One Of The Worst Personnel Decisions

:s nore:

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Originally Posted by Cindy_AL

Yes, there are alot of drivers who would jump at the chance to drive for DEI BUT if they are only getting mediocre cars, what does it matter. If DEI lucked out and found an exceptionally talented driver in the lower ranks, how long will a good driver stick around while being given 2nd class equipment? The only reason Jr stayed around so long was because of his Dad.
Im sure Mikey would probably be thrilled to come back to DEI... I think Steve Park is available as well.

Im sure that Teresa has come to her senses by now and seen the reality of it all. She will probably do all the things that Jr begged her to do and when the next driver is finally winning races for DEI, she will get all the glory & praise that Jr stood to inherit had she listened to him instead of denying him the one thing he wanted more than anything..... to win a championship under his Dad's company.

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DEI cars aren't mediocre (yet) but they aren't championship level either. They are falling behind in tech but they are still 2nd of 5 tiers. That means there are only about a dozen cars better than them, and about 30 drivers that would jump at the #8 ride if offered (and they were available.) I think they will go with an experienced driver for a one to two years. People are forgeting that Teresa has a future "ace up her sleeve" in the form of signed development driver Jeff Earnhardt.

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Originally Posted by e2mtt

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And then maybe Budwieser and Wrangler and Chevy would stop paying you?

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That would be fine on the sponsors not paying. By Jr should have waited for later in the season to tell the world. There is a lot more to a team then just a driver. The effects on moral of the crew is what you have to worry about. Their performance is shot for the rest of the season thanks to Jr.

It only takes that dozen that are better than DEI to make the chase and leave DEI on the outside looking in... AGAIN.

Jeff Earnhardt is Kerry's son, right? If I remember correctly, Childress did more for Kerry than Teresa ever even attempted. Everyone knew Kerry just didnt have enough experience, etc but Childress at least gave him a chance more than likely out of respect for Dale Sr. Jeff may get his foot in the door at DEI but I doubt he will ever feel the obligation to stay there like Dale Jr did. So, he may bear the Earnhardt name but just like any other top driver, if DEI fails to produce top of the line equipment, he will bolt too.

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Originally Posted by Phoenixent

That would be fine on the sponsors not paying. By Jr should have waited for later in the season to tell the world. There is a lot more to a team then just a driver. The effects on moral of the crew is what you have to worry about. Their performance is shot for the rest of the season thanks to Jr.

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Read the article released this afternoon where Eury Jr spoke about Dale Jr leaving DEI. I cant remember if it was nascar.com or somewhere else but it didnt sound like the moral of the team was down. Sounded like more than ever they are motivated to win a championship for DEI.

Gotta remember that everyone involved has to prove themselves now. Whether they want to stay or go, they need to show their worth. I have a feeling that Jr would want to take his whole crew with him. Alot of the guys have been with Jr for a long time and we all know how important a well-gelled crew is. Its obvious that Eury Jr wants to go with Dale.

Its not unusual for an announcement like this to happen this early in the season. Dale has been hounded about it by the media since December. Now that its out in the open, maybe he can concentrate more on racing.

Bottom line. It was a boo-boo of Teresa's that will go down in history. Like sparky stated, Jr's worth in monetary terms to DEI was huge. DEI immediately lost a small fortune.

Teresa doesn't seem to be struggling on the business side of things. It's the racing side that's left wanting. Jr made a comment a few years ago that the Boss Lady needed to loosen the purse strings for the race shop.

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Originally Posted by Phoenixent

That would be fine on the sponsors not paying. By Jr should have waited for later in the season to tell the world. There is a lot more to a team then just a driver. The effects on moral of the crew is what you have to worry about. Their performance is shot for the rest of the season thanks to Jr.

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The exclusive contract negotiation window between Earnhardt and DEI was going to expire May 31, so absent a signed deal this was going to be a story in about 20 days no matter what. The media feeding frenzy would have been the same, if not worse, if that date came and passed without an announcement.

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Originally Posted by Sparky1329

You may be right but I don't see it, Stan. On ESPN yesterday they cited figures that indicate Jr's worth at DEI represents 65% of the company's value.

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Forbes valued DEI at $57 million in 2006. So with him leaving (with his 65%), that theoretically knocks DEI's value down by over $37 million. :eek:

And... Dale, Jr. was asking for basically $29 million (51%)? :confused: I take it that Dale didn't marry Teresa for her math skills...

See, this is why I stay on my young cousin to take as many math classes as possible. You move on in life and get to a point that you don't realize that 29 is less than 37... and life puts a hard foot in your beeehind.

My prediction is Dale, Jr. (or someone else) will be able to buy DEI in five years or less. And they'll pay a helluva lot less than $29 million for it.

Wonder if they'll start selling these at the DEI trailer from now on?
http://splashpages.com/wood/gallery/...kickmehard.jpghttp://splashpages.com/wood/gallery/...kickmehard.jpg

This could rank right up there with Portland picking Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan and Green Bay picking Tony Mandrich over Barry Sanders.