Eanhardt Ganassi Racing announced that the number made famous by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — and Budweiser — has shut down operations due to lack of sponsorship, thus leaving driver Aric Almirola looking for a ride.
While Joe Weatherly could be argued as “the man” in the 6 car with 110 wins, it is during the modern era of NASCAR Cup racing that Earnhardt made the number, and sponsor, synonymous with his name. So tied to Earnhardt was the 8 that Budweiser even made a prophetic commercial where Earnhardt announced a change in his number, sending his legions into a tizzy.
Earnhardt’s grandfather Ralph drover the 8 car in the Sportsman series back in the 50s and 60s so there has always been a family tie to the 8 in the Earnhardt family. Even Big E made his Cup series debut in the number 8.
But aside from mothballing the 8 and Almirola until a sponsor can be found, one has to wonder at the rapid fall from grace that DEI seems to have gone through since the death of Dale Sr.
After winning with Dale Jr. as the face of the company, DEI fell behind technologically and went through internal upheaval that lost them several key employees that eventually culminated in a very public dispute over ownership between Teresa Earnhardt and Dale, Jr. That dispute led to the departure of the face of the company, Dale Jr. and his long-time sponsor Budweiser.
After that split, DEI was forced to merge with the struggling Ganassi organization to create Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The company has still struggled to find sponsors, drivers and turnover at the upper levels of the company has continued.
While the state of the economy has caused sponsorship woes for NASCAR teams at all levels, the shine has certainly fallen off the EGR penny. What was once a powerhouse team has become second tier to the Roush/Hendrick/Gibbs powerhouse teams. Even RCR seems to be in a stronger position than EGR, a team that they share engine information with.
Montoya and Truex, Jr. are 13th and 24th in points respectively, which is OK, but not great. The blending of two organizations together is not an easy task and Chip Ganassi brings his much needed racing pedigree to EGR where they were lacking some serious racing savvy at the top levels of the company.
And while Teresa still controls the marketing of all things Dale. Sr., that is not what will make the company go. Winning is the only thing that will get EGR back to form. Montoya is very close to Ganassi but Truex could move on in the very near future if he does not see enough progress. They have a long way to go for that.
Balme Teresa. Blame the economy. Blame the EGR organization. But whomever you blame, it is still a sad sight to see such a storied number and such a proud organization fall by the wayside.
OK, weigh in with your thoughts.
Photo courtesy of ESPN
Is anybody but Teresa surprised? The handwriting was on the wall the day she turned Jr’s offer down. I also noticed that in the 2009 owner’s points standings on Nascar.com that Chip Ganassi is now listed as the owner of the #8 car instead of Teresa.
Have never been a fan since Junior and Bud left the team.
There was only a car with an 8 painted on the side. The #8 team is alive and well and helping Ryan Newman climb up the standings.
No Junior Should have been able to have that number.thanks to grandpa for 88.
Teresa has to shoulder the blame for the fall of DEI. Jr. would of kept the company going but greed and power killed it. Her choice of management after Dale’s death was a big mistake. That guy could get lost in a one room house.
Short n Sweet, Thats what she gets for treating Jr like a stranger, and she knew that DEI was built for Dale Jr.Shes the WICKED STEPMOTHER for sure!
No surprise. Miss the 3 more then Ill miss the 8
I believe Teresa is a fine person. The sad fact is, she is not up to managing a racing company. DEI would have been gone completely without Chip Ganassi.
Even tho Teresa was married to Dale sr. she is no Earnhardt she is a Houston and should have turn it over to the REAL EARNHARDT’s that what it was build for his Kids.
Im glad I was to see DEI before [she] drove it into the ground. The writing was as plain as day the day Jr left the team thay should have been his.