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Dale Jr.'s one choice; Kyle Busch's many options
Junior knew that they had the potential to run up front, but they just weren't getting it done. His departure has really motivated everybody at DEI to step it up and make their cars better. They've done it. Obviously, Martin has been awesome the last few weeks, and Junior hasn't been bad. Once they realized that he was out of there, it was a wake-up call. That's why you're seeing the kind of results you're seeing. Both cars ran well at Michigan, and Martin almost won again.
A lot of people have e-mailed, called and stopped me on the street to say, "How did you know that Junior was going to Hendrick?" Folks, just stop and think about it. When Dale Jr. announced that he was going to leave DEI, he and I talked for quite some time about what he was going to do. At that point, he hadn't made up his mind and really didn't know what he was going to do. He just knew he was leaving DEI, and we talked about a lot of different scenarios.
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He asked me how I felt about driving the No. 3 car. As a fan, I thought the racing world would be right if Dale Jr. got in that car and drove it for Childress. Then, he explained to me why he didn't feel good about it and how it was his dad's car, number and legacy. He didn't want to go back and relive it all. I can understand why he feels that way.
If he had gotten behind the wheel of the black No. 3, he would have been living in the shadows of someone as great as Dale Sr., and he would have been compared to him all the time. People would have said, "Well, Dale Jr. doesn't drive the car like Dale Sr. did." Or "Well, Dale Jr. never won a championship in the No. 3 car."
Then, it just became a matter of him asking what I thought he should do. I told him that if I could do a deal with anybody, I would do a deal with Rick Hendrick. He said, "Yeah, I just don't know if that's going to be possible." I said, "Well, take my advice if you can. Cale Yarborough advised me back in '81 to drive for Junior Johnson, and I did. That's the best advice anybody ever gave me. If there's any way possible, I'm advising you to drive for Rick Hendrick."
It's not like I had a crystal ball or inside information. I knew where Dale Jr. stood, and I knew how he felt. I knew that Hendrick Motorsports was the right place for him. I'm glad they were able to work it out. As far as his sponsors and his number go, anything with an 8 is going to work. And I think that's his opinion, too. He has said 81, and I said 08. And who knows? Maybe Teresa will feel charitable and work out something with Hendrick Motorsports so they can keep the 8 number. That would be special to Dale Jr. because that's his number, and he would like it a lot. Out of the goodness of her heart, I'd like to see Teresa do that for him.
People keep speculating about the sponsor, and again, I have no inside information. But I do think that there are a number of really good potential sponsors, not that Budweiser hasn't been good to Dale Jr. And Dale Jr. has been good to Budweiser. I just believe that he wants to wipe the slate clean and start with a clean sheet of paper, and he'll do that by finding another sponsor, instead of Budweiser. That's what they're thinking about doing.
I just love his sister Kelley. She's been by his side the whole time. My sister Carolyn has stuck by me through thick and thin. When I didn't have enough money to pay my bills, she helped me manage my money, keep me out of debt and keep me out of trouble. She gave me a lot of good advice through the years so I love my sister Carolyn just like Junior loves Kelley. When their parents sent Junior to military school, he was lonely, and he wasn't getting along too well. What did Kelley do? She went down there and stood by him. She's been standing by him and standing with him ever since. It's great to have a sister that loves and cares about you. I'm really proud of the way Kelley has worked through this whole situation so I tip my hat to her.
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Oh, by the way
People keep wanting to know where Kyle Busch is going to go. I think he may go to Ginn Racing or Haas/CNC Racing. I really feel like he'll go to a team that's affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports. Rick may be trying to find a ride that's still sort of in the family. I know for a fact that Rick thinks a lot of Kyle. They've just had some real issues with his attitude and some problems that they just can't seem to get corrected. But it's not for a lack of effort on Rick's part.I don't think Rick is just going to dump on him and kick him out the door. I think he's going to try to help him land where he can get some more experience, get a handle on his attitude and get a handle on his temper. You'll hear a lot about that kid because he can win races anywhere he goes. He's just got to learn how to control his emotions. At 22 years of age, it's a pretty daunting task, but he'll figure it out.
It reminds me of something Robert Gee, Dale Jr.'s grandfather, always said when somebody would get mad, fly off the handle and storm around. Robert would ask, "What's wrong with you, boy? Did you lose your temper?" Of course whoever it was would say, "Yeah." Robert would reply, "Well, I'm here to help you find it." Kyle needs somebody to help him find his temper because tempered he's going to be a whale of a driver. He's got a great future ahead of him and a lot of years to get it right. I'm sure he will.
Member Comments
Hey ladydi1967.....A very passionate and factual comment concerning DEI. Good job....
racefaninal6/24/2007 13:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Thank you ladydi1967. 100% true. Its DEI, or TEI for that matter, as someone keeps calling it and definately NOT DEJI and never will be, unless Teresa leaves it to him. She was the brains that had a good tool(SR) and built a profitable co. SR raced the car. As Sr had said, Before I met Teresa I owed the bank. Now the bank owes me. And he wasn't going to leave it to Jr. or would have in his will.<br />Dei will do good without JR.<br />By the way Has enyone noticed that JR has been doing better lately with all that bad equipment DEI supplies him? Maybe its just me...
racefan60996/24/2007 6:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
What real race fans know is this...i can take Jr or leave him but the thing is if he didnt have the last name Earnhardt then 1) he wouldnt be in racing and 2)alot of people wouldnt even think twice about him. Nascar wants gordon, jr, and stewart to battle it out each year and they are dying for jr to win. Everyone else is just field fillers...remember when racing was every man for himself...now its ill pass you but ill give you your lap back team crap. Racing is dying because its getting to be so fake like when waltrip used to block for junior all the time.
Threat6/23/2007 14:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Too bad Teresa didnt listen to Junior earlier for TEI will survive for awhile. It took Jr. to say Im leaving and RCR to help out. Too bad for TEI. Wish the best for Jr. at RHR.<br />LRR
lrichardson6/23/2007 13:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hello DW, love your columns and what you have to say on and off tv. As for this comment page, Dale is more than a average driver, being raised from day one by a father who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in April. He has more knowlege I am sure than a lot of drivers out there, having learned from such a smart mentor. The only difference is: Dale will never carrry a nick name as his father had, Dale is not that aggresive. But as far as being from an average shop: it didnt used to be was it? As far as an average crew, it didnt used to be until the problems surfaced with the evil wicked step mother refused Dale's suggestion to upgrade TEI, that takes money! So now, she knew how to get rid of Dale, just dont offer any kind of a deal at all! DW have you in your life time EVER seen ANYONE asked to BUY their given INHERITENCE??? That is what irks me, she could have offered a lesser amount, but no, hires a guy to do her talking and how did that turn out? As everyone knows, Teresa has the LAST WORD ON EVERYTHING AT TEI. GO DALE GO IN 2008
pioneersof456/23/2007 11:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I am well aware that Dale Jr. is the most popular driver in Nascaar. I am also well aware that 95% of that popularity is based on his last name. With that said, when are some of the Jr. fans along with the media and Nascar going to stop treating and talking about him like he is some type of "god". It is indeed a sad day when one person has this type of control over a group of people. Dale Jr. is just a human being that happens to be an average racecar driver, on an average race team, working for an average company.
racefaninal6/22/2007 12:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Kalie61,<br /> The comment section is intended to be relevant to the article written by the FOX analyst (DW). If you read the article above, you see that DW discusses Junior's potential new sponsor and possible new number. Although I do agree with you about all posts turning into the "Great Debate" about this topic (which bugs the crap out of me too), it is rlevant here. <br />And yes, it is a dead horse. But it makes for some great comments, at least those which are well thought out. Some "fans" don't have the ability to express themselves properly, and that goes for both sides of the Jr/Gordon fanbase.
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 16:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
How come, every comment section turns into a debate about what number JR is going to have on his car? <br /><br />I think we are beating a dead horse here.
Kalie616/21/2007 16:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
uncleshep,<br /> I think the biggest problem with Jr keeping Bud is the fact that HMS is still under contract with current sponsors thru '08. That, and the fact that Bud isn't signed with Jr, but DEI (double check my facts on that last one) thru '08. He'll probably stick with a current HMS sponsor for the first year and then hopefully go back to BUD later maybe? Who knows what will happen....not us, that's for sure. Wait and see.
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 16:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I don't really follow motorcross either, so i don't know who the rider is. My only thought is Anheiser-Busch does not want to severe the ties with Jr., and they can either sponsor him through another one of their products for a year until their contract with DEI expires, and then put BUDWEISER back on his car. They know the marketing power this man has, and they would be stupid to not utilize that, so what better way to stay with him than to have him promote another of their products for a year and then go back with the Bud sponsorship. I promise if they did that, then Monster Energy drink would close the gap on Red Bull in the one year they are with Jr. He may surprise everyone and go with something completely new. Whoever it is, i will cheer him on, and I am betting that the potential sponsors are going to have one hell of a bidding war with each other for his services. It will be good for the sport. It may force some of the other sponsors to pony up some $ to the lesser funded teams, and allow them to close the gap on the big $ teams.
uncleshep6/21/2007 14:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Monster also has a rider in the motocross circuit, but but the name escapes me. I don't follow motocross.
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 13:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
As for a sponsor for Jr., how about Monster Energy drink. It is distributed by Anheiser-Busch, and the energy drinks are hotter thn ever. If i remember correctly, JR motorsports signed Jeremy McGrath to a developmental contract, and he brought along a sponsorship from Monster Energy drinks. Just a thought. Kenny Bernstein in the NHRA had a Budweiser sponsorship for over 20 years, retired and decided to come back this year, and is now sponsored by Monster, so if DW is right, and it is going to be a beverage, I think it will be Monster Energy drink.
uncleshep6/21/2007 12:36:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
DiamondDee, this is a quote from the Junior article and it will answer you question.<br />"NASCAR owns the numbers, but gives first choice to the team that held the number the previous year. Only in rare circumstances does NASCAR not offer the number to the same team that held it the year before."
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 11:29:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
My neighbor was telling me that he heard on NASCAR radio on Sirius yesterday that DEI does not own the number 8 nor does any team own their current numbers. NASCAR allows the team to use the number but it could be pulled at any time if a good enough case is made. Has anyone heard this?
Diamond_Dee6/21/2007 11:13:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
jr/hamlinman, that is a great attitude! I totally agree. <br />#3Savannah--don't leave Casey Mears out of the team picture. <br />DaveRosenberg-What does Jr have to do to prove himself? The boy knows how to win races but he can't do it with junk cars. I think he did take a look in the mirror and saw Wicked Stepmother standing behind him.....now that's scary!!!!!!
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 11:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
If JR is that confident about his skills and ability, where was his leadership at DEI. Just another driver, hop in the car, and complain about everything, instead of looking in a mirror to see where most of your problems are
DaveRosenberg6/21/2007 9:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Well now that RCR is out of the picture-ugh! We will all have to drink more beer when the race is on to get in the mood to rally around JJJ (Jeff-Jimmy-Junior) If Tereasa doesn't trade the 8 for the 5 the beer cans will fly at Daytona 2008!
3Savannah6/21/2007 9:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
It is awesome to see him happy. It shows in his driving. As for the number, T will let Jr have the #8(I hope) she has to save a little face. DW seems to know all, and he thinks the sponsor will be a beverage not in a red can. What could that be? Cant wait to find out and buy all new stuff.
jrhamlinman6/21/2007 9:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I know I'm setting myself up to get raked over the coals here by every Junior hater (assuming the kung fu stance now) but here goes.<br />I know that DEI is a business, as with RCR, HMS, JGR, etc. But it was created by a family, and as such, it seems to have lost that. Forget all the millions (how much does one need, really?), forget majority ownership and all of that. Couldn't Theresa have lived with a little less income and let her stepson run the show? I'm sorry, but if someone told me that I would only being making 45 million this year, as opposed to 70 million, I think I'd be OK with that. I would rather have a warm family life at home and be able to sit back (collecting my millions) and say, "Damn, is my stepson all over it or what...Look at him go!!!" <br />I guess the "Love of the Race" is defeated once again by the almighty dollar. Sad.
DEJrTrue6/21/2007 7:33:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
racefan6099, if Teresa was such a good business woman, she would never have let Jr leave DEI. He is the money maker in that organization. You stated "IF he wanted that company...." From what I can tell, he DID want majority ownership in that company or he wouldn't be have made the decision to leave. You did say some complimentary things about Jr but your posts do come across like facts instead of opinion. Just an observation.
Diamond_Dee6/21/2007 6:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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