Dale Earnhardt Jr.: The decision to leave DEI was the toughest I've ever had to make.
... I'm 32 years old, and in the back of my head a clock is always ticking. Each year the ticking gets louder, and my desire to produce results gets stronger. My father was the same age when he made the very difficult decision to leave Bud Moore and drive for Richard Childress. Looking back, it was the wisest decision he ever made, not because it produced six championships, but because he realized it was better to take a chance than to go the rest of his life wondering, "What if…?"
... Money is not a factor here. Revenue from souvenir sales is even less of a factor. I've heard people say, "There's not a bank in the world that could hold the money you'd make if you drove the 3 car." Do people really think I'm so shallow that I would drive my dad's number just for financial gain? If and when that day comes that I drive the 3 car, it will be for the right reasons. And I better have earned that right.
... I'm still going to give my 100% effort in wheelin' that No. 8 Budweiser Chevy as fast as it will go for the rest of the season. I still have some unfinished business to take care of, and I hope you will join me as we finish out the season – my last season – in the No. 8 car.
Read Junior's complete blog entry @ InfieldParking.com
