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Here’s the second page of an exclusive interview from SI [interesting]

The ties that unbind (cont.)
Posted: Friday May 11, 2007 11:24AM; Updated: Friday May 11, 2007 12:31PM

The smiles Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa shared for the cameras masked an uneasy relationship the two have had for years.
AP

Here’s one thing about Dale Jr.: When he looks you in the eye, he is simply incapable of concealing how he truly feels (he’s a bit like Tony Stewart in this regard). “I was laying in bed last night worrying about what everyone was going to think today,” he said. “I didn’t want any of my words to sound rehearsed; I really wanted to speak from the heart. I know some people at DEI are really, really mad at me right now, and I feel so bad about that, man, I really, really do. This whole thing is just so hard for me to wrap my head around.”

We continued to talk, discussing whether or not this was a good move. He spoke in a hushed, serious voice — a tone that he normally doesn’t employ. I eventually asked him why, really, he’s leaving DEI.

“Not many people know the real story here,” Junior said.

“I think I do,” I replied.

“I think you do, too,” Earnhardt said.

The reason Earnhardt is leaving DEI can be summed up in two words: Teresa Earnhardt. Little E and his stepmother have a long and complicated history, just like any son and his stepmother. They’ve had their share of good moments, but they’ve also been waging a power struggle that goes back deep into Earnhardt’s childhood. One example: When Junior was a teenager it was largely Teresa’s decision to send Earnhardt to military school for a year. “Sure as hell wasn’t my decision,” Earnhardt said with a laugh.

If Teresa would have handed operational control of DEI over to Junior and given him majority ownership of the company — two things, in fact, that Dale Sr. told me in ‘00 that he wanted Junior to have, which I wrote about in SI about a month ago — Earnhardt would have signed a contract extension. I have not met a single person in NASCAR who thought these were unreasonable demands by Junior. After all, his father built the company specifically for his children, not his wife. But Teresa, who rarely speaks to the media, obviously felt like her stepson, who happens to be the most popular driver in the history of auto racing in America, was asking for too much. Why? Well, that’s a question only she can answer as she guides DEI straight into racing obscurity.

“Me and Teresa do not see eye to eye,” Earnhardt said. “I wish we did, but we don’t. In a weird way, our relationship might get better now that I’m moving on.

“I really thought that we’d get something done, contract-wise. But as the negotiations went on, the writing was on the wall that I was going to have to leave. What she wanted was specific to me. They’ll get another driver in there and she’ll give him a normal contract. But that wasn’t going to happen with me. And my decision to leave was solely based on my relationship with my car owner.”

Earnhardt continued. “Man, I look at the fun that other drivers have with their owners. I want a guy who’s going to be at the track and give me feedback. I want to feel really part of an entire organization. That’s a big part of racing, and I want that.

“I’ll catch myself looking ahead and thinking about the options, but I’ve got to slow down, listen to everyone, try to get to know each group, and make a solid decision. I can’t come back a year later and change my mind. This is the last time I’m going to do something like this.”

While we talked, lunch was delivered to Earnhardt’s office. It was his first meal as a free agent, and while he’s very anxious about his future, leaving DEI was clearly the right play by Earnhardt. There was symmetry to the move as well. His father was Little E’s age — 32 — when he signed to drive for Richard Childress Racing, where he went on to win six championships.

Can Junior find similar success on another team? Who knows, but here’s one guess: He’ll be driving the No. 33 Chevy for RCR next season.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lars_anderson/05/11/dale-earnhardt-exclusive/