The 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt changed the complexion of NASCAR in many ways. Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 while running third, he hit the turn four wall head-on after losing control of his iconic No. 3 and making contact with other competitors.
Since that time the cars, some
tracks, and a plethora of safety innovations have both changed and
revolutionized the sport we’ve all come to know and love. For as much as
Earnhardt did for the sport as he lived, he’s continued to do so in death.
Except, it’s not just the sport that’s changed, those in it have as well.
When he was alive, Earnhardt
and wife Teresa ran his own three car operation, Dale Earnhardt Inc., with
drivers Steve Park, Michael Waltrip and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. After his
passing the company was continued on by Teresa, who did her best to keep her
husband’s legacy alive while putting a championship ran team on track.
Soon, as the racing world
watched, everything fell apart. Earnhardt Jr., who raced with other family members
such as his cousin and uncle, found himself at odds with his stepmother.
Changes were being made that he didn’t agree with and prior to the 2007 season
he put his cards on the table: give him some control of the company or he walks
out of the door.
Teresa never blinked and
Earnhardt Jr. signed with Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2008 season. Making
it easier for her was the fact that Earnhardt Sr. had never had his will
changed – perhaps because he either never thought about it or didn’t want to –
leaving the company in her control and not with his children.
In any case, what Earnhardt may
or may not have wanted, was never seen. Earnhardt Jr. went on to have a successful
season: winning one race and making the Chase with DEI doing the opposite. They
failed to win and his former car, the No. 8 was shut down because of a lack of
sponsorships.
Starting in 2009 the company
would be merged with Chip Ganassi’s, forming Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. They’re
biggest season to date would be a year later, 2010, when driver Jamie McMurray won the
Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. They have yet, however, proven to be
championship contenders.
Earnhardt Jr. meanwhile has
experienced his own ups and downs at HMS. He made the Chase in 2008, 2011 and
this past season. Yet, he’s won only twice and is working with his third
different crew chief.
His Nationwide Series team,
which he brought to HMS as well, has found themselves in a similar situation.
They brought Brad Keselowski to the spotlight before he left for Penske and now
a Cup championship, before struggling to fill their seats and find the winner's circle. Danica Patrick has come and gone, JRM bringing her to NASCAR and now
setting her off to a Cup ride of her own.
And the family aspect isn’t as
strong for Earnhardt Jr. anymore either. Both his cousin and uncle have left
under difficult circumstances. Sister Kelley, who also owns part of JRM,
remains at Earnhardt Jr.’s side.
But …
What if DEI had been left to the Earnhardt children - not Teresa - how different would everything/one be now? Including Eanhardt-Ganassi?
@JamersonD I think EGR wouldn't exist. Still DEI with Jr stil in the 8. I think they'd be getting engines from Hendrick now though.
@TomLglEdtr hard to say; by most accounts Teresa had great marketing sense (value of Dale Sr. brand); would his kids appreciate that?
@HD388 EGR never happens. Jr stays & DEI would be a solid 3 car operation with that puts all 3 cars in the Chase year after year
@SMofHRinHC It would have fallen apart even faster.
Kenneth J Carlson (via Facebook) Dale Jr would still be driving the 8 car
Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Good question....All the Chevy teams are now second to Hendrick who is quickly becoming the dominate force in NASCAR. Would it have been different. Yes, but how much different. IDK. It wouldn't have been family run cause Pops and Jr got canned at JR Motorsports so ....
Kelly Crandall (via Facebook - responding) But would they have been? Would things have gone on this far and like they are now? This can be a loaded question because it affects so many people and a few different companies.
Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) I agree. My thing is though look at a team like RCR. They are not even close to a team like Hendrick. Harvick left to drive for Hendrick's B team next year? As bad as a job Teresa did running the organization would it be different? IDK. I mean Chip Ganassi had to merge and he has a ton of money. It's just a completely different sport than it was in 2007 and IDK if DEI would still be a powerhouse.
Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) It's been a crazy few years since it happened. I think you also have to look at how many changes she made, and if Junior or Kelley being in charge, if they would have made the same ones. Such as moving around teams and personnel, like sending the 8 team to Michael beginning in 2005. Or how Jr.'s Nationwide team would be like now if he didn't have as close an association with Hendrick. And if he never goes to Hendrick, is Kyle still there? Many different ways to look at it, I guess. It's interesting to look back at how much has happened.
Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Yeah and I'm not tryin to kill Jr but this is fact, I mean with the way he struggled so bad in the "COT" they woulda looked at other alternatives, which probably means merger. It is sad what happened to that team, and a lot of teams since 2007. I mean DEI made their own engines. Coming into next year we are going to have 5 engine builders! 5! In 2007 we had 12. It's just changed so much.
Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) He never did figure out the COT, hated it, in fact. Wonder if he had worked with Pops if he would have done a little better?
Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) You never know. I mean Pops coulda struggled in the COT too. I think Zipadelli couldn't get his arms around that car and that's part of the reason why the 20 struggled so bad and the 14 and 39 took a hit this year. Just my opinion.
