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View Full Version : Dale Earnhardt Inc. to switch to Ford?



Baldy
April 29th, 2007, 09:58 AM
Very distinct possibility.

Seems that DEI is again in negotiations to buy Robert Yates Racing.
DEI's engine program is pretty much in the toilet, and Doug Yates is by far the best engine builder/designer in NASCAR. If the deal goes through, expect to see the #8 in a Ford next season.

"Robert Yates confirmed on Saturday that talks have resumed between Robert Yates Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. The topic of discussion: The possible sale of RYR to DEI.

Over the last few years, DEI's engine department has struggled as Richie Gilmore transitioned from chief engine builder to VP of competition. Although Gilmore has worked feverishly to rebuild DEI's engine program, he's the first to admit that someone of Doug Yates' caliber would make a tremendous difference.

"I think Doug could have a positive impact on anyone's engine shop," Gilmore said. "Doug is one of those guys who is in the top three in the industry. He's just a quality guy he has great procedures. He's put a lot of things in place with the Roush-Yates engine shop. To me he's like a Randy Dorton (who founded Hendrick Motorsports' engine dept) in the industry. He's that type of guy. He's could have a huge impact at DEI. He's a super guy all around."

With Chevrolet's roster currently up to 17 teams — including seven of the top 10 — it would make sense for DEI to consider aligning with Ford, a company that currently fields just nine teams in the Nextel Cup garage. With Hendrick Motorsports' dominance, Richard Childress' revival and Joe Gibbs Racing winning three of the last seven championships, DEI could easily be considered fourth in line.

Gilmore said Chevrolet has already submitted a new offer to DEI, and the company is willing to listen to offers. John Story, a DEI manager, said that three of the four manufacturers have made offers to the company.

Said Gilmore: "We look at the Chevrolet deal and with the key partners we all share a lot of resources on the engine side. Chevrolet doesn't have a pecking order. It's more of the teams themselves. I don't know how Ford does that. I've never worked with anybody in the Ford camp.

"One thing on the Ford side — they don't have as many teams. You've got Roush. You got the Yateses. What Chevrolet has is every organization has at least three teams and they're all strong. They have all the cars in the field every week. On that side of it I'd say we'd move up in the pecking order, but Chevrolet is a strong brand and all the cars run well."

bryan92
April 29th, 2007, 12:44 PM
God, I hope not.

UNHWildCats
April 29th, 2007, 12:54 PM
dont matter next year Lil E will either be driving a budweiser #3 Chevy for Childress or a budweiser #25 chevy for Rick Hendrick, then no ones gonna care at all about DEI

Go...gate
April 29th, 2007, 04:09 PM
Is NASCAR's standard car size going to be reduced to that of the present Dodge Avenger or new-generation Chevrolet Malibu coming in the Fall? I actually kinda like the Avenger.

UNHWildCats
April 29th, 2007, 04:44 PM
NASCARs car size is actually getting bigger. The COT which has been in 3 races so far i believe and will likely be used every race starting next year has a bigger box to it to improve the safety moving the drivers in farther from the door area.

UNHWildCats
April 29th, 2007, 04:47 PM
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/ncup/48lowes-COT-front.jpg

appfan2008
April 30th, 2007, 10:27 AM
i hope dale jr says goobye to dei anyway... that would mean that he will drive a chevy somewhere else

UNHWildCats
April 30th, 2007, 11:05 AM
His dad built DEI as something to hand down to his kids, so Dale Jr wants ownership included in his next DEI contract so whats the evil step mother want? She wants him to actually pay market value for that owner ship ugh what a biotch

IowaBisonToo
April 30th, 2007, 03:40 PM
NASCARs car size is actually getting bigger. The COT which has been in 3 races so far i believe and will likely be used every race starting next year has a bigger box to it to improve the safety moving the drivers in farther from the door area.
Unless you have info I haven't seen to this point, there are 26 races scheduled for '08 using the COT with a full schedule planned starting in '09. IF things go really well this year ('07), they may move up the full race schedule to next year to save on having to deal with two sets of rules again.

Dale Jr. in a Ford??? Wouldn't bother me but I bet his dad would be turning over in his grave. Although Jr. may find it appealing. Mark Martin was asked this year what it was going to be like running in a Chevy while still dealing with Ford (I think he owns a dealership somewhere). He said he was looking forward to it. Could be the same for Jr.

UNHWildCats
April 30th, 2007, 03:46 PM
NASCAR is strongly considering it fulltime in 2008 to save teams money and time having to prepare 2 types of cars next season.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-02-28-cot_x.htm