Earnhardt finally signs for DEI
Dale Earnhardt Jr has finally agreed a five-year deal to continue racing with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., the team founded by his late father and Teresa Earnhardt, in the NASCAR Nextel Cup from 2004. The young Earnhardt has been driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. since 1998 and entered NASCAR's premier series as a rookie in 2000
Negotitations over the deal have continued since January. Major sticking points had been the duration of the agreement and the number of duties Junior would be required to fulfill for team, sponsors and other entities. Junior and stepmother Teresa Earnhardt had dithered over details until this week.
"Dale and I built this organization with a long term plan in place," Teresa said, speaking of her late husband. "Dale Jr. has always been an intricate part of that plan, and this agreement represents our commitment to one another in reaching the goal of winning championships."
Earnhardt is third in the Winston Cup points standings this season, his best since he moving up to the top division. He has one victory, at Talladega in April. He has never had a contract with the team.
"We had a handshake, and that was sufficient," Junior explained. "But in today's business world you need written agreements, and now we have one. It was an interesting process that was very educational."
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