[align=center][/align][align=center]I'm going to go faster & faster & get Richer & Richer[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]He told Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Thursday that he had decided to make the switch to another team when his contract expires, intent on going to a more competitive team.

"At 32 years of age, the same age my father was when he made his final and most important career decision, it's time for me to compete on a consistent basis and contend for championships now," Earnhardt said at a news conference. "I believe I'd have my father's blessing."

Earnhardt had asked for 51 percent ownership of the team now run by his stepmother, Teresa. Negotiations on a contract extension began before the season and have been tense all along. Earnhardt's sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, had set a deadline to get the deal done by the end of the month.

"We never even got close," Earnhardt said.[/align][align=center]

He stressed money is not the issue.

"It's not the guy who gives me the biggest paycheck. It's the person I feel like will allow me to accomplish what I want to in my career, on the race track, in this shop itself, he said. "There's some things you can't get with money, peace of mind and satisfaction in what you do everyday. ... I'm seeking to have that peace of mind and that comfort to be able to really be an asset to somebody. I want to go somewhere and really make things happen for somebody."

Sitting next to his sister and wearing a T-shirt and an open collared shirt, Earnhardt said he leaves DEI with mixed emotions.

"I'm sad that I have to leave some employees that I got close to, leave some relationships," Earnhardt said. "We're going to finish this year out, and I told my guys we're going to run hard. I don't want any excuses for us not giving our best effort. I plan on giving everything I've got like I always do, and hopefully that's what I'll get in return."

In a statement, Teresa Earnhardt said DEI will thrive following Junior's announcement.

"While we are very disappointed that Dale Jr. has chosen to leave the family business, we remain excited about our company's future," she said. "Dale and I built this company to be a championship contender, and those principles still apply. Dale Earnhardt Inc. will win. ... This company has a great legacy and a bright future, built on loyalty, integrity and commitment."

Now, Earnhardt must decide which team is the best fit for him. He said he would like to continue to drive Chevrolets, which will limit his options. It's also likely his primary sponsor, Budweiser, will move with him to the new team.

"I believe our first choice would be to drive for another top, competitive team," Earnhardt Elledge said. "Our last choice would be to form our own Cup team. If that was necessary, that would be what we would do."

"We're going to listen to everybody," Earnhardt added[/align][align=center][:-]For complete story & more Click Below link [:-][/align][align=center]http://sports.aol.com/nascar/story/_...10103509990001[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/al

 

here is my opinion




nuff said

 

I think it might be very realistic for that to happen. Childress said a few years ago he wouldn't race the 3 unless an Earnhardt drove it. There is one available.

 

that would be cool, i remember in one of his first races they showed a split screen of jr and sr, both wearing the goggles and open helmet and they looked just alike. for little e to pick up where his dad left off and take that #3 car further into the history books would be very cool. tho that would be really big shoes for little e to try to fit

 

I hope the kid gets the 3 car.[sm=gears.gif]

 

I think,
He is going to go to Gibbs,
They are going to kick JJ out (which he shoukl have been gone years ago).

Think of the power house that will make

Tony
Denny
and Jr.....

 

I hope that DEI goes bye bye
Anytime you talk with a FORD team its a slap of the face to CHEVY

SO GO AHEAD DEI GO TO FORD WITH RYR......

THAT IS JUST ANOTHER NAIL IN FOR COFFIN TO SR.
DALE SR WOULD NEVER GO TO FORD......

I CANT BLAME JR FOR LEAVING DEI...
AND WATCH WHAT BUD DOES.....
THEY WILL GO WHERE EVER JR ENDS UP AT

 

i'm thinking he's going to childress and he's gonna be in the black 3 with bud all over it...that would be the logical thinking...

there's always the possibility of hendrick where he could be the 4th driver for them and they'd have a full good team...

i can't see him going to a ford team...and also the gibbs team could be possible too...but wherever he goes...bud will follow him

 

[align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][ul][*][align=center]Running commentary [/align][*][align=center]Post your thoughts [/align][*][align=center]DEI, Budweiser reactions [/align][/ul][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][center]"We worked really hard, but we were never close," Earnhardt said of negotiations with DEI. "I am a little sad, but I am trying to remind myself to be excited about what's ahead."
Earnhardt had asked for 51 percent ownership of the team now run by his stepmother, Teresa. Negotiations on a contract extension began before the season and have been tense all along. Earnhardt's sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, had set a deadline to get the deal done by the end of the month.
"I'm sad that I have to leave some employees that I got close to, leave some relationships," Earnhardt said. "We're going to finish this year out, and I told my guys we're going to run hard. I don't want any excuses for us not giving our best effort. I plan on giving everything I've got like I always do, and hopefully that's what I'll get in return."
Three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip, one of Dale Earnhardt's friendly rivals, traveled from Nashville at Earnhardt's request to join him for Thursday's announcement.
"This was incredibly difficult, a lot of emotion and the hardest thing he's had to deal with up until now," Waltrip said of Earnhardt's decision to leave DEI. "This is a big deal."
Now, Earnhardt must decide which team is the best fit for him.
"I've always thought RCR just because of the Childress-Earnhardt relationship," said Waltrip of Richard Childress Racing, where the elder Earnhardt won six of his seven championships. "I have personally have always thought the racing world would be right if Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the black No. 3 car."
Earnhardt has made it clear he wants to be in a Chevrolet next season, but that loyalty could limit his options.
[b]It's also possible that Earnhardt will field his own Nextel Cup team from JR Motorsports, where he runs a Busch Series program and several Late Model cars out of a brand-new

 

there is a rumor going around that dale jr. and martin truex jr. will both run for JR Motorsports next year with Hendrick supplied engine. that wouldnt be too bad.....

but i would rather see dale jr. behind the wheel of the 3 car.

oh and DEI switching to Ford =[sm=badidea.gif]