Dale Jr. leaving DEI at the end of the season

Looks like Jr, and step mom could not come to an agreement. Jr. announced today that he is a free agent, and is exploring other options. That could be a critical blow for DEI as a race team, if he takes all of the sponsor money with him (which he will), and probably a few of their employees.

Would be nice to see him go with Hendrick or Childress.

 

I would say without a doubt that will cripple DEI. Which I think is sad. I was never a fan of Senior or really Junior but I think that Sr would have wanted his son to be racing under his name!

 

Can't see him going to Hendrick they are maxed out on teams and drivers.

Would like to see him team up with Tony Stewart.

 

You gotta figure that anywhere else he goes, he will not be the top dog of that organization. I think he will wind up where he is the best fit. Hendrick seems to be able to manage their talent pretty well. RCR is where a lot of his fans would want him, but would it hurt their other drivers as far a sponsorship and popularity. Gibbs would be a good fit, because he is friends with Tony and Denny.
Guess we will have to sit back and see how the bidding wars unfold.

 

Saw something a couple of weeks ago about most of the teams expanding next year for some reason. Not sure why it was but Jr should have plenty of options. Sad to see step mom was so blind she doesn't see that without an Earnhardt driving DEI is all but dead. It will be nice to see Jr go to a real team that puts him in a quality car, but it's a sad day for racing IMO.

 

I figured this was going to happen. As far as where he would go, I think Hendrick would be his best chance of winning however, I don't think that would be very popular with his fans because alot of his fans are Gordon and Johnson haters. Childress would be cool, that would allow him to drive a black #3 car. Gibbs would be nice, I would love to see JR and Smoke work the field together. However, I would not be surprised to see JR Motorsports start up a Cup team.

 

I think it is highly unlikely that JR Motorsports will start a cup team for him to be owner/driver. He wants to win championships, and it is too much on him to start a new team and think you can be competitive. Look at MWR and the other Toyota teams. They have lots of money and resources, but that does not equal success.

It is more likey that Jr will drive for an established team, and let JR Motorsports continue to grow as a company.

 

Theresa Earnhardt is an idiot. She has now run off NAPA and BUD as sponsors. 10's of millions per year in revenue vanished. That team was already sinking and now this. Look for DEI to become a Woods Brothers type team in the immediate future.

 

Sad but true. There were rumors that DEI was looking to team up with RYR, and run Fords next year. Dale Sr. is probably doing some rolling around just thinking about all of this.

 

General consensus from other NASCAR boards and fans is that he will most likely go with Childress due to history with his father. Hendrick has to release a driver to be able to pick up Junior and most don't think they will because the team is running fairly strong. Gordon and Johnson are having great years again. Truex is expected to come with him so it will be difficult.

He has connections with every Chevy team owner so all of them have a chance. He is really good friends with Coach Joe but it seems less likely out of the three.

Childress has the motivation, will, and money to get him.