Dale Earnhardt Inc Down, and Possibly Out
Dale Earnhardt Inc Down, and Possibly Out
Posted by GEORGE October 9, 2008 9:32:02 AM
The party may be closer to over for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Bad decisions have been the culprit, and DEI keeps losing ground.
Teresa Earnhardt's decision to deny Dale Earnhardt Jr 51 percent of the business last year has brought her operation to it's knees, and it's not over yet. I think DEI may be looking at running their operation in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with only one car.
Paul Menard is leaving, and he's taking one of DEI's two big sponsors with him. This means DEI will be out beating the bushes for two or three corporations willing to provide around $10 million each to a team which has one driver with limited success, and is ranked as mediocre, at best. Teresa is learning the hard way that 49 percent of a NASCAR race team with Dale Earnhardt Jr on board is worth a lot more than 100 percent of a NASCAR race team without him.
No drivers or sponsors is a major problem for the once successful organization. A buy-out is about the only solution as I see it, but once again, who will want to buy a one-legged racehorse? It's a shame, but it should be obvious to NASCAR fans that Dale Earnhardt Jr made the right decision.
Lowe's Motor Speedway has been Jimmie Johnson's track in years past, and it could be that he will leave Charlotte after this weekend's Sprint Cup race with even more of a lead than he has now. But not so fast NASCAR fans; I have a solid NASCAR prediction which I'm willing to hang my hat on. I believe Dale Earnhardt Jr should have won the race last weekend at Talladega, and I think, barring any further craziness from Carl Edwards, Earnhardt Jr will win the Bank of America 500 this weekend. Jimmie Johnson will finish second and increase his lead over Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle.
Look for a major points shake-up this weekend, as drivers pull out the stops to get to the front. I think another driver or two will be out of the running when this weekend is over.
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