Both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Max Siegel stressed a commitment to keep the legacy of DEI alive. How that will play out remains to be seen.
SPORTING NEWS NASCAR WIRE SERVICE
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Max Siegel is a stand-up guy.
He's also an astute businessman, not surprising for a former top executive in the entertainment industry.
Siegel, who came from Sony/BMG to Dale Earnhardt Inc. as president of global operations last December, was conspicuous by his presence at Thursday's blockbuster news conference at JR Motorsports, where Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he would no longer driver for DEI after his contract expires at the end of the 2007 season.
Siegel was there to show his good will toward Junior and simultaneously to affirm the family bond between Junior and the company his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, founded.
Siegel was also there as a surrogate for Teresa Earnhardt, who was conspicuous by her absence.
Siegel's mission, when he came to DEI, was to work out a contract extension with Earnhardt Jr. But negotiations between the parties failed to produce an agreement. Earnhardt's departure leaves DEI in the position of having to shore up its operation without an Earnhardt in the driver's seat of one of its three cars.
Two drivers under contract
Drivers Paul Menard and Martin Truex Jr. (a close friend of Earnhardt Jr.) also are under contract to DEI, Truex through 2008. DEI's deal with Bass Pro Shops, which sponsors Truex's No. 1 Chevrolet, expires at the end of 2007.
"We laid everything on the table, trying to address all the issues," Siegel said. "But we both felt that it was important to our commercial partners and to our respective companies that we start to move forward in a positive direction."
Siegel emphasized that life will go on at DEI in Junior's absence.
"We have an aggressive expansion plan in place," he said. "We're paying attention to competition. As he [Earnhardt] said, the motors are on par with many others'. Our performance has improved each week, and we do have a long-term vision."
Earnhardt Jr. and Siegel stressed a commitment to keep the legacy of DEI alive. How that will play out remains to be seen.
"There are a number of ways," Siegel said. "It's too early to tell. I know that we're all committed, and we have some exciting ideas. To the extent that they develop, I'd like to do it with him. But we're going to get on about our business, and we're going to sit down as soon as it's convenient, and we're going to explore all those opportunities."
Asked why Teresa Earnhardt did not attend the news conference, Siegel replied: "From the very beginning, it's been my position that I'm not getting involved in the personal matters. Dale Jr. and the family enjoyed their relationship. I'm not here to speak on that.
"I'm here to represent DEI and to support Dale and Kelley and Junior Motorsports."
Darrell Waltrip, who has seen all sides of the racing business as a driver, owner and broadcaster, said he thought Dale Earnhardt Sr. would have understood his son's desire to seek opportunities elsewhere.
"Dale was a racer, just like Junior is," Waltrip said. "I think Dale would say, 'Look, son, if we're not giving you what you need, go find you a job somewhere else.' "
Friday, May 11, 2007
Both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Max Siegel stressed a commitment to keep the legacy of DEI alive. How that will play out remains to be seen.
SPORTING NEWS NASCAR WIRE SERVICE
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Max Siegel is a stand-up guy.
He's also an astute businessman, not surprising for a former top executive in the entertainment industry.
Siegel, who came from Sony/BMG to Dale Earnhardt Inc. as president of global operations last December, was conspicuous by his presence at Thursday's blockbuster news conference at JR Motorsports, where Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he would no longer driver for DEI after his contract expires at the end of the 2007 season.
Siegel was there to show his good will toward Junior and simultaneously to affirm the family bond between Junior and the company his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, founded.
Siegel was also there as a surrogate for Teresa Earnhardt, who was conspicuous by her absence.
Siegel's mission, when he came to DEI, was to work out a contract extension with Earnhardt Jr. But negotiations between the parties failed to produce an agreement. Earnhardt's departure leaves DEI in the position of having to shore up its operation without an Earnhardt in the driver's seat of one of its three cars.
Two drivers under contract
Drivers Paul Menard and Martin Truex Jr. (a close friend of Earnhardt Jr.) also are under contract to DEI, Truex through 2008. DEI's deal with Bass Pro Shops, which sponsors Truex's No. 1 Chevrolet, expires at the end of 2007.
"We laid everything on the table, trying to address all the issues," Siegel said. "But we both felt that it was important to our commercial partners and to our respective companies that we start to move forward in a positive direction."
Siegel emphasized that life will go on at DEI in Junior's absence.
"We have an aggressive expansion plan in place," he said. "We're paying attention to competition. As he [Earnhardt] said, the motors are on par with many others'. Our performance has improved each week, and we do have a long-term vision."
Earnhardt Jr. and Siegel stressed a commitment to keep the legacy of DEI alive. How that will play out remains to be seen.
"There are a number of ways," Siegel said. "It's too early to tell. I know that we're all committed, and we have some exciting ideas. To the extent that they develop, I'd like to do it with him. But we're going to get on about our business, and we're going to sit down as soon as it's convenient, and we're going to explore all those opportunities."
Asked why Teresa Earnhardt did not attend the news conference, Siegel replied: "From the very beginning, it's been my position that I'm not getting involved in the personal matters. Dale Jr. and the family enjoyed their relationship. I'm not here to speak on that.
"I'm here to represent DEI and to support Dale and Kelley and Junior Motorsports."
Darrell Waltrip, who has seen all sides of the racing business as a driver, owner and broadcaster, said he thought Dale Earnhardt Sr. would have understood his son's desire to seek opportunities elsewhere.
"Dale was a racer, just like Junior is," Waltrip said. "I think Dale would say, 'Look, son, if we're not giving you what you need, go find you a job somewhere else.' "
Friday, May 11, 2007
Both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Max Siegel stressed a commitment to keep the legacy of DEI alive. How that will play out...
