New Look, New Outlook for Earnhardt

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New Look, New Outlook for Earnhardt

Jan 23, 2008

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Concord, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a new look, and new outlook, on Wednesday.

He wore a crisp white shirt and was dressed up for his first preseason press conference with Hendrick Motorsports, just like all the other Rick Hendrick drivers.

Wouldn’t be long before the fresh-pressed look was gone and he was back in his jeans, though.

“I can play the game and make Rick happy,” Earnhardt said. “But he knows how I'm most comfortable.”

Where he was not comfortable was at Dale Earnhardt Inc., where he competed for an organization led by his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt.

It was no secret the two had disagreements, which led to Dale Jr. becoming a free agent after last season.

“This year has got me so excited about racing and getting behind the wheel,” Dale Earnhardt said Wednedsay. “I haven't felt like that since I was in the Busch series.

"The pressure is gone. A lot of the pressures I felt driving the Bud car, those are gone.”

Earnhardt exuded enthusiasm for the new season after a year in which he finished 16th in the NASCAR standings. He likened it to being a rookie again, but without being nervous.

“I couldn’t wait for the sun to come up today so we could get this on,” Earnhardt said. “It’s been so much fun, every bit of it. It’s given me renewed energy and excitement for my career and for everything off the race track. Those things are enjoyable.”

Earnhardt also made some interesting points about his move.

For one, he seemed to like the idea that his family name would not been on the building.

“It’s great to be on a level playing field now,” he said. “Everybody treats you the same. There's no special treatment.”

He insisted that his performance will improve “because of the equipment and the team Rick has built. But we'll have to see what the pressures are like once we get into the season.”

Fellow driver Jeff Gordon sounded enthusiastic to have Earnhardt on his team.

“All of us understand the popularity that Junior has," Gordon said. "For me it's exciting for him to come to this organization. I hope we can give him what he made this move for and that's to compete for championships.

“None of us are saying we're going to try to be more popular than Junior. That's not possible. It really isn’t.

And while he and fellow Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon have been rivals in the past, both played that down on Wednesday.

“There will be times there is going to be that competitive nature that is always going to be there, Earnhardt to Gordon,” Earnhardt said. “But I feel like that can work. I feel like we'll all be able to work together. People are wondering how we'll get along. They talk about all the high-profile drivers here. I think we all know we're fortunate to be here and that we're fortunate Rick has given us this opportunity. We don't want to screw that up.”

Gordon, too, insisted the two will work well together.

“All of us understand the popularity that Junior has,” Gordon said. “For me, it’s exciting for him to come to this organization. I hope we can give him what he made this move for and that's to compete for championships.”

Most Recent Comments

Dayum, that's probably why you are sitting at a desk commenting on this forum and not making the $$ commercials or appearances that Dale Jr is making now. Life is full of challenging decisions that can alter not just ones perspective and outlook on life, but can also offer, denie, enhance, and invariably increase ones worth both to self and the public.

I give your opinion the voice you deserve, but I don't think you have a clue what you are thinking or saying on this subject. Wellmostly I don't think you do. Parts of it sound feasable though.

he will need more than that to keep up in the long run. My opinion is he sold out to Hendrick because he felt he couldn't do it with the Step-Monster at DEI. She did hurt him some yes..but he hurt himself too by worrying more about commercials and not focusing on his driving skills. The guy has put himself in a spot now that will prove he either is one of the best drivers on the circuit or...he will fold because #24 and #48 are far better than him with the exact same equipment. He better focus because now if he fails he can't use the equipment as an excuse anymore. He put himself in a tight spot, I sure wouldn't want to be the one who has to out-drive jeff and jimmie every week!! Thats 6 championships vs NONE!!! Time will tell!!

First of all it should be called the new and reformed HENDRICK IROC series..look how he is dominating lately. Behind the scenes he has to have had some imput in the COT to be that good. Brian France wouldn't ever admit it but common sense tells me somehow some way they did. In time Nascar will have some problems, the COT was designed to cut costs for ALL RACE TEAMS...and its supposed to trickle down to our expenses but, does any of you think thatwould happen honestly???trust me when I tell ya your ticket price and souvenier prices won't drop anytime soon nor will the price of a motel in any town on race weekend...among thousands of other prices associated with Nascar. Jr is a desent driver, however he isn't nearly as polished as Gordon, Johnson, Busch, Kenseth, or Stewart for that matter. The competition around him will still keep him at bay because he has to learn technique now..NOT SPEED!!! I wish him good luck but...

I hope JR wins some this year. I agree that all of this was caused by his father and evil step mother. I look to see Dale Jr in an owner role like Jeff Gordon is. I dont think he is as good though as everyone thinks he is. Good Luck

"I hope he wins everything and his evil step-mother learns her lesson! I still blame all of this on his father -"
Had it not been for Her, Dale wouldn't of left much to argue over. A Father should know their children, and i feel Dale did this, as it was left, for a reason. We don't KNOW all the info to judge someone's else, as in this case anyhow!

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