Earnhardt Jr. To Chug A Bud And Think About It!

 

Free Agent Frenzy Surrounding Junior

By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. went back to work Friday, climbing into his race car at Darlington Raceway to escape the frenzy surrounding his free-agent status.

As his late father's boss threw his name into the race to sign NASCAR's most popular driver, Junior made it clear he needs a little time to figure out his future. He said Thursday he'll leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season.

"I would like to take a week or two to clear my mind a little bit, drink some beers and have some fun," he said after practice. "I have felt about as un-normal as I possibly could the past few days. Lost a lot of sleep. So I want to relax and just clear my head and get in a good football stance to go after this new deal that we're seeking."

Earnhardt wants a championship-caliber team, something he doesn't think he can have at DEI as long as his stepmother is running the show. He demanded 51 percent ownership during contentious contract negotiations, but Teresa Earnhardt wouldn't turn over control.

So he's leaving the family business, and there will be no shortage of suitors to sign him.

Richard Childress, who fielded cars for six of Dale Earnhardt's seven championships, indicated he'll make a run at adding Junior to his three-car team as soon as the time is right.

"We will sit and talk, I'm sure," Childress said. "I'm hoping he's considering us. But I think right now, we'll just give him some time and space to do his own due diligence on the race teams he's looking at."

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