Do stepmothers count for nothing?

Question

Teresa has been in Dale Jr's life since he was six.The "real" mother came back into his life when his father died and there was money available. Teresa was the one protecting Dale Sr's dignity from the press and holding the family together. Dale Jr and Kelly both said she was their rock during the dark days. Of course,that's all out the window now. She's selfish and mean for trying to keep a place in her company and protect Taylor's interest.

Answer 1

Wow - do you feel better now?

Answer 2

You need to check your facts! Dale Jr's Mother has always been part of his life. Yes Teresa was protecting Dale Sr's dignity and she was there to hold the family together when he died. But as for her protecting Taylors interest what about the other children (Kerry, Kelly and Jr)? By the way if you can find a tape of Dale Sr's memorial service you will see that Kerrys Mother (Sr's first wife) and also Jr & Kellys Mother were there. I don't think Teresa is being mean and selfish, I think she is being foolish and making a unwise business decision.

Answer 3

Yep, they do. If you ask ANY kid if they wanted a stepmother and understand the fact of a stepmother, they would tell you they care about your their parents' happiness and that they will be nice to, in this case, stepmother, if they like her. Junior hasn't like Teresa for 20+ years but Dale was obviously happy. Well, in 2001, that changed. He didn't have to be nice to her and her to him. The "real" mother did right. If she was around Sr., then everyone would have accused her of trying to win him back and that would have been a big story for years. Most real parents (in this case, mother) avoid the marriage with the stepmother while the father raises the child(ren) with the stepmother as the same would in a vice versa situation.

Your theory about there being no money flies out the window because BEFORE death, Sr. had money, so she would have been there much longer than that, please think before you type out such things like that. Also, you could do some better research than that.

Yes, she is selfish and MEAN for trying to protect Taylor and herself. Junior IS DEI, whether people want to realize it or not. Truex, Jr and Menard are great drivers but they are NO Earnhardt. If it wasn't for Junior being in racing and successful, then DEI would have been fell under. Taylor has shown NO interest for the business of racing nor has Teresa shown common sense or knowledge about the racing business itself. She may have started the company with Dale BUT what was the purpose of the company being started? That's something people love to bring up for Teresa but she still doesn't have a leg into that debate because he builted DEI for Kelly, Kerry and Dale and whatever children that they had who wanted to race. Taylor NEVER really was a factor because when has she been at a race for herself, in her later years?

Answer 4

Actually no. What matters most to him is his career and the possibility of winning a championship. I would think less of him if that werent his goal and apparently him and teresa couldnt agree on how to build a winner. As for protecting Taylor....how does not working toward common goals with the company cash cow help her? Jr was DEI and without his immense popularity they would be a mid-level team at best (and may soon find themselves in that role). Even though he hasnt had a contending car for several years DEI was one of the top money making organizations in racing. Jr and Teresa have never had a good relationship...this isnt a revelation....it is an overreported fact and both have been less than flattering about one another at times over the years. As for the "Mom" business the fact is it isnt any of our business in the first place...that should be between him and his family and this should be seen for what it is...a business decision.I am NOT a Jr fan nor do I claim an allegiance to any driver but I do respect his ability and desire to be like his Dad and win championships. I would think less of him if he didnt have that mentality! As for the "rock" thing, it isnt unusual for any family to close ranks during a time of tragic circumstances....even a family that traditionally doesnt see eye to eye. I know lots of great stepmothers and maybe she tried but whenever a new person takes on an important role in a childs life the risk is that there will be anger and distrust forever. We dont know the circumstances of their family dynamics (and really shouldnt care) but he has made her rich beyond her wildest dreams and sustained his Dads legend...what else does he owe her?

Answer 5

Well, the problem is, Dale Jr. probably would have inherited the business, if his father hadn't passed that suddenly. Teresa apparently won't release a smidgen of power to Jr. , or let him run any part of the business ( I'm just guessing) So, who's got the name ? Jr., or Teresa? Jr. can take his name to the BANK , DEI is pretty much a shell company without the son and name legacy. They can hire anyone else they want, but it won't be an Earnhardt in the car, unless Kelly is going to start driving. Sorry to say, but family power-sharing can be a real headache, my wife ( the account ) has told me horror stories of how children and widows and widowers clash after a business owner dies, and they're at odds on running the company and sharing the money ( and power ) amongst themselves. Apparently Teresa thinks Junior deserves nothing, so he's going to go market his name somewhere else. Hey, it's America, he can sell his name to the highest bidder. If DEI loses, oh well. They shoulda had a better plan or offer.

Answer 6

(Any step-mother)Please don't take this wrong, but they say time heals all wounds. Well it's been a few years and like a distant relationship, things happens. In this case we can only speculate from what we fans read in the press and see on the news. Dale JR was tore up in his press conference announcing his departure. Maybe although he is leaving, things may not be as bad as we all are making it out to be.
However, JR has to be his own man and do what he feels is best for himself. If that means leaving to another team to capture his dreams and goals in life, well so be it.

Answer 7

She might of "been there" during the dark days after Dale Sr.'s death, but what Teresa is doing, it just looks like a stepparent/stepchild type of deal from the outside, which I know about perfectly. My dad (who if he didnt adopt me, would be my stepdad) and I get along at times, but when we dont get along, watch out, and my fiancee has a stepmother who acts like a real *****.

And unless I have misread things, Dale Earnhardt Sr's intent with DEI was that his kids would be running the team once the time came.

Answer 8

well, its not about step mothers.....its about the person.
Teresa may have been a good stepmother in the past but shes showing very little of that now...
And for peaks sake....Teresa already has enough money for her and Taylor to live comfortably better then for most any of us.....

The company was built for JR......
YES, shes a witch and she will live to regret this.......
DEI is nothing without JR.....
she is a BIG nobody and she just proved it with her actions....

Answer 9

Step Mothers do count for something. My step Mother was a great womon who raised 3 of us and 3 of her own. She was caring and would do anythhing to see that we got the tender care we needed. I beleive that in the case of little E, his step mommie never was that close to Dales kids. She was more into the comp[any and what she stood to get if Dale died. AND that happened. So, now she is in it for herself and to heck with what people think. Jr. will race next year be it for himself, Hendrick, Gibbs or Ginn. He will race. And the DEI or lets call it TEI, will be a shell of what it is now. I know that little E says he hopes they do well, but, do we really know whats in his mind.???

Answer 10

No they don't. Not when they're decisions are based on retaining control at any cost. Now that she's finally run Jr off, as well as Budweiser's 15 mil in sponsorship money, DEI is headed down the tubes. I'll be glad to see it happen. Dale Sr. started DEI for his kids... not Theresa. At least now, Jr, once he signs with RCR, will actually have a real shot at a championship.

Answer 11

You have either been misled or, never got the facts. there was never any affection or, raising. She just tolerated Jr. being around because, She was married to His father. She finally had to start acknowledging Him when, He started winning races in Her BUSCH car.