
Earnhardt said he wants DEI involved with his new team, but currently has no firm agreement. He was also vague on whether or not DEI will provide him with engines for his Busch car. "It is very important that DEI is incorporated," he said. "This isn't separate. It's my own company, but I want it to benefit DEI. They can be a big part of this and they can support us and we can be successful." Sponsorship from the Navy is not a huge stretch for Earnhardt, a driver with a hard-partying reputation. On the Navy side, there is no bigger driver it could have chosen to use in recruitment campaign. And Earnhardt points to his experiences as a high schooler attending military school for his appreciation of the armed services. "I look at my experience in military school as a big change in my life," he said. "It got rid of the rough edges and put me on a straighter path." Earnhardt said he has approached Tony Eury Sr., currently director of competition at DEI, to run his new Busch program. Eury, who is also Earnhardt's uncle, was Earnhardt's crew chief when he won his two Busch titles and for the first four seasons of his Cup career. "Pops won't decide," Earnhardt said. "He's been at DEI a long time so it's hard for him to just up and leave. But at the same time he wants me to succeed with this, so it's hard for him to decide what he wants to do." Meanwhile, Earnhardt said that since Truex is moving to the Cup series next season, Chance 2 will likely scale back to a part-time Busch schedule next year.
"We just haven't found anything that has captured our heart the way Martin did," he said.(ESPN.com/AP)(8-23-2005)
More Eury Jr./Dale Jr. stuff: This morning on ESPN's SportsCenter, Mike Massaro reported that Tony Eury Jr. Said that he is committed to the 15 team for the remainder of the year and that he will likely reunite with Dale Jr. next season. Eury said he and Jr. Have talked about their previous issuses and have agreed to put them behind them in an effort to compete for a championship.(ESPN's SportsCenter/Mike Massaro)(8-21-2005)
Dale Jr. comments: from a GM Racing PR:
Q) WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE NEWS THIS WEEK ABOUT TONY EURY, JR. SIGNING A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH DEI?
A) Just, you know, I wanted him to sign on. I was glad that he was able to talk to other people to find out where he is in this business and I
think that's fair for him and fair for everybody to really know where they stand. And, it helped him in what his decision was going to be
and so he could make the right decision for himself. And, I'm real glad for the decision he made. And I think that puts me and him with
an opportunity to work together in the future. You know, aside from my own motives, he's a huge asset to the company. He's one of the most important people at the company as far as knowledge of the sport, knowledge of the cars, where the sport is headed from mechanically and technically. He's a huge asset.
Q) WOULD HE BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR A CREW CHIEF NEXT YEAR?
A) Not quite ready to talk about that.(GM Racing PR)(8-21-2005)
Eury Jr. to sign with DEI back with #8 UPDATE signed...but which car?: Dale Earnhardt Inc. is negotiating a contract for #15 Crew Chief [was Dale Jr's car chief in 2004] Tony Eury Jr. to become Earnhardt's crew chief [for 2006]. The deal could get signed this week.(Sporting News)(8-15-2005) MORE: Tony Eury Jr. was scheduled to meet with Teresa Earnhardt Monday to talk about signing a contract with DEI. Eury said has had talks with several other teams although he would not name names. “Yeah, I probably got about four or five teams and there have been some pretty impressive offers but like I told Dale Jr. I don’t really have a desire to leave this company. It’s just a matter of I want what the going rate is for Tony Jr. I’ve been there for 14 years and I’ve never really asked for a raise so I’m just listening and seeing what people
have to say.” Eury Jr. has never had a formal contract with DEI saying “Dale Sr. wanted me to sign a contract about seven years ago and me and him left on a handshake. We had that kind of trust in each other…and like I told him…you don’t ever screw me around and take care of me and I’m always here. I have the same attitude toward Dale Jr.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-15-2005) UPDATE: Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and crew chief, Tony Eury, Jr., a 14-year employee of DEI, have announced that Eury Jr. will remain part of the organization for many years to come via a long-term contract that was inked today. "Having such a loyal employee and talented crew chief like Tony as part of DEI on a long-term basis was an important objective for the continuity of our program," said Ms. Earnhardt. "I couldn't be happier," Eury, Jr. said. "I've spent many years with DEI and always planned to be for a long time to come. With all the outside distractions now behind us, we can focus on winning races." For 2006 NASCAR competition, DEI plans to field the #1, #8, and #15 cars on the Nextel Cup Series circuit; and the #8 and #11 cars on the Busch Series circuit.(DEI PR), doesn't say which team/car/driver Eury Jr. will work with.(8-18-2005)
Dale Jr. Sorry about DJ: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., even after a 10th place finish, was still a bit bummed out after the race at Watkins Glen. "I'm just real disappointed I got into Dale Jarrett in the race there, spun him around, he got in the wall," Earnhardt said of a lap 26 mishap, in which he got into the back of the #88 coming off the carousel. "That's bothering me right now more than anything, because we're pretty good friends. It's hard going out there and racing people you've got so much respect for. I should've been thinking about that when he was in front of me I guess."(Corning Leader)(8-15-2005)
100 Wins for DEI/Chance2: For the 100th time since Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [counting Chance2] was formed 25 years ago, there is a checkered flag flying outside their corporate headquarters. When the #8 Bass Pro Shops Chevy of Martin Truex, Jr. pulled into Victory Lane at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Saturday night, it was his sixth of the season. But, for DEI it marked a milestone in their history. The team Dale and Teresa Earnhardt co-founded made its first visit to a Victory Lane in March 1985 with Dale winning a Busch Series race at Rockingham Speedway. There are only six drivers who can claim they contributed to the team’s 100 wins earned at 33 different NASCAR venues. Dale Earnhardt [17 wins], Dale Earnhardt, Jr. [35], Ron Hornaday [27], Martin Truex, Jr. [12], Steve Park [5] and Michael Waltrip [4]. Truex, Jr. delivered a championship to the team winning the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series crown [and currently leads the points there in 2005], Earnhardt Jr. won the Busch crown in 1998 amd 1999 and Hornaday delivered two Craftsman Truck Series championships during his tenure with the team.(DEI PR)(8-11-2005)
DEI close to signing Eury Jr.: DEI director of motorsports Richie Gilmore said he is close to signing Tony Eury Jr., an employee of 15 years who is currently crew chief for the #15 for Michael Waltrip. "The Eurys have never had contracts; they've always just been there," Gilmore said. "It's always been an agreement and a year-to-year deal and Tony Jr. has told me he's not going anywhere. We're working on a deal and it would be his first contract ever."(St Petersburg Times)(8-7-2005)
Dale Jr. and Eury Jr....back together in 2006? UPDATE 2: DEI Director of Motorsports Richie Gilmore pooh-poohed the idea of reuniting Earnhardt Jr. with Tony Eury Jr. if the #8 Chevy were to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Earnhardt won a career-high six races last year with Eury as car chief. An offseason shake-up moved Eury to Waltrip's team as crew chief this year. "I would say that scenario would take away from both teams, so we wouldn't even look at that," Gilmore said. "That would affect both teams in a negative [way]." Gilmore said the possibility of naming Eury as Earnhardt's crew chief for next season hadn't been discussed much. "It's still too early," he said. "There's been a lot of talk outside of DEI but not at our company."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-5-2005) UPDATE: Earnhardt said his own team is facing a post-season shakeup, with crew chief Steve Hmiel expected to return to technical director and with a new boss coming in. But Earnhardt said he's trying not to upset his own team right now: "For example, if we said Tony Eury Jr. was coming back to run our team, then our team right now might implode the rest of the year. "We definitely have to make some changes at the end of the season. But I don't have an answer to what we're going to do. I do want to work with Tony Jr. again. But personally I think we're both immature for our age... and the more mature we get, the easier it will be for us to work together."(Winston Salem Journal)(8-6-2005) UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former car chief Tony Eury Jr. are making plans to reunite in 2006, with Eury taking over as the crew chief for NASCAR’s most popular driver. “Me and Dale Jr. are pushing pretty hard for it,” Eury said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where practice for Sunday’s AllState 400 was washed out. “The people upstairs are the ones that have a problem with it. We’re trying to sort through that now. Me and him are gung-ho ready to go.” Eury, who was moved from car chief of Earnhardt’s car to crew chief of Michael Waltrip’s #15 car during the offseason after helping Earnhardt to six wins and a fifth-place finish in the championship chase, said a decision could be finalized in the next few weeks. Waltrip has announced he will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season because the organization would not assure him that Eury would be his crew chief next year. Earnhardt has been looking for a full-time crew chief since Pete Rondeau, who began the season with him, was replaced by interim crew chief Steve Hmiel in May. “We’re supposed to have several meetings this week,” Eury said. “I’d say the next few weeks they ought to really know something about who is going where. We’re kind of waiting on NAPA (sponsor for Waltrip’s car) to tell us what they want to do, whether they want us to have a third car at our place.”(The State)(8-6-2005)
Dale Jr. speaks about crew chief changes: Brandon Mudd of 590 the Fan, KFNS, (www.kfns.com), spoke with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who was in the St. Louis area yesterday for a Victory Junction Gang Camp function at Kenny Schrader's dirt track in Pevely, MO. Earnhardt said there is a good chance Tony Eury, Jr. could be the crew chief of the #8-Budweiser team next season. "Absolutely. Anything in this sport is a possibility. We've talked about that and no decision has been made. We've got to concentrate on making the Chase; we won't make a decision before that. I don't think I can sit here and honestly tell you who will be my crew chief next year. I really like working with Steve Hmiel and in a way, I think that we make a great team. Me and him together have a good way of...I don't know, we just have a good way of working together that seems to want to build success. I think if me and Steve Hmiel stuck together, we'd win some races. The only problem with that is he's been in this sport so long, he's overqualified. The things he was doing for the company before, those areas are now starting to suffer because of him having to come down and do the crew-chiefing side of it. So we need to figure it out. And I'm not sure if he wants to do it full-time or not, honestly, whether or not he wants to go back to that grind. We'll all have to just sit down and talk about it and see what everyone wants to do, but yeah, you have to consider that a possibility, me and Tony Jr. getting back together. Right now, though, we just don't know."(Brandon W. Mudd/590 The Fan, KFNS)(8-5-2005)
Rondeau finds a new home: Pete Rondeau has negotiated his release from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and joined Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91]. Rondeau started the season as #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief but was removed from that position after 11 points races. He joined Evernham on July 18 as director of research and development.(Sporting News)(8-1-2005)
Jr Motorsports gets first win: Mark McFarland won the Merchant's Tire and Auto Center 250 presented by BF Goodrich USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series race at Southern National Speedway (SNS) in Kenly, NC. The win is not only the first for McFarland, but it is the first for the Dale Earnhardt, Jr.-owned JR Motorsports team in a touring series. "I can't thank Dale Jr. and everyone at JR Motorsports enough for giving me the opportunity to drive this awesome car. WINFUEL has been just a super sponsor and Federal Mogul, Draco Springs and Enders shocks have been very good to us," said McFarland. You can catch the excitement of Mark McFarland's first Hooters Pro Cup win on Saturday, July 30 at 10:00pm/et on the Speed Channel.(Jr. Motorsports PR)(7-28-2005)
Dale J. called to the NASCAR Trailer: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was called into the NASCAR trailer after the race to be reprimanded for exceeding the pit road speed on lap 53 when he raced out of the pits in an attempt to stay on the lead lap. He was penalized with a drive-through. His pit road exit speed was clocked at 143 mph. The pit road speed limit was 55 mph. Junior was told by NASCAR officials that they understood his desire to remain on the lead lap, but that they wouldn't tolerate his methods.(Yahoo Sports)(7-25-2005)
Dale Jr. wins at Chicago: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, taking the lead on lap 256 and leading the last 11 laps, held off dominant #17-Matt Kenseth [176 laps led] at the end, winning by 0.407 seconds. The win is Dale Jr.'s first in 19 races, Phoenix in November 2004 and the 16th win of his 201 race career. Earnhardt has now won at least one race in each of the last 6 seasons [all six season's he has been full time] only Jeff Gordon [12 years] and Tony Stewart [7] have longer streaks. On the final pit stop, #8 crew chief, Steve Hmiel went with two right side tires for track position and the crew go Earnhardt out 2nd, behind #22-Scott Wimmer, who didn't pit. It took a few laps, but Dale Jr. caught Wimmer [who finished 17th]. Kenseth finished 2nd, followed by #48-Jimmie Johnson, #25-Brian Vickers and #20-Tony Stewart. Johnson increases his points lead to 108 and now only the top-10 are under 400 points. #24-Jeff Gordon, who ran poorly all day, got wrecked by #0-Mike Bliss [who bottomed out on the apron and came up] and finished with another DNF, 33rd. Gordon is now 102 points out of 400 points to make the chase. Dale Jr. is now 91 points out. Kenseth led 176 of 267 laps, a new track record. There were 10 cautions for 47 laps and 17 lead changed by 12 drivers.
For race results see Jayski's Chicago Race Results/Awards page.(7-10-2005)
MLB and Dale Jr. team up again - image UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to run a MLB [Major League Baseball] scheme at the Chicagoland Speedway race in July, see an image of the scheme on my #8 Team Schemes page.(5-26-2005) UPDATE: The once-a-year Budweiser / Major League Baseball promotion returns to the race track this weekend at Chicago. Dale Jr. will also attend All-Star festivities (this year in Detroit) on Monday following the race. Expect his visit to include a ride to the ballpark via the Clydesdales for the on-field media event preceding the MLB Home Run Derby.(Budweiser PR/fingeprint inc)(7-6-2005)
DEI up for awards: The nominees have been released and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. is once again up for two awards by Charlotte Trip magazine. And, just like last year, they’ll need some help from our dedicated fans to assist in the voting process. DEI is once again up for Best of Charlotte and Best Day Trip in the annual Visitor’s Choice Gold Awards put together by the magazine. With your help, they won both categories last year. You can vote for DEI [or other nominee] by logging onto www.CharlotteTrip.com, voting ends on August 15 and then the final three nominees in each category are announced. The actual awards ceremony is on September 7 in Charlotte.(DEI)(7-6-2005)
As for Dale Jr. in the #3 and about the #3: If Junior [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] is gonna drive the No. 3 car someday, could it happen under the DEI roof? If so, Childress would have to give up ownership of the number -- and all the potential business opportunities that accompany it. "He's always said, ever since his daddy got killed, one of these days he's gonna drive a 3 car," [Tony Sr.] Eury said of Junior. "Just a remark he made a long time ago. Someday Richard [Childress] might give us the number and we'll run it out of DEI. Depends on how long Richard wants to keep doing it, you know." Richard? Any chance of giving up the No. 3? "No. As far as the 3, it's registered," Childress elaborated. "It's one of those deals . . . we're gonna keep doing what we've been doing, what Dale and I talked about years ago. We knew it was our number, and we had plans of doing things with it after he retired. We're gonna put those plans in effect soon."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(7-1-2005)
Eury Sr. thinks swap could had been a mistake at DEI: Cup Scene at the track and at an interview DEI's Tony Eury Sr. gave: "We got a lot of bad press at the beginning at the first of the year on why it was running bad. I guess we made a bad move over the winter and our cars down there in the 8 shop weren't as good as we thought they were. When you get behind like that, it takes
time to catch up. We're getting him a fleet of cars now and getting them better. When you got something good, I guess you should leave it alone. You know we won six races with him last year maybe it should have been left alone. But that's past and we got to get him in that Chase now, so everything's behind us and we're going forward from here and building (Dale Jr.) good cars and trying to get in that chase." As for the third team: "We're still debating on a driver. We don't real know what's going to happen yet. We had a deadline and we extended it with a couple of sponsors and drivers, right now we're just kind of in the middle of everything." BUT "Martin [Truex Jr.] will be in the #1 (Cup)car (next year).(Cup Scene Report from DIS)(6-30-2005)
Childress would welcome Dale Jr....if....UPDATE 2 denied: Richard Childress does not see Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., after the season, but if that happens, his door is open. “Junior has his own deal working good at DEI, and I hope it all works out for him,” said Childress, who won six Nextel Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt. “I think it will (work out), ’cause it’s a really good organization. I also would say if he ever left there, I’d sure hope he’d come this way. I know what Dale Sr.’s vision and dream was with DEI,” Childress said. “It was to build that operation for Dale Jr., (sister) Kelly and his family. Dale Jr. has done a great job of representing DEI and what they want to do, so it’s a good deal.”(The State)(6-24-2005) MORE......Does "Little E" ever wonder if it might be better if he had moved on out of the DEI team his father founded and went to the Childress team his father drove for? "Yeah!" he says, cheer suddenly rising in his hoarse voice, his eyes brightening. "And I think about that. And that's still -- that's always an option." As the only man alive who could carry "3" on his door panels with public approval and indeed celebration, and with his Bud sponsorship willing to follow him wherever he goes, it would seem he could pick up the phone and virtually be there. "Right," he confirmed. "Yeah. Richard and I haven't really sat down at a desk to talk about it, but he owns the number '3' and I want to drive the No. 3 race car before I retire. I've told Richard I want to finish my career in his race car, or in a No. 3 car if he and Teresa [Earnhardt] can come to some agreement or whatever." He means a transfer of ownership of the number. His stepmother, Dale's widow Teresa, owns Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has the ultimate say, although Richie Gilmore runs the company for her. She rarely comes to races or appears in public and doesn't speak with the media. Earnhardt Jr. is under contract to her through 2007. But could something be worked out? And how long would it take? "Oh, if everybody was for it, less than 24 hours, I would assume," Earnhardt said. "But I don't see that happening. I mean, not everybody's going to be cool about it. I don't think Teresa would want me to leave, in the first place."(See very large and interesting column at the Orlando Sentinel)(6-25-2005) UPDATE 2: DEI, founded by Earnhardt Sr. when he was driving for Richard Childress, is now run by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa. Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother have had a rocky relationship. In an interview in Saturday's Orlando Sentinel, Earnhardt reiterated the notion that he might someday leave DEI. Reached Saturday at the track, Earnhardt said he was simply restating his desire to drive for Childress "years and years" down the road. "Nothing's going on, I promise you that," he said.(USA Today)(6-27-2005)
Menard and DEI? UPDATE 2 engines? been hearing that John Menard, who's son Paul, runs for DEI in the Busch Series [#11 Menard Chevy] may be buying into ownership of DEI...not sure if in part or whole....or at all.(5-20-2005) UPDATE: Richie Gilmore, Director of Motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., strongly disputed rumors that millionaire businessman John Menard is attempting to buy the team. Talk of a potential sale was prevalent in the garage area at Pocono Raceway, where several drivers and owners from other teams confirmed that they had heard the rumor. “There is no truth to it at all,” Gilmore said. “John (Menard) is a great sponsor of ours, but that’s all it is. Over the years, many ‘players’ have tried to buy DEI. We’ve been contacted by owners of NFL and NBA teams about it. Teresa (Earnhardt) has no interest.” Menard’s son Paul drives the #11 DEI Chevy in the Busch Series.(Gaston Gazette)(6-11-2005) UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been complaining about horsepower much of the season, and now it appears that DEI will be building a new engine shop, perhaps with Menard Engineering help. Owner John Menard's son Paul drives Busch cars for DEI. Menard Engineering also provides motors for Robby Gordon.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-27-2005)
Earnhardt Squares Off Against 11-Year-Old Karter at Infineon: Not only did 11-year-old Andrew Wolocatiuk get to zip around the 16-turn, three-quarter karting Infineon Raceway track on Wednesday at speeds in excess of 50 mph, he did so against NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two drivers staged a five-lap challenge race as a promotion for this weekend's Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend at Infineon Raceway. Earnhardt posted the victory in the five-lap race against young Wolocatiuk, but the Petaluma resident had a great time. "It was really cool. I didn't realize what a cool guy he was but he was great," said Wolocatiuk, a regular competitor in the Jim Russell Karting Series at Infineon Raceway. It was the first time Earnhardt Jr. had seen the twisting kart track at Infineon Raceway and he came away impressed. "I just had a really good time," he said. "I think if Andrew had a better kart he would have given me a run for my money. Maybe we can come out and do this again some time." Earnhardt Jr. competed in a corporate kart, featuring 15 horsepower and a top speed of 60 mph. Wolocatiuk drove a cadet kart, featuring 12 horsepower with a top speed of 55 mph. When the weight differential was factored in, the karts were equally prepared. Earnhardt Jr. gave Wolocatiuk his racing gloves as a souvenir following the challenge race. The two drivers staged four warm-up laps before the five-lap challenge race. Earnhardt took the lead on the second lap and won by three seconds.(Infineon Raceway)(6-23-2005)
Dale Jr. has the flu: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 16th in points and winless this season, has declined numerous interview requests this week. Earnhardt has had the flu, and team officials say he would rather let his performance on the track do the talking. He ran a fast lap Friday of 186.047, 35th-best in the first practice at Michigan International Speedway for the Batman Begins 400, then went 185.610, 42nd-best in the final practice in his #8 Budweiser Chevy.(Detroit Free Press)(6-18-2005)
DEI Teams Now Sharing: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not pleased with the state of his team, which fell to 16th in the standings after last week’s 33rd-place finish at Pocono. However, he is happy with the communication between his #8 Budweiser team and the #15 NAPA team of Michael Waltrip since Steve Hmiel was named his crew chief last month. “It’s better than I ever remember it being,” he said. “We want both DEI teams to make the (championship) chase.” Waltrip’s team moved up two spots to #15 with a fifth-place finish at Pocono. “We’re struggling, but I know how hard we’re working,” Earnhardt said. “And seeing the 15 team have success gives me confidence that we’ll be able to pull out of this.”(The State)(6-17-2005)
Rondeau sticking with DEI thru 2005, Menard to run some Cup races: Dale Earnhardt Inc. director of racing Richie Gilmore Saturday said #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s former crew chief Pete Rondeau has made a commitment to the organization for the rest of 2005. Gilmore said he was not aware if Rondeau was seeking other crew chief opportunities outside DEI. Gilmore confirmed plans to place DEI's other Busch Series driver, Paul Menard, in several Nextel Cup races later this season and said Rondeau would be involved.(NASCAR.com)(6-12-2005)
Dale Jr. discusses Hmiel: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he won’t turn his back on his friend Shane Hmiel in lieu of NASCAR suspending Hmiel for testing positive for a banned substance. The Bud Chevy driver said "It’s disappointing, but I won’t turn my back on my friend. I’ll help him however he needs to be helped. Just thinking about him this weekend, I know he’s probably down but that’s a tough one...that’s tough you know. It’s a mistake that you hate to see somebody make twice but he could still turn his life around so whatever I can do to help."(PRN's Garage Pass)(6-5-2005)
Dale Jr. and Mikey Talk: from a GM Racing PR - Saturday morning practice quotes at Dover International Speedway, Richie Gilmore, Director of Motorsports if DEI explained the accident between #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #15-Michale Waltrip in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway: "(Junior) got into him. That's how the wreck started. Junior apologized the Michael on Monday. They talked a couple of times during the week and we don't think we have any problems and it was definitely not intentional." Did Junior say anything more about why he made the mistake? "Just a mistake. He caught him faster than he thought he was. I think he was excited that.that car hasn't run in contention to win for while. That was probably the best that car's been all year.(GM Racing PR)(6-4-2005)
New Chassis on the way for DEI: While some teams use chassis built in-house to incorporate details that make them more suitable to their driver's styles, DEI is taking a chassis it bought from a manufacturer and modifying it in an attempt to develop a feel that works best for Earnhardt Jr., Waltrip and Martin Truex Jr. The chassis has been tested at Kentucky Speedway, but DEI has yet to try it in a race just yet. Truex almost drove the chassis at Charlotte, but went with a more proven car. Earnhardt thinks it will make a big difference once the refined car becomes part of his arsenal.(ESPN.com)(6-2-2005)
Eury Sr. not happy with Dale Jr. UPDATE There were a record 22 cautions (one turned into red) during the Coca-Cola 600 last Sunday. One flew after Dale Earnhardt Jr. tagged teammate Michael Waltrip from behind. Tony Eury Sr., Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s director of competition, was not happy. Clearly. "I don't know what his (Junior's) problem is with Michael," Eury said, "but it will be fixed tomorrow--I guarantee it. He acts like he's friends with him, but every time he gets near him on the racetrack, he ends up wrecking him. DEI has enough problems. We don't need that."(Sporting News)(5-30-2005) UPDATE - comments from Dale Jr.: "There's no problem between me and Michael," he said. "There's no problem between me and Michael and I think Michael understands that. He’s definitely not the person I wanted to run into tonight. It’s unfortunate. Hopefully everybody can come to terms with it one way or another. I know some guys on Michael’s team are probably upset and don’t really know. I mean, if you’re not in the race car, you don’t know what the hell’s going on out there, so I can’t expect anyone to understand what exactly was going on at that moment and time, and how we all came together and wrecked. The people that understand, they’ll move on and we’ll try to get better next week. … (Me and Michael) don’t get into the habit of running into each other. And we don’t really race each other that hard. We actually try to work together most of the time. It’s just unfortunate. We’re out there racing, and he happened to be the guy. It could’ve been anybody else. He’s the last person I wanted to run into, but we were all going for the same piece of real estate.”(Dale Jr Pitstop/Budweiser PR)(5-31-2005)
Rondeau comments....contract issue? no sharing? Pete Rondeau said he signed a three-year contract when he agreed to be #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief before the Nextel Cup season that never was signed by owner Teresa Earnhardt. In the contract, according to Rondeau, there was a clause that stated he was to be given six weeks notice if performance was in question. “I just show up on Monday, and I’m out of a job,” he said on Saturday. Richie Gilmore, the director of motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, declined to comment on the contract or the clause. Rondeau, who was replaced on an interim basis by Steve Hmiel, said that wasn’t the only promise the company failed to keep. He said Earnhardt’s former team, which is now with #15-Michael Waltrip, never shared information. “There was probably a little bit of a sore spot between the old eight team and us,” said Rondeau, who was Waltrip’s crew chief last season. “Tony Eury Sr. (Earnhardt’s former crew chief), was supposed to be working amongst the two teams. I probably saw him once at Daytona and never saw him again after that. When you’re a single-car team in a multi-car organization, that’s not going to work.” Rondeau said he wasn’t aware of the communication problem Gilmore and Earnhardt cited as the reason for his dismissal. He reminded that the team was 11th in points and had five top-10s after a slow start. “What he got during the race was what he asked for,” said Rondeau, who does not plan to bring legal action against DEI. “During the first two races I was giving too much, but he didn’t want to know the changes (to the car). He just wanted to be the driver and let me be the crew chief, so I backed off. The latest thing I heard was he wasn’t getting enough. I’m not sure he knew what he wanted. Maybe he just wanted somebody to argue with on the radio, and I wasn’t interested.” Rondeau said Gilmore offered him a part-time job as the car chief for the #1 car the remainder of the season. Rondeau is supposed to make a decision by Monday, but because the car is scheduled for only four more races, he is leaning toward not accepting.
Rondeau said he has talked to several other teams about a crew-chief job.(The State)(5-29-2005)
#8 Crew Chief Candidates UPDATE: The two men most prominently mentioned yesterday as candidates [to be #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s new crew chief] were Jimmy Elledge, who is Earnhardt's brother-in-law [married to Kelley] and also crew chief for Chip Ganassi and #41-Casey Mears, and Robbie Reiser, crew chief for 2003 champion #17-Matt Kenseth and owner Jack Roush.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-27-2005) UPDATE: Jimmy Elledge, crew chief on Casey Mears' #41 Target Dodge, has risen to the top of the rumor-mill list of candidates to become Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s permanent crew chief. But the same family conflicts that many blamed for the split between Earnhardt and his uncle and long-time crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., would be an issue again because Elledge is married to Kelley Earnhardt, Dale Jr.'s sister. "It can be a good thing, but I could have brother-in-law, my mother-in-law and my wife all mad at me at the same time," Elledge said, emphasizing that his comments shouldn't be construed as proof that he's seeking the job. But, he said, he's up to the challenge of leading a high-profile team like Earnhardt's #8 Budweiser crew. "I feel I'm ready for it and could handle it," he said, adding that the job of preparing a car for NASCAR's highest-profile driver comes pressure-packed. You've got to be ready for all the challenges," he said. "You've got a sponsorship sitting there that obviously the sky's the limit as far as money. You have a driver sitting there that everybody knows can contend to win the championship. So you'd better have your gun loaded when you walk in the door and know that if you're going to do it you've got to step up to that level and be able to produce. Otherwise it's not going to be a fun ride."
He also said that Earnhardt is very much like his father and requires a special touch as a crew chief. "He's a strong personality," Elledge said. "I watched Kirk [Shelmerdine] and Andy Petree have to hit [Dale Earnhardt Sr.] with a ball bat every once in a while to keep him straight," he said. "[Earnhardt Jr.] is the same way."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(5-29-2005)
So...who is Dale Jr's spotter? Since Steve Hmiel will now be the crew chief and was #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr's spotter, who will spot for Dale Jr. now? been told ot will be part-time Busch Series driver Jimmy Kitchens.(5-25-2005)
#99 Crew chief to #8? #88? One man currently on everyone's want list is Bob Osborne, crew chief for Roush Racing's #99, with driver Carl Edwards. Having two plum positions [#8 and #88] open should open up the market considerably.(Speed Channel)(5-25-2005)
Changes at the #8? Crew Chief? UPDATE 2 Hmiel in: Teresa Earnhardt made a surprise visit to Lowe's Motor Speedway last Saturday night, and some Dale Earnhardt Inc. insiders say it was a move to rally the troops. Several DEI sources expect changes to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 team this week. Pete Rondeau has performed admirably as crew chief, but the front office feels a stronger hand is needed to motivate the brew crew. Jimmy Elledge, crew chief for #41-Casey Mears, and Ford were mentioned as possible replacements. Tony Eury Jr., #15-Michael Waltrip's DEI crew chief and Earnhardt Jr.'s cousin, says he gave his word to his men that under no circumstances would he abandon them during the season.(Sporting News/PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-23-2005) UPDATE: Effective immediately, Steve Hmiel will serve as interim crew chief on the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet driven by Dale
Earnhardt, Jr. in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, replacing Pete Rondeau. Richie Gilmore, Vice President of Motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc. stated, "We are capable of consistently winning and are focused on that as a company. We are going to concentrate our efforts on improved results with the number 8 car." Steve Hmiel, Technical Director at Dale Earnhardt Inc., will replace Rondeau commencing with this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. "Pete is a valuable asset and has brought a number of innovations to our
organization. He will continue to do that in a different capacity and we're happy that Pete is so strongly dedicated to Dale Earnhardt
Incorporated and its success," Gilmore said. He concluded, "We have high expectations of how our teams are to perform and we will utilize every resource we have to win races. Our primary objective is to get the 8 and the 15 solidly into the Chase for the Championship and as a company, we're focusing everything we have at that goal."(DEI PR)(5-24-2005) UPDATE 2: DEI Vice President of Motorsports Richie Gilmore says he has a short list of possible crew chiefs for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Bud Chevy team. This after DEI Technical Director Steve Hmiel was named as the interim replacement for Pete Rondeau who will stay with the company. Gilmore, who wouldn’t name names, says "There are some people under contract and if we can’t get the right guy Steve is prepared to do it for the rest of the year…and if it goes well it might be longer than that." Gilmore doesn’t characterize the move as driven by panic. "We had a plan in the off-season where we needed to get to and we’ve felt like we’ve seen a lot of results that we’ve been happy with…with the #15 and Michael Waltrip and Tony Eury Jr. The #8 was probably three-quarters of the way where we want it to be, but everything seems to be chemistry and the chemistry wasn’t there on race day. Communication from the pit
box to the race car was something that we felt needed to get better." Gilmore still thinks Rondeau has a bright future as a Nextel Cup Crew Chief. “We hope we can get him in a position to be a cup crew chief here down the road and to succeed because we think he is one of the top crew chiefs in the business. He was in a position where the chemistry wasn’t right."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-25-2005)
Dale Jr. and Stewart on the Today Show, May 17th: Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are expected to be featured on
Tuesday morning's broadcast of the "Today" show making a NASCAR "dream" come true for Miechel Bassett of Evansville, Ind., a Home
Depot press release says. The two Nextel Cup drivers took Bassett around Richmond International Raceway in a Richard Petty Driving
Experience car as part of the show's "Live for Today" segment. The segment, taped with NBC "Nightly News" anchor and longtime NASCAR fan Brian Williams, is scheduled to air between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-16-2005)
Johnson has spoken to Dale Jr.: Jimmie Johnson says he’s talked with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and everything is okay between them. This after Junior on Tuesday during testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway called Johnson an “idiot” and blamed him for causing both major crashes last Sunday at Talladega. "Yeah it (Dale’s comments) defiantly caught me off guard, said Johnson, and from what I understand he (Dale Jr.) was put in a bad position during the interview…was put on the spot and some allegations of a comment that came out of my mouth…so looking at that I don’t blame him for saying what he did and I spoke to him and everything’s fine there.
We’ll just move on. It’s racing and this Lowe’s team is very strong…I believe in my team and they believe in me and I know everybody in the garage area respects me. Everybody’s given their opinion, right or wrong everyone can point fingers in every direction but in my opinion it’s a racing incident."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-6-2005)
Dale Jr. still leads Popular Vote: With more than 1 million votes cast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds the lead in the yearlong Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. Actual numbers were not announced, but Earnhardt, who has won the award each of the past two years, is followed in the balloting at www.mostpopulardriver.com by Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Rusty Wallace, Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and series points leader Jimmie Johnson. The voting continues until Nov. 21, the day after the season-ending race at Homestead.(ESPN.com/AP)(4-23-2005)
Dale Jr. isn't concerned about Truex bolting; Expects Mikey back in the #15: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t concerned teammate Martin Truex Jr. will be driving for any team other than DEI. Truex, who is in contract negotiations with car owner Teresa Earnhardt said at Texas rumors of him looking to go elsewhere are false. Dale Jr. said “I feel real confident he (Truex) means what he says and he wants to be with us. I don’t want Martin to feel slighted in any way or feel unhappy with it (his contract) so I told him to just take your time and it’ll get done.” Junior pointed out it took six months to get his current contract worked out. Could Truex be headed for the #15 car replacing Michael Waltrip? Dale Jr. doesn’t think so. “I like working with Michael. If Teresa and Ritchie Gilmore are happy with the way he runs this year I don’t see why we can’t have him back. It isn’t his last year I don’t think…he hasn’t announced his retirement to me. They’ve had good cars…they’ve had some accidents and stuff but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’d win races aside from plate races. They should win every plate race they run and they should have a couple of more here and there because they’re that good a team and I think Michael can get the job done."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show/Sporting News)(4-22-2005)
Dale Jr. the only rookie winner at Texas: Only once in eight races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career NEXTEL Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in 2000. More Rookie Notes and stats on my Rookie of the Year page.(4-13-2005)
An Odd Award for Jr.: The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression has awarded NASCAR a "Jefferson Muzzle" for what it calls an "out of proportion" punishment to driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. for swearing in a live television interview last October. NASCAR docked Earnhardt 25 points and fined him $10,000 for saying in an NBC interview that his victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway "don't mean (expletive) right now" because his late father had won there several more times. NASCAR officials came down hard on Earnhardt in response to increased Federal Communications Commission scrutiny of broadcast indecency last year. The FCC apparently has not yet ruled on whether NBC or its affiliates will be punished; FCC spokeswoman Janice Wise said if no ruling has been posted on the commission's Web site, it should be considered an "open item." While acknowledging that NASCAR is not a government entity and is entitled to punish drivers for using profanity, the Jefferson Center's Web site said "to punish Earnhardt in a manner so out of proportion to the offense sends a message far more dangerous than anything conveyed by the spontaneous expression of a relatively mild four-letter word."(USA Today)(4-13-2005)
Dickerson may have a new gig UPDATE RCR? DEI?: Chassis and body guru Eddie Dickerson, who was released by Hendrick Motorsports after being arrested in the early-morning hours at Daytona in February (disorderly intoxication), could land at Richard Childress Racing, sources in the garage said.(Speed Channel)(4-11-2005) UPDATE: Former Hendrick Motorsports chassis director Eddie Dickerson will interview with Dale Earnhardt Inc. this week. DEI is starting an in-house chassis program, and Dickerson could use his magic to develop better-handling cars for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who complains about the drivability of his cars.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(4-13-2005)
3 Doors Down scheme for Dale Jr. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run a #8 Chevy Rock & Roll - 3 Doors Down scheme at Richmond in September. See an image of the scheme on my #8 Team Schemes page.(4-5-2005)
No Crew Flip-Flop at DEI: For those who wondered if conditions at Dale Earnhardt Inc. were dire enough to swap the Nos. 15 and 8 crews and cars back to the original drivers--think again. "There will never be a flip back," says a DEI source, who adds that the 15 crew, formerly the No. 8, was disappointed with Earnhardt. "I don't think they would take him back. We said we would work with Michael (Waltrip) this year for us to get a young gun for next year. What's happened is fate, and we're going to make the most of it." Earnhardt echoed similar sentiments and reiterated his confidence in crew chief Pete Rondeau. "The way Pete has hung in there further constitutes my belief in him," he says. Earnhardt and Waltrip are 17th and 27th, respectively, in points.(Sporting News)(4-4-2005)
Eury Jr. to bolt DEI? Crew chief Tony Eury Jr., the key car chief in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s title runs the past two years, is reported to be one of hottest items in the garage, with several rival teams interested in hiring him away from Dale Earnhardt Inc., where he now runs Michael Waltrip's #15 team. It is unclear if rival Chevy teams are interested in Eury or Ford or Dodge team owners.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-4-2005)
Dale Jr. Comments: Even though he pulled off the Bristol sweep last fall, Dale Earnhardt Jr. says winning the Busch and Nextel Cup races like Carl Edwards did at Atlanta will be a tough act to follow. He said "I don’t know man, the way Carl did it at Atlanta I thought he topped me there so that was pretty impressive. The passes that he made to win in both races I think he topped all of us. It’ll be a while before anybody can do it like he did it."(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show)(3-31-2005)
Dale Jr. comments on troubles: A lot of people want to know the reason behind Dale Earnhardt Jr’s. poor start to the 2005 season. Taking time out from testing at Martinsville Junior said he doesn't blame his new pit crew but claims DEI is playing catch up. Dale Jr said "There’s a lot of other stuff and variables going on in the sport right now to where DEI is a company that’s found itself behind in a lot of areas. We've got great race cars but there are guys who have better ones now and we've got to work hard and gain on some areas." So, Dale was asked, how do you do that? He said "Gotta hire some people, steal some people, get rid of the dead weight...that’s the only way you can do it. I heard somebody say that (Junior joked)...that’s a quote...(smiling)...not my own.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-29-2005)
Dale Jr. Flashlight to promote safety: Duracell and Dale Jr. show race fans the light. Duracell is partnering with NASCAR's most popular to driver to introduce an important safety tool for race fans during the upcoming busy traveling season. Duracell is introducing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. branded flashlight to coincide with the brand's launch of a safety campaign to education drivers on the importance of being prepared on the road. The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Focus Grip Max flashlight will have an ergonomic, rubberized grip and
adjustable light beam that easily shifts from spot to flood mode. This unique flashlight features a sleek red and black race design
emblazoned with Earnhardt Jr.'s car number and signature, and allows race fans to follow driver #8, whether at trackside, traveling in
the car or using it around the house. It's currently available in retail outlets nationwide. The flashlight introduction comes as Duracell launches a safety campaign to educate drivers on the importance of being prepared on the road. The Company will use automotive experts to share advice on automotive preparedness and safe driving throughout the year. Road safety tips, developed in conjunction with the Car Care Council, will also be made available to consumers via www.duracell.com beginning in mid-March. Like Duracell's other Focus Grip Max flashlights, the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Focus Grip Max will have an ergonomic, rubberized grip and adjustable light beam that easily shifts from spot to flood mode. This unique flashlight features a sleek red and black race design emblazoned with Earnhardt Jr.'s car number and signature. The flashlight will be bundled with Duracell alkaline batteries, and has a suggested retail price of $9.99-10.99 at retail outlets nationwide. Duracell is a status sponsor of NASCAR and the "Official Alkaline Battery" of the sport.(Alan Taylor Communications)(3-24-2005)
Teresa Earnhardt to be honored: The Greater Charlotte Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) is holding its annual Events in Excellence Awards (EVIES) Saturday, March 19, 2005 at The Extravaganza Depot located at 1610 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Teresa Earnhardt, a lifelong resident of North Carolina who serves as the President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., a motorsports company located in Mooresville, NC. Ms. Earnhardt and her seven-time NASCAR champion husband, Dale Earnhardt, began operation of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 1980. Ms. Earnhardt is a leader in the branding and licensing of the now billion dollar industry of sports licensing. In the 1980s, she introduced trade marking to the NASCAR community by positioning Dale's image and signature with corporations world wide. Her meticulous attention to detail has become the staple by which Dale Earnhardt, Inc. operates today. In 2002, Ms. Earnhardt took on an impassioned endeavor with her creation of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. This initiative continues to perpetuate her late husband’s ideals in wildlife conservation, education and children’s charities. The EVIE Awards evening will begin at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the live auction will benefit the International Special Events Foundation, educational programs offered by the Greater Charlotte Chapter of ISES and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Tickets are $90 per person for ISES members ($125 non ISES members); table sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000. Latin attire is encouraged! For more information about the 2005 EVIE Awards or to purchase tickets to the event, call 704-332-5819 or visit www.ises-charlotte.com.(DEI Site)(3-11-2005)
Seven Drivers in Tylenol Spots: Johnson & Johnson has signed endorsement deals with seven Nextel Cup drivers to promote the launch of Tylenol's Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels, Street & Smiths's SportsBusiness Journal reports. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jarrett, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Elliott Sadler make up Team Tylenol. The campaign will include television ads during race broadcasts and sponsorship at 11 tracks. Earnhardt Jr. and Gordon are scheduled to be featured on packages of the product sold during the third quarter of the year. Exact financial terms of the deal were not reported, but the story by Terry Lefton says the entire campaign is "an eight-figure investment."(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-8-2005)
Dale Jr's Streak Ends: The poor finish [32nd, tire problems] drops #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the 14th position in Nextel Cup
points, breaking a string of 70 consecutive races in the Top-10. It had been the longest active streak and one of the 10 best all-time
streaks in the modern era. The 40th starting position at California Speedway for Earnhardt was his worse since the final race in 2000.(fingerprintinc/Budweiser PR)(2-28-2005)
Jr's Sunglasses:Orange 21 Inc., a newly public company out of Carlsbad, Calif., unveiled Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s signature sunglasses. The signature style, deemed “E Eyewear,” is actually the brainchild of Earnhardt himself. The driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet worked throughout the entire design process to dream up even the most minor details of the glasses. “I’ve worked with companies in the past a little bit on design,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I wanted kind of like a Steve McQueen style, retro. The glass itself is inset a little bit, kind of like the headlight of a ‘70s-era hot rod. There’s some sharp corners and angles. They wrap a little bit too because I like sunglasses that wrap tight to your face. My head’s not quite as big as Boris (Said)’s. I didn’t know exactly how much input I was going to have, but it was more than I expected. I was able to basically build the sunglasses from the ground up. It was a lot of fun to do, and to see it come to a head and here it is in my hands, it’s pretty amazing. It’s a really good feeling.”
On the process of designing his signature sunglasses: “We made revisions. They would get a mold to me, and me and Boris would kind of talk about it, and then would take back the things we’d like to see different. That took about two or three times. It’s always kind of a work in progress up until the final version. What I wanted was something that you could wear with a suit to the banquet if you wanted to, or here at the racetrack in jeans and a t-shirt. It’s kind of versatile. It kind of transcended from if you’re on the lake in shorts and a t-shirt or if you’ve got a formal engagement. We’re going to come out with a pair each year, keep designing different pairs, different styles. Not necessarily just a revision of this, we’re going to build from the ground up each year.”(California Speedway site)(2-26-2005)
NASCAR announces fines for Daytona infractions: NASCAR announced Wednesday that 15 penalties - including 11 fines totaling $102,000 - have been issued to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, resulting from rule violations during the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 race weeks at Daytona International Speedway.
Two of those penalties were issued to Robby Gordon Motorsports, including the most severe fine – $50,000 for crew chief Bob Temple – because of an unapproved intake manifold on the #7 Chevrolet discovered during the initial Daytona 500 inspection process on Feb. 11. Robby Gordon’s car owner Jim Smith was penalized 25 car owner championship points. The #7 was in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules). Gordon currently has no driver championship points, because the #7 failed to make the Daytona 500 field. Smith, however, earned 31 owner points at Daytona. Per the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book, a car owner receives points based on qualifying results, if their car fails to actually qualify for a starting field.
Four penalties were issued to Wood Brothers Racing, because of an unapproved spoiler adjustment on the #21 Ford that took place after pre-race inspection for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona (Daytona 500 qualifying races) on Feb. 17. Ricky Rudd was penalized 25 driver points; Glen Wood was penalized 25 owner points; and crew chief Michael McSwain was fined $25,000. Also, crew member Marc Smith was suspended from NASCAR competition until March 31. The #21 also was in violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q.
Pete Rondeau, crew chief on the #8 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., was fined $10,000 for an unapproved third gear transmission ratio. The violation was discovered during the initial inspection for the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 10. The #8 was in violation of Section 12-4-A and 12-4-CC (unapproved rear end gear or transmission gear ratio).
David Charpentier, crew chief for the #14 Ford driven by John Andretti, was fined $10,000 because of improperly attached weight, a violation of 12-4-A and 12-4-W (improperly attached weight) determined during pre-race inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.
Also, the following NASCAR NEXTEL Cup crew chiefs were issued $1,000 fines:
* Harold Holly (#32 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr.), because of an unapproved fuel cell well (violating Section 12-4-U) found during the initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11. There were false panels inside the well.
* Jimmy Elledge (#41 Dodge driven by Casey Mears), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial Budweiser Shootout inspection on Feb. 10.
* Jim Penland (#23 Dodge driven by Mike Skinner), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
* Robert Leslie (#33 Chevrolet driven by Kerry Earnhardt), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 11.
* Beau Tiffany (#52 Ford driven by Larry Gunselman), because of an unapproved fire suppression agent (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
* Stanton Hover Jr. (#80 Ford driven by Andy Belmont), because of an unapproved side window (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
* Hover, because of an unapproved fire bottle (12-4-Q) found during the 500’s initial inspection process on Feb. 11.(NASCAR PR)
The penalties drop Rudd from 24th to 33rd in Drivers Points and the team to 33rd in 2005 Owners Points.
Drops Gordon's team from 44th to 52nd in 2005 Owners Points
Owners points don't come into play until race #6 for starting spots.(2-23-2005)
Polaris Program to Benefit Victory Junction: Polaris Industries Inc. today announced plans to sponsor a child for a
week at the Victory Junction Gang Camp for each Nextel Cup finish in the top eight that Dale Earnhardt Jr. collects in Dale Earnhardt
Inc.'s # 8 Budweiser Chevrolet in 2005.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-24-2005)
Rondeau Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Pete Rondeau had the weight of the racing world on his shoulders this weekend. After an unbelievably dominant feat by the #8 Budweiser team in last year's Daytona 500, everyone was
expecting Rondeau's debut as crew chief to bring Dale Earnhardt Jr. a repeat performance. Although it looked bleak for Rondeau in the
beginning stages of the race, he took a car that was barely running in the top-20 and transformed it into a top-five finisher. For his
efforts, Rodeau was voted the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. The panel voting for the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race consisted of Buddy Shacklette of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Robbie Resier and a WYPALL Wipers Representative. All three members of the panel agreed Rondeau was the top pick. With his win, Pete Rondeau is in first place in the WYPALL Wipers
Crew Chief Challenge. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $20,000.00. For more information, visit www.wypall.com.(Wypall Wipers PR)(2-22-2005)
Dale Jr. says he is staying at DEI: Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced Friday he is forming a lower-level race team, but the big news was a statement about his status at Dale Earnhardt Inc. "I'm never going to sever ties with DEI," Earnhardt said. "I'm always going to be a part of that organization." For more than a year, there has been speculation that Earnhardt might leave DEI when his contract expires in 2007. Rumors persisted of him possibly joining Richard Childress Racing, where his legendary father won six of his seven NASCAR driving championships. Earnhardt's words Friday might put those rumors to rest, at least for a while. His statement came when he was asked if he might eventually leave DEI to race for his own team.(Dallas Morning News)(2-12-2005)
Dale Jr. commercials to debut tonight: Anheuser-Busch will unveil two new Budweiser commercials featuring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the national broadcast of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona on FOX on Saturday night [Feb 12th]. Below are brief details for each spot:
Title: “Horsepower”
Description: Dale Jr. takes a spin in a vehicle with different “horses” under the hood – the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
Agency: DDB Chicago; First airdate: Feb. 12, 2005
Title: “Aerodynamic”
Description: While the Budweiser #8 Chevrolet is in the wind tunnel for aerodynamic testing, Dale Jr. decides to take a walk inside for some fresh air
Agency: DDB Chicago; First airdate: Feb. 12, 2005.(fingerprintinc.com)(2-12-2005)
Dale Jr.'s Late Model Team: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is continuing to grow his JR Motorsports operation and will field a car for Mark McFarland in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. McFarland will also drive a limited late model schedule for the team. "It's a fun effort, yet it's a serious effort,'' said Earnhardt, who is using it as a springboard for even more opportunities. "As far as moving on into other series, the sky's the limit." The late Dale Earnhardt began his empire with a Busch Series team before expanding it to three Nextel Cup cars. Junior called his father's start his "blueprint.'' In a company called Chance 2 Motorsports, co-owned with his stepmother, Teresa, Earnhardt fields a car in the Busch Series for reigning series champion Martin Truex Jr. The McFarland entry is his first sole ownership venture. "For JR Motorsports, there's no limit or reins, except for the budget side of it. As it is successful, we will proceed and my roots with DEI will continue to grow. Who says you can't have it all?'' he said. "I'm definitely determined to build a team that could compete full-time in the Busch Series or, God willing, the Cup series, some day. It's just an egg we've hatched and, hopefully, it will grow and be successful.''(ESPN.com/AP) AND Winfuel announced its full season primary sponsorship of JR Motorsports #32 Chevrolet, with driver Mark McFarland in the Southern Division of the USAR Hooters’ Pro Cup Series. Everything is in place for JR Motorsports to be contending for wins at every event, with driver Mark McFarland and crew chief Jefferson Hodges having over 100 wins combined. The most notable of Mark’s many racing accomplishments is his 2003 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series national championship. Winfuel will soon be available at fine retail locations, at every race in the WINFUEL merchandise trailer, and at www.winfuel.com. The product launch will be supported by national television advertising campaign.(Winfuel site)(2-12-2005)
Born on Date Scheme returns at Daytona for Dale Jr.: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a special paint scheme for Saturday
night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, as well as next Sunday's Daytona 500. The candy-apple red and white paint scheme was unveiled at Daytona before the starting line-up was drawn for the Budweiser Shootout. The "Born on Date" will read "12 FEB 2005" for the Shootout and "20 FEB 2005" for the Daytona 500. To see an image of the car before it hits the race track for practice Friday, click to the Budweiser Shootout site.
Two of Earnhardt Jr.'s most memorable victories at the Daytona International Speedway have come in specially-painted versions of the
#8 Budweiser Chevrolet. The first took place in July 2001, when Dale Jr. won the Pepsi 400 in a white-and-red Bud car commemorating baseball's all-star game. The second was last February, when Dale Jr. won the Daytona 500 in a paint scheme promoting Budweiser's "Born on Date" theme.(fingerprintinc/Budweiser PR), for an image of the scheme, see my #8 Team Schemes page.(2-11-2005)
Young Guns back: After a highly successful 2004 season, the Gillette Young Guns are kicking the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series into high gear with new sweepstakes and consumer promotions that will give fans and the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) the chance to win prizes ranging from $1,000 to $1 million. The Gillette Young Guns - #97-Kurt Busch, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #29-Kevin Harvick, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #17-Matt Kenseth and #12-Ryan Newman - dominated their inaugural 2004 season, winning over 50 percent of the 36 Cup races. Busch won the 2004 championship, followed by fellow Young Guns Johnson and Earnhardt Jr., who finished second and fifth in the final points standings, respectively. Newman and Kenseth finished in seventh and eighth place, respectively, and Harvick finished 14th overall for the season. Collectively the Young Guns won 22 of the 36 races in 2004, claimed 70 top-fives and 109 top-10 finishes along the way. Gillette will again leverage these drivers and its NASCAR sponsorship with a comprehensive marketing communications program on several levels throughout the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. The program includes consumer promotions and retail events, a national "Watch
& Win" consumer sweepstakes, dedicated NASCAR print and broadcasting advertising, licensing, interactive on-line consumer promotions, charitable contributions and hospitality. Consumers can celebrate the beginning of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season with the Gillette Young Guns $1 Million Watch & Win Sweepstakes. If the year end Chase for the NEXTEL Cup isn't exciting enough, consumers will have the opportunity to win big by following the Gillette Young Guns over six of the last seven races of the season. By correctly predicting the finishing order of the six Young Guns for each race, fans will automatically be entered into a points race of their own. One lucky fan that wins this unique points race will win a trip for two to the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami and the chance to win up to $1 million. Cnsumers also will be able to register online to predict the highest finishing Gillette Young Gun prior to each of this season's 36 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events. Each week, all correct entrants will be automatically entered in a drawing for a $5,000 prize. More info on my Racing Contests page or at www.gilletteyoungguns.com.(Alan Taylor Communications PR)(2-11-2005)
Dale Jr. wins RACER award: RACER magazine’s 10th annual survey of its readers’ views of the outstanding auto racing performers of the season produced a number of firsts. Chief among them was the selection of Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the overall Racer of the Year for the first time. The Daytona 500 champ, who also topped the “RACER’s Dozen” list of the most powerful and influential people in racing compiled by the editors of the magazine last June, edged Michael Schumacher for the top award by three percentage points, 24-21, in balloting conducted online at SpeedTV.com throughout the month of December.(Speed Magazine)(2-7-2005)
Lunch at DEI with Teresa: Teresa Earnhardt is donating her time to the Communities in Schools Networks to help raise funds through their Lunch with a Leader auction. People can bid to have lunch with celebrities and leaders in the entertainment, sports and business worlds. Teresa is listed in the Business Leaders section and you place your bid via www.lunchwithaleader.com starting on January 18 – February 11. The winning bidder will not only get to have lunch with Teresa in the renowned Trophy Room here at DEI, but it will also include a tour of the DEI race shops.(DEI Site), for more info to bid on lunch with Teresa or with Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace, Richard Petty....... see www.lunchwithaleader.com.(1-20-2005)
Dale Jr. in DC UPDATE 2 DW too: Dale Earnhardt Jr. listed among the celebs and entertainers for the "A Celebration of Freedom" event on the inaugural event list announced today by the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee. PIC director Greg Jenkins announced the list which includes Dale Junior, Kenny Chesney, Buzz Aldrin & Others under the astronaut category. The Gatlin Brothers, The Temptations, Singer Daniel Rodriquez, the Radio City Rockettes, Boxkar, Kristen Chenoweth, Yolanda Adams and others will also be a part of the "Clebration of Freedom" event which is part of inaugural week events in Washington, DC. The Celebration of Freedom event is Wed., Jan 19th at 4:00pm/et in Washington, DC.(Claire B. Lang - XM Satellite NASCAR Radio)(1-13-2005) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t expect to attend the inauguration later this month of President George W. Bush; however the Bud Chevy driver will join NASCAR President Mike Helton in several pre-inaugural celebrations. Junior told PRN’s Garagepass he was invited to the concert hosted by twins Jenna and Barbara Bush, however he cannot attend due to a prior commitment. Still, Dale hopes to visit the President’s daughters in person to thank them for the invitation and said “If I get a chance to talk with George that would be awesome!” He went on to say, “When you’re in the racing business they bring the President around every once in a while and you get to meet him. I met George Bush more than, of course, than I ever saw Bill Clinton, but probably met him (Bush) face-to-face shaking hands three or four times…talked to him on my cell phone once…that was a highlight of my life.” While in Washington DC, “I’m just hanging out with Mike Helton and he’s going to show me where we’re supposed to be and hopefully we’ll get to give George a shout out.”(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show)(1-15-2005) UPDATE 2: Darrell Waltrip will be attending the Inauguration, Parade and Presidential Ball on Thursday, Jan 20th.(1-18-2005)
Dale Jr. gets a jet: Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't have to bum a plane ride from his racing pals anymore. Notoriously frugal, Earnhardt has joined the ranks of drivers with his own plane, having purchased a Lear 60 twin-engine jet. ``I've been trying to avoid getting a plane because it's really expensive, but we got to looking at them and talking about it and it seemed like there were a couple of places where we got stuck and hung up,'' Earnhardt said Wednesday. ``With your own plane you don't have to wait on everybody to show up to take off.'' Earnhardt always had the option of riding on the Dale Earnhardt Inc. company plane, but because that plane transported team members for both his car and teammate Michael Waltrip, he would have to leave earlier and stay longer. Having his own jet will allow Earnhardt to spend at least another week at home over the course of the season. Last summer, while suffering with burns suffered in a sports car crash in Sonoma, Calif., Earnhardt accepted plane or helicopter rides from some of his driver friends, including Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart. The Lear 60 seats six passengers comfortably, plus two pilots, and travels at about 520 mph. Earnhardt wouldn't give specifics on his purchase but said they cost between $5 1/2 million and $8 1/2 million. And that doesn't include the cost of pilots and fuel.(Tampa Tribune)(1-13-2005)
You will see Dale Jr. on TV in 2005: It's an incredibly busy month for Dale Jr... Between test sessions, he is becoming tan from all of the klieg lights and flashbulbs. At last count, Junior will appear in 891 different TV commercials in 2005 [actually told this is a 'tongue-in-cheek' statement. just meaning Dale Jr. will be in many commercials, no exact count has been made].(fingerprint inc)(1-10-2005)
Some Crew Changes: Chief engineer Chad Walters is the latest to defect from Dale Earnhardt Inc. Walters, who worked with former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Gary DeHart on Terry Labonte's #5, will bring his expertise back to Hendrick and the #5, which will be driven by Kyle Busch. Ed Young, who was the shop foreman for Matt Kenseth's #17 team, has left Roush Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. Justin Nottestad, who also is Kenseth's front tire changer, will take over Young's duties.(FoxSports)(1-10-2005)
DEI Sends Young Drivers for road testing: Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) is trying to stay a step ahead of the competition. With the 2005 racing season rapidly approaching and a new road race in Mexico City slated for the NASCAR Busch Series schedule, DEI recently enrolled members of its driver development program into the Advanced Road Racing two-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving near Phoenix. The goal was to sharpen the drivers’ road-race skills under the supervision of some serious road-course masters. The students included Shane Hmiel, who has shown great promise since joining the Busch Series at the end of 2001, and Ryan Moore, a 21-year-old upstart who only recently signed with DEI after earning Busch North Series rookie-of-the-year honors in 2003. Driver Paul Menard, another DEI hopeful, was also on hand for a day of instruction. To help accelerate the learning curve, GM Racing called upon veteran Corvette driver Ron Fellows. Fellows’ role was to assist Bondurant’s expert team in teaching advanced road-racing skills to the DEI drivers in both the classroom and on the track. Hmiel will run a full Busch schedule this year, and to be successful he will have to apply what he learned from Fellows and the Bondurant instructors. Moore will again compete in the Busch North Series and is standing by for the rest of his upcoming duties for DEI. Fellows, who will be back behind the wheel of a Corvette in the American Le Mans Series this year, says he will be “very surprised” if he doesn’t compete in the Busch Series race in Mexico City.(Autoweek)(1-4-2005)
Dale Jr. Special on CMT, the 60 Minutes Interview: CMT presents a night of NASCAR with two thrilling premieres including CMT 40 Greatest NASCAR Moments on Friday, Jan. 28 at 8:00-10:00pm/et/pt, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Uncut: 60 Minutes Special at 10:00-11:00pm/et/pt. A new two-hour original special, CMT 40 Greatest NASCAR Moments when CMT counts down 40 of the most memorable wins, wrecks and rivalries in NASCAR history. Narrated by veteran race announcer Ken Squier, CMT 40 GREATEST NASCAR MOMENTS drives fans through more than 50 years of their favorite moments, from the first “Strictly Stock” race in 1949 to Dale Earnhardt’s first Daytona 500 win, and features new interviews with Robert “Junior” Johnson, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Richard Childress, Jeff Gordon, Donnie Allison, Darrell Waltrip, NASCAR President Mike Helton and more.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Uncut: 60 Minutes Special with Mike Wallace premieres exclusively on CMT with never-before-seen footage of one of NASCAR’s elite, Dale Earnhardt Jr. In the in-depth special, Earnhardt Jr. discusses everything from his fiery crash in Sonoma, Calif. to his legendary father, Dale, to Dating for Dummies. Champion driver and friend Tony Stewart guests.(Arizona Racing Times)(1-4-2005)
2004 News
Dale Jr. Donates Most Popular Winnings: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has donated the $10,000 he won in the Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits Most Popular Driver contest to two animal welfare organizations. The Animal Adoption League and the Lake Norman Lucky Cats organization in North Carolina received the money Earnhardt Jr. won from the contest run by the National Motorsports Press Association.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(12-18-2004)
Labbe turned down #8 crew chief gig: Richard "Slugger" Labbe told Sirius Speedway - Sirius Satellite Radio/MRN Radio host Dave Moody (Sirius Satellite Radio/MRN) that he was offered the crew chief position with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s Budweiser Chevrolet Team, but turned it down. "They offered me five or six different things, including the crewchief job on the 8 car," he said. "But I didn't like some of the things that were happening there. I've been in this business for 18 years, and I'm in it because I love it. I want to go to work, have fun and be challenged. I didn't see myself being happy in any of the jobs they offered me."(Sirius Speedway - Sirius Satellite Radio/MRN Radio)(12-15-2004)
Buy a Tree for Dale: If you’re looking for a truly unique gift for that special someone this holiday season, you can now give them their very own Sycamore or Tulip Poplar tree growing kit from Dale Earnhardt’s North Carolina farm, or you can plant trees in their honor in the Dale Earnhardt Forest. In April 2004, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation and American Forests announced a partnership under which the Foundation will provide American Forests with an initial grant in support of plans to establish the Dale Earnhardt Forest . The initial phase of this national project will be the planting of 77,000 trees to restore Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area forests damaged by storm, disease and development. The new trees will provide substantial environmental benefits such as cleaner air, erosion control and wildlife habitat. More info at the DEI Site.(I placed my order to do both and will plant my new tree/seeds on my property.(12-8-2004)
Born on Date Scheme returns at Daytona UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will return with another Bud Born on Date paint scheme at Daytona in February.(RacingOne)(12-7-2004) UPDATE: been told that the scheme will not be at Daytona?(12-8-2004)
A Hint of the future? [just a rumor....] While there were only a few mistakes made on stage during the nearly three-hour event, one very glaring error raised more than a few eyebrows. During a video montage of comments by drivers and team owners discussing Nextel's impact upon the sport as series sponsor in 2004, a three-second clip showed Richard Childress on the left side of the screen with a split-screen of identical images of Dale Earnhardt Jr. on top of each other on the right. Rumors continue to build – and especially in light of this past week's shakeup at Dale Earnhardt Inc. – that Dale Earnhardt Jr. may jump ship after his contract with DEI expires following the 2006 season and join RCR, perhaps replacing Kevin Harvick.(Yahoo Sports)(12-5-2004)
Most Popular to be announced on Friday AND the Winner is........: The winner of the 2004 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award will be announced Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at 10:30am/et during the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City. One guess who it will be???? The Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it's a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide. This year, nearly four million votes were cast by thousands of fans at www.mostpopulardriver.com.(12-2-2004) WINNER - Dale Jr: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. continued to set standards among NASCAR fans nationwide in 2004. For the second straight year, fans voted Earnhardt, Jr. the Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver. The announcement was made today during the National Motorsports Press Association's (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Earnhardt, Jr. becomes just the fifth driver in the award's history to have won in consecutive years, joining Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott and Darrell Waltrip. A year ago, his selection by race fans made Earnhardt, Jr. and his father, Dale Earnhardt, the only father-son combination to have won NASCAR's oldest and most traditional off-track honor.
"It was fun to win it last year, but to get two in a row really means a lot to me," said Earnhardt, Jr. "I've learned this year about how loyal and supportive my fans are. My team had our best season ever, but we also had a lot of trouble along the way, including my injuries. I used to worry about losing my fans after a bad race or two, but I found out this year the fans really got behind me when I needed it the most. It's a big compliment to have that many fans voting for me and letting me know they're supportive and loyal no matter what."
Earnhardt, Jr. has led the voting since the start of the 2004 season, and easily captured enough votes in the record-setting 2004 year to again win the award. He finished with 1,487,512 votes, which exceeds the combined vote totals of the next six most popular drivers. "Dale Jr. is obviously a fan favorite, and this just confirms that," said Kenny Bruce, president of the National Motorsports Press Association. "All of the drivers in NASCAR racing have fans who support them wholeheartedly, and I think it's great what the Earnhardt fans have done. We are grateful to all of the NASCAR fans who were part of the voting process, and we feel they made a good choice."
A record 3.8 million votes were cast in 2004, marking the third straight year more than 3 million votes were cast via the Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com. Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, the third-year sponsor of the award which is administered by the NMPA, has worked to reach fans since voting launched with the season-opening Daytona 500.
"It's been a great honor for us to bring this award to the fans and recognize Dale as their favorite driver," said Annie Zipfel, marketing manager for Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits at General Mills. "We'll continue to share the excitement of this announcement with fans by posting award ceremony highlights on www.mostpopulardriver.com. After all, the fans are really what this award is all about." Following Earnhardt Jr. in the 2004 Most Popular Driver Award final standings were:
#24-Jeff Gordon (496,362)
#29-Kevin Harvick (249,228)
#15-Michael Waltrip (225,011)
#20-Tony Stewart (185,486)
#9-Kasey Kahne (178,280)
#88-Dale Jarrett (127,423)
#6-Mark Martin (98,461)
#48-Jimmie Johnson (92,828)
#18-Bobby Labonte (80,680)
More than 40 drivers received votes
NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it is a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide.
Through the years, the voters' choices have ranged from the obvious to the surprising. Bill Elliott won the award 16 times before retiring his name from the Most Popular Driver Award voting at the beginning of the 2003 season. Richard Petty won the award nine times.(fingerprint inc./DEI)(12-3-2004)
Shakeup at DEI? UPDATE 2 Rondeau to #8, Eury Jr. to #15: hearing there could be some crew/crew chief changes/swapping within the DEI teams, nothing concrete yet, but they could come between the #8 Budweiser team of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #15 NAPA team of driver Michael Waltrip.(11-30-2004) UPDATE: A restructuring of Dale Earnhardt Inc. is underway, the immediate result of which will include a new crew chief next season for Nextel Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tony Eury Sr., who has served as Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief since his debut in the series in the 2000 season, will step down and take a less prominent role at DEI, likely overseeing next year's part-time Cup program [#1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy] of 2004 Busch Series championship Martin Truex Jr., multiple sources confirmed Tuesday. Although final details have not been worked out, two scenarios remain regarding a replacement for Eury Sr. on Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 Budweiser Chevy. The most likely is Pete Rondeau, most recently crew chief for DEI teammate Michael Waltrip, taking the same role with Earnhardt Jr.'s team, sources said. A less likely possibility is Tony Eury Jr., currently Earnhardt Jr's car chief, moving to crew chief, with Tony Gibson - currently crew chief of DEI Busch driver Paul Menard - moving into the car chief position., sources said. Should Rondeau move to Earnhardt Jr.'s team, Eury Jr. would likely take over as crew chief of Waltrip's #15 NAPA Chevys, sources said.(ThatsRacin)(12-1-2004) UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has announced various internal motorsports promotions effective for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. Tony Eury, Sr. has been promoted from Crew Chief of the #8 Chevrolet to Director of Competition. Steve Hmiel, previous Director of Competition, will now be the Technical Director for Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Pete Rondeau has been moved to the Crew Chief position of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet. He took over as Crew Chief on the #15 NAPA Chevrolet during the latter portion of the 2004 Nextel Cup Series season. Rondeau led Earnhardt, Jr. to a Busch Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway this year and Ron Fellows to a second-place finish at Watkins Glen International.
Tony Eury, Jr. will Crew Chief the #15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet of Michael Waltrip. Eury, Jr. was the Car Chief on the #8 Chevrolet for the past five seasons and was also instrumental in Earnhardt, Jr’s two Busch Series championships. The #8 and #15 core members of the teams will collectively transfer intact with the promotions of Eury Jr. and Rondeau, as well. Richie Gilmore, Vice-President of Motorsports for DEI, said the moves come on the heels of a successful season and the teams wanted to improve and achieve even greater success. “We all sat down and talked because we want all of our teams to produce even better results,” Gilmore said. “Everyone is excited about this and we’re already getting ready for Daytona testing. We think the results will show up immediately.”(DEI Site), the 2005 Team Chart has been updated accordingly.(12-1-2004)
Hmiel loses hard card, will NOT spot for Dale Jr. Sunday MORE II: NASCAR officials confiscated Dale Earnhardt Inc. Steve Hmiel's hard card on Saturday and escorted him from the garage at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hmiel was reprimanded in the trailer for inappropriate language over the radio during the Craftsman Truck race on Friday. In addition to Hmiel's position of technical director for DEI, he is also Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s spotter. Earnhardt is currently fourth in the Chase, 72 points behind Kurt Busch. Tony Eury Jr., car chief for the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, says Hmiel's absence is indefinite, and he will not return on Sunday. When asked who will spot for Junior, Eury Jr., replied, "Some guy named Danny." The Sporting News has learned that Danny Culler, who used to spot for the late Dale Earnhardt, will spot for Earnhardt Jr. in Sunday's Ford 400.(FoxSports)(11-20-2004) UPDATE: Steve Hmiel, technical director for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the usual weekend spotter for Dale Earnhardt Jr., was told to leave Homestead-Miami Speedway for the remainder of the weekend Saturday morning by NASCAR President Mike Helton.
The move is a suspension in fact, if not in name. Hmiel was not allowed to spot for Earnhardt Jr. during two Saturday Nextel Cup practice sessions, or for his son, Shane, in Saturday's Busch Series race. Hmiel is also prohibited from spotting for Earnhardt Jr. in Sunday's Ford 400. Earnhardt Jr. is one of five drivers eligible to win the Chase for the Nextel Cup in the race. Officials with Dale Earnhardt Inc. could not be immediately reached for comment late Saturday. Hmiel was asked to leave for making several "inappropriate remarks" – directed at NASCAR officials – over a team radio during Friday's Truck series race, in which he was spotting for his son. "The comments showed a total lack of respect for NASCAR officials. They were totally inappropriate," said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications. At the time of the incident the race was under caution and NASCAR had awarded Shane Hmiel the "free pass" for the first driver not on the lead lap. However, after a review of the circumstances, which included Hmiel crossing the pit road commitment line, NASCAR took back the free pass. Steve Hmiel then lit into NASCAR officials repeatedly over the team radio, including at one point declaring, "NASCAR (expletive) it up." Hmiel reported to the spotter's stand Saturday morning for the first Cup practice session, but was called into a meeting with Helton, during which he was told to leave the track, Hunter said.(ThatsRacin.com) AND NASCAR said Hmiel, director of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., made disparaging remarks about series officials over the radio during Friday's Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hmiel was spotting for his son, Shane, when he became angry about a ruling against him. He was called in for a meeting with NASCAR president Mike Helton Saturday morning and was sent home. "It showed complete disrespect for NASCAR and its officials, so after a meeting with Mike Helton, he was sent home for the weekend," said NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo.(AP/ESPN.com)(11-21-2004) UPDATE: Danny Culler, who used to spot for Dale Earnhardt Jr's father, replaced Hmiel on the spotter's stand Sunday. Halfway through the race, Earnhardt praised Culler on the team radio: "Hey Danny, I know you been doing this a while, but I really like the way you spot. You've done a good job."(Dallas Morning News)(11-22-2004)
Dale Jr. wrecks in practice..goes to backup: from a GM PR
TONY EURY JR., CAR CHIEF, #8 BUDWEISER CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
- Note - Dale Earnhardt Jr. hit the wall during practice and goes to a back-up car. The crew put the motor from the primary car into the
back-up: "We run a support bar on the right side so when they ride the wall during the race, it supports it. It knocked the cage out pretty
good. It kind of kinked the main roll cage. Instead of taking a risk of something happening during the race, we decided to change. It
really doesn't cost us anything. We don't have to go to the back for no reason. Why take the chance? We got the other car out and we've got another one on the way."
(IS JUNIOR COMFORTABLE WITH THE BACK-UP CAR?) "That car actually ran about two-tenths faster than the other one. We haven't run the car all year. It's been a back-up all year. Everything we've got is good, so we're looking forward to it."(GM PR)(11-12-2004)
Dale Earnhardt Theme Park? Is a Dale Earnhardt Theme Park in the planning stages for Iredell County, near the DEI shops? Something big like that could be in the works, apparently, with the possibility that the city of Mooresville could annex DEI country. A new interchange off I-77 could help.(Winston Salem Journal). Jayski Note: there are plans for an interchage off I-77 at Langtree, near me, scheduled to open in 2006. DEI is almost straight East of Langtree, but via back roads. There has been talk of a road at the east end of Langtree at 115 to cut accross to 3. Have seen nothing about this in any local papers.(11-13-2004)
Dale Jr.'s Pit Crew wins at Phoenix: The pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the Phoenix competition of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. The victory lifted the No. 8 team into first place in the pit crew standings with two races remaining in the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule. It was the fourth McDonald's/POWERade win for the #8 crew and in three of those victories Earnhardt also won the race - Richmond (May 15), Talladega (Oct. 3) and Phoenix (Nov. 7). The McDonald's/POWERade point standings got shuffled following the Phoenix race. Earnhardt's team moved from third to first while Elliott Sadler's team dropped from first to third. Tony Stewart's team remained in second, three points out of the lead. The top four crews heading into Darlington (Nov. 14) are: Earnhardt's (1194 points), Stewart's (1191), Sadler's (1181) and Kurt Busch's (1179). Earnhardt's crew is the reigning McDonald's/POWERade champion. Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Phoenix International Raceway's pit road with a time of 285.50 seconds. Biffle's National Guard Ford was second at 325.98 and Jeff Burton's AOL Chevy was third at 329.87. "Great team, great car, great pit stops," said Earnhardt following his Phoenix victory. "What else can you say? I'm really proud of these guys for not giving up this year. We had awesome pit stops all day, and Tony (Eury) Sr. did a great job making the calls from the pits. Whether it was the decision to take four (tires), or the decision to stay out when I was hollerin' on the radio to pit, Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. and the whole team earned their stripes." The #8 over-the-wall crew consists of: Jeff Clarke (gasman), Kevin Pennell (jackman), Phil Drye (front tire changer), Danny Earnhardt (front tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear tire changer), Troy Prince (rear tire carrier), Craig Lund (catch can). Tony Eury Sr. is the crew chief and the car chief is Tony Eury Jr. The pit crew coach is Walt Smith.(DMF Comminications PR), see top-10 at Atlanta with time, season standings and more on my Pit Crew page.(11-11-2004)
Earnhardt's Windshield too thin UPDATE 2 Penalty: NASCAR officials confiscated the windshield from Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 Budweiser Chevy over the weekend. According to spokesman Mike Zizzo, the windshield was too thin and not approved. A penalty is likely, but to what extent will be determined by Nextel Cup series director John Darby, Zizzo said. The penalty should be announced this week.(ThatsRacin)(11-7-2004) UPDATE: the windshield was NOT run in the race, it was taken 'over the weekend'. Minimum thickness is 1/4".(11-9-2004) UPDATE 2: Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for the #8 Chevrolet of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., was fined $2,500 for violating Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules) for having a windshield on the car that was not an approved part and also did not meet the minimum required thickness of one-quarter inch. The infraction was discovered by NASCAR officials during opening-day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(11-10-2004)
Dale Jr's teams: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to be running Mark McFarland out of JR Motorsports in the 2005 Hooters Pro Cup Series. Mark McFarland recently replaced TJ Majors in Dale Jr's #17 late model stock car. Wednesday on NASCAR.com, Leilani sits down with Dale Jr and his new hot shoe, Mark McFarland. Catch "Leilani Reports" every Wednesday on NASCAR.com, her weekly featured video is FREE- no TrackPass subscription required.(11-10-2004)
Eury, Sr. Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Tony Eury, Sr. brought his A-game to Phoenix International Raceway. His racecar dominated the action up front, leading an impressive 118 of 315 laps in the Checker Auto Parts 500. Even when an untimely caution period threatened to keep the #8 Monte Carlo out of Victory Lane, Eury, Sr. made the smart choice not to pit under the yellow. Eury's decision gave Dale Earnhardt, Jr. the track position he needed to get the job done, bringing him a repeat win at Phoenix and his sixth victory of the season. For his combination of savvy strategy and on-track supremacy, Eury Sr. was
voted by the FANS the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Ninety percent of the fans who logged onto www.WYPALL.com voted for Eury, Sr., noting his unmatched setup. Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place with ten wins.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(11-9-2004)
Drivers not happy with garage security: NASCAR's garage security has been terrible this season on the Nextel Cup tour, forcing drivers back into hiding in their motor coaches, to avoid being mobbed by the hundreds of fans swarming through the working areas. Yesterday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally had enough, and to make a point with lackadaisical NASCAR officials, Earnhardt took a page from his late father's book. He sat down on the rear deck of the NASCAR trailer and signed autographs for the crowd that quickly packed the area, making it impossible for officials to enter or leave.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-7-2004)
Dale Jr. repeats at Phoenix: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, his 2nd win in a row at the track, his 6th of 2004 and 15th of his career. Earnhardt Jr. also led the most laps with 118 as the race ran three laps long with a Green-White-Checker finish as there was a late caution and debris and oil on the track after #41-Mear wrecked and #31-Gordon lost an engine in unrelated incidents. #12-Ryan Newman finished 2nd, followed by #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick and #9-Kahne. Harvick and Kahne beat and banged a bit on the last few laps going for 4th, then had words on pit road after Kahne tapped Harvicks car on pitroad. #97-Busch finished 10th and maintains the points lead, now down from 96 to 41 with #24-Gordon 2nd and Earnhardt Jr. up to 3rd, only 47 points back.
See race results at: JAYSKI's Phoenix Race Results/Awards Page Motorsports One NASCAR.com.(11-7-2004)
Dale Jr. Awaits Release of '3': An ESPN movie about Dale Earnhardt, who died in a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, is scheduled for airing early next month. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is eagerly awaiting its release. "From day one, I've been pretty excited about it," said Earnhardt Jr., last year's Checker Auto Parts 500 champion at Phoenix International Raceway. "I really, really hope they did a good job. You know, the stuff that they've done in the past on that network has been pretty good. I've been pretty surprised actually by the quality of the films that they've had. I think there obviously will be a little bit of a Hollywood twist to a few things. I'm sure you can't expect somebody to tell the most accurate story unless you're going to write a book. You know, every film has a twist, a Hollywood flair to it. I'm sure this one will, too." The movie, titled 3, stars Barry Pepper, who also played New York Yankees outfielder Roger Maris in 61*.(Arizona Republic), info on this movie and other NASCAR related movies on my Racing Movies page.(11-5-2004)
Dale Jr. takes crew and Wrangler for a ride: On Tuesday night, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was the “chauffeur” at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as members of his crew, five grand-prize contest winners from the “Wrangler Take a Test Drive” promotion, top-executives from Wrangler and members of their Public Relations and Marketing firms got the thrill of a lifetime. Also helping out with driving duties was Martin Truex, Jr., driver of the #8 Chance 2 Motorsports. By season’s end, Martin will have carried the Wrangler name on his car twice. From VF Corporation, parent company of Wrangler, was Mackey McDonald, President, CEO and Chairman. Joining him were John Schamberger, VP and Chairman, Cross Coalition Management of Retail Partnerships and Terry Lay, Executive VP and Chairman of Global Jeanswear Coalition for VF Corporation. "We had a tremendous response to our new Wrangler Jeans Co. ad campaign that features Dale Jr., but we wanted to do something above and beyond just the campaign - - something that would really bring the Wrangler-Earnhardt partnership to life,” said Craig Errington, Director of Marketing Communications of VF Jeanswear -Mass Market brands. “Our ‘Take a Test Drive With Dale Jr.’ national promotion allowed us to do that. We wanted to highlight our relationship with Dale Jr. by offering this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our five national sweepstakes winners got that chance when they climbed in the seat next to Dale Jr. and flew around Lowe’s Motor Speedway at 185 mph." Tony Eury, Jr. is the car chief for Dale Jr. and has set-up many a race car in his tenure at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Instead of hearing how the car handled, he got to experience it real time. “That was the first time I’ve ridden around a track of that size with Dale Jr.” Tony Jr. said. “He wanted me to get the feel of just how rough the surface is at Charlotte with the bumps and all. It was pretty cool to feel all that stuff with the way he drives. I’ll understand him a bit better the next time he describes something to me. It was cool; he took me right up against the wall. He did a fast lap, just like he’s supposed to.” (Laughs) For some of the crew members, this was their first experience ever riding around a race track. Such was the case for Troy Prince, rear-tire carrier for the No. 8 Chevrolet of Dale Jr. when he rode with Martin. “It was weird,” Troy said. “First off, you’re on the wrong side of the car riding in the passenger seat while Martin drives. You’re mind is telling you ‘No, No, No, this car won’t make it through the turns’ and you want to abort.“ Joining in the fun were correspondents from TV shows Totally NASCAR, TV Guide Channel, Entertainment Tonight and the Tony Danza Show.(DEI Site)(10-29-2004)
Dale Jr. fan takes it up a notch: NASCAR knew Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans would be upset by the 25 point penalty levied against him for cursing, and one has even started his own protest. Steve Robyor, a 44-year-old Boca Raton, Fla., has made T-shirts displaying the same phrase Earnhardt used when he cursed in his Victory Lane interview at Talladega last month. "It upset me when they took his points away," Robyor said. "I was watching the Talladega race and I heard him say it and it didn't bother me. It actually didn't bother anyone I know. You hear worse things on prime time TV. The `S-word' really isn't even a bad word anymore." Robyor is encouraging all Earnhardt fans to wear his T-shirts as a sign of support for Earnhardt over the final four races of the season. He's also hopeful that the shirts might send a message to NASCAR to stop taking points for non-racing related infractions. "Maybe we can let NASCAR know we don't mind accidental use of profanity," he said. "Maybe the shirts can get an amendment that if it is judged or deemed accidental, then a fine would be appropriate. Don't take the points." Robyor's shirts can be found at www.itdontmeanbleep.com.(AP Report) [NOTE: there are what some will consider offensive words on this site.....you have been warned].
Would be nice if the shirts were sold and the proceeds donated to charity.(10-27-2004)
Dale Jr. to take in a baseball game; Kenny too: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will attend Wednesday night's game four of the 2004 Major League Baseball World Series. Game four will take place at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, the hometown of Anheuser-Busch. Dale Jr. finished in third place in the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway Oct. 16, carrying a special paint scheme featuring the World Series and MLB logos. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball, has sponsorship deals with both teams represented in the World Series: the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. This is the fourth season Bud and MLB have teamed up with a special paint scheme for the #8 Budweiser car.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch PR), Kenny Wallace also plans to attend a few World Series games in St. Louis, he from that area.(10-26-2004)
Dale Jr.'s appeal to be heard Monday - UPHELD: The National Stock Car Racing Commission will hear Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s appeal on his 25-point penalty at 11:00am Monday at an undisclosed location within a two-hour drive of Charlotte, N.C., according to a team official. Richie Gilmore, director of competition at Dale Earnhardt Inc., said he and Earnhardt will present the appeal. Gilmore says that if the commission rules against Earnhardt, the team does not plan to appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner, whose decision is final. "I think we decided whatever happens here, we're done with it," Gilmore said Thursday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Our focus is on the chase right now, and we just need to get back to racing and let this get past us and not let the 25 points bother us if we lose." The commission is a review board independent of NASCAR. The chairman, George Silbermann, is employed by NASCAR. Since Silbermann's appointment to chairman in November 1999, the commission has upheld 37 of the 53 appeals it has heard. The commission reduced a penalty 11 times. The commission overturned a NASCAR decision four times. Once, the commission increased a penalty.(Roanoke Times)(10-15/17-2004) UPHELD: The National Stock Car Racing Commission has upheld NASCAR's $10,000 fine and 25-point penalty levied against Nextel Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. for using profanity in a live, post-race interview following the October 10 race at Talladega.(Thartsracin)(10-18-2004)
World Series Scheme for Dale Jr. UPDATE 2 yep at Charlotte: For the third time on the NASCAR Circuit, Budweiser and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be teaming up with Major League Baseball to race at the Martinsville Speedway on October 24th. Earnhardt Jr. will be racing his MLB World Series car the same weekend as the start of the World Series [GO Phillies!]. Dale Jr's special paint scheme will feature the MLB World Series logo and graphics. October 24th, Martinsville Speedway.(8-11-2004) UPDATE: being told now that is will NOT happen.... BUT there may be some sort of MLB scheme in the works but NOT at Martinsville.(8-12-2004) UPDATE 2: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a specially-decaled Budweiser #8 car Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte commemorating next week's World Series. The car will feature the official Major League Baseball World Series '04 logo on the hood and deck lid as well as images of the championship trophy on the rear quarter panels. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball, has sponsorship deals with the four teams represented in the League Championship Series: Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals. This is the fourth season Bud and MLB have teamed up with a special look for the #8 Budweiser car.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch PR), see an image of the scheme on my #8 Team Paint Schemes page.(10-15-2004)
Budweiser Unviels the new Dale Earnhardt '8-Pack': Anheuser-Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced today that the popular NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver will be displayed on the packaging of new Budweiser '8-packs' now available in select race markets. Select wholesalers and retailers in Charlotte, N.C., Darlington, S.C. and Atlanta are offering the specialty packaging of
12-ounce Budweiser cans through the end of the year while supplies last. In 2005, the new packages will be found in all NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race markets. The '8-packs' are packaged at the Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg brewery. For more
information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com and www.budweiser.com.(fingerprint inc/Budweiser PR)(10-13-2004)
NBC Could be fined? The FCC could apparently fine NBC $27,500 for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s indiscretion [cuss word at Talladega][Winston Salem Journal)(10-11-2004)
FCC Looking at Dale Jr.'s slip: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s use of a four-letter expletive Sunday in a live post-race interview on NBC after his win at Talladega Superspeedway is being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Bloomberg News reported Thursday. An FCC spokesman was quoted in the news service report, which moved on general news wires Thursday evening. That report came several hours after NBC announced it would begin using a delay in such interviews, beginning with this weekend's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Kansas Speedway. "We've gotten a few dozen e-mail letters of concern," FCC spokesman David Fiske said in an interview with Bloomberg News. "We'll subject them to the normal review procedures, in which we look at the law, the precedent, the facts, and the context."(ThatsRacin)(10-8-2004)
Dale Jr.'s Pit Crew Takes Over Points Lead After Talladega Win: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s pit crew not only captured Sunday's McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade at Talladega Superspeedway, but the No. 8 crew also took over the competition's points lead which will pay the season champion a $200,000 bonus.
It was the third time this season that Earnhardt's crew won the $20,000 weekly prize - the other wins were at Rockingham and Richmond in May. The No. 8 crew, which played a vital role in Earnhardt's victory in the restrictor-plate race, overcame a 19-point deficit to Elliott Sadler's crew going into Talladega. Earnhardt's crew earned 43 points for the win while Sadler's crew picked up 22 points for finishing 22nd.
With seven Nextel Cup races remaining, the McDonald's/POWERade points race is shaping up to be a tightly-contested battle. The top-five crews are: Earnhardt Jr. (1031 points), Sadler (1029), Kurt Busch (1020), Kevin Harvick (1013) and Tony Stewart (997).
Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Talladega's pit road - 203.341 seconds. Busch's Sharpie Ford was second at 211.299. Joe Nemechek's No. 01 U.S. Army Chevy came in third with a time of 213.680.
"Great pit stops all day," said Earnhardt. "I believe every time we made a pit stop, we picked up positions. Tony Jr. made a great call there when we were coming in for a quick gas-and-go with about 12 or 11 to go. The caution came out just as we had entered pit road, so he was yelling 'Put on two tires! Put on two tires!' That was a split-second decision, and I think it was the difference in us winning and losing. Those two right-side tires made the car turn so much better, and I had 'em and nobody else did."
Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for the No. 8 team, said, "We've finally got our pit crew going the way we need it to. We made a few changes not too long ago, because we felt like if we're going to make a serious run at this championship, we need to get our act together in the pits. Our pit stops have been really good last month, and it just so happens we've won two races and added a few more top-fives to go with them. Dale Jr. has done a great job driving the car, and the guys in the pits have done a great job getting him in and out."
The No. 8 over-the-wall crew consists of: Jeff Clarke (gasman), Kevin Pennell (jackman), Phil Drye (front tire changer), Danny Earnhardt (front tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear tire changer), Troy Prince (rear tire carrier), Craig Lund (catch can). Tony Eury Sr. is the crew chief and the car chief is Tony Eury Jr. The pit crew coach is Walt Smith.(DMF Communications PR and see top-10 from Talladega and season standings on my Pit Crew Page.(10-7-2004)
No Delay? Dale Jr. should had said 'poop' UPDATE fined and docked points TO APPEAL: been asked by readers if Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be fine/penalized for his on-air curse during his post-race-win interview at Talladega on NBC. That is up to NASCAR, but here are a few tidbits found accross the Internet on the situation: 1) During the interview in Victory Lane with NBC's Matt Yocum, Earnhardt Jr. was asked what it meant to win for the fifth time at Talladega. Earnhardt Jr. replied, "It don't mean s--- right now. Daddy's won here 10 times." NBC later issued an apology for the inappropriate language. After several media requests, NASCAR is reviewing the post-race videotape, according to spokesman Mike Zizzo. Any penalty would be handed down Tuesday at the earliest, Zizzo said.(NASCAR.com) 2) ......off-color words he uttered on NBC during a postrace interview, which NASCAR is reviewing before deciding any disciplinary action. Earlier this season Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday Jr. each were fined $10,000 and docked 25 championship points for talking 'dirty' [using the same word...but in anger] during Busch Series broadcasts. If precedence holds, Earnhardt could go from 13 points ahead of second-place Kurt Busch to 12 points down with seven races left in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. "If anybody was offended by that, I can't imagine why they'd tune in to a race in the first place," Earnhardt said, later joking that he needed some Dale Carnegie classes. "There were a lot of hand gestures going on through the race, and that was weak compared to what you go through on the racetrack. But I hope they understand it was in jubilation. ... When you're happy and joyous about something, it's different from being angry and cursing in anger."(USA Today) 3) Asked about the matter, NASCAR vp/communications Jim Hunter said, "We're looking into it," adding that a decision would be made by Monday or Tuesday. Earnhardt seemed strangely subdued after the race, apparently aware that his slip of the tongue could prove to be costly. "I'm worried about losing the points lead, because I don't know what kind of deal will come out of it," he said. "If you guys [press] push the issue, in three or four days it could be a big problem. I just hope everybody understands it came out of jubilation."(Speed Channel)(10-4-2004) UPDATE - Fined and Docked 25 points: Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was penalized with a loss of 25 championship driver points and a $10,000 fine for an inappropriate post-race comment during the live national television broadcast of Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR officials announced today. Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budwesier Chevrolet, was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book for using inappropriate language. The penalty also will extend to the team as Dale Earnhardt Inc. will lose 25 championship owner points for the actions of its driver. Earnhardt Jr.’s championship points total will be adjusted from 5,543 points to 5,518 as a result of the penalty, and will drop him from first to second in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Kurt Busch and Roush Racing will assume the lead with 5,530 points, 12 ahead of Earnhardt Jr. and DEI, respectively.(NASCAR PR) TO APPEAL: XM Radio - NASCAR Channel 144 reports that DEI will appeal the penalty. DEI Statement/Appeal: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced today that the #8 Budweiser eam that fields Chevrolet Monte Carlos for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the Nextel Cup Series, will appeal the NASCAR-imposed post-race penalty that cost the team 25 championship points and $10,000. Richie Gilmore, DEI Director of Competition, cites that the 25- point penalty under the new 10-race “Chase for the Nextel Cup” format could be devastating with only seven races remaining. “This is a huge setback for the entire company,” Gilmore said. “We’re in a sport that focuses its primary attention on the final 10 races of the season and we’re racing against formidable teams for a championship. We’re facing a setback from a competition standpoint for something that should be considered a personal foul. We have no choice but to appeal the points portion of the penalty. I think we’re the only sport that takes points off of the board after they’ve been scored. The popularity of this sport is based on colorful personalities and the fact that everyone can relate to these drivers and their emotions. Now, it seems like that’s a detriment. Dale Jr.’s comment was made in the excitement of the moment, seconds after he climbed out of the car. It wasn’t made in anger or hostility directed at anyone. This whole incident is going to force everyone in the sport to rethink showing any excitement in what should be a jubilant moment. We’ve had hundreds of calls from fans that support us. Our sponsors have vowed their support, as well. If nothing else, we can look back at this race and always remember it as one where we were reminded of the loyalty everyone has toward Dale Jr., the No. 8 team and our company.”(DEI Site)(10-5-2004)
NASCAR's appeal process
1. A written request for an appeal must be made to the National Stock Car Racing Commission within 10 calendar days of the notice of the penalty.
2. The Chairman of the National Stock Car Racing Commission will set a date and location.
3. From the pool of 31 commission members, the chairman will be joined by a minimum of two to constitute a quorum. Commission members are selected based on their knowledge and experience. They include men and women from a variety of motorsports backgrounds, some active in the sport and some retired. They include promoters, industry leaders, and dignitaries from other forms of professional motorsports.
4. Appeal would be heard; decision handed down.
5. If the team is not satisfied with the decision, they could make a final appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles D. Strang. All decisions by the commissioner are final.
Busch's Reaction to the penalty: Taking time out from testing at Martinsville, new Nextel Cup point leader Kurt Busch reacted to the penalties against Dale Earnhardt Jr. following his victory lane slip of a curse word at Talladega. Busch told PRN's Mark Garrow "I wanna say we want to beat the 8 car out on the race track and not with the penalty.What he (Dale Jr) said is true emotion in victory lane and it wasn't quite appropriate and so it was good to see they (NASCAR) handled it consistently. NASCAR's always in that box of are they consistent with their decisions....do they hold somebody to different standards. It was a decision they had to make and now we go on." If the championship came down to Busch and Earnhardt Jr. Kurt said, "I want to go into the last race with a 155 point edge and that we don't have to worry about that last race."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(10-5-2004)
So....does Dale Earnhardt Jr. still get awarded the NASCAR Nextel Cup Leader Bonus for winning the race and leading the points? It was $90,000 at Talladega.
Been told that Dale Jr. gets to keep the award and money as it was post-race penalty - he had the win and the lead in the points following the race.(10-5-2004)
#8 too low? been getting unsubstantiated reports all day Monday that #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Budwesier Chevy was found too low in post race inspection, but sources tell me the car was not too low, that a rumor broke put before the car even made it to inspection and that NASCAR reported to the media that all cars inspected, had passsed. Saw no columns/articles about the #8 being too low at all.(10-5-2004)
Budweiser Ford? Dale Earnhardt Jr. came into the Ken Patterson Media Center to field a few questions before the first session began. The program included an emcee to introduce the Chase for the Championship driver. As the emcee started her introduction, Junior began to sit up and prepare for the questioning. But that’s when the problem began. The emcee, said, “We’d like to welcome Dale Earnhardt Junior, the driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Ford.” Ford hung in the air for an interminable amount of time. While there were a few in the crowd who wondered momentarily if Dan Davis’ commitment to draw topflight race teams into Ford gear had paid huge dividends. But Earnhardt’s groan broke the silence indicating otherwise. The program got back on track after the emcee excused herself for the error, then introduced Earnhardt as the driver of the Budweiser Chevy.(Team Ford Racing)(10-3-2004)
If Dale Jr. was NASCAR Prez for a day: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. were NASCAR president for a day, he says he'd cut 75 percent of Nextel Cup races to 300 miles, drop the field from 43 to 38 cars and limit race weekends to two-day programs. In a column in this week's NASCAR Scene, Earnhardt Jr. also says he'd eliminate fan access to the garage area, limit Cup drivers to no more than five Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series races and move the July race at Daytona International Speedway to the end of the season.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter) AND did ya miss or see the CBS 60 Minutes interview with DaleEarnhardt Jr.? See information, images and a video clip at cbs.com.(10-1-2004)
Problems with Little E and Mikey? #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #15-Michael Waltrip had a close call when their Chevrolets exited the pits side by side after the Dale Earnhardt Inc. teammates made their final stop under green with about 40 laps left. "He drove the car all the way up to the yellow line as if I wasn't even there," said Earnhardt, who took the points lead by finishing third yesterday. "I'd about wreck into the side of him for three or four laps. I was just trying to figure out where he was getting his team orders from because whoever was giving them to him needs a new [pay]check. Whoever they're working for, we need to see where they're getting their kickbacks from. I was [ticked] about it. I'm sure Michael didn't mean anything by it."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-20-2004)
New Spotter for Dale Jr.: Stevie Reeves, Dale Earnhardt, Jr's spotter, was relieved of his spotter duties by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. racing. Reeves will remain with the team in some other capacity. Steve Hmiel will spot for Jr. this weekend. "We want to win, we can go for a win at all costs, and that means everything," said Earnhardt after he qualified the No. 8 DEI Chevrolet. 8 team members deduced that Hmiel may serve as a better umpire between Earnhardt and the Eury's.(Motorsport.com)(9-11-2004)
Another Maze - Daytona theme this time: Larson's Farm and Maze in Brookfield, CT have cut a 9 acre NASCORN adventure maze into thier corn field that was inspired by true racing fans. A fantastic family day with games, activities, and fun in their Courtyard. Then practice your maze solving skills in their Mini-Mazes, or relax and enjoy a light refreshement. Face Painting, Chez Lenard (Hot Dogs) and other Food/beverages are available all day at the maze. The corn maze is open weekends only from late August through early November, from 10am - 6pm and are also open for holidays during the week from 11am until 6pm. All dates are weather permitting. Please call ahead or check their website: www.larsonsfarmmarket.com for daily availability updates, actual opening dates, and pricing.(PR), see my #15 Team News and Links page for the #15 Corn Maze.(9-7-2004)
#8 to promote boxing at RIR: Budweiser, sponsor of the #8 NEXTEL Cup car with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., will promote the boxing battle royale for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world between Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins with a decal on the Bud Chevrolet this weekend. The decal will ride on the decklid of the Bud car for Saturday night's Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond. Budweiser is presenting the fight, which can be seen on Pay-Per-View Saturday night, September 18.(fingerprint/Busweiser PR)(9-7-2004)
1,900 people respond to promotion for Bud One Night Stand: Fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr. lined up in droves to donate blood and receive free tickets to Thursday's Budweiser One Night Stand event in San Bernandino, Calif. The Blood Bank of San Bernandino and Riverside Counties reports the number of area blood doners in August far exceeded the target mark, thanks to Earnhardt and the mass of fans that want to see him Thursday night. The promotion, a joint effort between Budweiser, Los Angeles rock station KCAL 96.7-FM, and the Blood Bank, promised two free tickets to Budweiser One Night Stand for anyone who donated a pint of blood in any of the five San Bernandino or Riverside County doner centers.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(9-5-2004)
Eury Sr. Wipes out the Competition: Internet voters have selected Tony Eury Sr. as the Wypall Wipers crew chief of the race after his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team put driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in victory lane in Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Eury now has six wins and continues to lead in the contest for a $10,000 prize at the end of the season. Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson, and Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Jeff Gordon, are tied for second place with four wins each.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-1-2004)
Budweiser One Night Stand Benefits San Bernardino Blood Bank: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will appear at the Budweiser One Night Stand the evening of September 2 at the National Orange Event Center in San Bernardino to benefit the San Bernardino Blood Bank. The event will feature an on-stage question-and-answer session with the NASCAR Nextel Cup superstar as well as live music from Fate's Union, a Budweiser True Music band. Fans can secure free tickets to the event via on-air promotions with KCAL radio, an event co-sponsor, or by donating a pint of blood to the San Bernardino Blood Bank. The event begins at 7:00 pm.(fingerprint inc. PR)(8-28-2004)
Dale Jr wins at Bristol, sweeps Busch and Cup race: On the fifth anniversary of one of his legendary father's most infamous victories, Dale Earnhardt Jr. mostly stayed out of trouble Saturday night to win the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt Jr. completed a sweep of the weekend's races at this .533-mile track, adding his first Nextel Cup victory since Richmond in early May to his win in Friday night's Busch Series race. It was the first Cup-Busch weekend sweep ever at Bristol. Earnhardt Jr. took the lead by passing Jeff Burton on Lap 415 and took off from there, winning by 4.4 seconds over Ryan Newman. Earnhardt Jr. led 295 laps in winning for the fourth time this year [and 13th of his career]. It was on Aug. 28, 1999, that seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt bumped Terry Labonte off Turn 2 on the final lap and went on to win for the ninth and final time in his career at this track amid a shower of boos from the grandstands. As important as the victory was to Earnhardt Jr., Newman's runner-up finish was big for him, too. It vaulted him from 13th in the standings to 10th, the final spot guaranteed to qualify for the 10-race championship chase that commences after the next two races at California and Richmond. Newman is now 26 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne. Only 45 total points separates Newman from 15th-place Dale Jarrett. Jimmie Johnson, meanwhile, also steadied his ship with a third-place finish after coming home 36th or worse in the past three races and losing what had been a 232-lead in the standings before that slide. He did it in a backup Chevrolet after crashing his primary car in practice here on Friday. Burton, in just his second race after switching rides, held on for fourth in the #30 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Elliott Sadler, seventh in the standings coming in, rebounding from his worst finish of the season last weekend at Michigan to get fifth and further secure his status for the championship chase. Jeff Gordon had the pole and led through a trio of early yellow flags before making his first pit stop. That put Rusty Wallace and Earnhardt Jr., who'd both come in for stops on the earlier yellows, in front when the green flew on Lap 62.(ThatsRacin)
For results see: Jayski's Bristol Race Results/Awards page Motorsports One NASCAR.com.(8-28-2004)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Featured on Season Premiere of 60 Minutes: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, will be featured in the season premiere of the weeknight edition of 60 Minutes. Dale Jr. is the first NASCAR driver to be profiled on the legendary news magazine show in 18 years. (Seven-time NASCAR champ Richard Petty was featured in 1988.) The show will air on CBS-TV, September 29 at 8:00pm/et. Mike Wallace, the legendary 86-year-old correspondent and co-editor of 60 Minutes since its debut in 1968, conducted a series of in-depth interviews with Dale Jr., beginning at the Daytona International Speedway in July. The 60 Minutes video crews also followed NASCAR's most popular driver through a tour of the No. 8 Budweiser shop at Dale Earnhardt Inc., his new home and office, and Budweiser public appearances.(fingerprint inc. PR)(8-26-2004)
Dale Jr. to race Busch race at Bristol: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be driving a #81 Menards Chevrolet in the upcoming Busch race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday night, Aug. 27. This will be his last Busch race of the season (DEI Site)(8-19-2004)
More Crew Changes at the #8: Dale Earnhardt Inc. is still hoping to upgrade its over-the-wall crew on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 Budwesier Chevrolet. Greg Burkhart, currently the rear tire changer on the #10 Valvoine team, will join the #8 car at Bristol. Jay Guarneri holds the position, but DEI wants to see how Burkhart works with the team.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(8-16-2004)
Dale Jr. and Dave Matthews Band at California: Dave Matthews Band will feature their name and likeness on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car in the Pop Secret 500 at the California Speedway in San Diego this September. See an image on my #8 Team Paint Schemes page.(8-14-2004)
World Series Scheme for Dale Jr. UPDATE No? For the third time on the NASCAR Circuit, Budweiser and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be teaming up with Major League Baseball to race at the Martinsville Speedway on October 24th. Earnhardt Jr. will be racing his MLB World Series car the same weekend as the start of the World Series [GO Phillies!]. Dale Jr's special paint scheme will feature the MLB World Series logo and graphics. October 24th, Martinsville Speedway.(8-11-2004) UPDATE: being told now that is will NOT happen.... BUT there may be some sort of MLB scheme in the works but NOT at Martinsville.(8-12-2004)
Little E Plane Story not True: Published reports this week indicated that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was forced to fly to the July 25 race at Loudon, N.H., on Richard Childress' plane, because his stepmother Teresa would not allow his birth mother to ride on Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s aircraft. Earnhardt Jr. said Saturday the report was false. Earnhardt said he missed the DEI plane because he had an appointment with Charlotte neurologist Dr. Jerry Petty, who examined the driver following his fiery sports-car crash last month. Earnhardt said several prominent figures in Nextel Cup, including Childress, Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart, have offered rides around his medical schedule. "Everybody thought it was for different reasons, that Teresa didn't want my real mother flying on the company plane," said Earnhardt, still nursing burns from the crash. "That's not the case at all. Teresa's not like that at all, because she knows I need my mom to help me with my wrappings."(Charleston Post and Courier)(8-8-2004)
No Standby for Dale Jr. at Indy: Richie Gilmore told Claire B. Lang on XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 144 that there is no plan for a stand by driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. Earnhardt Jr. plans to drive the entire race and Gilmore feels strongly that Earnhardt Jr. will run the entire race. The #8 team had a serious meeting this week and they are committed to racing the entire race with Earnhardt Jr. as the driver and to step up performance as a team. No stand by has been appointed.(XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 144)(8-6-2004)
Dale Jr. gets out of car; Andretti finishes race, picks up 11 spots: Numbness, not pain, forced Dale Earnhardt, Jr. out of the Budweiser Chevrolet Sunday at Pocono Raceway. "I felt fine," Junior said. "The bumps hurt a little bit but my foot was going to sleep. I haven't been using it a lot -- I haven't been standing on it much and it just goes to sleep and cramps up real easy." Earnhardt, still nursing burn injuries suffered two weeks ago when he wrecked a sports car at Infineon Raceway, completed 51 laps before better judgment said to hand the ride over to substitute driver John Andretti.(NASCAR.com), Andretti restarted 36th and brought the #8 home in 25th.(8-1-2004)
Dale Jr. hopes to go all 200 laps: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver, #8 Budweiser team: "The plan is to rest and take it easy this week so I'll be ready to do 500 miles Sunday. The burns heal a little more every day, but I'm still in a lot of pain. I felt pretty good inside the car, but I'm going to need all my strength. Pocono can wear you out even when you're 100 percent healthy. I couldn't have finished 300 laps (at New Hampshire) but I'm going to do all I can to get through this and be ready to go this week. I owe it to my team. They've worked so hard for so many years to put us in a place where we're in position to grab a championship, and I owe it to my sponsors and especially my fans. Everyone has been really supportive of me and that means a lot. Anybody can be cool and get along great when you're winning races and kicking butt, but when things don't go right, it's important to have that support behind me." Dale Jr. and the #8 Budweiser team have four top-10s in nine races at Pocono Raceway and have finished no worse than sixth in the last
three events at the unique 2.5-mile tri-oval. Dale Jr. has led at Pocono four times for 89 laps and has been running at the finish in
each of his nine events there. Dale Jr. is still recovering from injuries sustained in an American LeMans Series race in Sonoma, Calif., but is hoping to attempt the full 500-mile race at Pocono. Should Dale Jr. not be able to run the full race, John Andretti will stand by as a relief driver in case needed. Andretti, who drives a part-time schedule for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #1 team, has 20 races under his belt at Pocono.(fingerprint, inc./Budweiser Racing PR)(7-28-2004)
Andretti on stand-by for Dale Jr. at Pocono: John Andretti, part-time driver for DEI's #1 Chevy, will be the stand-by driver for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. next week at Pocono if needed. Martin Truex Jr., subbing for Dale Jr. at NHIS, will be unavailable as he will be at Pikes Peak International Raceway on Colorado for the Busch race.(FSN's NASCAR This Morning)(7-25-2004)
Dale Jr. comments after getting out of car at NH: from FoxSports/Sporting News site:
"Ain't many people I'd let drive my car. Martin's one of them. Luckily he was available this weekend. The car is not that good. It think the car might be worse than I am. It's real loose in, real tight in the middle - wouldn't turn in the middle at all. Hopefully we can work on it, get it a lot better and get a pretty good finish. We were real good all weekend in practice with Martin in the car. I know we can get a good run; we just got to get the car a lot better. The car just wasn't as good as I thought it'd be, or had been all weekend. Just ain't no fun getting out. I'm a tell ya that. I like running here, but Martin's gonna do a good job for me, so it'll be okay."
"My injuries really, really hurt bad. It's a pain I've never felt before. But I was in two burn centers and I saw some people in there that were a lot worse off than I was and it made me really appreciate how luckily I was to be able get out of there. Just ain't good enough to drive a car out here all day long. Hopefully next week we will be."
See more at FoxSports/Sporting News.(7-25-2004)
Andretti on stand-by for Dale Jr. at Pocono: John Andretti, part-time driver for DEI's #1 Chevy, will be the stand-by driver for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. next week at Pocono if needed. Martin Truex Jr., subbing for Dale Jr. at NHIS, will be unavailable as he will be at Pikes Peak International Raceway on Colorado for the Busch race.(FSN's NASCAR This Morning)(7-25-2004)
Dale Jr. to start; Martin Jr. to finish; crew changes: Dale Earnhardt Jr. got in the #8 Bud Chevy and ran about 8 laps of practice. His speeds were within a tenth of Martin Truex Jr's best time. He did not go out in the second segment [Happy Hour]. Junior said he felt comfortable in the seat. He says he has less discomfort sitting behind the wheel then he does in a standing position. The plan for the Seimens 300 has not changed. Junior will start the race and the team hopes to make the driver switch under the first
caution. There are three permanent changes to the No. 8 Budweiser pit crew: Jay Guarneri = Rear Tire Changer; Jeff Clark = Gasman; Bill Snyder = Catch Can.(GM PR), expect to see TV cover the driver swap, when it happens, look for the first caution or 25 laps into the race.(7-25-2004)
DEI News? UPDATE 2: some sort of DEI announcement will be made at NHIS, Friday morning, July 23rd.(7-22-2004) AND SPEED Channel will interrupt Formula One Practice Friday morning at approximately 8:30am/et to present live coverage of a Dale Earnhardt, Inc. press conference from the New Hampshire International Speedway. At its conclusion, SPEED will resume F1 Practice from the point it left.(SC PR) UPDATE On Speed Channel's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, Dave reported that DEI will announce in a press conference Friday morning that Martin Truex Jr. will attempt to qualify the #8 car for the Cup race at New Hampshire on Friday [3pm on TNT].(7-23-2004) UPDATE 2: It was announced in a press conference at New Hampshire International Speedway, Friday morning [July 23td around 8:20am/et] that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would sit out practice and qualifying on Friday, July 23rd. Chance 2 Busch Series driver, Martin Truex Jr. will practice and qualify the #8 Budweiser Chevy. Dale Jr. may practice the car some on Saturday and plans are for Dale Jr. to start the car Sunday in the Siemen's 300 at NHIS and have Truex Jr. get in the car at the first oppurtunity/first caution. The reason to remove Dale Jr. is to protect his burns from infection, which being in a hot car and sweating could cause. Dale Jr. has a bandage wrapped around his neck and a 2nd, larger bandage on the left side of his neck. Earnhardt Jr. said he has been totally cleared to practice, qualify and race the #8 Budweiser Chevy. Dale Jr. said he has no plans to spot for Truex Jr. Attending the press conference were Dale Earnhardt Jr., crew chief Tony Eury Sr., DEI's Richie Gilmore and sub driver Martin Truex Jr., who left the press conference after the initial announcement and before the Q&A. (Speed Channel Press Conference Coverage), if Truex Jr. qualifies the car and Earnahrdt Jr. starts the race, no matter where the car is scheduled to start, Dale Jr. will have to fall to the rear of the field before the drop of the green flag, same as usual.(7-23-2004) POINTS: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts the race at NHIS, and Truex Jr. replaces him at some point in the race, Dale Jr. gets all the points, just like any other driver change during a race.
Rookie stripes? been asked if the #8 will have rookie stripes on the car, I would guess so, but am not sure, will see today during qualifying.[yes the car has rookie stripes on it] From the DEI site - in part:
In a Friday morning press conference at New Hampshire International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced their weekend plans for the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Eury, Sr, Richie Gilmore and Martin Truex, Jr. addressed the media and revealed the team’s intentions and approach for the Siemens 300 on Sunday. The following move was necessitated because of the burn injuries Dale Jr. received last week at Infineon Raceway in an American Le Mans Series event. Martin Truex, Jr., who normally drives the #8 Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet, will practice the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet and qualify the car on Friday. He will also partake in the Happy Hour session on Saturday. However, for the start of the race on Sunday, Dale Jr. will take the green flag and, at some point soon after, Martin will replace Dale Jr. in the car. The reason for Dale Jr. to start the race is to earn the assigned points that go along with the car’s finish. Martin will finish the race and whatever position he earns in the final rundown, those points will go to Dale Jr. in the Official Standings for the Nextel Cup Series. All through the week, the team was deciding on what to do in different scenarios and how to prepare for the race weekend. Dale Jr. visited the shop on Thursday, put on his uniform and sat in the No. 8 Chevrolet to see how it all felt. Collectively, Dale Jr, Tony Sr. and Richie came to a conclusion and plan for the weekend. Tony Sr. talked about having Martin in the car to relieve Dale Jr. Martin tested with the #8 Cup team at NHIS in early July and has vast experience at the one-mile oval in Busch and Busch North Series races. The plan is for him to get in the car at the earliest opportunity after the initial green flag. Richie said there is no set time as to when Dale Jr. will get out of the car right now. That factor will be better determined once Dale Jr. takes a few laps in the car, but that won’t happen until Saturday. Because of the rules of a driver change between qualifying and the start of the race, Dale Jr. will start at the rear of the field no matter where Martin qualifies the car. See the full report at the DEI SIte.(7-23-2004) AND on FSN's NASCAR This Morning, Kenn Wallace mentioned the burn on Dale Jr' neck [left side] was caused by the drink tube being against his neck, the tube got so hot it melted against his neck and burned him.(7-25-2004)
Dale Jr. -- NO Concussion UPDATE Truex Jr. OK'd: contrary to some rumors floating about, I been told that Dale Earnhardt Jr. did NOT suffer a concussion in the ALMS crash at Sonoma on Sunday and will be ready to drive at New Hampshire. Busch driver, Martin Truex Jr. will on standby if Dale Jr. needs a sub on Sunday.(7-20-2004) UPDATE: Martin Truex Jr. has experience at New Hampshire International Speedway in the Busch North Series and has tested a Nextel Cup car owned by Dale Earnhardt Inc. there in anticipation for running the Cup race at NHIS in September. A NASCAR spokesperson said Tuesday that approval for Truex as a possible fill-in driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. should be a formality. Approval is necessary since Truex is not a Cup regular.(Charlotte Observer)(7-21-2004)
Dale Jr. suffers moderate burns in wreck UPDATE 3 Released: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., suffered moderate burns Sunday morning when the car he was driving was involved in an accident and caught fire while practicing for the American Le Mans Series Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway. Earnhardt suffered what track medical officials described as "moderate-sized burns of moderate intensity" in the facial area and lower extremities. For precautionary reasons, he was transported by air to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. Earnhardt was driving a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R in a 30-minute practice session when the accident occurred. The car spun and impacted a barrier in the Turn 8 section of the road racing track and then caught fire. Earnhardt quickly exited the car on his own and was then assisted by safety crews. Earnhardt was scheduled to co-drive in today's American Le Mans Series sports car race with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch/Dale Earnhardt Jr. PR) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will be held overnight for observation after suffering minor second degree burns on the inner sides of both legs and on his chin in a racing accident Sunday morning at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. A hospital spokesman said that Earnhardt was 'resting comfortably' at University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA. and would be examined again Monday morning. "I'm bummed out and disappointed I couldn't run the race," said Earnhardt Jr. through a team spokesman. "I hope Corvette gets the victory." More updates will be provided as they come in and a confirmation of his release Monday morning will be released.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch/Dale Earnhardt Jr. PR) AND JJ Lehto and Marco Werner won Sunday's Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway, their third consecutive win this season in the American Le Mans Series. They drove the ADT Champion Racing Audi R8. Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell won the GTS class [the class Dale Jr. was racing in] in the Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, their fourth consecutive win at Infineon Raceway. They tied an ALMS record for the most consecutive wins at a single venue.(ALMS Site) WOW saw the video of the wreck on Speed Channel's Speed News, that was one scary wreck and fire, the car burst into flames and was all around car and driver....quite scary, thank goodness he had a full-faced helmet on.(7-18-2004) UPDATE 2: Steve Crisp, a spokesman for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said Earnhardt was not badly injured. "They've done the X-rays and there's no bones broken," Crisp said. "He'll be fine." Still, any crash involving Earnhardt always brings up memories of the last-lap wreck at the 2001 Daytona 500 that killed his father, easily the most popular driver of his era. Crisp said the younger Earnhardt will compete in next weekend's Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway.(NASCAR.com), get well wishes to Dale Jr. can be made thru the dalejrpitboardcharity.com ste.(7-19-2004) UPDATE 3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been released from University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., and is currently travelling home to North Carolina. Earnhardt Jr. suffered minor second degree burns on approximately six percent of his body (primarily to his legs and chin) in a practice-session crash Sunday morning at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. His injuries are not expected to prevent his full participation in the NEXTEL Cup Series race this weekend at Loudon, N.H.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch/Dale Earnhardt Jr. PR)(7-19-2004)
Earnhardt Jr. to partner with Boris Said at Sonoma UPDATE: The General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Racing team says Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be paired with Boris Said for this weekend's American Le Mans Series race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. "I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the Corvette C5-R because it is such a great race car," said Earnhardt Jr., who has the weekend off as the Nextel Cup Series takes a break. "I'm happy that Chevy has given me the chance to crossover and take part in its sports car program, which has been a huge success."(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-14-2004)
Dale Jr. practicing at Infineon
Image courtesy of Infineon Raceway
TV - Correction: The race is scheduled to air on CBS from 3:00 - 5:00pm/et on Sunday, July 18th.[not Sat](7-16-2004) UPDATE: Marco Werner led a record-shattering American Le Mans Series qualifying session Saturday to win the pole
for Sunday's Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway. NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was the star attraction of the day, drawing a long line to a driver autograph session and then watching as co-driver Boris Said qualified third in the GTS class in the Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C5-R they will share in Earnhardt's first ALMS event."It's going real good," said Earnhardt. "The car is real fast and I'm comfortable in the car. My co-driver is very, very quick and we feel like we have a good chance this weekend. It's a great car. Corvette has done a lot of testing. They deserve it because there is a lot of hard work behind it. I am very fortunate just to be able to climb right in and go so fast. "It's going to be different, watching for the prototypes, and the GT cars, being careful and just having alot of respect and courtesy out there for everybody," he said. "You know I don't do this every weekend and to be here is a big honor for me to race against such a great group of competitors. I am just trying to earn respect and pay my dues out there and take my time and work my way up. I feel like we have a good chance to get a great finish this weekend if we keep our heads straight." Oliver Gavin of England, driving another car from the factory Corvette team, won the GTS class pole with a track record lap of 1:28.042. He will co-drive with Olivier Beretta of Monaco. The pole was Gavin's third straight this season. Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell, seeking their fourth straight GTS class win at Infineon, will start second in class in a third Corvette.(Infineon Raceway PR)(7-18-2004)
Dale Jr. wins an ESPY: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser team and winner of the 2004 Daytona 500, scored a victory of a different sort Wednesday night, winning the ESPY Award for "Best Driver". The announcement came at the annual ESPY Awards banquet Wednesday at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. Fan voting determined the winners of 38 different categories (the complete list of winners can be found at www.espn.go.com/espy2004). ESPN, the sports cable network that created the ESPYs in 1993 to recognize sports excellence, will televise the show Sunday, July 18 at 9:00pm/et. Dale Jr. was unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts.
Other nominees in the Best Driver category included six-time F
