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MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. has parted ways with DEI, the company his father founded in 1980.
In an 8:30 a.m. ET meeting at DEI on Thursday, Earnhardt and his stepmother Teresa jointly announced that he was moving on at the end of the season. Earnhardt is leaving the only organization he has driven for since entering NASCAR as a Busch driver at 21 in 1996. After winning two NBS titles he graduated full-time to Cup in 2000 with Budweiser as his sponsor. He is currently 12th in the Nextel Cup standings.
Budweiser's contract with DEI expires at the same time as Earnhardt's does. Earnhardt was expected to speak with Anheuser Busch officials at 10:30 a.m. ET this morning.
In December, Earnhardt said he hoped to have his contract completed by May. But as the months passed, Earnhardt added he was free to contact other owners on May 1. As that deadline expired, Earnhardt told FOX Sports on Tuesday, "You'll all know soon what my plans are."
Earnhardt has a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at JR Motorsports.
In an 8:30 a.m. ET meeting at DEI on Thursday, Earnhardt and his stepmother Teresa jointly announced that he was moving on at the end of the season. Earnhardt is leaving the only organization he has driven for since entering NASCAR as a Busch driver at 21 in 1996. After winning two NBS titles he graduated full-time to Cup in 2000 with Budweiser as his sponsor. He is currently 12th in the Nextel Cup standings.
Budweiser's contract with DEI expires at the same time as Earnhardt's does. Earnhardt was expected to speak with Anheuser Busch officials at 10:30 a.m. ET this morning.
In December, Earnhardt said he hoped to have his contract completed by May. But as the months passed, Earnhardt added he was free to contact other owners on May 1. As that deadline expired, Earnhardt told FOX Sports on Tuesday, "You'll all know soon what my plans are."
Earnhardt has a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at JR Motorsports.
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