Dale Earnhardt Jr. officially will say goodbye to Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Thursday morning, Yahoo! Sports has learned. 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. Sirius Radio also reported late Wednesday afternoon that the Earnhardt/Truex split with DEI was a done deal and that the new Cup team entry will field Chevrolet chassis built by Hendrick Motorsports and will use Hendrick engines as well.
Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that Earnhardt Jr.'s primary sponsor, Budweiser, will follow Junior to JR Motorsports. 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 No. 8 Chevrolet for DEI. The press conference, which is expected to be televised nationally, will take place at JR Motorsports headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday.
Dale Jr. driving essentially a fifth Hendrick car? #### AWESOME~!
EDIT: Oh man, ESPECIALLY if they go COT full-time in '08.
I wonder what it means for DEI, though. Will they hook-up with Yates? I don't think we'll have seen the last beer can-shower at Talladega if Teresa does something to damage Dale Sr.'s legacy in the fans' eyes.
I don't know if he can handle the ownership issues though. I think he has a tough row in front of him. He has definitely gutted DEI taking Budweiser and Truex with him.
However, DEI and Yates might still come out ahead. They will most likely have Gilliland, Rudd, Menard and an old pro in a fourth car (hate to say it but it might be a chance for Ward).
I dunno, because it's not just Dale Jr. and Truex leaving. You know at LEAST the Eurys are going with Junior, and at this point I haven't seen a thing out of either DEI, Yates, or Ford that would give me any faith that they could turn that around, especially if they (DEI) lose the Budweiser money.
EDIT: Especially if JR is getting chassis AND engines from Hendrick. You'd think the Eurys would be able to make those things go, considering how well (relatively) they are doing now with the fourth-best Chevys out there.
I haven't read anything on the Eury's and I do not know that Jr. will want them with him. He might do better to leave them behind too.
chux,
Thanks. When I saw the headline on Yahoo while checking mail, I ran with it as fast as I could.
They will be buying chassis and engines from Hendrick. Ginn is already buying engines from Hendrick and you see what just engines has done for them. Buying chassis as well, may do even more for JR Motorsports.
Well at first I thought Falcons was having an anxiety closet visit but yep, it is officially official as of May 10,2007 at 11 A.M.
I would think Jr. is going to let his sister do the business operations so he can concentrate on racing.Leaving the Eurys with DEI would be a wise move considering what they have been giving him to race lately in cars. According to Yahoo, Jr is going to have a Cup team and a Busch team??
As far as Trueax, I would have left him with DEI.Good that he is getting Hendricks set ups and engines but wonder if they add in the secrets that they use for their teams.
Surprised that RCR did not pick up Jr. but Jr. may have had this plan in place a long time ago thus not the move to RCR.
There goes DEI down the tubes and justifiably so don't you think. Rumors of merging with Yates?? That would be a comedy marriage.
Well I certainly hope the N.C.Govenor put the National Guard on alert. There will be pandemonium in the streets for sure..
Well falcons, you scooped us all on this one .. Looks like you will make the million dollar club with this hot flash..
Kelly might handle most of the business operations but we know Jr. will have controlling interest and be the boss.
Taking Truex with him guts DEI and is a good move from a business perspective. If you are going to leave a place on bad terms, diplomacy requires you hurt them as bad as you can so they don't come back and bite your butt. He has pretty much forced DEI to merge with Yates or Ginn, who talked to DEI last year. If they don't? They're done!
Jr. wants controlling interest. He can't get that at Childress, DEI, Ginn or Yates.
I sure as hell scooped the tour boys and girls didn't I? They need to put me and you on their show if they really want to have a hit! LOL
chux,
What? The red brigade will go with Jr. We will see how long they can stand losing if ownership turns out to be more than Jr. can handle as it is with most drivers that try it and there have been some good ones that have. Darrell Waltrip comes to mind. Ricky Rudd tried it didn't he? The only owner/driver doing well today is, strangely enough, Robby Gordon.
None of this will stop #### from throwing cans at Jeff. Hell, they think they have a right to now. And they haven't been sent a real message. They know the odds are they can get away with it. NASCAR will still need to address this. If I am Jeff, I don't do a burnout until they do.
Although Jr. comes off as a good ole boy from N.C., he has some solid business sense between the ears. I am sure this plan was in the making for some time before going public. Plus he has a lot of deep pocket investors behind him to bankroll his ventures.. With the right people in the right places, he can succeed quite well where others have failed.
Yep, I think we would be the real hot shots on that program..( Speed tour)
falcs...I got an email about this breaking story and was gonna blog it, but decided to let a nascar lover blog it instead. Interesting story...I would love to see you write your own stuff though...give it a try...we won't bite! ;)
great scoop falcons this is my thinking theresa and dale built an empire make no mistake theresa is no dummy kelly most likely has at least the same business sense as mom which means jr and his sis will do the same as mom and dad no problem the bluprint is in their genes is it unreasonable to think they would go to uncle richard and ask to buy dad's number 3 thus keeping the legacy with the new team guy;s and gals am i insane with this angle ??it would be instant magic
You got an email from Fox Sports? What's up with that? Are you a paid blogger?
If your that tight with Fox, get photo, deemon, you and me on Speed Tour. Three retired guys and a chick would be a hoot. An ex race car driver from Ohio originally from Florida, an elluder from Iowa with Tennessee moonshine running roots, a mean biker in leather from Colorado and a California chick wearing overalls and eating grits, are you kidding me? It's got hit written all over it.
I write my own stuff when I want to. The Ward Burton story where he promised to pay Sterling Marlin back was mine for example. I haven't seen it in print anywhere but on my blog. Check it out if you haven't already.
But blogging to me fills the void between message boards and internet sports sites. To me it is a place to post news where it can be discussed by friends.
deemon,
Jr. may ask Childress for the 3. I can see that happening. That would be great marketing.
I could not believe this when I first heard it. Junior leaving DEI. Wow. And to his own team that's using Hendrick cars and Hendrick engines at that. I wonder if his sister is going to be part of the new team? I have a feeling that Dale would trust her with alot of the day-to-day stuff if she wanted the opportunity.
Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex will make it 7 satellite cars for Hendrick Motorsports (the 2 Haas teams and the 3 Ginn teams being the others). Add that with the other 4 Hendrick teams, and that's 11 cars using Hendrick equipment next year. It looks like Hendrick's trying to beat Toyota at the whole "one manufacturer, one team" concept and get all the Chevys using their stuff. I wonder if RCR or JGR would buy into this idea? I didn't include DEI because not having Dale around frees them up to do that deal with Yates.
There are many questions left to be answered, and hopefully those answers will be found in the coming months. Obviously, I hope this new venture turns out to be a success.
Who cares about Jr.? He's just another sports figure making money of his daddy. When the going gets tough the Jr. gets going! When was the last time he won a race? 36 races ago, right? Quitter!
What I dont understand is all the hate toward Jeff Gordon. People are jealous that Gordon has more wins in half the races than the so-called great Sr. has! Gordon is a better driver than Sr. and Jr. combined. Facts are Facts and Gordon is better than Sr., and Jr. is inconsistent and overrated like his dad.
Ya know, that greedy greedy woman has now sealed her own fate....I bet SR is rolling over in his grave. Was very proud of JR during his press conference, for not trashing her ~ that had to have been tough!!! As for JR driving the black #3 car, I sure hope not!! Even tho it's JR, the black #3 is SR!!!
Well, it looks like the JR Motorsports thing may have been a bit premature. My guess now is that Earnhardt ends up at Ginn Racing. RCR may seem logical, but there has been too much discussion about Earnhardt and Hendrick for there to not be a degree of truth to it, and Hendrick does provide Ginn with engines. When there's smoke, there's fire.
Well, this might get Lee Spencer back up to Blog of the Day.
Last edited by The_Return_of_Manrub on May 10th at 9:03 AM.
That's the last time I'll trust Jerry Bonkowski the great writer for Yahoo Sports!
KC,
You got me. I give. UNCLE!
general comments,
First: Survivor
Who do we vote off of the island? jt? Or FR8? Polls are open.
Second: Thanks a lot Jerry!
No Truex, no gutting of DEI. In fact DEI just puts Menard in the second DEI car and drops the third. Then they can merge with Yates easily and go to Fords. No new seat available for anybody. Just an easier merger.
Thanks Jr., Teresa is saying out of sight of the camera. You just solved a big pain in the #### for me. Good luck, and under her breath maybe, good riddance, let's see how you like it out from beneath our wings.
lisa,
I find the news about the email disturbing. I would like to think we are all amateur bloggers on a level playing field here. Your connections to FOX are making me wonder. Your one of the best bloggers on this site. If FOX wants to hire you, you deserve it. But secrecy? That bothers me.
i was all set to write my blog too on how jr. was going to miss races like mikey has this year. but i bet he drives for a contender rhr, rcr, or jgr. those are the only 3 in my book. i thought for a minute there nascar was going to have to institute a new rule instead of the top 35 thing they have now to ensure jr. gets in every show
falcs....forget the email! We are all amateurs here! No one is getting paid, at least I'm not! ROFL!
I was just giving you a lil friendly advice, that's all. You posted an entire article by another writer.....just be careful. This has nothing to do with Fox, I don't work for Fox, and have no relationship with Fox, other than the Talladega deal, but everyone knows about that. But thanks for the encouraging words...I would love to work for them.
BUT if I were with Yahoo, I would be a lil ticked. I consider you a friend and just wanted to point out something that may be you weren't aware of. If you were aware of possible ramifications, then so be it.
This is my advice as someone with a passion for journalism, ok? Don't get your panties all bunched up! LOL.
I did not post a whole article. I am careful to post less than half of articles. Then I include a link to their site for more information which increases their number of hits. I have been advised by an administrator of several sites, one that is very popular that I use from time to time, that this is acceptable. I did cross her when copying an entire post one time to a message board and since she advised me of that I have taken her advice.
If I were geting paid, they might be concerned. But I am not, so they do not care.
I have also run the whole idea before this blog and asked for advice. All the feedback I got was that I was within the limits of good journalism.
Besides, are you aware of how many professional sites run the same article exactly as it is? I can show you several. It seems that if an AP story is concerned, many people run it as is.
Do a search on Google. Look at the news items. Look how many Google says are similar. Then look at them. Many of them are almost entirely identical. Given the enormity (is that a word duckman or have I coined one here?)of the problem, I doubt anyone really cares about my little old blog.
Your tainted until you come clean about who your connections are and the emails.
What did you know?
And when did you know it?
Note:
To: Anyone wishing to copy my blog
Have at it. Just copy less than half of it and give people a link to my site to read more. I would appreciate the hits. Thanks!
never mind falcs...was just trying to be nice. You are reading too much into everything. I am glad you already checked into everything...that was MY concern. No one else's. I feel better now. :)
falcs....there's a little button that you can engage to have whatever newswire you use send you "breaking news"....of course, by the time you get it, everyone else has it as well. But I do find it useful, as alot of times bloggers don't check the front page every hour on the hour. :-)
That's it? Emails anyone can get if they want a full mailbox about a lot of #### they don't care anything about?
"Is that all there is? Is that all there is?
If that's all there is my friends,
then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is ..."
Falcons been stepping in sheep dip commodities again??? Perhaps Dumbasski had an anxiety visit..
As some of you were aware a few months back I did an anxiety closet parady concerning Jr. leaving DEI. Have to tell you this but the anxiety closet don't fib.
Reviewing his latest public announcement video today he is certainly leaving DEI but did not speculate on where he is going yet. Possibly another team but he is not saying. I still think he has plans under his hat to build his own team for Cup but wants to test the waters with other teams for now.. I would imagine other team owners are linning up two wide to get him signed up.
That is all fine and dandy..
Look for NASCAR to waive the 4 team limit soon thus opening up many possibilities. Look for Jr. to finally get top quality cars to drive instead of the junk he gets from DEI.
JTcards1:
Gordon was in a winless streak for nearly two years. Does this make him a looser too.. Just has better cars this year.Jr has been getting junk this year.
Before you fire up your keyboard and start your 2nd grade idiotic banter, get your facts straight. You're talking like a jerk with a paper butt hole.
Dale Sr. died in a tragic accident in 2001 so he cannot continue to rack up wins like some one still alive and racing. Doesn't that make sense? Is it logical to you???
Dale Jr. is his own man and makes his own marks. Doesn't need to ride on his dad's coat tails.
Never have understood why Gordon has so many fan haters. But then again, I remember Dale Sr. having a LOT of fans that hated him too. So what is your point l
Falcons: Nope it is 4:30 p.m. in Ohio now.Wait a minute I am editing my prior post to be politically correct. DONE!!
Yep I was advised that the NASCAR boys can do what ever they please so it might be true but hard to tell if it happens.The easy way around that is start up a new team as a satellite team with a different name. Viola.. No rules broken..
Thats ok falcons. I am not afraid.. I have my yellow submarine parked on Aby Lane watching Lucy in the sky with diamonds and singing A hard days night. Guess I will go see Sgt. Peppers lonely hearts club band while I wait.Oh my.. That was Yesterday when they played Imagine on their 8 days a week road tour. That was surely A hard days night. Tell me why I am talking in Beatles songs????
nice work anyway falcon perhaps jr will take a que from dad and go drive for uncle richard and work with kelly on jr motorsports which will allow him to concentrate on the matters at hand winning
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
