When I look at Dale Earnhardt Jr these days I see a young man that has lost that look of youth. Dale Jr. looks un-motivated and unhappy. Dale Jr wants to drive race cars, there is no doubt about that but I believe the burden of being the figurehead for DEI and the major face for Budweiser is taking a toll on the kid that started out driving race cars for his dad. Dale Jr. wants out of his contract, he doesn't want to be the de facto leader of DEI, he wants to be a young man, doing young man things and driving the hell out of a race car without everyone micro-managing everything he does. The pressure for him to win is driving him into stupid mistakes like crashing Waltrip in Charlotte, pressure that is coming from DEI, Budweiser, and every NASCAR fan that loves Earnhardt Jr.

Kyle Petty drove for the Wood Brothers starting in 1985, and SABCO racing before forming his own team in 1997. Kyle Petty drove for someone other than his father, Mr. 200 wins, The King Richard Petty and had some success. Why can't Dale Jr do the same thing? Dale Jr wants to drive for someone else, and that someone else is Richard Childress, with that black #3 car.

I believe that Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr could co-exist in the same racing stable, I really do. I am a die hard Harvick fan, and have been since he took over the GM Goodwrench car so I am not advocating replacing Harvick with Earnhardt Jr, you can't replace Kevin Harvick. GM can sponsor them both, a black #3 GM Goodwrench race car and a black and silver #29 GM Goodwrench car, a win-win scenario any way you look at it. Budweiser sponsored Earnhardt Jr and Ricky Craven the same year, at least for a few races. Win-win any way you look at it: Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving a race car, unburdened by decisions a t DEI, NASCAR fans tuning in to see the black #3 on the track, with an Earnhardt behind the wheel, GM having twice the marketing with two top notch drivers. What about Budweiser you ask? If Dale Jr has another year like this one, Bud will leave anyway, which might be what Dale Jr has in his mind anyway.

Bottom Line: Dale Jr wants to drive a race car, be a young man and enjoy his life. He does not want to be a company figure-head and be burdened with everyone sharpshooting everything he does.

themewmm@yahoo.com