DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued to expand his relationships with lifestyle-based products in a Friday announcement of a long-term personal services agreement with sportswear manufacturer adidas.
Both Earnhardt and Mark Clinard, business director for motor sports for adidas America, declined to reveal the term of the contract or its financial details.
A central component of the agreement is the introduction of a full line of Dale Jr. footwear, apparel and accessories. The company also will design and construct a fire suit and racing shoes for Earnhardt, who will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season to drive for Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt revealed Friday that he has worn adidas shoes since childhood.
In his business relationships announced recently, with adidas and Sony, Earnhardt has gravitated toward products he owns and uses.
Earnhardt will have significant input into everything adidas designs and markets under his name, but he'll leave the strategic aspects of his brand expansion to others -- specifically his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, and JR Motorsports' vice president of marketing and brand development, Thayer Lavielle.
"That's the way they think," Earnhardt said. "I think, 'Cool.' Not to be a smart aleck, but they have the business avenue that they're always traveling, and they're thinking of ways to open up our image and open up our brand to as many people as possible.
"I think not quite as three-dimensionally as they do. I'm a little more, 'This is exciting.' This is a company I've always thought was great and have always enjoyed, and I'd love to know more about it and work with them. I've always made those decisions like that, and they've always worked out."
No Petty in Daytona race
For the first time since 1965, Daytona will host a Nextel Cup race without a driver named "Petty" in the field.
Kyle Petty will continue to work with TNT in the TV broadcast booth, as the scion of another famous racing family, John Andretti, takes his place in the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge.
Adam Petty, Kyle's son, was killed in a crash during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway in 2000.
Seven-time champion Richard Petty (Kyle's father), who appeared Friday at Daytona International Speedway on behalf of Goody's Headache Powders for the unveiling of a vintage paint scheme on Bobby Labonte's No. 43 Dodge, reflected on the absence of a Petty in a Daytona race.
"Circumstances beyond our control led to a Petty not being in the race -- and I'm talking about the deal with Adam," Petty said. "As far as Kyle not being in the race, he's never done that good at Daytona anyway."
Labonte suggested that the King step into the car and fill the void.
"Well, I'd have to qualify," Petty answered. "But they're giving past champions six provisionals, and I've won seven championships ..."
There's only one catch, if Petty were serious. A past champion must have participated in the Nextel Cup Series in the previous calendar year to be eligible for a provisional.
Both Earnhardt and Mark Clinard, business director for motor sports for adidas America, declined to reveal the term of the contract or its financial details.
A central component of the agreement is the introduction of a full line of Dale Jr. footwear, apparel and accessories. The company also will design and construct a fire suit and racing shoes for Earnhardt, who will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season to drive for Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt revealed Friday that he has worn adidas shoes since childhood.
In his business relationships announced recently, with adidas and Sony, Earnhardt has gravitated toward products he owns and uses.
Earnhardt will have significant input into everything adidas designs and markets under his name, but he'll leave the strategic aspects of his brand expansion to others -- specifically his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, and JR Motorsports' vice president of marketing and brand development, Thayer Lavielle.
"That's the way they think," Earnhardt said. "I think, 'Cool.' Not to be a smart aleck, but they have the business avenue that they're always traveling, and they're thinking of ways to open up our image and open up our brand to as many people as possible.
"I think not quite as three-dimensionally as they do. I'm a little more, 'This is exciting.' This is a company I've always thought was great and have always enjoyed, and I'd love to know more about it and work with them. I've always made those decisions like that, and they've always worked out."
No Petty in Daytona race
For the first time since 1965, Daytona will host a Nextel Cup race without a driver named "Petty" in the field.
Kyle Petty will continue to work with TNT in the TV broadcast booth, as the scion of another famous racing family, John Andretti, takes his place in the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge.
Adam Petty, Kyle's son, was killed in a crash during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway in 2000.
Seven-time champion Richard Petty (Kyle's father), who appeared Friday at Daytona International Speedway on behalf of Goody's Headache Powders for the unveiling of a vintage paint scheme on Bobby Labonte's No. 43 Dodge, reflected on the absence of a Petty in a Daytona race.
"Circumstances beyond our control led to a Petty not being in the race -- and I'm talking about the deal with Adam," Petty said. "As far as Kyle not being in the race, he's never done that good at Daytona anyway."
Labonte suggested that the King step into the car and fill the void.
"Well, I'd have to qualify," Petty answered. "But they're giving past champions six provisionals, and I've won seven championships ..."
There's only one catch, if Petty were serious. A past champion must have participated in the Nextel Cup Series in the previous calendar year to be eligible for a provisional.