Family dynamics are difficult
under the best circumstances. Every one has families to deal with on a daily basis under any number of circumstances. The
fortunate thing for the average fan is that our families aren’t paraded out in the limelight for the scrutiny of the
world to observe and judge as they see fit. Our bad moods, frustrations and ill-tempered moments don’t get recorded
and quoted and misinterpreted to be misunderstood through every human filter around. Case in point: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and
his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt and the Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) battle of this decade. By all accounts, what Kevin Harvick
observed and then stated as Teresa being a “deadbeat owner” was simply his observation from the outside looking
in. For him, he wouldn’t like that situation. From his viewpoint, based on Dale Jr.’s complaints and his
observations, he felt he understood. Yet, as is the case in families, the negative comment caused an opposite reaction from
Dale Jr., which was to come to the defense of the very person he’s complained so much about! Nothing makes sense until
you realize it’s about families and if it was your family, would anyone else fare any better? Most likely not.
After reading yet another
interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr., I finally felt real encouragement for this young man’s growth and maturity progress!
I’ve watched Dale Jr. since his dominating Busch days and being his Daddy’s fan, I was happy to herald another
generation of Earnhardt to Cups. When his father died, I kept watching because there was still an Earnhardt on the track who
needed fan support more than anything during this time! I wondered how he would cope without the strength and wisdom his dad
provided him on and off the track. What a loss he had to endure! I marveled at his stamina, composure and ability to continue
on through some very emotional times. And I too, cried when he won Daytona that July, like nearly everyone else watching that
victory! Dale Jr. proved he was a winner time and again when no one would have blamed him for simply walking away and letting
go.
Then, slowly things started
to sickeningly unravel. Victories were fewer and farther between from season-to-season. Infighting in DEI, management changes,
obvious crew issues exhibited clearly over scanner chatter, and the continued lack of performance for a multitude of reasons
and mistakes plagued Junior. The excuses abounded by blaming upper management of DEI, saying they weren’t racing-minded
enough to keep DEI up to date with current technology and the trends of the sport. Yet, in the meantime Jr. became the most
popular driver, rising to Superstar status. Who needs to win anymore when you can command a nation of fans by simply being
who you are? And Dale Jr. was determined to be just who he is.
The 2007 season approached
with its usual fanfare and Teresa Earnhardt threw down the gauntlet in a rare interview opportunity with the Wall Street Journal;
she challenged Dale Jr. to “decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality.”
After unsuccessfully trying to shake up his team with different crew chiefs and getting nowhere, Teresa laid it in on the
line to her stepson. Dale Jr. loyally insisted he would only work with the Eury’s, specifically Tony Eury Jr. as his
crew chief yet this year when Eury Jr. cheated himself into a six-week suspension, Earnhardt thrived quite well without him
and might well have been securely in the Chase with Tony Gibson instead of Eury Jr. With the gauntlet in the ring, the stage
was set and never one to back off from a challenge, Jr. rose to the occasion in full-fanfare. After many little “feeler
leaks” to test the public and prepare Jr.-Nation for a potential shock, thirty days later the announcement was made
that he would drive for Hendricks Motorsports in 2008.
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Now, after all the negotiations
are finished for the number he won’t take with him (8), Dale Jr. finally pays attention to the diatribe and vitriol
his fans have been spewing about his stepmother, Teresa and says it’s got to stop. He finally realizes how unfair all
this really is to Taylor
and that he’s the cause of that hurt. Granted, Taylor’s a grown young
woman these days but nonetheless she’s family and he’s her big brother! Likewise, in all fairness to Jr.-Nation,
the fans are just being 100% loyal, diehard, red-shirted fans. Dale Jr. surely realizes it’s his own comments and attitude
that has fueled his legion of fans their ugliness towards Teresa. Being a very private person, Teresa provides no fodder for
the media or the fans to speculate about. So while struggling through negotiations, Jr. let the fans and media chew on Teresa
based on his comments, most likely hoping it would work in his favor but not realizing how out of control it might get.
Ultimately, when all
is said and done in life, there’s one bottom line: relationships. The strongest relationships are family. Families fight
each other but when others begin to tear up the family, then families unite. Whether Jr. wants to admit it or not, Teresa
is a major part of his life. Prior to Dale Sr.’s death, he’s quoted singing her praises for good business sense,
being a smart woman and trusting her a lot. She’s a major influence in Juniors life and there’s a multitude of
loving, sharing, happy family times and moments I’m sure he can recall with his family of Teresa, Dale Sr. and Taylor.
Were something to happen to either Teresa or Taylor, heaven forbid, I have no doubt in my heart that Dale Jr. would be there
by their side because they’re still family. Driving a racecar and winning championships are all well and good but meaningless
without the important things in life like family. What should have remained simply business got messy, nasty and personally
foul. I say BRAVO for Jr. for putting a halt to it all by finally speaking out. I
only hope the fans listen.
2006 StockCar Review.
