BACKSEAT DRIVERS VOLUME 33
DEI removed all Budweiser and Junior merchandise at DEI's raceshop. His racecars were also temporarily moved for a media event. Dale Jr's not happy and believes his Daytona 500 and other winning vehicles should be kept on display to honor his team members.
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Dale Jr. is upset that his memorabilia has been taken off of DEI's displays at DEI, Inc. He states that the team that helped him win the 500 deserves the credit. The missing merchandise was noticed by the media during a luncheon at DEI. Max Siegel says that a few of his cars were removed from the showroom floor in order to make room for the luncheon and that they will be put back this week. He went on to state that DEI has no relationship with Budweiser so they are not allowed to sell Budweiser merchandise anymore.
How do you feel about this?
Arianne: This is one of those deals when you see both sides of the point. But taking a glance at the big picture, I'd have to side with DEI on this one. Once Dale Jr. left DEI he also left control over what was going on in his stepmother's company. Unless there is some type of agreement that the public has not been made aware of, a deal is a deal. Even if Dale Jr. has minority ownership, he can't make the final call, this brings us back to why he was asking for majority ownership in the first place.
I've visited many merchandise and race shops and I've never seen former sponsors/former drivers hats, shirts, etc being sold. I don't believe special treatment is in order here. Displaying his winning race cars in order to honor DEI's success makes sense but it is not always the norm.
Kimmie: DEI was correct in removing Junior's memorabilia. He is no longer a part of DEI and does not have a relationship with Budweiser. If you are a true fan or just open up a book, you will know what they did to win at Daytona. The past is the past.
Brianna: All I can say is this is gossip that is making headlines? He said this and he said that and they did this and they did that - ENOUGH - this will soon stop for good. Junior made the best move of his life leaving that organization. Watch out at Daytona. The media and us girls will soon forget all about this incident. Before you know it the cops will be involved and then the lawyers. OH MY.
Katy: Being that I'm not and never have been at all, in any way, a Dale Junior fan. I could honestly care less. It's not a big deal to me. But I say...he's the one that left, he shouldn't be able to whine about what they do with his old stuff. That's just me though. I'm sure that people that are actually Junior fans will feel differently.
Kris: Dale Jr. will always be a huge part of DEI whether Teresa would like to think so or not. I understand that they can no longer sell Budweiser merchandise and I don't think they should, but it is definitely important for DEI to keep Dale Jr.'s cars in its showroom Butch
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RACE FAN RESPONSE:
The only cars that should be on display there are Dale Earnhardt's #3 with Childress approval since he owns the car, and number and the DEI cars.I still am a huge Earnhardt fan but Jr. kinda turns me off. He's a typical example of a spoiled brat, or maybe he just listens to his sister too much.
