When the history books are
written on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career, he may look back and owe his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, huge Thanks. Depending
on whom you talk to, she may have played a big role in his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). In a classic case
of, he said, she said, with Junior not saying much, and her Teresa less, NASCAR fans, and Junior fans in particular, share
different views of what actually occurred between Junior and his stepmother. Some say he’s a brat that has been spoiled
with the easy life and unappreciative of what he has. Now he's willing to sell his soul and move over to the evil empire,
a.k.a. Hendricks Motorsports (HMS).
The opposing point of
view on the same story would suggest Teresa is the evil stepmother, who never gave Dale Jr. credit for growing up, didn’t
spend enough time or money in making the team a top tier contender, and blindly let the golden goose just walk away. As
someone suggested after Earnhardt Jr.’s announcement to leave DEI, “DEI without Jr. is just a museum.”
As with most disagreements,
the truth most likely lies somewhere in the middle of either side of the story, and we may never know what exactly happened.
The known result is that many Junior fans are upset, and depending on whom you talk to it is either her fault or his. Many
Junior fans are angry that Mrs. Earnhardt would let him go under any circumstances. Some
fans of Junior, are angry with him for leaving under any circumstances. One thing
that appears to be certain, his departure is assured and imminent.
So much anguish may be
related to the fan’s need for the status quo. It does not feel good to be out of their comfort zone. For
Junior fans, this means a red No. 8 with a well-known beer sponsor on the side of his car. For Junior fans, making changes
from this combination of color, number and decals feels like someone scratching on a chalkboard.
And yet change can be
a powerful thing. Just like a gardener who transplants a reasonably healthy potted plant to a new pot, the short-term
effects are radical, but long term has great upside. As the plant is removed from its pot, maybe the only home it has
ever known, the old tired soil is removed from its roots. The exposed roots are now placed into a new pot with fresh
dirt that now allow for greater root expansion. The same plant has a new beginning and it grows bigger, better and stronger
than it ever could have in the old pot. The plant may suffer initial shock from the uprooting but soon, it begins to
grow and flourish with stronger stems and more fruit.
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It may be that when all
is said and done, this move of Junior’s will be thought of in the same way. It is too early to tell, but Junior just
may look back and thank his stepmother for whatever role she played in this whole ordeal.
This just might be the
opportunity he needs to blossom, to reach new heights, and to accomplish the goals he might not otherwise have had the opportunity
to achieve. When one door closes, another one opens. It might just be opportunity
knocking.
2006 StockCar Review.
