The standoff between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, is more about a clash of wills than money. The third-generation driver has agreed in principle to most of the stipulations in his new contract to remain with the family operation, Dale Earnhardt Inc., but the two sides remain diametrically opposite to one key issue: control.
It's no secret that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has struggled on NASCAR's road courses in the past. The No. 8 Chevy team is well aware of how wrong things have gone when they've had to turn right.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he is a "free agent" and has no long-term commitment to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc. In January, Junior said during a news conference he had reached a deal to stay with DEI through 2007. But he never signed a contract and said last weekend at Watkins Glen he has only a "driver's agreement" that runs from race to race. Junior says he wants to get the contract done-but on his terms.
For a change, luck wasn't on Matt Kenseth's side, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was yesterday's big winner in the Winston Cup title chase, moving to second place in the standings with his third-place finish in the Pennsylvania 500.
Jeff Green's contract with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated runs out Sept. 1, but he's not sure what is going to happen beyond that date. Green said Saturday at Pocono Raceway that he hasn't spoken with DEI officials about his status in the #1 car beyond the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
The faceless person on the other end of the Internet used the screen name dalejr3. T.J. Majors never had a clue. To Majors, dalejr3 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. - was nothing more than a formidable online opponent.
Looking down the backstretch of life, NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip decided it was time for a change.
Waltrip calls it a change in lifestyle, but on the track his physical change has parlayed into his best season in 18 years on the circuit. At age 40, Waltrip has dropped 35 pounds and is currently sixth in the Winston Cup standings. It's a remarkable turnaround considering Waltrip has never even finished in the top 10 of the Winston Cup points standings in his career.
Car owner Richard Childress moved a big step closer to that long-awaited polar-bear hunt yesterday with his third win of this turnaround season. This time Robby Gordon got the trophy here instead of a cockpit full of toxic smoke.
Fire is among the scariest sights in a NASCAR Winston Cup race. But after a brief fire in Kevin Harvick's pit, everyone appeared to escape injury.
Kevin Harvick's crew had one last task Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They had to push the No. 29 Chevrolet into Victory Lane after Harvick blew the right front tire doing a smoking burnout and donuts in front of the crowd of 300,000.
We are one race deep into the second half of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season which means it's time for Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 GM Goodwrench racing team to take a look back at the ups and downs of the year. It's been a roller coaster ride for Team Goodwrench thus far, but one in which they've been able to mold into championship caliber. The one thing everyone feels is crucial right now...consistency.
The DEI Zone Site Notes...
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WRITING A WEEKLY COLUMN ABOUT THE DEI DRIVERS, OR THE RCR DRIVERS, SEND AN EMAIL TO: The DEI Zone.
Canadian Race Fans: visit: Race Fan TV for the latest TV news & listings.
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