R. Mears
29th April 2007, 01:48
DEI's future faces another key negotiation
TALLADEGA, Ala. - As Dale Earnhardt Jr. and DEI continue to negotiate one of the biggest contracts in NASCAR, there's another deal in the works that could have a dramatic effect upon the future of both.
Robert Yates confirmed on Saturday that talks have resumed between Robert Yates Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Last year when Yates spoke of entertaining partners, a contingent from DEI expressed interest. And as expansion is on the minds of most organizations in anticipation of a four-team minimum proposed by NASCAR, a DEI acquisition of RYR is a distinct possibility.
"The deal our family needs to make is for (son) Doug and his children's future," Yates said. "They want Doug, and I don't want to be the last team standing in the garage.
"The Earnhardts are a NASCAR franchise here. I've raced against three generations of Earnhardts — Ralph, Dale and Junior. The Earnhardts are the greatest people in the world to work with or race against."
Several scenarios have been discussed between varieties of individuals from both companies — including Dale Jr. Certainly the structure of teams, drivers and equipment would be contingent on whether Junior remains at DEI. Over the last few years, DEI's engine department has struggled as Richie Gilmore transitioned from chief engine builder to VP of competition. Although Gilmore has worked feverishly to rebuild DEI's engine program, he's the first to admit that someone of Doug Yates' caliber would make a tremendous difference. "I think Doug could have a positive impact on anyone's engine shop," Gilmore said. "Doug is one of those guys who is in the top three in the industry. He's just a quality guy he has great procedures. He's put a lot of things in place with the Roush-Yates engine shop. To me he's like a Randy Dorton (who founded Hendrick Motorsports' engine dept) in the industry. He's that type of guy. He's could have a huge impact at DEI. He's a super guy all around."
FULL STORY
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6751928?MSNHPHMA
TALLADEGA, Ala. - As Dale Earnhardt Jr. and DEI continue to negotiate one of the biggest contracts in NASCAR, there's another deal in the works that could have a dramatic effect upon the future of both.
Robert Yates confirmed on Saturday that talks have resumed between Robert Yates Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Last year when Yates spoke of entertaining partners, a contingent from DEI expressed interest. And as expansion is on the minds of most organizations in anticipation of a four-team minimum proposed by NASCAR, a DEI acquisition of RYR is a distinct possibility.
"The deal our family needs to make is for (son) Doug and his children's future," Yates said. "They want Doug, and I don't want to be the last team standing in the garage.
"The Earnhardts are a NASCAR franchise here. I've raced against three generations of Earnhardts — Ralph, Dale and Junior. The Earnhardts are the greatest people in the world to work with or race against."
Several scenarios have been discussed between varieties of individuals from both companies — including Dale Jr. Certainly the structure of teams, drivers and equipment would be contingent on whether Junior remains at DEI. Over the last few years, DEI's engine department has struggled as Richie Gilmore transitioned from chief engine builder to VP of competition. Although Gilmore has worked feverishly to rebuild DEI's engine program, he's the first to admit that someone of Doug Yates' caliber would make a tremendous difference. "I think Doug could have a positive impact on anyone's engine shop," Gilmore said. "Doug is one of those guys who is in the top three in the industry. He's just a quality guy he has great procedures. He's put a lot of things in place with the Roush-Yates engine shop. To me he's like a Randy Dorton (who founded Hendrick Motorsports' engine dept) in the industry. He's that type of guy. He's could have a huge impact at DEI. He's a super guy all around."
FULL STORY
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6751928?MSNHPHMA