GOOD-BYE DEI

Rumor became fact when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. announced that at the end of the 2007 season, he is leaving Dale Earnhardt, Inc. It's the racing team started by his late father, owned by his stepmother and the only cup team Dale Junior has ever driven for. It was a sad day but not surprising.

At the Thursday press conference Dale Jr. singled out and thanked his Mom, grandmother, sister and aunt for attending the announcement. Not one time did Junior specifically thank Teresa Earnhardt. He thanked DEI but not Teresa. Relationships between step parents and step children can be splendid or stressful.  Add in "step-business partners" and that proved to be a disaster for the Earnhardts.

The separation may be good for both. Neither Dale Junior nor Teresa has to pretend anymore. They have tolerated each other for the good of the business and to honor the Earnhardt legacy. I wonder, will it be harder for Teresa to see Junior leave DEI or for Little E to leave the team that his father created with his son in mind? Maybe Junior and Teresa will find peace in division.

Dale Jr.spoke often at his press conference about continuing his father's legacy. One place that could happen is Richard Childress Racing...a team where Dale Earnhardt became the Intimidator and won 6 of his 7 Cup championships. As a kid, Dale Jr spent a lot of time in the Childress shop or at the track dressed in Childress gear. Racing was Little E's connection to his father. 

In 1981, car owner Richard Childress hired a 32 year old guy named Dale Earnhardt. The same opportunity is there again. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is 32 and available next year. It would be a most fitting ending and beginning all in one hire. Can you image the goose bumps some race fans would have seeing a Richard Childress #3 with an Earnhardt name above the window come roaring down to the green flag at Daytona?