Thursday, May 10, 2007

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. leaves DEI

This has been rumored for quite some time, but here is Dale, Junior, in his own words, announcing that he will be leaving the company his father built at the end of this race season.

What will happen next? We can only wait and see. There are a lot of theories and I'm sure there is more planned than he's letting on. From the marketing/PR side of things, he's smart to do this announcement today, which, to some people, will be a negative announcement. Then, a week or month down the line announce his future plans when it can be a pure celebratory announcement.

What do you think? Will he race for himself through JR Motorsports? Will he go with Richard Childress, like his dad did (3 car or not)? Where else might he end up?

And...will DEI relinquish the 8 number and give it to Dale to race with wherever he goes next? Race teams 'own' the numbers, but that was his grandfather's number....and so much associated with Dale. I can't picture that it would be a popular decision to put someone else in the 8 car for DEI. Then again, they may just hold it like RCR is holding the 3 number for the future.

Wherever he goes and whatever he chooses to do next, I hope it is a great adventure for him. We know the fans will follow no matter where he goes.

So, what do you think?

Just a speedy tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

1 comment:

xabistuff said...

lets help support our american legend dale jr. i signed a petition regarding dale jr. keeping his no.8.. this number has a lot history. help me out guys. sign the petition too
youchoose.net/pledge/let_dale_earnhardt_keep_8/from/xavierr