Junior vs. DEI: The Saga Continues

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. told reporters on Monday, that he was in fact upset that DEI had removed his memorabilia from their facility. Media members, who attended a luncheon at DEI during Wednesday’s media blitz, noticed the absence of Junior collectibles and informed Earnhardt of the revelation. At the time, he seemed not to care but over the course of the week he had a change of heart.

"It sort of hurt my feelings that it's sort of a hack at even the guys that are still there and have worked on that car," Earnhardt said. "To not see the accolades or any sort of appreciation for the work that they did, and they're still there."

However, DEI president Max Siegel has a different explanation for the missing relics of DEI’s past, saying that items were moved to accommodate the luncheon.

"There seems to be some confusion over memorabilia and merchandise," Siegel said. "We no longer have a relationship with Dale Jr. or Budweiser, so we have no license, agreement or business reason to sell any of that merchandise in our gift shop. But as far as memorabilia, more than half of the showroom floor is dedicated to Dale Jr.'s history here."

Let me get this straight, It just so happened that all of his stuff was removed for the luncheon. Hmm, I understand that Dale, Jr. is no longer a paid employee of Dale Earnhardt, Inc and that during a press conference announcing a new Junior-less lineup, it would be in the company’s best interest to tone down any references to their past (which includes Dale, Jr.) to focus on the company’s future. But you’re also dealing with reporters who get paid to sniff out a story even when there isn’t one, so you had to know a complete absence of Junior collectibles would get a reporters fingers busy writing up a story to give to their editor.

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for Nascar; Source)

UPDATE: Junior updated his site on Wednesday posting this:

"There is no anger or ill-feeling towards DEI, period," Earnhardt wrote Wednesday on his Web site. "Nearly half the cars that were moved out of the showroom to accommodate the media tour consist of cars I've won races and championships with, and any fan of mine who wants a glimpse of my past can still and always will find it at DEI. I know that DEI is proud of its past."

Seriously, who's ready for the season to begin so Junior and Junior nation can finally move on!

(source)

It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate