Ganassi Rumor Gains Steam, But Where Does That Leave Teresa Earnhardt?
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One of the latest rumors circulating around the NASCAR block has Chip Ganassi taking complete control of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and then merging with Joe Gibbs Racing.
If so, that would be the third merger the former Dale Earnhardt Inc. has been involved in over the last two years.
First came the merger with Bobby Ginn Racing in summer 2007, then the merger with Ganassi’s fledgling organization at the end of last season.
The once-proud DEI has become a shell of its old self. Not only did Dale Earnhardt Jr. leave following the 2007 season, top executives Max Siegel and John Story both departed earlier this year.
Former Cup driver Jimmy Spencer, in a column earlier this week on SpeedTV.com, infers that a possible EGR merger with Gibbs may mean “possibly eliminating another owner.”
Read between the lines and what does that say to you? Felix Sabates isn’t going anywhere, and neither is the Chipster. Spencer’s comment can mean only one thing.
So, I ask you, do you think this means Teresa Earnhardt is gone as EGR co-owner? Is DEI soon to be nothing more than a historic footnote?
Guess again.
First of all, let’s look at the logicality of this rumor. Chip Ganassi brings EGR and, essentially just one driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, to drive a fourth car for JGR. Makes sense, somewhat.
But wasn’t it just over a year ago that both Joe and J.D. Gibbs refused to give Tony Stewart a cut of the company in order to keep him as a driver? If JGR wouldn’t give a piece of the pie to Tony, particularly after winning two Cup championships and over 30 races for it, how are we to believe that the Gibbs’ will take on a new partner who has only a handful of Cup wins over the years, and who hasn’t ever come close to sniffing a Sprint Cup championship trophy, let alone winning it?
Now, on the other hand, what happens if Ganassi takes his share of EGR and sells it to JGR, meaning Chip essentially gets out of the business as a Sprint Cup team owner and remains a megapower in open-wheel racing in the IRL?
That, I can see. But what about Teresa Earnhardt? What happens to her?
The widow of the late Dale Earnhardt is one of the savviest businesswomen around, both in and out of NASCAR. Sure, her company has struggled miserably since Dale Jr. left, but I have a pretty good hunch that she has a plan for the future.
If Ganassi sells his share of the company to JGR, that would pave the way for DEI to return with its old name.
More so, Mrs. Earnhardt may still have a few aces up her sleeve that potentially could bring about rebirth of a brand new DEI.
And no, Dale Jr. isn’t coming back anytime soon as the prodigal stepson, so you can forget that idea.
If you think the widow of Dale Earnhardt is soon to be an ex-Cup owner, think again. She may just be getting started on DEI A.D. (After Dale Jr.) in earnest in 2010.
