Updated: Jan. 10, 2007, 4:01 PM ET
Kerry Earnhardt taking on new job at DEI
Just having an Earnhardt face walking around the shop that can talk to the guys will be a morale boost," he said. "He looks more like his daddy than any of them.
"And he has experience racing. If we tell him a problem he might get the message better to Teresa."
Kerry grew up in a different house from Teresa and Earnhardt Jr. He didn't find out who his father was until later in life.
But he says his relationship with Teresa is great and quite different from her tumultuous relationship with Earnhardt Jr., who said on Monday that would be a factor in his negotiations to re-sign with DEI beyond this season.
"I don't know how their relationship is," Kerry said. "I just look at my relationship with her and realize she's not a bad person.
"There's two sides to it. Dale Jr. and [sister] Kelley grew up in the home with her. I was on the outside with my mom and stepdad. I didn't grow up with the frictions they had like every child has with a parent. It's hard to speak for Dale Jr. and what his situation is."
But Kerry fully expects to work and laugh side by side with Earnhardt Jr. at DEI -- as they did on Tuesday -- for many years to come.
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=newton_david&id=2726657
29/RCR and 44/DJ brought in a third car today for testing. Kevin said they were having trouble getting hooked up.
Nascar made them remove one of the other two that they had already tested.
Seeing that UPS drafting today - he looked pretty darn good.
Kerry said the engine he had in the 8 car today may have been used, because he didn't have the speed.
The DEI car yesterday was only 1/10th off speed!!