Does this mean that Grumpy cannot use file pics of Dale jr and BUD?
LAS VEGAS (AP) – A mix-up over memorabilia has created hurt feelings with Dale Earnhardt Jr., while his former team claims it’s all a misunderstanding.
Earnhardt said Monday that he’s upset that all signs of his stint at Dale Earnhardt Inc. had allegedly been removed from the shop. First told of the absence of his memorabilia last week, he originally said he didn’t care.
But at the first day of testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Earnhardt said time to think about it had made him mad. He said the team members that were part of his Daytona 500 victory and two Busch Series championships should be recognized at the shop.
“It sort of hurt my feelings that it’s sort of a hack at even the guys that are still there and have worked on that car,” Earnhardt said. “To not see the accolades or any sort of appreciation for the work that they did, and they’re still there.”
The absence of Earnhardt-related items was noticed by media who attended a luncheon at DEI last Wednesday. The driver left his late father’s company at the end of last season, and he’ll drive for Hendrick Motorsports this year.
But Max Siegel, president of DEI, said Monday that the team has Earnhardt memorabilia on display and “about nine of his old cars” had been moved off the showroom floor to make room for the luncheon.
“There seems to be some confusion over memorabilia and merchandise,” Siegel said. “We no longer have a relationship with Dale Jr. or Budweiser, so we have no license, agreement or business reason to sell any of that merchandise in our gift shop. But as far as memorabilia, more than half of the showroom floor is dedicated to Dale Jr.’s history here.”
***Grumpy’s opinion next:
OK, I get the part about moving cars to make room for the tour. No problem. Are we now to believe that all the left over merchandise was destroyed because DEI is no longer licensed to sell Dale jr’s likeness or the BUDWEISER logo? Methinks this explanation stinketh! PULEEEASE!
Dear Max, Teresa; As a longtime fan of all things DEI and of the late Dale Earnhardt, I expect better from you than this. Do the math. Add up the number of trophies won by the 8 team and then add up the trophies won by the 1 and 15 teams. like it or not, Dale Earnhardt jr is/was your marquee driver. The face of DEI to the fans. We all know that Teresa prefers to be a very private out of the public eye woman. Not a problem, you got Max to face the press. So Max, what happened to all the stuff? Did ya burn a couple of million worth of BUD shirts? Did you box it all up and send it over to JR Motorsports?
Wonder if DEI would like to compare trackside sales with HMS at the end of the ‘08 season. Cha-ching!!
4 Comments
I was SO HOPIN’ this was the one you’d do!!!!!! Only you could do it without swearin’ like the sailor I am, darlin’, because I agree WHOLEheartedly.
When I read that, my blood boiled. “Movin’ it outa’ the way for tables”, my ASS.
See, I told you I couldn’t do this one without swearing, LOL …
WELCOME BACK!
[PS, now that I'm thinkin' about it again -- what does Max mean that DEI has "no relationship with Dale Jr." anymore? Bud, I can see -- but Jr.? Doesn't he still own STOCK in DEI??? Doesn't even matter, really, but even IF not, Jr.'s right -- they're slammin' the work of people still IN THE BUILDING. If I were one of them, I wouldn't be any longer.]
The soap opera NASCAR and Jr. fans and the media have blown this whole issue COMPLETELY out of proportion!!! Yes, ALL the cars (even a #3 car) were moved out of the interior showroom at DEI to accommodate tables, chairs, stage, etc. for the 200+ members of the “media” who attended the media tour and were treated to lunch at DEI. Following this event, the room was cleared, floors cleaned and polished and ALL the cars returned. In fact, Dale, Jr’s. #8 Bud chevy that won the 2004 Daytona 500 is displayed front and center at the showroom window! Other past DEI drivers still have cars on display including Michael Waltrip, Steve Park and Ron Hornaday. As for the trophy cases, there is one case for each CURRENT and active DEI driver. At the beginning of January when Dale, Jr. moved to HMS (NOT when he announced he was leaving DEI), items in his display case were replaced by those belonging to Mark Martin, who now drives for DEI. The same thing happened when Michael Waltrip left – his display case was taken over by DEI driver Paul Menard. Hmmm..the Michael Waltrip fans (and the media) didn’t even raise and eyebrow about that. Plans to expand the display and museum area of DEI are underway because they recognize there is a need to display more of the company’s past and present history. But in the meantime, doesn’t it make sense to promote and showcase the CURRENT teams and drivers for the fans that visit??
The so-called, unbiased motorsports media needs to check the facts before printing or broadcasting any story that they know full well will create controversy and spur more rumors – but maybe they do this on purpose because they know the gullible and rumor loving race fans will watch more, listen more, read more (those that can read), which improves their ratings and advertising revenue and puts $$$ in their pockets! So, who is using who here????
Don’t believe everything you read in the media – they report what they WANT to report to increae readership, etc. Did any of the media return to DEI to see if the cars on display were returned and report the TRUTH?? – NOOOO!! Because, that would stop all this stupid banter and they would have to find/create something else to write about, instead of sitting back, smiling and watching the fans keep the pots stirred for them.
Come on people – stop playing into the hands of the media and check things out before you spread false information!
Your strong pro-DEI points are well taken, as well as your assessment of media and fact-finding in general.
I believe Jr.’s own comments speak for themselves, however; and I’m confident that you wouldn’t argue with his “facts”. He may be many things, but if he thought the media was being unfair or unkind to DEI, he would’ve had an entirely different response when questioned about said “rumors”. He doesn’t often pull punches when he feels others are being wronged, as I’m sure you’re aware.
On the other hand, if you’d like to sponsor anglerred in full, we’d be more than happy to travel the globe ferreting out the factual content and context of all “news” reported everywhere, grin …
Just kidding … thanks for your input. I’ll repeat this, in case there is any doubt: your points are well-taken.
Best,
angler
Renny makes a good case for the defense. Thanks for chipping in. I am beginning to understand the dynamics of how the internet drives numbers that create advertising revenue. That said, I think what we have here is less complicated.
Dale Earnhardt jr is the ‘Most Popular driver’ in the cup series and maybe on planet earth. Anytime there is a story that has to do with driver, 88 there will be press. Is it accurate? Perhaps not always. He is a lightning rod for stories. I have no doubt that if the press insiders cannot find anything to write about, it is easy to dig up a story about DEI or Dale jr.
HMS may need to add an additional PR staffer just to deal with all things Jr.
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