When Dale Earnhardt Jr. left TEI… I mean DEI, he tried to take the No. 8 with him. But Teresa Earnhardt, via shrewd business focus, or spiteful step-motherly mode, retained the number. Something or other about the image of the number, and the team.
As if the ‘image’ of the No. 8 was going to help DEI at the time.
Now Dale Earnhardt Jr. went on to drive the No. 88 for Hendrick and the No. 8 went through a few drivers before
- DEI getting absorbed* into Ganassi racing to become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (EGR)
- Losing sponsorship for the No. 8 car
- Mothballing the soon to be ex-famous number.
*1: I used the term absorbed probably incorrectly, as both teams needed to combine to survive. Yet had DEI stood strong enough on its own, it would not have needed to do this. As such, I call it being absorbed, and I don’t care whose name comes first in the new team name. I think we’ve seen this a few times now. Besides, the No. 42, originally a Ganassi team, seems to be doing pretty damn good right now.
*2: Did you know that a lot of DEI‘s old sponsors on their other cars came on-board because of the promise of appearances at some of their functions, by Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Yea, Teresa, you might have been better off giving Jr. 51% ownership. Oh well. (Thank god I’m not a bitter fan!!!)
So now it’s very possible that EGR is going to be bringing back the No. 8 to a part-time sched and probably to the Nationwide series.
EGR is also “bullish” about the opportunity to get Jeffrey Earnhardt in the car, keeping the legacy of the No 8 being driven by the Earnhardt family alive.
That would be nice… as long as Jeffrey performs A LOT better than Kerry ever did. (No offense, I really pull for him every time.)
Regardless, it just won’t be the same without the Budweiser colors or the Budweiser girls hanging around it.
Budweiser Girls
Who wants a ‘bud’ right about now?
Source: HamptonRoads
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Bruce,
I agree that “the evil step-mother” made a very serious business mistake! 50 % of the old DEI valued at approximately 50 million was worth more than her half now of EGR!
Up to that decision, Teresa Earnhardt had made some very shrewd and brilliantly good deals. After all she is the one behind Dale Sr. being the first driver to set up merchandising trailers.
However, she let “the rock star” go to HMS, and that was her/DEI’s undoing! (Unlike you, I will let my Jr. Nation bitterness shine through)!! LOL
How ’bout them Bud girls? Unfortunately a picture of the our National guard boys just doesn’t do the same thing for me!!LOL