Is there anyway that Jr. ends up at DEI at season's end? It seems like Jr. woke up and finally realized that he is the biggest star and NASCAR and has more leverage than any athlete in the history of professional sports. Jr. is the man in NASCAR. What makes that more amazing than anything is that this popularity has come with a moderate amount of success. The NBA equivilent would be if Jeffrey Jordan, Michael's son, entered the league and played at a Paul Pierce level, but got LeBron James endorsements and attention. Don't get me wrong. Paul Pierce is a great player, but he's no LeBron, D-Wade, KG, or Tim Duncan. Much like Jr. is great, but he's not Stewart, Johnson, or Gordon.
Having said all of that, with the addition of Toyota, who seems to be willing to pay any price to make a major splash in the sport, Dale is NASCAR's first A-Rod type free agent. Anyone will pay anything to have him as the face of their team. Anyone except maybe his jealous stepmommy.
Here are Dale's 2008 options:
1) Stay at DEI as the majority owner of the company and remain the face of NASCAR as we know it.
2) Join a team like Hendrick or Roush with the proven ability to win championships with multiple teams and drivers. This way, he can begin to build a legacy outside of his father (if that's even possible).
3) Join a Toyota team, take Budweiser with him, and create a major shift in the power and influence of the newest and most controversial manufactoring brand in NASCAR history.
Whatever Dale chooses, he brings a marketability and economic power with him that no human being has ever had in any sport. Good luck in the negotiations Dale. The sport anxiously awaits.
Well, I agree more with #2, but I he would, (hopefully) stay far far away from Rousch and Toyota. I'd like to see him go to RCR not to drive the 3, but a black Bud # 8 out of RCR would be awsome. I'm just a pretty big RCR fan. Hedrick is too big and Rousch, well, that would just be plain stupid. Plus, Jr is to big of a Chevy guy.
Last edited by 8929fan on February 8th at 4:09 PM.
NPH - I like the way you think. I'm a big Tony Stewart fan so I'd love to see Jr. at Gibbs.
89 - As I just stated in my comment above, there isn't anyone who wouldn't love to see Jr. join our favorite team. However, I agree with your Chevy comment, but everybody has a price. Toyota seems to be the Steinbrenner of NASCAR.
Yes Dale is absolutely right. I am glad he has finally showed Ms Teresa he is the boss. He is the sweetest humble and very honest man and We all love him for being that way. That's why his fans are so loyal because of the person he is. Yes Dale take it.
Cowboy and Jimmy - Thanks for the comments. I agree with both of you. Dale is boss and finally realizes it. It amazes me that even people like myself, who never liked his father, find him so likeable. He's the son of a driver I grew up hating. He's sponsored by a product that I don't use or enjoy, but yet I like him. As I've said, I'm a Tony Stewart fan, but I really like Jr. The bottom line is that he will come out of this the winner no matter what.
I think the chances of Junior driving elsewhere in 2008 are slim to none. But if he did leave, there would only be one place for him. And that would be to RCR to drive the #3. Then the world would explode. Just by that black Monte Carlo rolling out of the garage would throw the earth off it's orbit. From the stampede of people alone.
DaleJr aint going nowhere,me and my son went to Chiagoland in 05,We stood in the stands wearing DaleJr T shirts with a bud in our hands and as we were watching him go to victory lane,I told my son that this was a top ten best time I ever had.My point is I am sure Jr. and his dad had their own top ten best times standing in victory lane because one of them had just won a race.I cant see DaleJr driving a Budweiser Toyota pushing DEI cars out of the way to win a race and going back to his trailer looking in the mirror and saying now thats my idea o####ood time.He has to much respect for his dad to do that. Now to bump Wartrips toyota buddys around is a different story.Jr deserves a piece of the DEI pie,and think he will get it.
Sidd - I think Jr. in the #3 is something we all want, and it will happen eventually. I'm not sure he wants that now. I think his real desire is to make DEI the #1 team in NASCAR, but he won't do it for free. I don't blame him.
ms - I'm not sure this is as much about his dad as it is the almighty dollar, but I do think he wants to be at DEI. He just won't be sold short.
ed - It'll be interesting to see what happens. Make sure you're tuned in.
Proud NGS II finalist. My run to the sweet 16 was short but. . . (from the department of redundancy department) sweet.
I love all sports. The Seattle Seahawks are my main passion. I've loved them since I can remember. My teams of choice in other sports are the New York Yankees and Rangers, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. As far as the NBA, I'm just a drifter. However, I do love this game!
