Earnhardt out?
The Big Dog must be off, because Yahoo Bonkowski beat him over the head with this:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. officially will say goodbye to Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Thursday morning, Yahoo! Sports has learned.A highly placed source within DEI as well as additional sources familiar with the situation told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday afternoon that both Junior and teammate Martin Truex Jr. will announce Thursday morning that they are leaving the DEI camp at the end of this season and will drive for Earnhardt's heretofore Busch Series operation, JR Motorsports.
All I know is that Junior has called the NASCAR media horde to JR Motorsports in Mooresville at 11 a.m. Thursday. Everything beyond that is assumption. (I'm half expecting Junior will announce that Shane Huffman will be driving the 6.5 car next year.)
So let's speculate: If the Yahoo story is true, is this the best move for Junior? What does this mean for DEI? Heck, what does this mean for NASCAR? Anything?
Comments (5)
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What does it mean for DEI if true?
It means Teresa is a "smart" owner. She hired Max the movie/entertainment mongol, started an "entertainment division" and without Junior the company will cease to be a racing organization.
Makes "sense" right?
My guess, with the presser at JR Motorsports it's a done deal. If plans were anyway related to staying at DEI the presser would be there.
Posted on May 9, 2007 11:05 PM
Yo John, as a not serious racing fan I hope it's ok for me to join your conversation now because I actually have an opinion on this.
It appears to me that the successful NASCAR drivers are all part of just a few teams. Wont the dillution of these teams spread the talent pool around a little more, thus involving more teams and inviting parity much like the NFL?
Posted on May 10, 2007 8:43 AM
Definitely best for Jr. to leave DEI. After eight years, and not really competitive since 2004, Jr. was correct to leave them.
If I were him I'd forget about owning or operating his own CUP team. Too many distractions in light of the fact he probably only has around 10 really good years ahead of him to seek that championship.
He'll probably wind up at RCR but don't count Hendrick out. According to FoxSports, Jr. had been in talks with both RCR & HMS a little while back.
Posted on May 10, 2007 1:13 PM
Makes you wonder if Kyle Busch disappearing a few races ago and the 5 team needing a sub was really miscommunication.
John, now who might the 4th Hendrick driver be?
I was also amused by the speculation that little E might be going to Formula 1. That would definitely curl Mike Helton's mustache so he looked like Rollie Fingers.
Posted on May 10, 2007 8:19 PM
re: "he probably only has around 10 really good years ahead of him to seek that championship."
Is age a deterrent to winning a championship?
Also, Wouldn't starting his own team allow him MORE control over his future, a la Vince looking to produce his own movie in "Entourage"?
Posted on May 14, 2007 11:22 AM