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.
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?
