Earnhardt Stalls at Lap 118

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. stumbles into yet another frustrating finish at the Phoenix International Raceway. In the 35 races for this year�s NASCAR season, this is the ninth time that Earnhardt, Jr. has failed to finish and also the third time he has stalled in the last six races. Earnhardt wiped out at the 118^th lap of the race. He is quoted saying, �"I just lost it off (Turn) 2.I got up there a little high and it just came around. I tried to save it the best I could, but I couldn't.�

Earnhardt, Jr. who had previously won twice in this race track, failed to repeat his bravado this year. Earnhardt, Jr. is the son of racing great Dale Earnhardt and the grandson of another prominent NASCAR figure, Ralph Earnhardt. Earnhardt Jr. currently races for the Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI), the racing team that his father had founded. The upcoming Homestead � Miami Speedway race will be Dale Earnhardt, Jr.�s last race with DEI.

By the beginning of 2008, Earnhardt, Jr. will be joining the Hendrick Motorsports team. Earnhardt�s move was facilitated by the fact that he was not confident that the technology and equipment that DEI had could give him the NASCAR championship. Earnhardt saw a realization of greater potential in Hendrick Motorsports.

Unfortunately, Earnhardt, Jr. will not be bringing his familiar #8 to Hendrick Motorsports. Negotiations broke down when Teresa Earnhardt (his stepmother) asked for part of the licensing revenue and the number back when he retired. Instead, Earnhardt will be moving to the #25 car of Hendrick Motorsports to replace Kyle Busch. His DEI crew chief, Tony Eury, Jr., will also make the move to Hendrick Motorsports with him.

I hope that the new merger will be a good and beneficial one for both Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his Hendrick Motorsports team.

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