Happy Hour: Dale's legacy

We've got an extended mailbag this week, thanks to Mark Martin and my column on the demise of Dale Earnhardt Inc. So let's get to it:

It has been a great past one week for us older people. First, on the 11th Susan Boyle astounded Britain and the rest of the world with her voice. And, now a 50- year-old driver wins a NASCAR event. For all of us at or above 50, this has been a wonderful week.

T. Carey
Ruston, La.

Glad you brought up Susan Boyle. I've read a few articles where people are questioning the validity of it. Was Simon Cowell aware that she could sing before she walked out on stage? Maybe. But even if he was, that didn't diminish the feeling I got when I watched it for the first time. Quite simply, that was one of the greatest moments of television I've ever seen. And I have to thank my dad for passing on the link.

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Jay, Saturday night I felt extremely happy with the outcome at Phoenix. Being a Junior fan that may seem odd, but based on the reaction he showed during the cool down laps I have some built up excitement inside.

Junior has always been the "Awe shucks, that's just racing" type following on track incidents. This time however he showed compassion and anger (in Kyle Busch form) on the track. Regardless of Casey Mears spinning him or not, he would have had to pit and likely would have finished terribly anyways. So, I would say it's safe to say Junior has reached his boiling point with himself and his team and that Casey Mears was just a scapegoat for built up emotions regarding other things.

He's seen all of his teammates win this year and has had enough with the way his entire team has performed including himself.

Say what you want to say about how the #88 team has done to this point. I believe now we are going to see what this team is capable of. Anyone that searches for comparisons of Junior and his father got a glimpse last night.

J. Anderson
South Dakota

Here's my question: Did anyone even notice the Junior-Mears incident when it actually happened? I didn't, and I missed the post-race dust up, too, probably because I was watching Jeff Gordon race down the fronstrestch to congratulate Mark Martin.

As for the Junior fire, I think it's going to take a lot more than a little anger to get that team to victory lane. We're eight races in and the 88 team hasn't even been a threat to win, yet.

On Feb 18 2001, I got the only known photo of Dale and his teams running 1, 2, 3, 4. There was a national news conference the following week from Rockingham where they talked about it at length.

What does someone who is just a fan do with such a thing? To me it's the Honus Wagner baseball card of NASCAR. The Hall of Fame would like me to donate it to them.

I'm a carpenter with no nails to bang but I have this picture of a moment that Michael Waltrip calls amazing and something that he will always cherish. It's been signed by all 14 of the 15 drivers in it. Tony Stewart told me he'd sign it but if he saw it on E-Bay he'd kill me. Times are real tough and I'm thinking about doing just that. Any thoughts about how I could put it to work for me???

M. Shay
Wilmington, Mass.

I'd run that up the economic flag pole. If you're only going to get a few hundred bucks out of it, that's probably not enough to outweigh the sentimental value the photo will have in a few years. But if you're talking thousands, well, that's a different story.

Put it up on E-Bay with a reserve, but make sure that reserve is high enough to make a financial difference for you, not just a good night out at the bar.

And don't worry about Tony Stewart. It's easy to say that sort of thing when you've got a Lamborghini that you've only driven once. Besides, he pimps himself out. Why can't you?

Dale Jr. is the Dallas Cowboys of NASCAR. The Utah Jazz of NASCAR is Jeff Burton, does his job, sneaks into the 'playoffs', but otherwise is mostly overlooked and doesn't have a huge fan base.

K. Allen
Ashland, Wisc.

Just a comment on the DEI celebration. You hit the nail on the head. It is disgusting what has become of DEI, but sadly I think this is the norm for NSACAR as a whole, cheaply selling that which used to be so great. Hopefully there is someone, somewhere who can turn things around but until then this train wreck will keep happening.

J. Clark
Ft. Stewart, Ga.

Jay, Your article is not harsh, it is right on the money. I feel more writers in the NASCAR community should voice their opinions in regards to this side show. Dale is a legend and should always be remembered for who he was and what he did for the sport, not how much he can improve DEI's bottom line. Economy or not, this is proof positive of the kind of people running the organization and evidence of why Dale Jr. is not there anymore.

Michael
Atlanta

I don't have a question, I have a comment for Jay Hart. Your article on Dale Earnhardt Day being nothing more than a merchandise day is (expletive). I hope that some day no one writes crap like that about your family. Give the man and his legacy the honor it deserves, I know that's what you are trying to say, but. Whatever you feel, just shut up and keep it to yourself. If they want to celebrate the man, let them celebrate in whatever manner they want. I don't like what Teresa has done to Dale Jr. or the company, but I let it go a long time ago, and don't care … neither should you!

Shawn
Cabot, Ark.

Teresa should be ashamed of herself! Dale Sr. is a legend, the greatest driver ever! And she wants to have a "Party" with Elvis junk! How dare she combine the late great Dale Sr. with a womanizing, drug addicted, self-centered ego maniac like Elvis … WHAT IS THIS WOMAN THINKING!

I believe she made severe mistakes in not including Jr. in all of his father's estate and legacy. She may have built DEI, but she is single-handedly destroying as well. I just hope, for Sr.'s sake she will realize she has let the fans, and the Earnhardt Legacy down.

Please Theresa, get a grip, and include your step-son in ALL decisions concerning his father's legacy. DO THE RIGHT THING.

C. Langston
Webster, Texas

Jay, Whilst this may be a "brilliant flash of the obvious", at least in my world, can you explain the difference between the downfall of DEI and Petty Enterprises?

Whether Dale Sr. was still alive or not, this whole bloody mess is about economics. Even King Petty is in the same boat. It is the fiduciary responsibility of any corporation to maximize the use of its assets. In fact, if I recall correctly, was it not Dale Sr. who first copywrited everything (down to his name image), and was called a marketing guru? Why is it different when his wife continues what Sr. started? Heck, even Jr. (amongst most drivers) hock everything for a buck, because that is how you get sponsors, ergo, economics of the racing we clamor for.

Has Theresa made mistakes? Has Jr. made mistakes? Has the King made mistakes? Yeah, without a doubt. But at least they had the balls to hang 'em over the clothesline and not just write about it. Michael Waltrip Fan

T. Miller
San Mateo, Calif.

I think you make some valid points. Still, I don't think using a birthday celebration is the right time to try to push some merchandise.

And for the record, since my article ran last Tuesday, DEI's Dale Earnhardt Dale Twitter page no longer features the original post, which read, "Just reviewed plans for the April 29 birthday celebration – the cake is looking great!"

Why is everyone so surprised about the down fall of DEI? Anyone that has followed NASCAR knows that Dale Sr. was the heart and brains of both RCR and DEI. Without Dale RCR wouldn't be a super team and well DEI wouldn't be here.

It was Dale's knowledge that helped every crew chief set up his cars to be able to win all of his races, and when he started DEI it was his setups that made the team win, and after his death the racing world found out that Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. didn't learn from the teacher and we also found out that knowledge wasn't passed on to his son. How many times have we seen Jr. run like a bat out of hell, then die after pit stop after pit stop from the information that Jr. would give his crew?

You take away the brains of a racing team, you take away the wins. Racing is not all business. You can sell a driver, but you can't make him a winner.

K. King
Springfield, Mo.

Typo in your article about DEI. It's peddle, not pedal. Great article. Thanks for writing it.

Bob
Columbia, S.C.

Several of you pointed out this mistake. So here is me eating crow.

The only people I've found that like the NASCAR made for TV Chase are 1. Drivers that get paid by NASCAR 2. Track owners that get paid by NASCAR 3. Writers that make their living in NASCAR.

What exactly is the common denominator? Because it sure as heck doesn't have ANYTHING to do with what the fans want.

J. Joseph
Laguna Niguel, Calif.

While I understand your frustration, I'm not sure your logic holds. If it's all about money, and if we can agree that money is directly tied to the number of people who either watch, go to or read about the sport, then wouldn't the objective be to increase fan interest, not satisfy self-interest?

I get it. Not everyone likes the Chase, especially Jeff Gordon fans who write in every week to tell me how many championships he should have won. But in the end, fans do make the ultimate decision, even in this case. Because if more of you were watching the latter stages of the season, NASCAR wouldn't have felt the need to make a change. But you weren't, and so Brian France responded.

Last call …

Hey Jay! First, love your column. Second, why is it that NASCAR fans piss and moan about how cookie cutter NASCAR has gotten, but then are the first to jump on two brothers [Kurt and Kyle Busch] who add a little flavor to the mix? I for one hope they keep up their shenanigans. A little spice is what NASCAR needs right now.

C. Gloege
Madison, Minn.