A Story fit for the Soaps

On one side you have an established star who not only works for his deceased father's company, but is pratically the face of that company. On the other side you have this star's stepmother who calls him out in a major publication causing major waves throughout their industry. Sound like a trashy daytime soap opera plot? Actually this is something that is very real involving one of the most recognized faces in the world of NASCAR today.

He is one of the most recognized faces in NASCAR. He has appeared in movies like "Talladega Nights" and "Cars". He has millions of dollars in endorsements. But one thing that Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't have is a good relationship with his stepmother, the woman who owns Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI), the company that Dale Jr's father created and the one that Dale Jr races for.

In an interview that was published in the December 14th issue of the Wall Street Journal, Teresea Earnhardt said this of her stepson, "Right now the ball's in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or a public personality." Many reports said that this remark angered Junior, and just added to the already frosty relationship these to have with each other.

In a recent interview posted on ESPN.com, Kevin Harvick threw his hat into the ring by calling Teresea Earnhardt a "dead beat owner", and said that while other owners are constantly at the track, Teresea Earnhardt is no where to be seen and probably sees Junior as another way to make money off of his namesake.

This is where I stop talking about the facts that have been reported and I start talking about how I see this whole thing. Teresea Earnhardt needs to mend all bridges with Junior A.S.A.P. Junior is in the last year of his contract and is looking to have more of an ownership role within DEI, and if he doesn't get it I am very sure that he's going to tell his stepmother to take a long walk off of a short pier.

If Junior leaves DEI, it's a good bet that there will be no more DEI left. The other two drivers they have on the roster are Martin Truex Jr, who finished 19th in the Nextel Cup standings, and Paul Menard, who finished 45th in the Nextel Cup standings. Neither of which bring the star power, and the sponsors that Junior brings. Budweiser would most likely follow Junior where ever he goes, and this would make him one of the most attractive free agents after this year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is DEI. He finished 4th in the Nextal Cup standings this year, a year that was supposed to be one of rebuilding. His name conjures up images of his father and the black number 3 car. I believe the sooner that Teresea Earnhardt realizes this, the better off her, Junior, and DEI will be for the future.