Post by dalejrfan on Jun 25, 2005 0:11:24 GMT -5
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Richard Childress does not see Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., after the season, but if that happens, his door is open.
"Junior has his own deal working good at DEI, and I hope it all works out for him," said Childress, who won six Nextel Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt. "I think it will (work out), 'cause it's a really good organization. I also would say if he ever left there, I'd sure hope he'd come this way."
Earnhardt Jr. enters Sunday's race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., ranked 17th in points. The top 10 drivers are guaranteed a spot in the championship chase, and he is 133 points out of 10th. He is 103 points away from the 400-point cutoff that also could get him a shot at the title.
His season began with controversy over the decision to switch crews and cars with DEI teammate Michael Waltrip after a season in which Earnhardt won six races and finished fifth in the chase.
The controversy grew last month at Charlotte, where Steve Hmiel replaced Earnhardt crew chief Pete Rondeau with the team 11th in points, 229 behind leader Jimmie Johnson.
Since then they have fallen six spots and are 503 points behind Johnson, and rumors are swirling that Earnhardt will leave DEI after the season.
"I know what Dale Sr.'s vision and dream was with DEI," Childress said. "It was to build that operation for Dale Jr., (sister) Kelly and his family. Dale Jr. has done a great job of representing DEI and what they want to do, so it's a good deal."
"Junior has his own deal working good at DEI, and I hope it all works out for him," said Childress, who won six Nextel Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt. "I think it will (work out), 'cause it's a really good organization. I also would say if he ever left there, I'd sure hope he'd come this way."
Earnhardt Jr. enters Sunday's race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., ranked 17th in points. The top 10 drivers are guaranteed a spot in the championship chase, and he is 133 points out of 10th. He is 103 points away from the 400-point cutoff that also could get him a shot at the title.
His season began with controversy over the decision to switch crews and cars with DEI teammate Michael Waltrip after a season in which Earnhardt won six races and finished fifth in the chase.
The controversy grew last month at Charlotte, where Steve Hmiel replaced Earnhardt crew chief Pete Rondeau with the team 11th in points, 229 behind leader Jimmie Johnson.
Since then they have fallen six spots and are 503 points behind Johnson, and rumors are swirling that Earnhardt will leave DEI after the season.
"I know what Dale Sr.'s vision and dream was with DEI," Childress said. "It was to build that operation for Dale Jr., (sister) Kelly and his family. Dale Jr. has done a great job of representing DEI and what they want to do, so it's a good deal."