8 Isn't Great Anymore
The series of blunders that may ultimately doom Dale Earnhardt Inc. is now complete.
With Wednesday afternoon's confirmation that Hendrick Motorsports couldn't come to an agreement with DEI to allow Dale Earnhardt Jr. to keep his No. 8, the company is stuck with a worthless number once the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season reaches a close.
Readers can check out the quotes from Dale's bobble-headed PR manager over at the Worldwided Leader in Sports, but, in the end, it means one thing: Teresa Earnhardt wanted one last jab at her stepson.
In a nutshell, Hendrick made an offer she couldn't accept, no matter how much money came with it because it meant giving Dale Jr. what he wanted.  That's more than a little sad.
Let's examine quickly DEI's accomplishments since January:
1. Making room for a new driver by failing to agree to a contract with NASCAR's "Elvis," who also happens to be the founder's namesake and the most popular name in racing.
2. The purchase of a completely mediocre team, Ginn Racing, because of it had a bigger building, a jazzy piece of chassis-tuning equipment and three cars in the top 35 in points -- an intended bonus here was the acquisition of Mark Martin.
3. The failure to structure the Ginn purchase in a way that retained the "points" value in one of the three teams it bought.  It simply went away.
4. Not being able to close the deal with Kyle Busch.  Sure, he's temperamental, but not any more than the current DEI owner -- and he WAS the best talent available to replace "Elvis."
5. Keeping the No. 8.  This serves no purpose.  With Dale Jr. and Budweiser surely gone to other teams, does anyone forsee plenty of red No. 8 flags waving in infields in 2008?
The simple fact is this:  The No. 8 IS an Earnhardt number -- but it is a RACING Earnhardt number dating back to Dale Jr.'s grandfather, Ralph.  Teresa's claim to the No. 8 is legitimate only because, as they say, possession is nine-tenths of the law.  Will souvenir sales surge and marketing executives drool over the possibilities when someone not named Earnhardt accepts the challenge of wearing that shoe?
I doubt it.
Posted: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM
Comments:
For Junior to get the clean break from that company he should not have an 8 in his number at all.
Posted On: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM
So it's not "Great" anymore because an overrated spoiled driver is being replaced by a four time championship runner up? Get it together, man.
Posted On: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM
If NASCAR is apparently the OWNER of the #8, and DEI only leases it, why didn't NASCAR have the final say and not Ms. GREEDhardt?  OOOHHH if only she wouldn't have been so stubborn and mean in this whole mess.  I bet it comes back to bite her in the behind.  What it took Dale Earnhardt years to build has taken her just a short time to ruin.  Sad part is Earnhardt works long and hard to leave something for his family not just the Mrs..  He must be rolling in his grave.  What a sad sad ending to what was an awesome legacy!!!!
Posted On: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM
First, I don't understand where the tag "Elvis" being applied to Dale Jr. came from. It's plain crap. Dale Jr. is Nascar's "Earnhardt". Profoundly so! Just as crappy as Waltrip calling him "June Bug", which makes no sence at all.
Wasn't it just a few short years ago we had the turmoil over the # 3 and how the fans demanded Jr. should have it. I'd venture a guess and say Jr. would prefer the # 3. How many fans are alive today that remember Ralph E. driving #8. Didn't we find out months ago Nascar leases the numbers and teams can't buy them or were we lied to.
Let's say Dale gets the # 5. That number, by majority then becomes the overwhelming fan favorite by proxy. Your right Rhino, #8 becomes worthless. Mr Ginn...what were you thinking? Did you get tired of Nascar's Bull S... already? With your corporate knowhow and money you could have far exceeded DEI's success. It's become quite apparent Teresa doesn't have a clue.
 Kyle Busch, my hats off to you young man. Gibb's over Teresa, is a no-brainer. Good luck, and may you win many races.
 If a sponsor is still up in the air for Jr., then why did Hendrick say they were obligated for 2008 and didn't require Budweiser's dollars. Sounds strange to me. Alcohol or not, to separate "Bud" from Dale Jr. is just very poor business. That brings me to the point of why Dale made this deal without Bud being involved. Was that a blunder? So, so much brew  (dollars) down the drain. The boys in St. Louis must be sick, 'cause they know replacing Dale's appeal is not possible. When it comes to "wins" and "championships", no matter what the new number, I'm afraid Dale Earnhardt Jr. will play 3rd fiddle to the numbers 24 and 48.
Posted On: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM
I think DEI is a sinking ship. The organization has got to be pretty bad if DALE JR wants to leave. I mean, Dale Jr. wouldn't leave his father's own organization if something wasn't seriously wrong over there. Plus, I can't wait until next year when I am up in the stands at Talladega because no matter who's in the 8, even if it's Mark Martin, the Jr nation will let T.E.I. know just what they think of their arrogance.

As for Jr., at least now he's got a fresh start. There's one less thing that he's now got in common with DEI at Hendrick and hopefully he won't have Tony Eury Jr. as a crew chief. No offence to Eury but if you're going to start over you might as well replace everyone and everything.
Posted On: 8/15/2007 5:19:00 PM

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