In a World of Men, the First Female Team Owner Makes Her Mark
While it’s true that Teresa Earnhardt is the owner and CEO of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, many people think that she inherited the title after the death of her husband in 2001, which isn’t true. Even before that, Teresa was a co-owner with Dale.
Say the name Teresa Earnhardt and people think and say a wide range of things, some of which isn’t printable here. Why is it that this North Carolina born daughter of a sportsman racer and niece of a legendary Busch Series driver has gained so much of a reputation, both good and bad? You may as well ask why it is that any time any woman breaks into the world of men they gain a reputation.
Teresa was born in 1958 in Hickory, North Carolina, and grew up in the world of racing. She married Dale Earnhardt, a driver that was loved by some, disliked by others but respected by everyone, in 1982. It was after meeting that the two began Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, growing it into one of the most successful team ownerships in NASCAR.
Dale Jr. says of their partnership, “Dad always said that before he met Teresa he owed the bank money, and by the time they got married the bank owed him money.”
Even though Teresa was co-owner with Dale, she wasn’t thrust into the spotlight until he died at Daytona. Even then, while her grief held us, it was the court battle she fought to keep the autopsy pictures from being made public that held media attention, usually casting her in a negative light since the media was the one that wanted the pictures. Her fight on behalf of dignity and privacy had far-reaching ramifications as it prompted the Florida State Senate to enact the Family Protection Act, which prohibits public access to autopsy photos without a court order. Many other states have followed Florida’s example since.
Unfortunately, one of the prices of being a businesswoman is that it can be construed as something negative, in this case casting Teresa as the evil stepmother of NASCAR. When Dale Jr. announced his intentions to leave DEI after the 2007 season, it meant much more than a driver just moving to another team. There were the issues of sponsorship (the major sponsor, Budweiser opted not to move with Dale), and the issue of the #8 that Dale used on his car.
Teresa Earnhardt requested part of the licensing revenue, as well as the number back once Dale Jr. retired, which he refused. As a result, he will be driving the #88 with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 and the #8 will remain with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, which is fitting since it was driven by his late grandfather, and by his father early in his career.
In recent days, Teresa has worked hard to change her image. In early December she held a party for the media, something she hoped would give them a glimpse into the real person. It was an “off the record” deal, meaning no race or Dale-related questions.
Teresa should be seen for her business savvy and as an inspiration for women. She’s hired two of the best executives in the business advising her -- Max Siegel, the president of global operations, and John Story, the vice president of racing operations. A well known business maxim is to surround yourself with the best, and she’s done it. In 2007 DEI merged with Ginn Racing, pulling in the #01 car to join the team. DEI also formed Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies May 2007 as a cooperation between Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Richard Childress Racing to develop and build common engines for the Chevrolet NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series teams.
2008 will be a good year for Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. The drama is behind them and the can concentrate on winning, something that Teresa is good at.
Say the name Teresa Earnhardt and people think and say a wide range of things, some of which isn’t printable here. Why is it that this North Carolina born daughter of a sportsman racer and niece of a legendary Busch Series driver has gained so much of a reputation, both good and bad? You may as well ask why it is that any time any woman breaks into the world of men they gain a reputation.
Teresa was born in 1958 in Hickory, North Carolina, and grew up in the world of racing. She married Dale Earnhardt, a driver that was loved by some, disliked by others but respected by everyone, in 1982. It was after meeting that the two began Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, growing it into one of the most successful team ownerships in NASCAR.
Dale Jr. says of their partnership, “Dad always said that before he met Teresa he owed the bank money, and by the time they got married the bank owed him money.”
Even though Teresa was co-owner with Dale, she wasn’t thrust into the spotlight until he died at Daytona. Even then, while her grief held us, it was the court battle she fought to keep the autopsy pictures from being made public that held media attention, usually casting her in a negative light since the media was the one that wanted the pictures. Her fight on behalf of dignity and privacy had far-reaching ramifications as it prompted the Florida State Senate to enact the Family Protection Act, which prohibits public access to autopsy photos without a court order. Many other states have followed Florida’s example since.
Unfortunately, one of the prices of being a businesswoman is that it can be construed as something negative, in this case casting Teresa as the evil stepmother of NASCAR. When Dale Jr. announced his intentions to leave DEI after the 2007 season, it meant much more than a driver just moving to another team. There were the issues of sponsorship (the major sponsor, Budweiser opted not to move with Dale), and the issue of the #8 that Dale used on his car.
Teresa Earnhardt requested part of the licensing revenue, as well as the number back once Dale Jr. retired, which he refused. As a result, he will be driving the #88 with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 and the #8 will remain with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, which is fitting since it was driven by his late grandfather, and by his father early in his career.
In recent days, Teresa has worked hard to change her image. In early December she held a party for the media, something she hoped would give them a glimpse into the real person. It was an “off the record” deal, meaning no race or Dale-related questions.
Teresa should be seen for her business savvy and as an inspiration for women. She’s hired two of the best executives in the business advising her -- Max Siegel, the president of global operations, and John Story, the vice president of racing operations. A well known business maxim is to surround yourself with the best, and she’s done it. In 2007 DEI merged with Ginn Racing, pulling in the #01 car to join the team. DEI also formed Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies May 2007 as a cooperation between Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Richard Childress Racing to develop and build common engines for the Chevrolet NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series teams.
2008 will be a good year for Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. The drama is behind them and the can concentrate on winning, something that Teresa is good at.