Posted on June 25, 2007

Dale Earnhardt Jr: Foreshadow or Force Majeure?

by Passin' and Sassin' About The Authors	Email   Print

On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, Dale Earnhardt Jr held a press conference live from JR Motorsports.  The purpose of the conference was to announce his decision to join the ranks of Hendrick Motorsports.  One month prior, Dale Earnhardt Jr announced his defection from Dale Earnhardt Inc., and his desire to find new employment with an entity that could assist him on his quest to develop into a winning driver and team.  Passin’ and Sassin’ and its members have had many opinions on all these events, time has simply been an adversary in voicing those opinions.  They sat down last week to hash it all out, and discuss where the career of this driver and the continued development of several teams are headed.

Q:  What was your initial reaction on Wednesday to the news that Dale Earnhardt Jr was signing a five-year deal with Hendrick Motor Sports?

Christina Ribbeck: I think I knew deep down that Dale Jr. was on his way to Hendrick Motor Sports, but I was still shocked.  I was actually at work when the press conference was going on, however I had it set to tape.  I get a phone call about 20 minutes after 11 am and my father was the one who told me where Jr. was going.  I honestly could not believe, at least in my eyes, that he would sign with the enemy.  I’ll admit that I’m not a true Dale Jr fan; however, I would cheer for him when my driver couldn’t win.  I liked Jr because he is a great friend to my favorite driver and Jr himself is a great driver.  I’ll admit it (and please no hate mail), I am not a fan of Hendrick Motor Sports or have I ever been a fan.  I just don’t understand why Dale Jr would sign with a team where he will at least be third string if not fourth.  Rick Hendrick is not going to push aside Jimmie or Jeff for Jr. and where does this leave Casey?

Shannon Poe: My initial reaction was “Say it isn’t so!” followed by a few expletives.  It’s tough when they have been a hated entity by Earnhardt fans, young and old.  I think I was a little heartsick.  Then I convinced myself that in the long run, this will be cool.  I had to face the fact that Earnhardt Jr appeared quite happy while making this announcement.  When was the last time we saw him this jubilant?  It has been far too long!

Chris Campbell: Initially, to be honest, I cried! It took me an hour to gain my composure. I was hurt that Dale Jr. didn’t pick my team of choice. I was mad that the media leaked the announcement the night before Jr. made it. I was shocked at the people who yelled at the fans whose opinions were not acceptable to them, instead of understanding that there were many feelings about this announcement. They made me feel that my opinions didn’t matter and I wasn’t being a “true fan” to Dale Jr.

Q:  What organization would you have selected for Dale Earnhardt Jr to sign with for 2008 and beyond?

Christina Ribbeck: Dale Jr should have signed with Joe Gibbs Racing.  He would have been a great asset to the Gibbs organization and I know he would have won championships with them.  I know the situation with Budweiser being the sponsor was an issue for Gibbs, but I’m sure they would have worked around it somehow.  Also, who’s to say that Bud can even get out of their contract a year early with DEI.

Shannon Poe:  I was really pulling for Gibbs Racing.  If I can no longer be DEI, then Gibbs looked like a good prospect.  Sponsorship issues aside, he would have been good with Stewart and Hamlin, I believe.  I question the validity of Gibbs aversion to a beer sponsor; he doesn’t have an issue when his drivers slap that Bud Pole sticker on the vehicle!  Sure, there was a time when I thought about Richard Childress Racing.  I quickly stuffed that aside because I knew that everyone would start harping on Dale Jr driving the no. 3.  I don’t think I care to see that right now, and it simply is not him.  Plus, Childress has been a long time friend of both Dale and Teresa Earnhardt, and can we really ask that guy to sort of be in the middle of what clearly are some deep-seated family issues?  No, I don’t think that would be wise for him.

Chris Campbell: I wanted the storybook fairytale ending. I wanted Dale Jr. to sign with RCR, an organization that I felt would treat him right. I did NOT want Jr. to drive the #3 car, because that is Dale's number. After listening to his interview on ESPN as to why he didn’t choose RCR, I have to respect his decision not to sign with RCR and in some ways agree with him on this issue.  Jr explained that if he went with RCR he felt he would always be in his father's shadow and the burden he placed on himself would be too much. He also knew that although the fans wouldn't necessarily expect him to be his father, it would be there subconsciously. Thus, I agree because even though I know he isn't his father (and let's face it - there is only ONE Dale Earnhardt), I did like the thought of the storybook ending, even if it was selfish on my part.

Q:  How do you think Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey Mears will be as teammates for Earnhardt Jr?

Christina Ribbeck: Honestly, I have no clue.  I think that really depends on how many wins Jr takes away from them.  Jeff is top dog and Jimmie is second.  I’m sure if Casey doesn’t get a lot better over the next year or so, he will be let out of his contract.  I believe that is what Hendrick would like to do anyway, get rid of Casey and have Jeff, Jimmie and Jr and that’s all.

Shannon Poe:  I think this will strengthen the rivalry between Earnhardt Jr and Gordon.  Why not?  It simply isn’t going to disappear altogether.  Gordon was wise to advise the public last week that he knew full well that Jr Nation would continue to boo him and taunt him.  Nothing has changed except ownership; you can’t contract feelings on that matter.  I don’t anticipate a glaring personality problem between them, however.  Each has their own niche in the sport.

Chris Campbell: In the public eye, I think you will see them act cordial to each other. We have been told that they are friends off-track. However, on track, I just can’t see them being teammates. They will be individual teams working for the same goal. I can’t see Gordon not whining about Jr’s sense of bump-drafting, and Johnson not whining about Jr. giving him the lead because he has the stronger car.

Q:  Kyle Busch announced his departure from HMS at the end of the 2007 season.  Where do you think that Busch will wind up?

Christina Ribbeck: Kyle Busch has talent; everyone knows that, however he needs to change his attitude.  I think a few teams might hesitate to sign him because of his issues.  He will be an asset wherever he goes and I just hope for him, that he is able to get something done soon, so he can concentrate on the rest of this season with HMS.

Shannon Poe:  This is a tough one to call.  Busch is a great driver, and certainly entertaining to watch on the track.  His impatience means he needs some grooming yet.  I think perhaps DEI will be in the running for him, but he’ll go elsewhere.  Let’s face it, he had the upper hand with Hendrick and those negotiations until Earnhardt Jr announced his departure from DEI; from there it was as though anyone negotiating had the wind simply die in the sails so to speak. 

Chris Campbell: I believe that Kyle’s attitude will sully his reputation and maybe take him out of the running for some organizations that can’t handle his temperament. I know that RCR is still looking for a fourth driver, and if anyone can get Kyle to focus his energies correctly, it is Childress. I don’t know how Kyle will interact with someone like Harvick though, could be quite interesting.

Q:  What car number do you think Dale Earnhardt Jr drive at Hendrick?  What sponsor will be onboard?

Christina Ribbeck: I don’t know and I’m going to sit back and wait and see like the rest of us NASCAR fans.  There are too many sponsors and numbers to choose. J

Shannon Poe:  FREE THE 8!  FREE the 8!  I’m pushing for that number; I couldn’t care less about the sponsor.  They can come and go in this sport, but I would love to see the 8 continue with Dale Jr at the helm.  I know I don’t appreciate DEI saying they have yet to be “offered” a deal on the number.  Last time I checked, NASCAR owns all the numbers, a deal cannot be made.  They can release it, or use it for other ventures.  Teresa Earnhardt would be wise to consider it.  Could really help fans come to place her back in good graces, and it would be good for DEI overall.

Chris Campbell: Well since they have been so adamant with this newly founded “Free the 8” campaign, I think Teresa Earnhardt might have to bend to public pressure. However, I don’t think the 8 is truly the number he should go with. Nor do I think he should drive the 5 or the 25 either. I’d like him to wipe the slate clean and go with his own number. I do think that Budweiser will stay with him; it’s in their best interest.

Q:  Is it good for NASCAR to have so many top drivers stacked at Hendrick Motor Sports?  Why or why not?

Christina Ribbeck: To me this is a trick question.  Who says that Jimmie, Jeff and Jr are the top drivers in NASCAR?  I know the media has been saying that a lot, but we all know how a “top” driver can fall to the bottom.  I think any team can have the “top” drivers; it just depends on luck and their cars.  (I know I didn’t really answer this question, but I can’t).

Shannon Poe:  I’ve been complaining all year about Hendrick and their domination.  I complained a couple years back about Roush.  This is rough with all these drivers stacked in one organization.  They’ve been comparing it to the Yankees in baseball in terms of buying up the good players.  Hell, the Washington Redskins for years have been trying to buy a superbowl win, look how that has worked out!  We’ll have to see how this one plays out, but mainly I think this sucks for the other teams out there with less talent and more adversity.  Even those with discernable talent and less sponsorship dollars available are going to have to fight harder and up the competitive game plan.

Chris Campbell: I am not a fan of the multi-car teams to start. I’m one that believes no team should have more than two cars. I started watching when single-car operations were the standard and any team could win any given Sunday. I wish we could return to that, it might give a gentle nudge to fixing what’s wrong in this sport.

Q:  Where does this decision leave Dale Earnhardt Inc.?  What do you think is in their future?

Christina Ribbeck: I’m not sure where this leaves DEI but if they can sign some great talent soon, I think they will bounce back.  Look how much Truex has improved in the past few races.  He has a lot of talent and I hope he has great success at DEI and I’m sure he will be there for a few years yet.

Shannon Poe:  The future for DEI will be basically starting at square one and moving forward.  It’s not drivers—they have those, and can get them.  The problem is upper management. That is the key.  This Max Siegal seems to be a very high paid PR guy at the moment.  Something has to give in terms of who is running things.  Great that they are merging with RCR on an engine program, but that’s the tip of the iceberg to the major malfunction that is DEI. 

Chris Campbell: DEI will be just fine. Martin Truex, Jr. has really started driving as I thought he would when he graduated from the Busch Series. The key element to DEI is finding a driver to fill the third and fourth cars, and to get some good crew chiefs. The merger of engines with RCR is a step in the right direction. I do believe that they have to continue with a driver development program and a ton more testing. Something has been missing for a bit, whether it is Ritchie in the engine shop or Norris in the administrative role, I can’t place it, but something is missing – besides the obvious being the Man in Black with the vision.

 Q:  In the long run, how do you think the decision to sign with HMS will impact Dale Earnhardt Jr’s future in NASCAR?

Christina Ribbeck: I think Jr will lose some fans over this, but I do think he will at least get one championship under his belt.  Only time will tell though.

Shannon Poe:  I think that Dale Jr will win more.  I really do.  I don’t know about a championship, but I think he will be more competitive and win more.  No one can say he doesn’t have the equipment.  There is something about Rick Hendrick that makes the people that work for him really want to bring home the prize.  I can’t deny that, no matter what my personal opinion at this time might be.  I’m feeling more comfortable as time passes with this decision. I grudgingly admit that.

Chris Campbell: Dale Jr’s perception of Rick Hendrick is so different from many of the veteran fans. I hope this viewpoint is truly genuine in the sense that he doesn’t regret it. Many fans remember the criminal problems and the health issues that disappeared before the ink dried on his Presidential pardon. Many fans didn’t like that Teresa was not at the races every week, but they need to know that Rick isn’t as well. Rick is an extremely suave businessman and a great manager from what I have read. However, I also know that intelligence can be used to make perceptions be skewed. Dale Jr. has his legions of fans that will stick by him. Many more fans will return once the sting subsides. I hope that his quest for wins and championships for his own need to prove the critics wrong and give the fans what they want, don’t come with a price. I like seeing the smile on his face and the spring in his step. If that is still there in five years, then it won’t matter to me if he got a single win or championship – because I always like him, not the trophies. The trophies don’t smile.

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