It started with Teresa Earnhardt in the Wall Street Journal saying, "Right now the ball's in [Junior's] court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality.”
It didn’t take long to make that explode into a rumor that Junior would ditch the #8, and be piloting the Chevy #3 made infamous by his father. There is not a gear-head alive that doesn’t miss seeing the #3 black Monte Carlo intimidating the rest of league in their rearview mirror. And Junior has made it clear that he wants to drive the #3 before the end of his own career.
It’s all just marketing. It’s what NASCAR is all about. The scenario revolves around Junior’s contract coming to an end with DEI at the end of 2007, owned and operated by his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt. She goes on record with some laundry in hopes to motivate June Bug to get focused. Junior replies with his contract negotiation.
The negotiations are huge. Not only is it a company in Juniors name sake, he is fully aware that he is that whole team. #8 pays the bills in that garage. #8 wants a stake of his own team. The Earnhardt name needs to be marketed, and every marketing plan has an image. That image is Junior. Period! Negotiation over.
You have to give Teresa credit for trying. For playing the game. It’s fun when you think about it.
The truth is Junior will stay in the Red. The money, and the Budweiser. Richard Childress Racing has promised Junior that the only time the #3 will make a public appearance; he would be behind the wheel. (Racing for RCR of…, cough. I mean, of course.) But that is further down the road for June Bug. Right now, it's business. Junior will get a piece of Dale Earnhardt Inc. when he signs with them in the next few weeks.
There is only one driver in the league that is negotiation free. You can struggle, but it is a hard right turn. Just the notion of Junior packing up all that Budweiser money and being greeted with open arms on any team in the league makes any negotiation factor a void. When you have the most popular driver in the league, and his name is Earnhardt, you have nothing to negotiate with. You can try, but the ‘Intimidation Factor’ alone is deal breaker.
I wanted to add that the comment by Teresa was pretty weak. Junior came in 5th for the 2006 season. Saying that he wasn't focused is just down right wrong. This is the top league of stock car racing, and 5th place is nothing to be down about.
Nice blog and I like your last comment. I couldn't stand Sr. as I felt he was a dirty racer, something that came and stuck from the eighties. But, I would love to see Jr. step into the #3 car and feel the inspiration and pride that would come from that decision. Now if his mother would just be quiet.....ha ha.
1steelerfan1 - It has been a long time since I heard someone talk about the negative image of the #3. I give you credit for sticking to your guns. You are right too. A ton of fans had a tough time with Seniors style. He was tough to race around.
But with that said, everyone can agree that seeing the #3 on the track again would be a ratings grabber for NASCAR. It will happen, but not anytime soon.
Glad to see you chime in. That was a great comment, and I thank you for sharing.
Gunaquat - Thanks guy! I also can't wait to see him pilot the #3. But don't hold your breath. Maybe another throw back paint scheme this year for the #8. That black scheme he ran last year was amazing. Just wish he would have raced it a bit better when he ran it.
Sidd Diggity Dog. It's been some time. Hope you're doing great.
I am not a Dale Jr. fan but I'd love to see him in the #3 car and sooner than later. I think after all that happened with dad, his beefs with Teresa, the legacy of that GM Goodwrench car and the publicity to be made...well it just sounds like good business and a good story.
What's your take on Kerry Earnhardt? Is he that bad of a driver? Did the genes somehow skip him? Seems he's never gotten much of an opportunity considering he is an Earnhardt. Maybe if/when Jr. jumps ship, Kerry could take over the #8 and maintain the family connection.
Good food for thought as Daytona approaches. I'll be looking for more from you as we get closer. Maybe I'll drop in an occasional Nascar blog of my own and we can compare notes.
I'm not so sure about Jr. climbing into Sr.'s car. I mean, that's Sr.'s legacy and Jr. has started building a legacy of his own with the 8. I'm not so sure that that sleeping dog should be woken up. Good article, though. Nice to "see" you again, Sidd.
Very good post. I imagine you are right on with the strength Jr. has to call his own shots.
Does 98 ever do anything but cut people down? I have seen him post only slightly more than three times and cut people down three times. What is he? 15?
Jr. carries the 8 his grandfather made famous. He will drive the black 3 before he retires. Write it down.
I could of sworn junior had more involvement in the running of DEI..The guy is DEI..he picked up where his father left off and its a shame he's doesn't player a bigger role in that compnay
Rivjo - It's great to see ya around. I am trying to get back into the blogging scene as of late. It's been tough to put it down for a bit, then try to get back into it. As the season starts, you can bet I will be here.
As much as I like to think that I am not a Jr fan, I can't help it. Everytime I have had a chance to catch him up close, the guy is a class act. You can't help but like him. His image is as good as his character. How can you not be a fan?
I think Kerry is a good driver, but not a great one. I think Dale outweighs him in a car. He has done well in the Superspeedways in the top series, but its just too tough competition at that level.
Look for his son, Jeffery to make a go at it.
And I look so forward to reading anything you have to say about NASCAR. Plus, I look forward to comparing notes.
Steelerfan - To be honest, even our imagination could not compare to what it would actually be like. It would go down as one of the greatest feel good sports moments in history. I actually think the rating would beat the Super Bowl. Or at least come pretty close. NASCAR knows it has that in their back pocket, if they ever needed it.
Rapidroy - You make a great point! And I can agree with you on all fronts of that comment if it was just about respect alone. But NASCAR is all about marketing. And it is a marketing dream to have Jr drive that car. Can you honestly think that Junior could retire without driving the #3. Would NASCAR allow it?
I know that you are not alone. And I agree that the #8 is strong enough alone, but it is written in the marketing plan. It will happen.
14falcons - Just to let you know, I don't comment all that much on peoples blogs. Not because I don't want to, but I do read alot of them on my cell phone. (Explains why I don't want to spend the time typing out comments on a key pad.) Yours is the one I really look forward to when the season comes into play. I know that you are old school, and we have a good number of great NASCAR blogs on this forum.
I welcome you, and look forward to sharing opinions in the 2007 season. You have a great blog, and I hope to learn a few things from you in the near future.
As for other bloggers..., it's a tough crowd around these parts. Make the most of it, and have some fun with it. It's the best advice I can give.
Junior has a great sense of history when it comes to family and the sport. He makes a great image for the league and rightfully so. He makes every fan proud, and that is the one true characteristic of a superstar. Classy!
Samcolts - I think Junior is saying the exact same thing. He is that company, so why does he not have a stake in it? I can understand Teresa holding him out for a bit of time till he was older and more mature to take a bigger role, but that time is now. He needs not prove anything more to anyone. Sure, he hasn't won a Cup, but he has won the Daytona 500. From where I sit, it's the same thing.
Look for Jr to take a bigger role in the company this year or the fallowing year. It's time, and Teresa know it. If she doesn't, we will make it clear to her in the near future.
You wonder about family differences and pride affecting negotiations. If Teresa has any sense, she signs Jr and gives him a slice of the action. If not, let Jr. take Bud to RCR and drive the #3. It seems a slam dunk for Jr but does Teresa realize that or is she grandstanding for the sake of negotiations?
I have to go along with Rapid Roys comment on the #3 car with Jr. in it. I am sure a lot of people would love to see Jr. in a #3 but it is best not to peg him in another's legend.Ok to drive it as nostalga racing but not the cup series.
Jr. does need more of a stake in DEI. With out Jr., DEI will fall by the wayside.
You summed things up very nicely, Sidd, and pretty much how I see things playing out. Nevertheless, ol' Teresa don't sound like a dumb lady. I give her mad props.
Nospin - I think she has to give Jr a piece of DEI. Not that he would pack up for RCR, but he would pack up for somewhere else at least. I could never see him in anything else but a Chevy though, so maybe Gibbs. That would be something.
I think she was grandstanding. I don't think she knew how much it would be thrown around in public, but she did want to put it out there. Give her credit for trying, but not that much more.
npgotogr - Good to see some siding with Rapid on the move to the #3. He makes a great point. I think it will happen sometime, but not till Juniors last year in the league. I think it is too much of a pretty penny to NASCAR to not have it happen. Just for the ratings alone.
More stake of DEI? How about any? It's kind of getting people angry around NASCAR Nation. He is the team, and with him having more power you can bet they will get better. I also think that Menard will help in pooling resources. It should be a better DEI with him on the front lines. It's a win-win for Junior.
as i understand it childress racing owns #3 and it would be nostalgic to see jr in it. but i feel to do #3 justice who better than kevin harvick he is who sr and richard picked to be sr's teammate and to blow your minds even farther if we want another intimidator put smoke in the #3 who better?
deemon55 - Yes, RCR owns the car. And Harvick somewhat already does drive the car. The #29 Monte Carlo is basically the #3 car in everything except the number. When Senior passed away, Kevin was asked to come drive full time in the Cup series with the GM Goodwrench Service Plus sponsor. No, it doesn't have the #3 on it, but it basically is.
Plus, I am not sure anyone, including Harvick would want to step into the #3. Everyone knows it's Junior or nothing.
Sidd - I'm so ready for the 500 I could scream. I'm really rooting for Jr. to get to the #3. (I just noticed that the # sign on the keyboard is actually the #3. AWESOME) Anyway, I think it would be great not only for nostalgia, but the fact that the old Budweiser commerical about Jr. changing his number would actually be true. The better question that people are asking is, would Bud sponsor the car. DEI might let Jr. go, but BUD won't.
Xeas76 - Ha! I just left a comment on your last piece, and now I find you here. I agree with you about Daytona. BRING IT!
I think were some years away from seeing Junior in the #3, but it is worth the wait. And you can bet that Bud is going with them. They are not giving their money to DEI, they are giving their money to Junior. And I think Teressa knows that. All too well, more then likely.
But the day will come. And the world will shake when it does.
Burger21 - I can't wait to give it a read, and thanks a ton for the heads up. And 4 in a row? The season has not even started and we all ready have another fan of the fossil fuel! Get Fast!
I adjusted my words on steeler due to whining from others.
Kevin asked to have his car not be black and not be the #3 when he stepped in to do his very admirable job in 2001. In my opinion the sport has gone down since then. I like Jr and hope he drives the black 3 someday after he wins a championship at DEI.
98RedZone - Well spoken, I think that is how the story should play out. But give Junior a stake of the team. Then let's see him win it. He had a great year last season when all was said and done. They are close, but oh so far.
Then drive into Daytona driving the #3 years down the road.
I think Jr. will come out on the better end of this contract than any previous contract. He has let it be known that he wants a bigger stack in his father's company. And Teresa knows that is what Dale wanted in the beginning. Is all his children working at DEI and owning it someday. So this is just the first step in the Earnhardt children taking the reigns of their father's company away from Teresa.
TSFanpc - I sgree with Seniors wishing that team that way. I hope to see it happen. It seems to be coming to a head soon. And I can only imagine good news from all fronts. Junior will get his stake.
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
