Lame Duck Out of Chase, DEI Shifts Priorities

"I don't want to drive this car anymore for the rest of the year if I don't have to."
~ Dale Earnhardt Jr., over his in-car radio during the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway

My heart stopped when I heard Junior say those words yesterday. It has been my hope, and the hope of all of Junior Nation, since his announcement in May that he would finish the season at DEI in the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet.

As it turns out, that's still Junior's hope, too. When he said he didn't want to drive the car anymore, he actually meant that specific car--the seat makes his back hurt. Phew. Although, at this point I wouldn't have any issues with him jumping ship right now. Even if Hendrick couldn't put him in a car, someone would.

For now, it seems Junior will still finish the 2007 season with DEI. But he won't be a priority. Within just a few hours of missing the Chase, Junior's spotter was reassigned to "help Truex around the garage." It could the first of many changes. A few members of Junior Nation are up in arms about this. To them I must say, "What's the worst that could happen? He already can't get an engine to finish a race."

"We've been a top-five car and a top-five team almost every week and yet we struggled with engines that wouldn't get us to the finish line. I'm really sad for my fans, but especially for my team. If you knew how hard they have all worked this year, and to run as well as we have, it breaks my heart. "

Ours, too. DEI gave him five crappy engines that couldn't go the distance this season. Finishing even one of those races could have made the difference in the race to the Chase.

T.J. Majors, Junior's buddy and spotter for the JRM #88 NAVY team, will replace Hmiel for the last 10 races and I'm sure Junior will smack any additional curve balls out of the park accordingly. But 2008 can't get here fast enough for Junior Nation.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

9-09-2007 @ 1:52PM

fiestymom said...

Can't help but feel the pain of Jr and his crew...Makes one wonder if the best engines go to Truex Jr and Menard? They are not that concerned over helping Jr, knowing he is leaving at end of year..Best decision he ever made.....I am ready for the 2008 season to begine and see some excitement in Jr once again....

9-09-2007 @ 2:06PM

Dawn Maxwell said...

Attention-All Dale Jr. Fans - I believe we should start a civil law suit against DEI. I personally have an entire 16x20 office totally Earnhardt. Sr and Jr.(father and son). Now all my #8 belongs to the supposedly retired Mark Martin. Who is going to replace the thousands of dollars we have all spent supporting Jr. Because two women couldn't come to some type of settlement, Jr. gets the short end of the deal. Tell me, what are the odds of 5 DNF's??? Also, STOP DRINKING BUD. If we as fans do not stick together, Nascar and owners will continue to screw over the fans.

9-09-2007 @ 2:30PM

diehardjrfan said...

I have felt that Teresa Earnhardt has screwed JR over this entire season. She is the one in power to make sure he gets the R&D engine. And why should he not have the Number 8? That was his Grandfather's number and should remain with JR. I agree, we should have a civil lawsuit against Teresa!!!

9-09-2007 @ 3:36PM

bud8 said...

If that sorry Kurt Busch had been parked after that
incident with Stewart's crew member like he should
have been, the little brat would be be where he is
today. Its amazing how those Busch's get away with
murder

9-09-2007 @ 4:48PM

John F.C. Taylor said...

I've been a fan of NASCAR when they actually raced stock cars. I have to agree with what is being said that this seems awfully suspicious. Might not be getting R&D engines, but it would not surprise me if Jr. wasn't getting overall inferior mechanical help. Sr. created the company with the idea that it would go to Jr and the rest of the kids. To have Teresa refuse to turn over control to Jr. is just being wrong. Oh well, just goes to show you what not having a will will do to the family. Remember that one commercial? Kind of profetic that in it he was chaning his number even if it was supposed to be a joke.

9-09-2007 @ 6:03PM

CJ said...

I hope Jr takes Steve Hmiel, or tries to get him, to come to Hendrick with him, he's been a great spotter and a good fill in crew chief for Jr as well. Im thinkin that the 25 team will be totally rebuilt with the best of Jr's crew now at DEI coming over there as well as the best already on Casey's car and that whoever the leftovers are at the 8 car will be moved over to Regan Smith's ride. Ive heard Coors and JC Penny is rumored for his sponsor, but ill tell you right now that Regan hasnt got a chance in hell of surviving for next year, all the odds are stacked against him. I think they are goin to do their damndest to try and get Greg Biffle or some free agent and the only hope Regan has is if another team goes after Truex next year, cause last i heard, his contract is up after 2008, but that could've changed. If it has been, then if maybe if Menard takes his money and his son to maybe Robby Gordon's second team he wants to start, which was rumored this year as well. But, there is also another driver that could get his own, which is Aric Amirola, but i figure he'll take over the ride that he and Mark share and Mark will probably get out altogether of Nextel Cup, or then again, they could get Aric in a car, Truex or Menard could be gone, and Mark could end up working with another developmental driver, like Jeffery Earnhardt.

9-09-2007 @ 7:35PM

Bud8 said...

Maybe that traitor Mark Martin can jump in JR's car next week and JR can spot for him.....

9-09-2007 @ 7:52PM

DoucheNozzle said...

I feel all you people are high on exhaust fumes. This isnt racing anymore. It's business. Now get your ass out of that chair and go watch some local racing. Cup is Bullsh*t now and has been for awhile! Go watch the guys who work on their own machines till midnight after working all day. Do you think your precious Jr. is crawling under his own cars? Get fkn real. I love Jr. I think he is a pretty cool human being. I think his step mom is a spiteful c*nt in plain english. Jr will be alright with all that JACK! To all of you who have tattoed his number on your body, you're idiots cut and dry, Probably the same people who whine on these blogs about spending thousands on his merchandise only to change teams. Lawsuit? are you foreal, this is racing, not some leagl revenge. Drivers have changed cars since the beginning. Now Butch the Fck up and go and enjoy some local action. It's cheaper and the show is what racing is really all about. Just say no to corporate sponsorship

9-09-2007 @ 8:08PM

cliff said...

hey teresa you can take mark martin and the # 8 and shove it all where the sun dont shine. i hope all jr fans dont buy anything that has to do with dei[diecast cars, dale sr stuff or dei support stuff]. oh yeah you will make a killing on #15 AND # 1 die cast cars. lmao
ps i always thought bud beer was the pits and never drank it anyway.

9-09-2007 @ 8:49PM

bob said...

i think thresa
has the right to # 8 her and dale senior started that dei co .so its best just stay off of her .like jr said.im not a jr or dei fan but whats riight is right so now all you jr fans might just go to that hendricks corp .i still like dale jarrett and when he retires ill be a fan of carl edwards but guys let the dei thing go to rest thanks bob

9-09-2007 @ 9:09PM

fred knipscheer said...

DEI is toast no top drivers no top flight sponsers.
will be history by 2010.

9-09-2007 @ 9:44PM

Lois Plemmons said...

I just saw the documentrey "Dale", seeing Ralph Earnheardts tombstone with the Car and Number 8 on it should speak for itself,,That number belongs to Jr, not TEI.,
Another thing, Dale Sr, said it loud and clear, he was building the business for his family and his children...Not just the Stepmother..

If you havent seen "Dale", try and find it,,Great

9-09-2007 @ 10:30PM

Don Emerson said...

Will this never end. The motor in Jr's car blew up for the same reason they have been blowing up all year. He abuses his equipment. He had no chance of passing Tony in the closing laps ,but "run n gun" Jr insisted on putting on a show for the "nation", and ended up driving his car into the ground once more. I'd have liked to see the grin on his face when the motor finally let go. He knew his fans would once again blame DEI and Teresa, and overlook his shortcomings as a driver. They did, and got bent all out of shape over the shoddy equipment given their poor baby. Give me a break. This crap won't fly with his new ride next year. I suggest Jr lay off the beer and video games long enough to take a refresher course in how to protect your equipment and win races. Works for me......

9-09-2007 @ 11:04PM

Joy said...

you Jr fans are pathetic. Jr isn't getting good stuff? How about Truex last year getting shorted because Jr was top dog? He had what, 8 engine failures last year? DEI only has room for 1 good car. Teresa doesn't run DEI right but that doesn't mean Jr should own the 8. It belongs to DEI and Jr knew that. If he cared about the number that much he would have bought it. The whole lawsuit thing is hilarious! Only stupid people get 8 tattoos and spend every last dime on a f*ucking number. Why not pay off your debts rather than run up your credit cards on overpriced nascar junk!

9-09-2007 @ 11:17PM

Christina said...

Geez you basher don't let up do you? It's let's kick the guy while he is down. The engines at DEI suck plain and simple. As a whole organization they have 11 blown engines in 26 races. Many of you are saying Jr is hard on his equipment, but you know what so is Tony Stewart, and you don't see his motors blowing all the time. Face it DEI is the R & D in that DEI/RCR engine deal. And Junior is the guinne pig in the DEI camp. He is the lame duck, so he is getting the engines they want to test out. Also Truex is not going to win the championship. He has got to be more consistant as does his cars. That is not going to happen til DEI pulls their head out of their tails and resurects this sinking ship.

9-10-2007 @ 1:49AM

mike1488 said...

What's rite is rite and what's wrong is wrong. Terresa is all about spite and people like her is what's wrong with this world and in the end she'll get her just reward. Give up the 8 it does'nt belong to you. I mean what's next, is she going to soil Sr name. It's a good thing she cant get her hands on the #3 because she'd probly let some hack drive it. True Jr fan no matter what.

9-10-2007 @ 11:03AM

Kristin said...

To Joy: I'm guessing you're a Jeff Gordon fan, better yet, a Jimmie Johnson fan? Why don't you get off your f_cking high horse! What is really pathetic is the fact a-holes like you come on here and type ridiculous comments. Next season is going to be completely different, and you idiots who are bitching now will have nothing to say once Junior leaves DEI.

Mike said...

Don, I get back from vacation and find you writing my blog for me. The only arguement you left out was that once again Truex managed to finish the race again with his engine intact.
I do disagree with one part of it though. I doubt he had a grin on his face when the motor blew. I am sure it was a look of bewilderment. I believe at this point his raw desire to win is winning out over reason and he has lost the concept of having a car capable of finishing a race.

And so the familiar cry goes out, wait until next year. The funny thing is that in this case people on both sides of the fence are saying it.
And of course the excuse will work next year. Jr will be the number three driver at HMS. He is only there to attract the fans. The GOOD stuff is all going to Jimmy and Jeff. The fix is already in, man.
TGOM needs to recheck her math. Finishing one race would not have made a difference in the results this year. Finishing two or finishing one and not getting caught cheating would have helped.

sandie said...

Jr. is not the driver that his Dad was and Jr. will not fare better in a HMS car. Jr. is the rat jumping ship!!! Furthermore, Dale Sr. had a will and if his will said that DEI belonged to his kids, the kids would be running DEI. Teresa was left DEI and can run it in the ground if she wants and it looks like that is what she is doing. Also. if Jr. had not got docked 100 points for cheating and lost his crew chief for 6 weeks he would have made the chase. I hate to say it but "THE KING", Richard Petty said he has not seen a driver with as much talent as the late Tim Richmond till Kyle Busch. I hate to say it but "The King" is right. Kurt Busch can drive well too and both deserve their place in The Chase. Yes, I am a Jeff Gordon fan. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson both made The Chase after getting docked 100 points for cheating as well.

9-11-2007 @ 12:28PM

ms daisy said...

In the chase maybe the DEI motors will continue to blow. It was a nasty thing to do before the race ended to take Jr's spotter and move him to spot for
Truex. I understand he will also spot for him the next 10 races. Jr will fall back on his Busch team spotter.I wish he could just park that 8 in mama
dearest drive way then walk home.....
She will have her hands full next year as she continue's her spiteful ways...