Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't screw DEI--Teresa did

Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he will be leaving the race team that his father and step-mother built specifically to give him a place to race.  Junior has declared himself a "free agent" for the 2008 season; saying he and DEI were never close to having a deal done.  Dale said he knows that DEI and he both want to end up in the same place, "winning races and championships", but they were diametrically opposed on how to get to that point.

Junior said, "My father's vision was for me to have a huge role in DEI and that was not in the cards.  This decision was based on doing what is best for my driving career and not any personal interest in DEI.  Decisions have to be made as to where Jr. will run in 2008.  The most likely scenarios include front tier Chevy teams because of his "good relationship with Chevrolet and comfort level driving their cars."

Will the #8 follow him?  Probably not, or not without a price.  He also "believes the timing may not be right" for him to drive his father's famous #3 for Richard Childress Racing.  Jr. said the decision on where he ends up next year will be dependant on the long term commitment and relationship with any new team and how that relationship might be integrated with his own JR Motorsports teams.

His "least desirable scenario" would be starting their own JR Motorsports CUP team.  Kelly Earnhardt-Elledge said there would be enough time to put that sort of deal together if necessary.  While acknowledging that there will be big dollar offers for his services, money will not be the determining factor in where he will drive from 2008 onward.  "The money would be about the same from anyone." he said.  That makes you wonder if he has already started the process of "listening to all offers", doesn't it?

So where does he go?  Chevy teams include: Hendrick with 4 cars, RCR with 3 cars, Joe Gibbs Racing with 3 cars, Ginn Racing with 3 cars or Haas CNC Racing with 2 cars.  NASCAR mandates that no owner can have more than 4 teams.  That puts all of the Chevy teams in a position to add Junior, because the #25 Casey Mears team will have an opening soon.  Sorry Casey, you're on the way out regardless. But, Junior talked about teammates and fitting in and staying forever.  I don't see those requirements being met.  Ego is also part of it, and Junior would be at best the third guy in that pecking order.

RCR would seem to be the most likely with the #3 car hanging out there.  The driving for his father's car owner and all that.  Lets not forget the lineup of Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer might be a group that Junior could live with.

Ginn Racing would seem to give him a great shot at bringing a 2nd level tea to the forefront.  After all, how much longer can Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek and Mark Martin drive?  Ginn seems to have the money and the ego to take a shot at Junior.

Haas CNC --forget it--not far enough removed from DEI's problems.

Soooooo... that leaves JGR and an open slot to get to the 4 car limit or a sayonara to JJ Yelley for under preforming in the #18 car. How would that sound to potential sponsors, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and whomever.  That is a line up that would have potential sponsors lining up to throw cash at Joe Gibbs Racing.  Championships--yup, they know about them; winning races--yup, they know how to do that; good teammates--yup, the best; stability--yup, The Coach and his kid JD know how to get it done.

So start thinking about buying your #08 or #03 or #82 or #32 Bud stuff.

photo:  speedtv.com

Comments

[marc]

At first blush I would agree, JGR seems to be the perfect fit.

However, I've been very impressed with what Ginn has done with the previously mid-pack MR2.

The improvement in the #01 can't be all Martin, Ginn has pumped some serious cash (and other personnel) into that program to make it a contender each week.

I'd bet my last dollar Ginn will be in the "fight" to get Junior.

[steve]

marc--

My biggest 'problem" with Ginn is the age of their driving corp. Other than Regan Smith who hasn't driven in enough races to get a gauge on, the rest of the group is a couple-a-hundred years old. Now--if the whole Martin Truex, Jr.playing puppy dog to Junior are true then we have a different story.

[Vroom!]

Bud is a lock...but the # is important too, or should I say three!

[michael]

Ginn was my thought as well as a possible contender although RCR seems the obvious... HMS...I hope not!!!

[Mike]

I thought it was funny that in Jenna Fryer's AP story she cited the fact that Jr is a big Redskins fan. That settles it, he must be going to Gibbs. Based on that logic, it also means Tony Stewart is headed to Evernham because he's a big McDonald's fan.

[Bryan]

Reports out of Gibbs racing is that they are none too keen to sign an alcohol sponsor. That would pretty much put them in a bad position.