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[[File:01ReganSmith army.mil-2007-06-25-081626.jpg|thumb|left|[[Regan Smith]] at Sonoma in 2007]]
[[File:01ReganSmith army.mil-2007-06-25-081626.jpg|thumb|left|[[Regan Smith]] at Sonoma in 2007]]
[[File:Regan Smith 2008 Principal Chevy Impala.jpg|thumb|right|[[Regan Smith]]'s car from 2008]]
[[File:Regan Smith 2008 Principal Chevy Impala.jpg|thumb|right|[[Regan Smith]]'s car from 2008]]
Veteran [[Mark Martin]], coming off his final year with [[Roush Fenway Racing|Roush Racing]], was signed drive the car for 23 races (21 points races plus the Budweiser Shootout and Nextel All-Star Challenge) in 2007, with [[Joe Nemechek]] moving over to the team's new 13 team. [[Regan Smith]] was pinned to fill the remaining 16 races of the season, while driving in the [[Busch Series]] for the team as well. The team also changed its name to Ginn Racing to reflect [[Bobby Ginn]]'s new majority interest in the team.<ref>{{cite web|author1=MB2 Motorsports|title=Busch: MB2 Motorsports gets a new name|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/busch-mb2-motorsports-gets-a-new-name/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=November 23, 2006}}</ref> Martin was leading in the final turn of the season-opening [[Daytona 500]], after lining up on the final restart with former Roush teammates [[Greg Biffle]] and [[Matt Kenseth]] behind him. Coming down the front stretch, and with the field wrecking behind him, Martin looked to have finally come through at Daytona. But the caution was not called, and [[Kevin Harvick]] caught Martin on his outside, beating him to the line by two-hundredths of a second.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=Amid Crashes and Controversy, Harvick Edges Martin at the Finish|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/sports/othersports/19daytona.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|website=nytimes.com|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Daytona Beach, Florida]]|date=February 19, 2007}}</ref> Martin put together more strong finishes, and after the fourth race at [[Atlanta Motor Speedway|Atlanta]] was leading the points standings in what was supposed to be his first season of semi-retirement. Resisting the chance to capture his first championship, Martin did step out of the car as scheduled, breaking a streak of 621 consecutive starts.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ginn Racing|title=Bristol: Ginn Racing - Martin spotlight|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-ginn-racing-martin-spotlight/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+Ginn|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=March 23, 2007}}</ref> In 24 starts for the team, Martin scored 11 top 10s, and finished 27th in points despite missing 12 races.
Veteran [[Mark Martin]], coming off his final year with [[Roush Fenway Racing|Roush Racing]], was signed drive the car for 23 races (21 points races plus the Budweiser Shootout and Nextel All-Star Challenge) in 2007, with [[Joe Nemechek]] moving over to the team's new 13 team. [[Regan Smith]] was pinned to fill the remaining 16 races of the season, while driving in the [[Busch Series]] for the team as well. The team also changed its name to Ginn Racing to reflect [[Bobby Ginn]]'s new majority interest in the team.<ref>{{cite web|author1=MB2 Motorsports|title=Busch: MB2 Motorsports gets a new name|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/busch-mb2-motorsports-gets-a-new-name/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=November 23, 2006}}</ref> Martin was leading in the final turn of the season-opening [[Daytona 500]], after lining up on the final restart with former Roush teammates [[Greg Biffle]] and [[Matt Kenseth]] behind him. Coming down the front stretch, and with the field wrecking behind him, Martin looked to have finally come through at Daytona. But the caution was not called, and [[Kevin Harvick]] caught Martin on his outside, beating him to the line by two-hundredths of a second.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=Amid Crashes and Controversy, Harvick Edges Martin at the Finish|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/sports/othersports/19daytona.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|website=nytimes.com|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Daytona Beach, Florida]]|date=February 19, 2007}}</ref> Martin put together more strong finishes, and after the fourth race at [[Atlanta Motor Speedway|Atlanta]] was leading the points standings in what was supposed to be his first season of semi-retirement. Resisting the chance to capture his first championship, Martin did step out of the car as scheduled, breaking a streak of 621 consecutive starts.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ginn Racing|title=Bristol: Ginn Racing - Martin spotlight|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-ginn-racing-martin-spotlight/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+Ginn|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=March 23, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034851/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-ginn-racing-martin-spotlight/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+Ginn|archivedate=4 September 2014|df=}}</ref> In 24 starts for the team, Martin scored 11 top 10s, and finished 27th in points despite missing 12 races.


Rookie [[Regan Smith]] meanwhile made his debut at [[Bristol Motor Speedway]] in March, finishing 25th. Smith would run 6 more races in the car, with a best finish of 24th at [[Talladega Superspeedway]]. On July 17, it was announced that Smith would move to the 14 car on a full-time basis, replacing veteran [[Sterling Marlin]]. Meanwhile, 23-year-old [[Aric Almirola]], who was granted his release from [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] after being pulled out of a car he qualified on the pole during a [[Busch Series]] race in favor of [[Denny Hamlin]], signed on to be the new co-driver of the 01.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ginn Racing|title=Ginn Racing outlines future plans|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ginn-racing-outlines-future-plans/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=July 18, 2007}}</ref> With the merger of Ginn and DEI not long afterwards, Smith was left on the sidelines while Almirola ran 5 races. Aric's results were not much better than Regan's, with a best finish of 26th at [[Phoenix International Raceway|Phoenix]]. Martin and Almirola would move to the 8 car for 2008.
Rookie [[Regan Smith]] meanwhile made his debut at [[Bristol Motor Speedway]] in March, finishing 25th. Smith would run 6 more races in the car, with a best finish of 24th at [[Talladega Superspeedway]]. On July 17, it was announced that Smith would move to the 14 car on a full-time basis, replacing veteran [[Sterling Marlin]]. Meanwhile, 23-year-old [[Aric Almirola]], who was granted his release from [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] after being pulled out of a car he qualified on the pole during a [[Busch Series]] race in favor of [[Denny Hamlin]], signed on to be the new co-driver of the 01.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ginn Racing|title=Ginn Racing outlines future plans|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ginn-racing-outlines-future-plans/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Mooresville, North Carolina]]|date=July 18, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034853/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ginn-racing-outlines-future-plans/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|archivedate=4 September 2014|df=}}</ref> With the merger of Ginn and DEI not long afterwards, Smith was left on the sidelines while Almirola ran 5 races. Aric's results were not much better than Regan's, with a best finish of 26th at [[Phoenix International Raceway|Phoenix]]. Martin and Almirola would move to the 8 car for 2008.


In 2008, Smith was named the full-time driver of the 01 car (now fully operated by DEI), with Martin and Almirola as well as sponsor [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] moving to the 8 car to replace the departing [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] [[Principal Financial Group]] was signed as the primary sponsor for the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.<ref>{{cite web|author1=[[Dale Earnhardt Incorporated]]|title=DEI sponsor expands involvement|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dei-sponsor-expands-involvement/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+2008|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Des Moines, Iowa]]|date=February 17, 2009}}</ref> Principal often ran as a secondary sponsor on the sides of the car, with a DEI logo on the hood in lieu of full sponsorship. [[Steak-umm]] and [[Coors Light]] were also sponsors in one-race deals. [[Ron Fellows]] replaced Smith at the two road course races, scoring a 13th-place finish at [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]]. Smith almost won the 2008 [[AMP Energy 500]], passing [[Tony Stewart]] on the final lap and crossing the finish line in first. Smith, however, was found to be passing below the yellow line upon video review, and per [[NASCAR]] had his position revoked, leading to an 18th-place finish.<ref>{{cite web|author1=[[Associated Press]]|title=Regan Smith pushes for win, but Tony Stewart gets victory at Talladega|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/regan-smith-pushes-win-tony-stewart-victory-talladega-article-1.301831|website=[[Daily News (New York)]]|publisher=[[Daily News (New York)]]|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Talladega, Alabama]]|date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> Though he finished 34th in points with no top 10 finishes, Smith became the first [[rookie]] to finish every race he entered during the 2008 season and was named [[NASCAR Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] at the season's end. The 01 team disbanded after DEI merged with [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates]], and Smith moved on to [[Furniture Row Racing]].
In 2008, Smith was named the full-time driver of the 01 car (now fully operated by DEI), with Martin and Almirola as well as sponsor [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] moving to the 8 car to replace the departing [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] [[Principal Financial Group]] was signed as the primary sponsor for the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.<ref>{{cite web|author1=[[Dale Earnhardt Incorporated]]|title=DEI sponsor expands involvement|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dei-sponsor-expands-involvement/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+2008|website=motorsport.com|publisher=motorsport.com|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Des Moines, Iowa]]|date=February 17, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034845/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dei-sponsor-expands-involvement/?v=2&s=1&q=Regan+Smith+2008|archivedate=4 September 2014|df=}}</ref> Principal often ran as a secondary sponsor on the sides of the car, with a DEI logo on the hood in lieu of full sponsorship. [[Steak-umm]] and [[Coors Light]] were also sponsors in one-race deals. [[Ron Fellows]] replaced Smith at the two road course races, scoring a 13th-place finish at [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]]. Smith almost won the 2008 [[AMP Energy 500]], passing [[Tony Stewart]] on the final lap and crossing the finish line in first. Smith, however, was found to be passing below the yellow line upon video review, and per [[NASCAR]] had his position revoked, leading to an 18th-place finish.<ref>{{cite web|author1=[[Associated Press]]|title=Regan Smith pushes for win, but Tony Stewart gets victory at Talladega|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/regan-smith-pushes-win-tony-stewart-victory-talladega-article-1.301831|website=[[Daily News (New York)]]|publisher=[[Daily News (New York)]]|accessdate=30 August 2014|location=[[Talladega, Alabama]]|date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> Though he finished 34th in points with no top 10 finishes, Smith became the first [[rookie]] to finish every race he entered during the 2008 season and was named [[NASCAR Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] at the season's end. The 01 team disbanded after DEI merged with [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates]], and Smith moved on to [[Furniture Row Racing]].


===Car No. 1 history===
===Car No. 1 history===
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==Earnhardt Technology Group==
==Earnhardt Technology Group==
'''Earnhardt Technology Group''' (ETG) was created in August 2009 to assist up-and-coming teams. It was founded to contribute resources and opportunities to race in championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/about/|title=Expertise and Innovation Live Here|work=Dale Earnhardt, Inc.|publisher=DEI|accessdate=2010-05-10}}</ref> It serves the engineering and parts needs of more than thirty teams in the [[NASCAR Sprint Cup]], the [[NASCAR Nationwide Series]] and the [[Camping World Truck Series]].
'''Earnhardt Technology Group''' (ETG) was created in August 2009 to assist up-and-coming teams. It was founded to contribute resources and opportunities to race in championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/about/|title=Expertise and Innovation Live Here|work=Dale Earnhardt, Inc.|publisher=DEI|accessdate=2010-05-10|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508070145/http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/about/|archivedate=2010-05-08|df=}}</ref> It serves the engineering and parts needs of more than thirty teams in the [[NASCAR Sprint Cup]], the [[NASCAR Nationwide Series]] and the [[Camping World Truck Series]].
ETG provides a broad range of engineering services to all levels of the racing industry; distribution of Renton springs; machine shop services (now contributing to many varied fields of mechanical engineering); a leasing service; sales of vehicles and component parts; and consultation and support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/capabilities/|title=Everything a Racing Team Needs. To Win.|work=Dale Earnhardt, Inc.|publisher=DEI|accessdate=2010-05-10}}</ref>
ETG provides a broad range of engineering services to all levels of the racing industry; distribution of Renton springs; machine shop services (now contributing to many varied fields of mechanical engineering); a leasing service; sales of vehicles and component parts; and consultation and support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/capabilities/|title=Everything a Racing Team Needs. To Win.|work=Dale Earnhardt, Inc.|publisher=DEI|accessdate=2010-05-10}}</ref>


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* {{Racing-Reference owner|Dale_Earnhardt,_Inc.}}
* {{Racing-Reference owner|Dale_Earnhardt,_Inc.}}
* [http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com DEI official website]
* [http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com DEI official website]
* [http://www.ecrengines.com/Default.aspx ECR official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100507183412/http://www.ecrengines.com/Default.aspx ECR official website]
* [http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/about/ ETG website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100508070145/http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/techgroup/about/ ETG website]


{{Dale Earnhardt, Inc.}}
{{Dale Earnhardt, Inc.}}

Revision as of 03:18, 7 January 2018

For the current operations of former DEI teams, see Chip Ganassi Racing.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Wrangler, ACDelco
ManufacturerChevrolet
Opened1998
Closed2009
Career
Drivers' Championships6
Race victories106

From 1998 to 2009, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) operated as a

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.[1]

DEI continues to celebrate the life and legacy of Earnhardt through an annual celebration of his birthday, April 29 (also known as Dale Earnhardt Day). DEI maintains a showroom where fans can purchase memorabilia and other goods and pursues partnerships which bring tribute to Earnhardt's memory. The DEI campus is open to visitors from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Drivers for DEI included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Steve Park, Martin Truex Jr., Mark Martin, Kenny Wallace, and Darrell Waltrip.

Sprint Cup history

Car No. 01 history

Main article:
Ginn Racing
Derrike Cope in the original MB2 car in 1997.
Joe Nemechek in 2005.

The No. 01 car began in 1997 as the No. 36

Skittles sponsorship. Derrike Cope was the driver and he finished 27th in the final point standings. In 1998, Ernie Irvan, a veteran driver, took over from Cope. The season was highlighted by Irvan's pole win at the Brickyard 400. M&M's replaced Skittles as the team's sponsor in 1999. Irvan retired from racing in September 1999, following a crash at the Michigan International Speedway. Dick Trickle temporarily replaced Irvan before the journeyman, Jerry Nadeau coming over from Melling Racing
became the driver of the 36 team.

Nadeau left MB2 due to a prior commitment to drive for Hendrick Motorsports to drive the 25 in 2000. MB2 then signed four-time winner Ken Schrader. Schrader drove the No. 36 for three seasons including 2 Top 20 seasons, before leaving for BAM Racing. In 2003, the United States Army replaced M&M's as the team's sponsor. The car number switched from No. 36 to No. 01 to support the Army's slogan, "An Army of One." Nadeau agreed to return to MB2 as the driver of the No. 01 car.

In May 2003,

Richmond International Raceway. Nadeau has never returned to motorsports as a driver and is not expected to do so, ending his young career at age 33.[3] The team employed several temporary substitutes before signing Joe Nemechek to drive the No. 01 car. Nemechek won the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway in 2004 and signed a multi-year agreement to remain with MB2. Nemechek finished 19th in points in 2004, then improved to 16th in points in 2005. 2006 was a struggle for Nemechek and the 01 team, with the team not scoring a top 10 until finishing 9th at Charlotte
in October, the 31st race of the season. Nemechek went winless again, with no pole starts, only two top 10's, and a dismal 27th-place points finish.

In 2007, Nemechek moved over to the now-Ginn Racing's new 13 Car.

2007–2008: Merger into DEI

Mark Martin drove the 01 part-time in 2007, he would move to DEI's 8 car with Aric Almirola in 2008.
Regan Smith drove the 01 part-time in 2007, then drove the 01 for DEI in 34 of 36 races in 2008, winning Rookie of the Year.
Aric Almirola in the 01 following the DEI takeover in 2007 sharing the car with Mark Martin and Regan Smith, he would move to DEI's 8 car with Mark Martin in 2008.
Ron Fellows drove the 01 for DEI in the road course races in 2008.
Mark Martin on pit road during the 2007 Daytona 500 where he would finish second.
California Speedway
.
Regan Smith at Sonoma in 2007
Regan Smith's car from 2008

Veteran

Bobby Ginn's new majority interest in the team.[4] Martin was leading in the final turn of the season-opening Daytona 500, after lining up on the final restart with former Roush teammates Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth behind him. Coming down the front stretch, and with the field wrecking behind him, Martin looked to have finally come through at Daytona. But the caution was not called, and Kevin Harvick caught Martin on his outside, beating him to the line by two-hundredths of a second.[5] Martin put together more strong finishes, and after the fourth race at Atlanta was leading the points standings in what was supposed to be his first season of semi-retirement. Resisting the chance to capture his first championship, Martin did step out of the car as scheduled, breaking a streak of 621 consecutive starts.[6]
In 24 starts for the team, Martin scored 11 top 10s, and finished 27th in points despite missing 12 races.

Rookie

Phoenix
. Martin and Almirola would move to the 8 car for 2008.

In 2008, Smith was named the full-time driver of the 01 car (now fully operated by DEI), with Martin and Almirola as well as sponsor

AMP Energy 500, passing Tony Stewart on the final lap and crossing the finish line in first. Smith, however, was found to be passing below the yellow line upon video review, and per NASCAR had his position revoked, leading to an 18th-place finish.[9] Though he finished 34th in points with no top 10 finishes, Smith became the first rookie to finish every race he entered during the 2008 season and was named Rookie of the Year at the season's end. The 01 team disbanded after DEI merged with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and Smith moved on to Furniture Row Racing
.

Car No. 1 history

Steve Park
)
Martin Truex, Jr.

In

Busch Series standout, drove the car in five races. In 1998, the team switched the car number from No. 14 to No. 1 in an agreement with Richard Jackson, another car owner. DEI received sponsorships from Pennzoil and Park and made a bid for NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors. In the third race of the year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Park failed to qualify. The following week, he broke his leg in an crash while testing at Atlanta. Two weeks later, the team hired Darrell Waltrip, a 3-time champion. He drove the car while Park recovered from his injuries and finished in the Top 10 twice. Park returned at the Brickyard 400
and following a crash, he finished 35th. In 1998, Park posted two 11th-place finishes and finished 42nd in points.

In 1999, Park finished in the Top 10 five times and 14th in points. In

AOL Chevy at Richard Childress Racing
, previously Earnhardt's car owner)

In a last-second decision in June 2003, Ty Norris suggested a former student of Earnhardt's, Ron Fellows, to drive the No. 1 for the road course events as a road course ringer. In 2001 Fellows was finalizing a deal to drive the No. 1 full-time in 2002 but Earnhardt's death left this invalid. Using advantage of this rare opportunity, Fellows almost won the 2003 Dodge Save/Mart 350 in which he controlled the race late in the event and lost when he waited too long for his final pit stop.

Both Green and Pennzoil left DEI when the 2003 season finished and the team moved to a part-time status. They occasionally fielded cars for John Andretti, a two-time winner. Fellows returned to the No. 1 for the 2004 Watkins Glen race bringing sponsorship of Nilla Wafers and Nutter Butter with him. Fellows finished second behind winner Tony Stewart.

In the

Chase for the Nextel Cup that year. He was DEI's only representative in the 2007 Chase for the Cup and his qualification is, to date, the last for a driver in a DEI car. At the end of 2009, Truex left the team for Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry
.

Car No. 8 history

Main articles:
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; Mark Martin; and Aric Almirola
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
's car from 1999-2007
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
in the 8 part-time in 1999, Full-time from 2000 to 2007.
Mark Martin/Aric Almirola split time in the No. 8 in 2008
Mark Martin in the 8 part-time in 2008.
Aric Almirola's No. 8 in 2009
Aric Almirola in the 8 part-time in 2008 and 2009.

The No. 8 car, a

NASCAR Busch Series
. Earnhardt Jr. drove the
Winston Cup
races. He finished in the top ten once and led one lap.

In 2000, Earnhardt Jr. moved to the

Winston), but finished runner-up to Matt Kenseth in the competition for NASCAR Rookie of the Year. On July 7, 2001, Earnhardt Jr. won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona
, the first Cup race at Daytona after Earnhardt, Sr.'s death. Using the No. 8, Earnhardt, Jr. set a record by winning four consecutive races at Talladega.

In 2002, Earnhardt Jr. had a roller-coaster season. He struggled after enduring a concussion at the Fontana race in April—an injury he did not admit to until mid-September. In the three races following Fontana, he finished no better than 30th. However, Earnhardt Jr. rallied to sweep both Talladega races (leading a dominating 133 of 188 laps in the spring race), a pair of Bud Pole Awards and an 11th-place finish in the standings with eleven Top 5's and sixteen Top 10 finishes.

In 2003, Earnhardt Jr. became a true title contender, scoring a record-breaking fourth consecutive win at Talladega, after being involved in a 27-car crash on lap 4. He struggled for most of the race, and was at points a half-lap down, only catching back up to the pack through a caution. The win was controversial because on the last lap, it appeared that Earnhardt Jr. went below the yellow line to gain position, but NASCAR ruled that Matt Kenseth had forced Earnhardt below the line, making it a clean pass. Earnhardt Jr. scored a victory at Phoenix in October, recording a career best 3rd-place effort in the standings, with thirteen Top 5's and twenty-one Top 10 finishes.

On February 15, 2004, 6 years to the day after his father's win, Earnhardt Jr. won the

Stewart-Haas Racing
.

Almirola was engaged to drive the No. 8

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
but the matter was settled out of court.

Car No. 15 history

No. 15 Menard's Chevrolet in 2006
Menard leads at Talladega in 2006
2008 racecar
Michael Waltrip drove the No. 15 from 2001 to 2005

The No. 15 team began in the

2000, the team moved to the Busch Series as car No. 3; Hornaday won two races and was ranked eighth in points earned but in the Rookie of the Year battle, he finish second to Kevin Harvick. Ironically, Harvick drove Earnhardt's car after Earnhardt's death. In 2001, the team once again moved to a different series, but this time, without Hornaday. The team raced the NAPA sponsored No. 15 (a possible reference to the No. 15 Ford Thunderbird that Earnhardt drove in 1982 and 1983 for Bud Moore Engineering). Michael Waltrip was the No. 15 driver and won his first race at the Daytona 500. However, his win was overshadowed by Dale Earnhardt's death. Between 2002 and 2005, Waltrip won a further three times (twice at Daytona and once at Talladega) then, announcing he would no longer drive for DEI, he took NAPA to Bill Davis Racing
.

For

Busch Series driver drove and sponsorship was provided by Menards Home Improvement stores. Menard finished seventh at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and moved to full-time in the 2007 season. After the merger of Ginn Racing and DEI, the No. 15 team absorbed the owner points of the No. 14 car (formerly driven by Sterling Marlin), so they would be guaranteed a spot in each race for the remainder of the 2007 season. After the 2008 season, Menard left along with his sponsorship to Yates Racing
. The DEI No. 15 team was disbanded.

Nationwide Series history

Car No. 3 history

Between 1989 and 2000, the No. 3 car won two championships (in 1998 and 1999 with Earnhardt Jr. driving). The car has been driven by

Ron Hornaday, Jr.
.

Car No. 8 history

The No. 8 car was raced by DEI from 1984 with

Hank Parker, Jr., Steve Park, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex, Jr. and Kerry Earnhardt
.

Car No. 11 history

The No. 11 car was run by DEI in the Busch Series. During part of 2004 and through all of the 2005 and 2006 NASCAR seasons, Paul Menard was the driver. There was one win in 2006 at Milwaukee. In 2007 Paul Menard left the Busch Series for the Nextel Cup Series. The car raced on a partial schedule with Truex and Menard sharing the driving.

Car No. 81 history

In 2003, the No. 81 car raced occasionally in the

Roush Fenway Racing
.

Chance 2 Motorsports

2005. After this, Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the partnership with his stepmother to focus on his own race team, JR Motorsports
.

Camping World Truck Series history

Truck No. 16 history

Dale Earnhardt Inc was a part of the Nascar Truck Series from 1995 until 1999. The full-time truck series team was driven by Ron Hornaday in the no. 16, sponsored by Papa Johns in 1995 and Napa Auto Parts from 1996 to 1999. Hornaday collected 25 wins in the no. 16 for DEI and the 1996 and 1998 Craftsmen Truck Series Championships.

Truck No. 76 history

A second DEI truck, no. 76, only made 4 total starts. Dennis Dyer and David Green each ran a race in 1995, and Steve Park made a one start each in 1996 and 1997.

Mergers

Ginn Racing

Further information:
Ginn Racing

On July 25, 2007, DEI announced it had merged with

Ginn Racing. The No. 01 team joined the No. 1, No. 8 and No. 15 teams.[13]
The merger did not affect the DEI team name.

Gallery
  • The No. 01 owned by Bobby Ginn (Ginn Racing) then (DEI).
    The No. 01 owned by
    Bobby Ginn
    (Ginn Racing) then (DEI).
  • The No. 1 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
    The No. 1 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
  • The No. 8 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
    The No. 8 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
  • The No. 15 inherited the No. 14 owner points owned first by Teresa Earnhardt and by then Bobby Ginn.
    The No. 15 inherited the No. 14 owner points owned first by
    Bobby Ginn
    .
  • The No. 14 owned by Bobby Ginn shut down after merge with DEI, the No. 15 inherited the No. 14 owner points.
    The No. 14 owned by
    Bobby Ginn
    shut down after merge with DEI, the No. 15 inherited the No. 14 owner points.

Chip Ganassi Racing

Further information: Chip Ganassi Racing

On November 12, 2008, DEI and Felix Sabates' Chip Ganassi Racing (Dodge) merged their NASCAR operations into one organisation. The team, which became Earnhardt Ganssi Racing, remained a Chevy team The No. 42 team joined the No. 1 and No. 8.[14] In 2014, EGR reverted to the Chip Ganassi Racing name.[15]

Gallery
  • The No. 01 owned by Bobby Ginn shut down after merge with Chip Ganassi Racing.
    The No. 01 owned by
    Bobby Ginn
    shut down after merge with Chip Ganassi Racing.
  • The No. 1 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
    The No. 1 owned by Teresa Earnhardt.
  • The No. 8 owned by Teresa Earnhardt but was shut down after 7 races in 2009.
    The No. 8 owned by Teresa Earnhardt but was shut down after 7 races in 2009.
  • The No. 15 owned by Bobby Ginn shut down after merge with Chip Ganassi Racing.
    The No. 15 owned by
    Bobby Ginn
    shut down after merge with Chip Ganassi Racing.
  • The No. 40 owned by Chip Ganassi shut down after merge with DEI.
    The No. 40 owned by Chip Ganassi shut down after merge with DEI.
  • The No. 41 owned by Chip Ganassi shut down after merge with DEI.
    The No. 41 owned by Chip Ganassi shut down after merge with DEI.
  • The No. 42 owned by Chip Ganassi.
    The No. 42 owned by Chip Ganassi.

Championships

Earnhardt Technology Group

Earnhardt Technology Group (ETG) was created in August 2009 to assist up-and-coming teams. It was founded to contribute resources and opportunities to race in championships.

Camping World Truck Series
. ETG provides a broad range of engineering services to all levels of the racing industry; distribution of Renton springs; machine shop services (now contributing to many varied fields of mechanical engineering); a leasing service; sales of vehicles and component parts; and consultation and support.[17]

Club E

Club E is the official fan club for Dale Earnhardt. It is a membership based fan club with three different levels based on contribution level (ranging from no fee to $49.99). Members of Club E have access to Dale Earnhardt footage, personal items, discounts at the DEI retail store,

Great Wolf Lodge, Inc. and member only events.[18] Club E is currently suspended but does offer a Facebook page for fans to follow to receive news.[19]

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation was founded with a mission to continue the legacy of Dale Earnhardt through charitable programs and grants reflecting Earnhardt's commitments to children, education and environment and wildlife preservation.[20]

Partnerships

RAD Engine partnership

After the Fords were dominating the restrictor plate tracks in the late 1990s, Earnhardt, Richard Childress Racing, and Andy Petree Racing partnered up with each other and formed the RAD Engine Program. Their first win was at the 2000 Winston 500 with Dale Earnhardt (which ended up being his 76th and final win). DEI won the 2001 Daytona 500, 2001 Pepsi 400, 2001 EA Sports 500, 2002 Aaron's 499, 2002 Pepsi 400, 2002 EA Sports 500, and the 2003 Daytona 500. RAD ended after Petree pulled out of the series in 2003 to focus on his Busch series program.

Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology

Main article: ECR Engines

Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines (ECR)

Coca Cola 600 with Kevin Harvick, and Brickyard 400 with Paul Menard.[23][24][25] The company is currently operated solely by RCR as ECR Engines.[26][27]

JR Motorsports, Richard Childress, and Wrangler

On April 29, 2010, at the time of Earnhardt's induction to the

Wrangler Jeans where, for one race, as a tribute to his father, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would drive the No. 3, the blue and gold race car driven by Dale Earnhardt in the 1980s.[28]
The car was raced in the
Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on 2 July 2010. It was the first Nationwide Series race in the Car of Tomorrow
event. Earnhardt Jr. started third, led for thirty-three and won the race. This was his first competitive NASCAR win since 2008.

Morgan-Dollar Motorsports

In 2007, DEI made a driver development contract with

Ginn Racing
.

Drivers

Data from[29]

Sprint Cup Series

Driver Races Wins Poles
John Andretti 16 0 0
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 291 17 7
Ron Fellows 5 0 0
Robby Gordon 1 0 0
Jeff Green 14 0 0
Jason Keller 1 0 0
Mark Martin 24 0 0
Paul Menard 74 0 1
Steve Park
 170 2 3
Regan Smith 34 0 0
Martin Truex, Jr.
 117 1 1
Kenny Wallace 17 0 1
Darrell Waltrip 13 0 0
Michael Waltrip 180 4 1

Busch Series

Driver Races Wins Poles
David Bonnett 1 0 0
Neil Bonnett 1 0 0
Dale Earnhardt 117 17 6
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 91 21 9
Kerry Earnhardt 1 0 0
Jeff Green 52 0 2
Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 35 2 0
Paul Menard 94 1 2
Ryan Moore 3 0 0
Steve Park
 32 3 1
Hank Parker, Jr.
 3 0 0
Andy Petree 1 0 0
Jody Ridley 1 0 0
Tony Stewart 3 0 0
Martin Truex, Jr.
 79 13 10
Kenny Wallace 1 0 0
Michael Waltrip 3 0 0

Craftsman Truck Series

Driver Races Wins Poles
Dennis Dyer 1 0 0
David Green 1 0 0
Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 122 25 12
Steve Park
 2 0 0

Winston West Series

Driver Races Wins Poles
Steve Portenga 40 3 1

NASCAR Busch East/Camping World East Series

Driver Races Wins Poles
Aric Almirola 1 1 0
Trevor Bayne 13 1 2
Jeffrey Earnhardt 25 0 1
Jesus Hernandez 13 0 0
Ryan Truex 1 0 0

References

  1. ^ [1] ("Teresa Earnhardt at the end of No. 8", NBC Sports)
  2. ^ http://autoweek.com/article/nascar-sprint-cup/fast-five-jerry-nadeau
  3. ^ Smallwood, Mike (2013). "Richmond Marks 10 years After Jerry Nadeau Crash". Fansided. Fansided, Sports Illustrated.
  4. ^ MB2 Motorsports (November 23, 2006). "Busch: MB2 Motorsports gets a new name". motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina: motorsport.com. Retrieved 30 August 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Bernstein, Viv (February 19, 2007). "Amid Crashes and Controversy, Harvick Edges Martin at the Finish". nytimes.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: The New York Times. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  6. ^ Ginn Racing (March 23, 2007). "Bristol: Ginn Racing - Martin spotlight". motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina: motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Ginn Racing (July 18, 2007). "Ginn Racing outlines future plans". motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina: motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (February 17, 2009). "DEI sponsor expands involvement". motorsport.com. Des Moines, Iowa: motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help
    )
  9. Daily News (New York)
    . Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  10. ^ Iacobelli, Pete (March 17, 2002). "Park fine after crashing in Darlington return". USA Today Auto Racing. Darlington, South Carolina: USA Today. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  11. ^ Miller, Geoffrey (June 5, 2013). "All-Time Wildest Moments at Pocono Raceway: Steve Park Flips Wildly in Wreck with Dale Earnhardt Jr". Bleacher Report NASCAR. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  12. ^ ESPN - "Deal can't be reached to bring No. 8 to Junior's new team." ESPN sports. 2007.
  13. ^ David Caraviello (2007-07-25). "Dale Earnhardt Inc., Ginn Racing complete merger". NASCAR.com. NASCAR.com. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
  14. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3698603
  15. ^ Estrada, Chris (January 8, 2014). "Ganassi changes name for Cup team, drops Earnhardt". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  16. ^ "Expertise and Innovation Live Here". Dale Earnhardt, Inc. DEI. Archived from the original on 2010-05-08. Retrieved 2010-05-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Everything a Racing Team Needs. To Win". Dale Earnhardt, Inc. DEI. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  18. ^ "Incredible Values". Dale Earnhardt Inc. DEI. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
  19. ^ http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/clubeold/index.php
  20. ^ "Continue the Legend". Dale Earnhardt, Inc. DEI. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  21. ^ "RCR & DEI to Build Engine Program Together". Richard Childress Racing. RCR PR. 2007-05-18. Archived from the original on 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "About ECR". Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines. ECR. Archived from the original on 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2010-05-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines Wins the Daytona 500". Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines. ECR. 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  24. ^ "Jamie McMurray Wins the Brickyard 400". Dale Earnhardt, Inc. DEI. 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  25. ^ http://www.nascar.com/news/110601/inside-nascar-may-recap/index.html
  26. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry (February 21, 2014). "Chip Ganassi explains why 'Earnhardt' is no longer part of team name". NBC Sports. Daytona Beach, Florida: NBC Sports. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  27. ^ Estrada, Chris (January 8, 2014). "Ganassi changes name for Cup team, drops Earnhardt". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  28. ^ "Jr. to Drive No. 3 Wrangler Car to Honor Dale's HOF Induction". Dale Earnhardt, Inc. DEI. 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  29. ^ "Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Owner Statistics". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 2012-03-11.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dale_Earnhardt,_Inc.&oldid=819048289"