Does Dale Earnhardt Jr Wanna to be a Race Driver?
Provocative title isn’t it? It’s meant to be, but you’ll have to standby to learn the meaning and thought process behind it. Not to mention who asks the question.
Teresa Earnhardt, DEI’s chief executive, has bought a ticket on NASCAR’s “diversity train.” She has hired 41 year old Max Siegel, a black gospel-music executive as the company’s No. 2 executive for DEI.
Siegel’s previous position was at Zomba Label Group, a unit of Sony BMG, where he was a vice president as well as president of the gospel division. He has also served as an agent for pro athletes Reggie White and Tony Gwynn, along with several gospel musicians.
Theresa says she looked within the NASCAR community to fill the position however, “Most of the other team owners are just so passionate about the need for speed and the competitive aspect of it. That’s what drives them. … I never could find someone who could take the blinders off and see outside that.”
Boldface is mine. Far be it from me to toss the first rock, but I will anyway. Maybe I’ve been operating under a gross misunderstanding for the last 40 years. It’s always been drilled into my head as both a fan, and in my limited experience as a driver, that’s what a race team needed to succeed. A team’s competitive drive and the amount of passion expended was in direct proportion to the number of wins it achieved.
Silly me!
But Theresa has other thoughts on the matter. Siegel’s mandate at DEI will include oversight of DEI’s “auto dealership and Champion Air, a charter flight company that flies the team to races.” Siegel also will oversee the family’s charitable foundation.
And BTW, Teresa sees the day he will also ride herd over the company’s future real estate holdings as well.
Before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusion, I fully support the decision to hire Siegel. The sport needs people from all minorities, assuming they’re capable of doing the job they’re paid to do. By all indications Siegel will utilize “his extensive contacts” and fill that role nicely.
I certainly wouldn’t expect a total neophyte to take the reigns of the racing operation.
What I question is the job itself and what it means for the racing side of DEI. As pointed out by many Theresa for the most part in an absentee owner. She’s rarely seen at the track and from what I’ve heard the race shop may as well be off limits as well.
As the article points out DEI is at a “crossroads,” with Junior’s contract expiring after the 2007 season. From now until he either resigns with DEI or jumps ship speculation over his status will provide fodder for the rumor-mill. In fact barring another Dillner-Gate or helmet-toss it may be the story of 2007.
By now I suspect who asks the title’s question is no longer under consideration. It’s probably a done deal. At the very end of the article is this bit from Theresa; “Mother and stepson don’t always see eye to eye: ‘Right now the ball’s in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality,’ she says.”
All this could be feeding my long held belief Junior is long past his “use by date” at DEI. On the other hand maybe not.
Given Theresa’s emphasis on everything NOT racing related., Considering Siegel was hired to “best maintain the racer’s legacy,” (meaning Sr., not Jr.) and she calls Junior out publicly over what his main objective should be at DEI I hardly think I’m far off the mark.
Junior, it’s time to ramp up operation at JR Motorsports. Build your own winning team far, far from DEI and leave Theresa to build her own little fiefdom and sheppard Senior’s legacy.
Speaking of fiefdoms. Have you voted for your favorite Full Throttle fiefdom? As I write this there are only 17 hours before the polls close for Best Sports Blog (Mid-night EST). What the hell are you waiting for? “Gentlemen (and ladies) start your voting!”
UPDATE: Site selection is complete for the Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Signature” Alabama Motorsports Park. The $600 million race track and entertainment complex will be built on 2,500 acres just north of Mobile, the track’s investors announced Friday.
It could take about two years to build the four-track motorsports park off Alabama 158, near Interstate 65, with a full season of activity expected in 2010, track spokesman Bill Futterer said. The site faces the University of Mobile campus.
NASCAR, DEI, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Dale EarnhardtJr, Dale Earnhardt, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
