Dale Sr. (God rest his soul) has to be rolling over in his grave seeing what has happened this NASCAR season so far.
Dale sr. was 1 - a family man, 2 - a very good business man, 3 - a hell of a race car driver.
THE FAMILY MAN… Dale Sr. built DEI as a family business, does anyone think that there wouldn’t be a day that he would step aside and hand the business over to his children…. Dale Jr. had every right to want what he asked for and Theresa had no right to compromise the family business.
THE BUSINESS MAN.. Putting aside that DEI is a family Business.. Dale Jr. has been voted the most popular driver 4 years in a row. Dale Jr sells 26% of all NASCAR merchandise sold, next in line is Jeff Gordon with 13% and he is also sought after by tons of promotional companies. Regardless of Dale Jr being his son do you see Dale Sr letting a person like that go from his company ?
THE RACE CAR DRIVER…. Dale Jr has had for blown engines this season, the last one coming at a crucial time for the points chase… Do you see Dale Sr. putting up with that… heads would roll !!! Dale Jr. was fined 100 driver points this season for the crew chief using an unapproved part on his race car (if he had those 100 points at this time he would be in the chase) Would this have happened with Dale Sr. around ??? HELL NO !!
Does anyone have the right to disassociate themselves or criticize Dale Jr for joining Hendrix Motorsports just because they don’t like Jeff Gordon or Jimmy Johnson. He didn’t join Gordon or Johnson racing.. He joined Hendrix Racing and Hendrix is one hell of a human being… Was Jr supposed to join a mom & pop team or take less than the best deal because that’s what some fans think should be the fairy tale story… You don’t walk in his shoes or live under his roof & if you were a true Dale Jr. fan then you are happy when he’s happy, celebrate when he celebrates and cry when he cries… You would want him to do what is in his best interest… if not then you are no friend or fan of his.
Dale Jr. can drive circles around Gordon and Johnson, I have tapes to prove it… and next year at this time he will be solidly in the chase if not the points leader. Dale Jr has had more blown engines in one season so far than the whole Hendrix teams combined !
With all this being said I can’t help but ask “What in the hell is wrong with DEI “ ?? Even after Dale Sr’s death DEI ment something to me… It ment Earnhardt… But after this season it will be just another company to me and that is sad .. To think that another lil piece of a legend is gone …
Tom < ICLIGHTNING >
