If I Were Teresa Earnhardt, I'd ...

Originally Posted on foxsports.com on May 19, 2007

1.  Think about the Number 8:

 

Do I want to keep the number at DEI, or should I let Junior take it with him?  After all Dale bought it because it was his father's number and he wanted Junior to run it.  But is it so attached to the Junior phenomenon that a new driver won't ever feel comfortable about driving it?  Will the fans shun it because its not Junior behind the wheel?  Does the Good will possibly generated by letting it go overcome the history DEI has had with the number?  Letting it go wouldn't transfer the owner's points to the new team for qualifying purposes next year.  And I do have a step-grandson in our driver development program, so maybe an Earnhardt can drive the Number 8 again.  I'll need to think this through a bit more.

2.  Think about Replacement drivers.

How do you replace the most popular driver - with the prior title holder. I'd hire Bill Elliott to replace Junior.  I know he retired, but he runs enough races every year, that he's not that far out of the loop.  And he has the mechanical knowledge to be  a real help with the program.  Plus, he's run about every make of car in the last 10 years, so driving a Chevy shouldn't be a big deal.  If he won't do the whole season, maybe we can work out a partial season ala Mark Martin with a development driver or drivers.

3.  Think about Replacement sponsors.

Is Bud really leaving or is there room to negotiate with them about staying the primary sponsor?  If they leave, would they consider an associate sponsorship?  Nabisco has always been a strong associate sponsor, maybe they'd like to increase their presence in Nascar as the primary sponsor.  How about Walmart? Or Chevy?  Pennzoil? 

4.  Remember the Reason I'm doing all this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And remember he and I were in this together.  It may be time to re-examine my roots and find the next idea that will turn the Nascar world on its head.  After all, the branding and marketing ideas of the #3 and Dale Earnhardt were mine and Dale's, and look where those have taken the sport.  If I got through February 2001, this should be a piece of cake.