Motorsports

Earnhardt, stepmother have issues to address

Contract could be affected by her comments

By BRANT JAMES
Published January 9, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Joseph Garnett Jr.] Dale Earnhardt Jr. says his relationship with his stepmother isn't "a bed of roses."

DAYTONA BEACH - Negotiations to keep Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the team founded by his late father always have been about more than business. But the comments his stepmother and team owner, Teresa, made in December about his commitment as a driver apparently have made the process harder.

Earnhardt admitted on the first day of Nextel Cup testing at Daytona International Speedway that his relationship with his stepmother will have a great deal to do with whether he re-signs before his contract expires at the end of the season. And that relationship, by his description, is not touchy-feely.

Earnhardt, NASCAR's most popular driver and a winner of 17 Cup races who has finished third and fifth twice in eight seasons, said a deal could be reached, but grew introspective and pointed when questioned about his future in racing and his past with his stepmother.

"Mine and Teresa's relationship has always been very strict, black and white ... in your face," he said. "It ain't a bed of roses."

Earnhardt, 32, said money was not an issue. His marketability as a pitchman for sponsors and DEI merchandise makes him the franchise in name and image. But what he wants, his stepmother may not be willing to relinquish.

"I particularly would love to own DEI," he said.

DEI director of motorsports Richie Gilmore said Teresa Earnhardt wants her stepson to return, though he's had limited conversation with her about it. He said the team has "a target of getting it done by midsummer." Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Dale Earnhardt's sister and president of his Busch series team, handles his end of the contract negotiations. Gilmore said "outside" negotiators are handling the management side because "Teresa thinks it'll happen faster, maybe if she takes the personal side out of it."

Earnhardt said he has not spoken with Teresa Earnhardt since she criticized him in a Dec. 14 Wall Street Journal article about management changes at DEI.

"I think it was taken out of context," Gilmore said. "Our main focus, every time we talk to Teresa, she wants Junior back. That's what's best for the company, that's what's best for Junior and that's what's best for DEI."

WRIST SHOT: Jimmie Johnson said he was just being a regular guy, decompressing after a championship run, when he broke his wrist being thrown from the top of a golf cart at Mike Hampton's celebrity tournament in Lecanto last month.

"I work hard and I focus on my job and give it everything I've got. But on the flip side of that is that I like to play hard," Johnson said. "I'm a normal guy and like to go out and have fun and do my thing and I broke my wrist in the process unfortunately."

His testing will not be affected, he said. He will wear a splint although the injury is healed.

SPARK PLUGS: Rain canceled the afternoon test, forcing NASCAR to add four hours of morning practice time on Thursday. Tony Raines led the lone session with a best lap of 183.974 mph on his 11th and final turn around the 2.5-mile track.

CHASE CHANGE?: ESPN reported that NASCAR is finalizing a plan to have the top 12 in points in the 10-race playoff with no provision for how many points a driver is from the lead.

Brant James can be reached at brant@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8804.

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[Last modified January 9, 2007, 01:41:46]