I know a lot of Jr fans are mad at her for not agreeing with his demands and giving him 51% ownership of DEI, and for not letting him have the 8 when he decided he was leaving. But that doesn't make her a bad person. Also think about this, Dale Sr may have set out a plan for her to follow if he died. And he may have also wanted the #8 to never leave DEI. I respect Teresa for dealing with the heat she has this year, and for never once saying a bad thing about Dale Jr, not once.
2007-09-19 00:42:13 · 20 answers · asked by Big Rick 6 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
There was one interview that Teresa did in which she said something to the extent of "Jr needs to decide if he wants to be a race car driver or a spokesman.." A lot of Jr fans took that negatively, but here's my two cents:
First, DEI made most of it's money from merchandising. Dale Sr revolutionized the demand for merchandise back in the 80's. The first diecast collectible cars were made of the #3. But the person behind that push was Teresa. She is definitely smart with business. DEI would NOT be what it is today without Teresa.
Second, I kind of pictured Jr going back to DEI sometime in the future when he was ready to purchase the company for what it is worth. But now that Bobby Ginn has ownership in DEI, I don't see that happening.
Lastly regarding the #8. Sorry Jr fans, but the 8 belongs at DEI. They have a 15 year old kid in their development program (Kerry's son) and that kid has the last name Earnhardt. He has as much right to that number as Jr does. Dale Sr would roll over in his grave if he know that Hendrick owned the #8.
2007-09-19 03:47:16 · answer #1 · answered by Crazy Ant 5 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I agree with you up to a point. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. said before he died that he wanted DEI for his children, one of which is Dale, Jr. I assume that Dale, Sr. did not change his will to reflect that and Teresa got everything. I don't blame her for keeping the #8, I just think Dale, Sr. would have made it work out for Dale, Jr. to stay at DEI and he and his brother and sisters would one day own and run it. This problem frequently occurs when a 2nd or 3rd wife inherits everything and children from a previous marriage are left out of everything.
2007-09-19 02:05:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I believe she knew that she really doesn't have an organization and that the only thing she really has left to make money off of is Dale Sr's name and the #8. If it was my child or stepchild I would have give him the number and told him to be happy. As far as the 51% goes, all I can say is we'll just have to wait for the future and see if it was a smart move for her. If Mark Martin can bring her cars to victory lane then it will be a sign that she is headed in the right direction. But yes she did scold him publicly once and said he needed to make up his mind if he wanted to be a driver or a public figure. She could have discussed that with him in private. I'm sure those details go further that what we all know.
2007-09-19 08:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by Tina 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No i do not agree. If you watched the new movie "Dale" a couple of weeks ago, he made a statement that basically said he was building this company for his kids. Teresa started the problems in December when she made a statement about Dale Jr's commitment to racing and that she thought he wanted only to be a "rock star". She is the one that started the problem. Dale Sr would have wanted his son to stay with the company that he worked hard to build and for him to drive the #8 that he and Ralph took to fame. Teresa is doing alot of this out of spite. Dale Jr is the one who has shown the most maturity out of this whole ordeal. He went on TV and asked everyone to back off Teresa. I know he did it mainly for his step-sister "Taylor". He was saying she was getting a hard time at school because of what everyone was writing on the Internet about her mother. I think Dale Jr will be much better off now that he has made a clean sweep of leaving DEI and starting fresh with a great car owner. At least he cares about his drivers and wants them to win.
2007-09-19 03:53:23 · answer #4 · answered by nascar88honey 3 · 9⤊ 3⤋
Teresa ran DEI when Dale Sr. was alive, at least the business side of it, and I believe she had his complete trust.
I can understand her wishes of keeping the number 8 within the Earnhardt family business, it has been in the Earnhardt family since NASCAR began. Although, I wish she had allowed Jr. to continue using that number, and it had been stated that Hendricks would return the number 8 to DEI if Jr. were to ever leave HMS, it could have become a fight that would lead to litigation if both parties ever had any type of dispute. Look, Dale Sr. had several numbers in his career, and to all parties involved, racing is about RACING, and the only numbers that should be worried about is winning.....
2007-09-19 00:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by graciouswolfe 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Nope! I think it was big mistake not to allow Jr to buy or take the number 8 with him. On another note Martin Turex sure comes off being very smug, after Jr announced he was leaving DEI, of course that just my opinion.
2007-09-19 05:32:27 · answer #6 · answered by mike p 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
"I respect Teresa for dealing with the heat she has this year, and for never once saying a bad thing about Dale Jr, not once."
Along those same lines, you must also respect Jr for (on several occasions) sticking up for Teresa when the media, fans, etc. bashed her.
2007-09-19 03:02:55 · answer #7 · answered by shaggy 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I totally agree. She is a business person running her business and her EMPLOYEE wanted to take it over and put her on the shelf. What business owner would do such a thing? Sheer lunacy. Now she's merged with Ginn and has acquired a four car operation, 7 post shaker, better engines and is preparing to move forward with her company.
I actually think this move will be better for DEI and for Jr. in the long run.
2007-09-19 08:11:12 · answer #8 · answered by jefflawdog 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Part of the reason why Jr. hasn't won a race since Sr. died is because Teresa is getting rid of all the good workers that keep the car going. DEI don't own the numbers. NASCAR does. I respect Jr.s decision to get out of DEI!
2007-09-19 05:04:45 · answer #9 · answered by BUCKLE BUNNY 1 · 7⤊ 4⤋
I don't understand some of what she's done, but I respect her making the tough decisions associated with running a NASCAR racing team. I'm sure she knew letting Junior get away would be a P.R. nightmare, but she stuck to her guns.
Props to Junior for not being as nasty abo it as he could have been.
I think it's the fans that need to get a grip.
2007-09-19 03:31:14 · answer #10 · answered by Jim M 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋