Dale Earnhardt Jr, son of the late, great, iconic “Big E”, is leaving the team and company his father founded, to seek his NASCAR fortunes with another team. I’ve read all kinds of punditry about what he could/would/should do, and offer a few unsolicited observations of my own, typed here into the internet:

• It would be a mistake for him to attempt Nextel Cup with his own team, JR Motorsports. He wants to win races and championships now, not manage a race team. This would be a last-ditch option, and won’t happen right now. I’d trade my paycheck for the worst of the many offers he will get.
• Hendrick Motorsports has been eliminated out-of-hand. Hendrick has four teams, the maximum NASCAR allows. But, this is Dale Jr, and contracts from existing drivers can be bought out. Hendrick’s #25 car, currently piloted by Casey Mears, ran the Budweiser livery back in the late 80′s-early 90′s. Still, Hendrick is a long-shot.
• Richard Childress Racing has an opening, since RCR currently fields only three teams. RCR is a sentimental favorite to win the Dale Jr derby, since Big E won 6 of his 7 championships with RCR. And any race fan¹ would get goosebumps at seeing the #3 car back on the racetrack. Still, I think the timing isn’t right for that to happen; Dale Jr said he’d have to mull that one over for a while.
• Joe Gibbs Racing currently fields three teams, and good teams at that. There’s been trackside punditry that casts JGR as the outsider in this free agent landing game. I think the move to JGR makes a lot of sense. Here’s why:
1. Dale wants to win now. JGR is a winning team.
2. Joe Gibbs coaches for Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Dan is not opposed to celebs, marketing, and selling tickets. Junior is a huge ‘Skins fan. And Budweiser is not averse to any type of sports marketing.
3. The Car of Tomorrow is here today. JGR is very close to having the COT figured out. Mastering that will be a key to winning.
4. I think that Tony Stewart will retire in a couple of years. JGR will need a senior guy. Junior will be 34-35 in a couple of years.
5. After a 3-5 year gig at JGR, we’ll see the return of the #3, as Dale returns to RCR to finish his behind-the-wheel racing career.

When this all comes true, I expect heartfelt congratulations on my prescience. When it doesn’t, I’ll be pondering, analyzing, and blogging anyhow. So there. And, in the last analysis, NASCAR isn’t about racing as much anymore. Kyle Petty said on a TV interview a week or two ago, “NASCAR is a sport on Sunday; the other six days, it’s business.” And I agree with that, and wish all the best for Dale Jr. His hardest decision is behind him now, and I’ll be looking for him in victory lane.

-k-

[tags]daleearnhardtjr, dalejr, hendrickmotorsports, joegibbsracing, richardchildressracing[/tags]