Ah, picture it...
The Dale Earnhardt Inc. #8 Chevy Impala SS, sponsored by, (insert name here) driven by, (insert name here) pulls out to qualify for the 2008 Daytona 500...
Insert BOO here!
A pattern originates at Daytona that will be repeated every race during the 08' season. No matter who sponsors the 8, no matter who drives it.
If you are Teresa Earnhardt why would you allow this to happen? What possible good can come of it for you, your organization, your sponsors and your driver? None, and here we are on the outside looking in wondering what the heck the people at Teresa Earnhardt Inc. Are thinking.
I'm a PR guy, so I think like a PR guy. When I look at this situation, I think to myself "How can I make lemonade from this rotting lemon?" Well, if I am "The Stepmom," I go to Junior and say. "That number is just as important to you, as it is to us. As a parting gift from your FAMILY at TEI, take the number with you." Magnanimuous, gracious, classy, call it whatever you want. Teresa Earnhardt would win the hearts of NASCAR fans everywhere with this gesture. I would be among the first to say "That was big of Mrs. E."
Instead I'm writting this.
Kelley Earnhardt Elledge (Junior's sister and manager) and Teresa Earnhardt do not go shoe shopping together, they do not exchange e-mails or recipies, they do not hug in public, and I am positive they do not hug in private. The temprature in any room that both are in has to go down at least ten degrees, and Teresa Earnhardt sent Elledge a little more freon this week when TEI announced that the number 8 will not accompany Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he moves to Hendrick Motorsports.
Think of this.
Your 8 tattoo just got obsoleted, diecast shops are selling number 8 cars at bargain basement prices, (I know because I just spent fifteen bucks for one!) Clothes will be burned, cars and houses will be repainted all because of this. (Home Depots and body shops the nation over are bracing themselves!) Congratulations, you get to buy all new stuff when the new number, and new sponsor come on line, because what will not change is the amount of love there is out there for Dale Jr.. Make no mistake, Junior will make tons of cash and remain as popular as he ever was, no matter what the number, no matter who's product he schleps.
Junior will continue be cheered, NEW driver #8 will be lothed and the gap that divides Dale Earnhardt Jr. from the former Dale Earnhardt Inc. will get even wider. Perhaps I am wrong, I hope that I am, but how can you be on the outside looking at this and not think that this team owner and her company are Earnhardt in name only when something as simple as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s number cannot successfully be negotiated.
How do you hold family hostage?