And Dale Earnhardt Jr. thought he was the most important negotiation that DEI had on its plate.Lee Spencer would like to beg to differ:
Robert Yates confirmed on Saturday that talks have resumed between Robert Yates Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. The topic of discussion: The possible sale of RYR to DEI.This is quite an interesting story on many fronts. Not only is the Dale Jr. contract such a hot-button issue in NASCAR right now, but you also have to look at it from a Ford and Chevrolet standpoint. Remember, the Yates organization currently works with Roush Fenway Racing in the engine department to produce Roush-Yates Ford engines. Robert Yates has long been a Ford guy, and Jack Roush will likely be buried in a Ford Mustang.
[Richie] Gilmore said Chevrolet has already submitted a new offer to DEI, and the company is willing to listen to offers. John Story, a DEI manager, said that three of the four manufacturers have made offers to the company.Note: Richie Gilmore is the VP of Competition at DEI
Also, John Story, who is a member of DEI's executive team, confirmed that Ford was one of the other companies DEI had preliminary discussions with. Chevrolet, apparently, is still the top priority.
"We're going to work through the Chevrolet process first. If there is a need, then we'll entertain some of these other opportunities," said Story.Quite an interesting tune for DEI, to be actually giving legitimacy about a switch away from Chevrolet. After all, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seems to be a fan of the Bowtie Brigade.
"You know, I like driving Chevrolets. Over the years, NASCAR has done things that I didn't agree with to help certain manufacturers, maintain a level playing field. But, you know, my Chevrolet, I don't know, I've always been a Chevrolet guy," said Earnhardt Jr.Richard Childress Racing might be looking awfully nice right now with his Chevy Monte Carlos and Impalas. And maybe this is why Dale Earnhardt Jr. so badly wants ownership of DEI -- to keep one of the most important links to his father as a die-hard Chevrolet fan -- alive.
After all, can you really see something bearing the Ford emblem coming out of a Dale Earnhardt-related business venture?When pigs fly?
Stay tuned on this one folks. This will undoubtedly raise alarm in Dale Jr.'s negotiations.
Previously at the NASCAR FanHouse
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gets Plugged in Ford Commercial
DEI Puts Deal on Table, Ball in Junior's Court
What Would Dad Do?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-29-2007 @ 4:01PM
Shelly said...
Very interesting take on the whole DEI/Yates issue. I, myself, can't see Junior in anything other than a Chevy. But then, I also can't see him driving for anyone other than DEI. I very well may be biased.
And so the saga continues...
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4-30-2007 @ 4:25PM
KARL said...
IF DEI SWITCHES TO ANYTHING ELSE THE MAN HIMSELF WOULD BE TURNING IN HIS GRAVE KEEP JR GET RID OF HIS STEPMOM SHE WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT DALE BUILT AND IF HE DOESN'T GET CONTROL OF DEI HE SHOULD GO TO RCR AND BE THE CHAMPION THAT HE'S DESTINED TO BE
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5-01-2007 @ 3:42PM
Stu Mauerberger said...
Are you kidding me? Jr, Found On Road Dead ? Daddy would turn in his grave if he knew. As for Sunday, BLASPHAMOUS !! Thats the only thing to descirbe that. Damn Damn Damn
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5-02-2007 @ 9:56AM
Dave C. said...
Dale Jr. in a Ford? Yea right, talk about losing an edge .Unless you are a Chevy fan it's not much fun for me watching NASCAR anymore.I don't want to sound like a Chevy hater ,but it is getting too predictictable on the outcome of races anymore. No wonder Martin switched to GM. They definately have the advantage ,whatever it may be.I remember when Mopar was dominating back in the day,some changes had to be made to even the field,but today because Chevy is the favorite to all them good ole Chevy boys, nobody says anything about it.I have a prediction for the next race.Chevy or GM will win and finish at least 7 in the top 10.Yeehaaw now ain't that fun for them Chevy boys,I stopped watching it last year.Maybe NASCAR thinks its OK to let things slide a little as long as its good for business .Let it go the other way once and see what happens.No way Jr. makes that move ,he is too smart for that.That would be so devistating to Chevy and Earnhardt lovers that domestic violence would rise over it.
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5-20-2007 @ 1:47PM
john harrison said...
This whole Nascar thing makes me sick. There is not parity among the makes and many fans know it. Its getting very obvious that GM has Nascar in their back pocket. Back when Ford introduced the Taurus they one several races out of the box. The Chevy camps cried out to Nascar to do something to slow these Fords down. And they did. Now the shoe is on the other foot and nothing is said. All I want to see is fair and equal rules for all the makes. And I mean fair. And to top matters off Nascar approved the new Chevy R07 race engine. What the hell for??? They have won almost all the races this year. Why do they need a new engine package. I hope the Ford teams pull out of Nascar. I tired of Chevy running everything and fixing all the rules just so they can win and brag. Its in all forms of mototrsports. They constantly try to drive Fords out of competition. They did it in NHRA to Bob Glidden in the 80s. His little 351C Fairmont Pro stocker kicked BB Chevys ass and won 10 Championships. NHRA keep making him add weight to slow him down. It happened in TRANSAM racing too with the Mustang. Made them add weight to slow them down. They would never add weight to a Chevy. WTF !!!
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