Hendrick Team Too Full for NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr
Little E's Future with Hendrick Motorsports Unlikely
According to Jenna Fryer, the auto racing writer for the Associated Press, Hendrick has talked to Dale Jr. but not about joining his racing team. "I've talked to him about doing motors and cars if he wants to do this himself. But that's really all we've discussed. Right now, I'm full."
Earnhardt, who on May 10th announced that he's leaving his late father and step mother's company, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated at the end of the season, has became NASCAR's most sought after driver, both because of his driving capabilities and his huge marketability. According to SI.com, Earnhardt didn't believe he could win a championship while racing for DEI as long as his stepmother, Theresa, remained in control. He'd requested 51% of the company's ownership and when he didn't get it, he decided to explore free agency. Since his announcement, Earnhardt Jr. has stated that he'd like to continue driving Chevrolets in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series but he'll entertain all offers to jump aboard another team.
The three Chevrolet NASCAR teams are Hendricks Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Richard Childress Racing. Gibbs has said that Dale Earnhardt's Budweiser sponsorship wouldn't bode well for their family values centered organization. With Hendrick passing on 'Little E' and the Gibbs attitude about his sponsor, Junior's only other two Chevrolet options are Richard Childress Racing and Ginn Racing. Ginn Racing could afford to hire Earnhardt but it's a young team that many suspect wouldn't give him the best opportunity to win a championship. Richard Childress Racing, who according to SI.com, has indicated a desire to speak to Junior but so far has not done so.
"It's a big new world out there," Dale is quoted in SI.com. Wherever Dale Earnhardt Jr. goes, one thing is for certain. The path to his destiny is just a left hand turn away.
Published by Jenny Corvette
Jenny Corvette lives in Southwestern lower Michigan. She has a BA in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She minored in both Political Science and Philosophy. She has nearly 15 years experience as... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentGreat information for a Nascar fan...Thanks for sharing !
But Gibbs doesn't want Bud and I don't see Junior bailing on Bud. Tony and Junior have worked well together in the past but personally I don't think Tony's got it this year. The car of tomorrow isn't his strong suit.
I think Jr. should consider going over to JGR, but that's because my hubby works for Interstate and I can get tickets and pit passes pretty easily. In all seriousness, I do think that Jr. and Stewart would make a great team. They already work well together on the track in what DW calls "co-opetition."
Cooper,
Well sure, that's what Hendrick says... ;)
Hendrick wasn't "snubbing" Junior...he's merely articulating a desire to uphold the contracts of his current drivers, and with NASCAR's new four-car cap per team, Hendrick simply has no place for Junior.
I get that point. But that doesn't mean he'd be more successful. Just because the fans don't like Gordon doesn't mean that he'd win more races with Tony. I'm sure you're right about Childress.
I think Heather is saying Stewart fans are more likely to embrace Junior and vice versa. Generally, Gordon fans dislike Jr. and vice versa.
I am sure he will end up with Richard Childrees like his dad. Carry on the legacy.
Why would Tony and Dale be better than Gordon and Dale? Is Tony better than Gordon?
If Jr. went to team Hendrick he could kiss his career goodbye. Fans of Jr. usually are not fans of Gordon. Pairing them as team mates would not be good for either. Now if he would of paired with Stewart that would of been a different story. They could of been a great team.