This weekend the slender note pads used on scene, sit lifeless on my desk. I can honestly say that this weekend is one better sat out. With all the hoopla surrounding Jr. and anyone remotely involved, this week has become a major media circus. (Seeing how the circus will be on tour for quite some time, I am in no hurry to join, and will catch a performance later.) Not that I wouldn't love to be at the race, but with the already tight quarters, (and this weeks world-wide attention) I am content to stretch out here and not get run over in the pursuit of a story that is really "old" news with no "new" news.

Without fear of "leaking" accusations, I can safely say that Jr. is somewhere wondering why you idiots continue to ask the same questions over and over and over...!!! Those who cover Jr. year round (not just in the heat of a moment) have been assured, by Jr. and camp, that this decision will not be made in haste and will be announced as soon as it is made. (He and they kept this promise at least 12-24hrs. ahead of the press conference, so there's no reason to believe otherwise.) So we sit back, and watch as the media "NASCAR Whackers" show how little they truly know about Jr. and about our sport. Not to mention the "fan whackers" who claim to be true fans, but don't know some of the most widely known facts. You may have caught one of these idiots on TV, you know, the one that threw one of those cans "in the name of Earnhardt". (P.S. "Redneck" is only made a bad word when used by the "media" to describe an idiot, most of us are proud to be called "redneck", and find the generalizations offensive. We have worked hard to have the right to "go redneck" on someone, and, though we may sometimes fail in the heat of the moment, we try not to abuse this right by at least knowing the facts before we throw something at you. Please do not use "redneck" to describe "idiot". It only degrades rednecks and confuses the rest of the idiots.)

You don't have to be an insider to really know what the true possibilities are. All you really need is knowledge of Jr. and our sport, and what the two really are about, and enough brains to factor the knowledge logically. This is not hard for the real NASCAR fans, but the attention it has attracted brings the idiots out and the media "NASCAR whackers" will continue to use them to make us all look like idiots. Deciding the outcome may be a little trickier, even with all the facts, we can only provide our own wish list. What may be considered the most popular decision, may not necessarily be the best; and what may seem to be the sweetest deal may not be the best for stricktly personal reasons. Another thing, just because there's bread in the oven, doesn't guarantee it will rise, and, even when baked, bread can grow moldy if not properly stored.

 Jr. is not going to sign for money alone. Logic, people, money is not a problem for Jr. He could retire now and continue to pull millions from a wide variety of sources. His investments, enterprises, and companies could be named a "diversification program" of their own. So throw the paycheck out the window. What does that leave? The real deal, the perks and the pleasure.

Jr. is not going to leave one "unhappy place" to join another. He has realized that being happy and being good do affect each other. If you are performing good, you feel happy, and if you're not happy, you don't perform as well. (Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.) Jr. wants to enjoy racing again, so he can feel good about putting his whole heart into the passion to win. He let this mess at DEI get in his head, and it has shown in his performance. He wants it to be a passion not a job.

 Look for a new Jr., one with the spark that captured our eyes in the beginning. This break from DEI will finally take the pressure off. (Somewhat ironic, huh?) My boredom with Jr., and Jr.'s own boredom, is now replaced with a sense of pride. Jr. has shown that he is his own man, no longer considered dependant on a name or a company name, and confident in his own ability to be a champion. Jr. no longer hides from the image, he has grown up and now knows he only hid from his own fears. Blood is blood, and comparisons will always be made, but Jr. now knows that self-confidence has a lot to do with whether you take it as a hit or as a compliment. Trying to live up to Daddy became a theme, it shouldn't have been. Now Jr. can concentrate on living up to his own expectations, which, he is realizing, is far more important (and more enjoyable) than living up to others. This is when life really begins for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 Where Jr. lands will depend on Jr.'s happiness and trust (personal and professional), not his pocketbook. Jr. wants multi-championships, and trust that a program has the ability to achieve that will play a huge part in his decision, but he's not going to sign unless he feels that "fit". Previous rumors and ties will come into play, but with Kelly and crew behind him, he will find that one puzzle that his pieces just seem to fit in.

Something to ponder:

There are 7,694,332,461 possible scenarios. (That was a Flywheel stat so it could be off by 1 or 2. I'm sure, somewhere, my geek gods are designing the perfect program to come up with the exact number.)

There are 4 viable scenarios.(5 if you're still hoping he'll start his own team.)

 How high can you count? Bigger numbers does not mean a bigger story, but some find the real story isn't as exciting as the tales they can create. Beware the fakers, with this much attention, expect a lot more "tabloid" than what we're used to. Welcome to a first under the big top we call NASCAR, "The 8 ring circus" is a wonder for all to see, step inside, for a wonderful ride, be amazed as most perform without nets, have a good laugh as the clowns entertain us, and stand to applaud the ring master, as he scurries to avoid the spot light (and being run over by the little cars full of clowns).

As the world continues to dump pieces on the table, trying to make the puzzle seem unsolvable (and themselves look like geniuses for giving us 10.000.000 solutions), I will continue to stretch out and enjoy the space. I sit here, close my eyes, and imagine the red Budweiser #3, leading the pack to the checkered flag of the "2008 Daytona 500", as I toast with Cindi , Lisa, and Steeler from a bottle of the #3 labeled Childress Vineyard's "Champions" stock, which it just so happens, is red. (Of course this dream becoming reality remains solely upon one thing and one thing only- Will I be able to save enough to buy the wine by February?)

Remember, "Smiles Spread" and, unlike rumors, they never get old or ugly.

I really haven't said much until now, because it really didn't matter, but now it's time for Theresa's side to be justified. Really, there is no need for an explanation, if you know the facts. Those who believe that DEI was built solely by Dale Sr. are sadly mistaken. Theresa has been a driving force behind the business side of the Earnhardt name since they met. She may not come off well with fans, and rarely does she get credit for her part, but I honestly don't believe there would even be a company or name worth enough to fight over if she had not been there. Sure, Dale would've been worth a lot, and the Childress marriage would have assured his success, but DEI was a joint venture pushed into fruition by Theresa's urging that he needed to build a legacy that would continue to earn and grow, long after he stepped from the car. Yes, Dale wanted this to be Jr.'s legacy as well, but I doubt he would have wanted that at the cost of Theresa and Taylor.

I poke fun at Theresa, but I poke fun at everyone, I am not prejudiced. In reality Theresa comes from racing. She has been called "cold", "calculating", and "greedy", all unfair when the facts are considered. In reality, she is a very smart business woman who is looking out, not only for herself, but for the future of Taylor and the future of the business she helped build. She may not have driven the car, but she drove Dale. He was the talent behind the passion, she was the brains behind the talent. Dale was not stupid, don't get me wrong, he just wasn't the best at managing the money/business side of things, a well known fact. He also wasn't the best at separating that from personal feelings. Theresa became the voice of reason in a world that exploded into something most thought impossible. Theresa's dreams of how Dale could make money, from a name alone, were ahead of their time, and with Dale, made it possible for drivers to actually make a living and a future for themselves. (Instead of wondering how they would pay the light bill or how much they'd still owe after the foreclosure sale.) Dale's name made it possible, Theresa's ideas made it possible, but it took both, focused on the prize, to make it reality. Since Dale's death, she has gone through many changes, and yes, she has distanced herself as an owner, but how would you have handled it? Could you have dealt with seeing him everywhere? Being expected to be the grieving widow, yet expected to be strong enough to remain in total control? (Then when in control being called a "cold-hearted bitch"?) Theresa lost the man she loved to the sport she grew up loving, how does one forgive the sport for the foul? I was only a fan, yet I still break down. I couldn't even watch the movie "3" until this February. I feel the tears with every flash back or tribute. I can't imagine being the wife.

Little by little Theresa is coming back. A lot of recent announcements and events have hinted that she will remain a major force in DEI and its future. The Dale Jr. situation was ugly, but in the end, it was handled the only smart way it could be. Dale asking for 51% was a bold move, but not a smart one. (If someone wants to holler "Greedy", maybe this would be an appropriate time.) If anything, maybe 33%, but Theresa would have looked like an idiot, not to mention desperate, to give up the majority. You must keep in mind that half of Theresa's interest actually needs to be set aside, and considered Taylor's. (And if ya really wanna pick, what about Kelly and Kerry? Where do they fit? Mute point, but no one said anything about them. Note: Kerry is employed by DEI, Kelly is employed by Jr. I guess they just aren't a good story. I disagree.)

As dirty as everyone made this, it was a clean decision on both sides. Theresa had to protect the future, for herself and for Taylor. Jr. had to take control of his own destiny, one way or the other. In the end I believe this is going to work out better for Jr. than for DEI, but Theresa is not an idiot, so, even though I tease, don't look for the museum expansion, you might just find a few exhibits (old and new) still have life in them.

For a lot more fact and really good links to the facts check out 14falcons article: In Support of Theresa Earnhardt

Tony Stewart said it best, "What is DEI without Jr.? A museum." Well, it seems, 2008 will be the grand opening. (Although the gift shop has been open for years.) Personally, I don't see how Theresa could have given in to Jr. without appearing to be a desperate idiot. Giving up controlling interest in a company that she, and Taylor, should hold majority in was a move that should have been avoided. To me, a three way split may have worked, but it's a mute point now. Don't put up the velvet ropes just yet, though. Lot's of things at DEI have been changing, and Jr.'s exit may speed a few of those up, but it doesn't change much more.

For Jr., this is when his life becomes even more of a circus. (As if it wasn't chaotic enough.) The rumors will fly, including those of offers that may or may not even be on the table. Yes, for Jr., these will be the best of times (he'll be everywhere) and the worst of times (everyone will be everywhere he is). Its well worth the headache (just pop a B.C. or Goody, check sponsors first) because the payoff will continue far into the future.

Last season I made a comment that pretty much summed up where Jr. was headed. I simply made the statement,"Frankly, I'm getting bored with him." It hit me as I said it, it was true. He was so/so for sooo long that it was getting sooooo old. This is the shake up Jr. needed to re-energize, not only himself, but his fans as well.

Dale Sr. didn't win championships with his company, maybe the same is Jr.'s destiny. When the true deal is done, history will be made. (Personally, I'd like to see a red Bud #3 goin' round the track.) There are many ways this could go, and believe me, his decision may not please everyone, but it will be for a reason. He has good people, namely Kelly, this decision will not be made in haste.

Jr. fans, this is your time, enjoy it! To Jr., you didn't give up, or give in. Make it fun again. Remember when it was fun? It shouldn't be a job, it should be a passion. Take back the passion and make it fun again. A toast to Jr., 32's a good year, full-bodied, yet amusing.

P.S. Think about this- When Jr. walks out those doors, how many will follow? Will Mickey return to save the day? (Okay, that one was just wrong; I think I'm already on probation because of the "robot", so I guess I'll have to watch the race with Mickey from the coach.)

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