Subscribe to this blog's feed
« We're everywhere |
Main
| There is no "I" in team,
or in C-O-N-T-R-A-C-T »
June 30, 2005
That doesn't brighten the ol' job security picture, does it?
I don't know how it works up at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in nearby Mooresville, N.C. ...
Oh, that's right, we all do: Not very well.
But I'm talking about the ways a guy might go about keeping a job right now. You know, job security.
I've tried that trashing the boss thing and it hasn't worked out all that well for me. But I've learned and moved on. And I happen to like the guy I currently answer to and wouldn't trash him. Even if he had a Jerry Barber signature fairway wood in his hands.
Tony Eury Sr., on the other hand, bears the look of a man who's grown tremendously weary of the job he has as director of competition for Teresa Earnhardt's organization.
There's been wide-open talk of Dale Earnhardt Jr. - a.k.a. NASCAR's biggest star - leaving the organization his late father founded and led to prominence. Many hope Junior will land at Richard Childress Racing. And I'm in agreement that such a move would be huge.
There's talk that Michael Waltrip, too, is looking.
Judging by Eury Sr.'s remarks at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, I'd say he either has something pretty good lined up or has figured out that he has enough cash to keep him comfortable for a little while.
Because I think the Widow Earnhardt ain't gonna be real happy with what he's saying about her, Richie Gilmore, Steve Hmiel and the rest of the leadership at DEI.
But that's assuming she cares enough about running a top-level NASCAR race team to get riled, isn't it?
June 30, 2005 in Racing | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451bce769e200d834810c5469e2
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference That doesn't brighten the ol' job security picture, does it?:
Comments
Hey BARman...just wanted to respond to the comment of Jr being tied to Bud marketing right now......Its true Bud does have sponsorship contracts with DEI...however, they have personal contracts with Jr, not related to DEI. It has been mentioned on SpeedVision, Sirius Speedway and in several articles that while Bud is loyal and under contract to DEI...bottom line is...Bud is going wherever Jr goes. Good or Bad...but I dont see a big problem with a red and black # 3 back on the track! LOL
Posted by: billy | Jul 7, 2005 9:27:36 PM
Hey Bob,
She has been at the races, you aren't going to see her on camera until Jr can make it to Victory Lane. The only time you see Rick Hendrick on camera is if one of his teams win. Not all team owners are like Jack Roush, Richard Childress and Richard Petty always very visable at the track.
Posted by: Jon | Jul 6, 2005 10:32:27 PM
I have one question, why do we never see mother Teresa at the races? She afraid it will be obvious that she is a complete airhead and has been living off her dead husband for a while.
Posted by: Bob | Jul 6, 2005 3:37:25 AM
Dale Sr. didn't drive for DEI because Teresa and Dale Sr. started DEI for Dale, Kerry and Kelli to run in the NASCAR series. Just like they started Chance Motor Sports so they could run in the Late Model series. It had nothing to do with not wanting to drive for DEI for any crazy reason like you are trying to make up.
Posted by: Jon | Jul 5, 2005 10:58:14 PM
Dale Sr. didn't drive for DEI because Teresa and Dale Sr. started DEI for Dale, Kerry and Kelli to run in the NASCAR series. Just like they started Chance Motor Sports so they could run in the Late Model series. It had nothing to do with not wanting to drive for DEI for any crazy reason like you are trying to make up.
Posted by: Jon | Jul 5, 2005 10:49:44 PM
Jon,
I don't really see RCR courting Junior as "something sinister". I think it's a logical move for Junior, considering all the crap he's having to deal with regarding DEI that isn't his responsibility to deal with... that's a major reason Big E didn't drive for DEI... he knew that the media would do to him exactly what they're doing to Junior right now. The media pressure on Junior about what's going on with DEI is a big factor in Junior's bad run lately... it's not his job to do PR for DEI... his job is to drive the #8 car.
Posted by: Rick | Jul 5, 2005 12:03:35 PM
Serena,
I think that's one major reason why Big E didn't drive for DEI... he knew that the media would do to him exactly what they're doing to Junior now...
Posted by: Rick | Jul 5, 2005 12:01:02 PM
Scratch that "Pete Rondeau" in my previous post and replace it with Tony, Jr. I can't seem to keep Junior's crew chiefs straight, but then again, he probably can't either...
Thanks for letting me know that Speed jumped on that video from qualifying... I was amazed that I hadn't heard any gossip about that, what with all the rumors about RCR talking to Junior... then to see the two of them laughing it up on pit road... I told my gf that Junior probably hollered at Richard as he was walking by... "Hey, Richard... come here and let's chat and laugh and fuel rumor and innuendo..."
Posted by: Rick | Jul 5, 2005 11:56:37 AM
Am still shocked that someone has spoken up at DEI and publically named the person responsible.
WOW, all this time the impression has been that JR made the decision to swap the crews, that JR picked and then replaced Rondeau and that JR has had final say so in all of the decisions being made. After week in and week out of watching the driver asked repeatedly about the problems with the management, perhaps the media will turn their attentions, cameras, and microphones to the person with the responsibility and the knowledge to answer for their actions and that would be the owner of the company, not an employee.
Posted by: Serena | Jul 5, 2005 9:52:27 AM
Rick,
Actually, I heard some speculation about that shot of Junior talking to Childress, along with mentions of Kerry as well.
As long as Childress has the #3 mothballed there will be talk about who, when, and how it will come back to the track. It was one of the SPEED shows that did the mentioning. The skinny seems to be that Childress would like to put an Earnhardt in the seat to ease the car back to the track. Kerry seems to have a better chance at it, because Junior is very much tied to the Budweiser marketing right now. However, we all know how things can change in a minute, so ya' never know.
But yes Rick, Speed did pounce on the TNT footage from the race at Daytona.
Posted by: BARman | Jul 5, 2005 8:30:01 AM
Rick,
That is exactly how rumurs get started around the garage and the fan blogs. Someone sees someone talking to so so about God knows what and without being able to ask what they were talking about the rumors star flying. Why isn't it possible that Richard and Dale Jr. be talking about things off the track, without people like you assuming that Richard is trying to get Jr. away from DEI. or something sinister.
Posted by: Jon | Jul 4, 2005 3:04:34 PM
While I agree that it's nice to hear someone speaking frankly about their situation in NASCAR, Pete Rondeau doesn't seem to be offering constructive criticism, only criticism. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
And why hasn't anyone jumped on TNT's shot of Junior chatting happily with Richard Childress on pit road Friday during Busch qualifying? They sure seem to be pretty happy together, folks...
Posted by: Rick | Jul 4, 2005 12:51:24 PM
Sorry about the double post. My browser froze and I didn't think the first one went.
Posted by: Buddynoel | Jul 4, 2005 9:43:22 AM
I can see a giant opening for Toyota in this situation. This reminds me of the hushed days before we heard about Dodge getting back into NASCAR.
Posted by: buddynoel | Jul 4, 2005 9:41:37 AM
I can see a giant opening for Toyota in this situation. This reminds me of the hushed days before we heard about Dodge getting back into NASCAR.
Posted by: buddynoel | Jul 4, 2005 9:41:36 AM
I can see a giant opening here for Toyota to enter this picture. Hmmm?
Posted by: Buddynoel | Jul 4, 2005 9:38:16 AM
I don't know that much about life at DEI, but its seems nobody dares say 'boo' to Teresa. At last someone has spoken out. The whole problem seems to be that she is surrounded by 'yes' people. They really need someone to stand up and say when things need doing differently, without fear of getting fired. Its a shame Tony Sr didn't speak up when it actually would have mattered - before it was all signed and sealed.
Posted by: David | Jul 2, 2005 11:40:52 AM
didnt jr have tony as a crewchife in the bush race.he was kickin ass untill his motor blew.martin trux jr signed on to dei for two more years and coulnt say what car he would be in for shure on the air.whats up.
Posted by: iman80 | Jul 2, 2005 12:51:11 AM
Boy, it must make Waltrip (15th in points) feel terrific to read what a mistake it was to switch Tony Jr et al. to his team. Right, Michael. Please drop back to 20th place quickly; we can't have you upstaging the boss (18th in points.)
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a rabid fan of any driver, but I do root for Waltrip and Jeff Burton every week. And despite all the hype and stuff, Junior seems like a pretty nice fellow, and you even get the sense that he's still a little bit overwhelmed by his celebrity. In all the furor, though, Waltrip's excellent season is being overlooked to some extent while we focus on Junior and his troubles. I know it was said that he has to make the Chase to keep his job, and I guess that's their right. It would just seem unfair if he finished 12th and got fired while Junior finished 18th and kept his ride. It's business, though, and Junior sells more tickets.
Posted by: Doug | Jul 1, 2005 6:11:27 PM
Mother Teresa screwed up, but some of the blame is with Dale Jr. He picked Pete Rondeau to be his crew chief, he chased Slugger Labbe, the best restrictor plate engineer in nascar, out of DEI and to Evrenham. He is not blameless, its just funny to see how he does in equipment that is just ok
Posted by: Bob | Jul 1, 2005 2:12:09 PM
I don't know about you, but, I think it's time for the whole pit crew to go looking for a different line of work. Teamwork is essential in this sport and it is obvious that their isn't any. If one is dragging his feet, then don't expect the others to pick up his slack - replace him and move on.
I am a huge DEI fan, but, this season SUCKS!!!!! Come on Teresa, step up to the plate and make a decision on Dale Jr.'s team. It isn't that hard. I think 5 races into the season was enough to make a decision on this.
If Junior doesn't make the Chase, then blame lies with management of the team. We all know he can drive!
As for the comment about the Jr. switching to Dodge - HELL NO! He won't go!
Posted by: Driver8 | Jul 1, 2005 1:08:28 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Advertisements
