The Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. / DEI contract negotiations continue and the influence of ace negotiator Max Siegel may be bearing success. One contact told me [MaxChevy’s Glen Grissom] on the down-low that the 51% (or majority ownership) that Dale Jr. requires to stay with DEI has essentially been negotiated agreed to by Teresa Earnhardt. But that she, in turn, is requesting that an independent, impartial review board be set up within DEI that would take into consideration and review any major operational changes that Dale Jr. would want to take place acting like a board of directors it seems to me [MaxChevy’s Glen Grissom], with Dale Jr. basically reporting to it. So far, this has been balked at but stranger management structures have survived in the business world. All parties say they want to have the contract resolved by May, so with April half-over, it’s crunch time.(MaxChevy.com)(4-19-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said an online report that he has been offered ownership in DEI is “news to me.” After qualifying, he was asked about the story that he has been offered 51% ownership of the company started by his late father. “I don’t know anything about that,” Junior said, raising his eyebrows. “As far as I know, there’s been nothing new in the last week or more.” Earnhardt, in the final year of his current contract with DEI, said he isn’t worried about the negotiations. “I just want to get some wins and some good finishes and concentrate of what we’re doing on the track,” he said. A story on ESPN.com Thursday said Max Siegel, president of global operations at DEI and the team’s chief negotiator, said Earnhardt has been offered ownership in the company but would not say what percentage. Siegel could not be reached Thursday for comment.(Associated Press)(4-20-2007)
