AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday an online report that he has been offered ownership in Dale Earnhardt Inc. is "news to me."
After qualifying for Saturday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway, Earnhardt was asked about the report that he has been offered 51 percent ownership of the company started by his late father.
"I don't know anything about that," Junior said, raising his eyebrows. "As far as I know, there's been nothing new in the last week or more."
Earnhardt, in the final year of his current contract with DEI, said he isn't worried about the negotiations.
"I just want to get some wins and some good finishes and concentrate of what we're doing on the track," he said.
A story on ESPN.com Thursday said Max Siegel, president of global operations at DEI, said Earnhardt has been offered ownership in the company.
Siegel could not be reach Thursday for comment.
The story also said a source close to the negotiations said the offer is 51 percent.
"I'm not going to discuss percentages," Siegel, the chief negotiator for DEI, told ESPN.com.
But Siegel told the Web site he has worked hard to address everything that Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, have asked for to re-sign NASCAR's most popular driver.
Siegel also was quoted as saying, "It would not be fair to say we have an agreement, but it would be fair to say we've come a long way. We all have the common goal, which is long-term success for this company."
After qualifying for Saturday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway, Earnhardt was asked about the report that he has been offered 51 percent ownership of the company started by his late father.
"I don't know anything about that," Junior said, raising his eyebrows. "As far as I know, there's been nothing new in the last week or more."
Earnhardt, in the final year of his current contract with DEI, said he isn't worried about the negotiations.
"I just want to get some wins and some good finishes and concentrate of what we're doing on the track," he said.
A story on ESPN.com Thursday said Max Siegel, president of global operations at DEI, said Earnhardt has been offered ownership in the company.
Siegel could not be reach Thursday for comment.
The story also said a source close to the negotiations said the offer is 51 percent.
"I'm not going to discuss percentages," Siegel, the chief negotiator for DEI, told ESPN.com.
But Siegel told the Web site he has worked hard to address everything that Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, have asked for to re-sign NASCAR's most popular driver.
Siegel also was quoted as saying, "It would not be fair to say we have an agreement, but it would be fair to say we've come a long way. We all have the common goal, which is long-term success for this company."