So what incentive does Kurt Busch have to stay at Penske? He doesn't have a "stake". He doesn't have the best equipment. What about Greg Biffle? He's not even offered a chance to buy into the company.
Busch is currently under contract, and has offered no overt attempt at owning a stake. Perhaps it's a job? Contrastly Biffle is nearing the end of his contract and rumors have been flying he may go elsewhere. Is it because he wants to be someplace that offers profit sharing, or stock? I don't know he'd have to answer that. In the case we were discussing, I reiterate the "stake" comment is to underline the point there is no
extra incentive to stay with the team other than a contractual obligation. You are over-reading and assuming I am saying that all drivers deserve that partial-ownership, or "stake". That is NOT what I am saying. I merely used it as another piece of evidence that DEI doesn't treat their drivers the best, because in the context I was using Junior as an example. They will certainly not bend over backwards to accomodate Truex, if they weren't willing to for someone who's name happens to be on the door by birthright.
She didn't just marry into it. She worked to build the company before Lil'E ever started driving. Him, he was just born so how does that qualify him for the company. Dale had every opportunity to draw up a will and leave the company to whomever he wanted.
Again, you're over-reading, and inserting implications because you disagree. I didn't say she should have handed him the company, did I? My only feeling is a little more defference should have been used when you have the son of the founder, not to mention your star driver to boot, saying he'd like to have a stake in the company. A company, whether you'd like to admit to it or not, that he is, at the
very least, 30% responsible for it's success. (Some would argue, myself included that the percentage is much higher, however another time, another debate) If it were you or I and we sat Theresa down and said; "I'd like a stake in this company." By all means she should charge us the market rate
plus a few dollars to become intimately involved with, what was at the time, one of the largest teams in NASCAR. However, when you have the scion saying; "Hey, I'd like in." There's a clear-cut distinct difference and it is no longer just dollars and cents and business relationships. At some point family has to factor in.
All that said - which is what I was hoping to avoid - is all evidence that points to the fact that if they didn't give a damn if the namesake walked away to attempt to be successful elsewhere, they aren't going to give a damn if Truex does.
See that's the difference between us. I didn't pull for him when he was at DEI and just because he now drives for someone else doesn't mean I'm going to pull for him there. He was handed the ride at DEI. He got the ride at Hendricks because of the merchandise he can sell and the fans he can bring over because its real hard to argue that he's better than Kyle.
I pull for him now because he's on the same team as Jimmie, genius. It has nothing to do with DEI. And as far as him beng 'handed' a ride. This point you make flies in the face of who, or why DEI was built then doesn't it? If he was 'handed' that ride that supposedly he was to have no claim to; no say in it's future, no say in the day-to-day operations, just why would that company's founder just have 'handed' him a ride in the top series of United States motorsports? And to that end, are you insinuating he wasn't successful at the dirt tracks? Not successful in the Busch/Nationwide series? (I can't believe I defending Junior pre-Hendrick
) You're just arguing to argue now.
Jarrett didn't run from Yates. He ran to Mikey for the money. Sadler's time was up and he has yet to do anything. I think you mean Labonte ran from Gibbs to Petty. I'd argue he had better equipment at Gibbs, a better chance to win or at least finish higher and maybe even earn more money. Now Labonte from Petty is speculation at this point. But, the thing is drivers move all the time. The fact that Lil'E left Teresa is hardly news. Or that Truex may when his contract is over. Lil'E made it news because of his power grab to take over the company.
...wait, they don't leave for any reason then? Because you said...
I'd argue that there are a lot of teams who don't have the same equipment as Hendrick or Gibbs but I don't see drivers running from them.
Okay, so either they leave because they're unhappy with the equipment or the money. I'm not sure which tack you're taking there. So, whatever. DJ left Yates because it was obvious it was failing. He got one last year at the rate he was getting at Yates, and prepare to retire. The same goes for Sadler. Labonte will be leaving Petty and there's only one reason he would - the equipment. You can either concede that's his only motivation or stick your head in the sand because you don't want to admit I'm right. Either way - whatever.
Lil'E got in the 8 and put his career on the line. For that matter Dale got in the 3, Jeff the 24, etc. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes you move to another team/seat. As to business sense, aren't you selling an awful lot of people short. You never know who the next superstar is going to be. Even if I grant you the position that DEI fields inferior equipment, I'd argue that the race is not always won by the fastest car or the best driver. If it was then you'd only need 10 to 15 guys week end week out. The other 30 some really have a small chance of winning.
You're missing my point. I'm referring to folks that get into the 8
NOW. There's droves of drivers that would die to run in the DEI 8 car. Just 'anyones'. However, any established driver, say 3 to 4 years in Cup without a Championship is silly to go there. They don't have the equipment to win a Championship. They treat their drivers badly, and so on. Mark Martin is a good example. He's established. His legacy is solid if he NEVER goes to Victory lane again. I'm guessing when they enter him in the HOF his years in the 8 will be a minor footnote to Roush and the 6 car. Do you see my point? No one's going to care if Theresa or her lap dog walks into the garage tomorrow and tells Mark to get out. No one except maybe the crew chief. Mark's going to think she's a flaming idiot (which she's proven she's borderline), and he'll walk next door and they'll build him a car to drive with any other team in the Cup series. No one cares what car or what equipment Mark Martin has -
it's Mark Martin, we just want to see a legend drive. But if you're some kid, trying to make a name for yourself, you're doomed over there.
I think it's not a matter of either of us being wrong but that we look at things differently. Racing can be cyclical. Sometimes a team is on top, Hendrick last year, and the next year their mediocre, Hendrick this year. Sometimes the dry spell lasts for a couple of years or decades. I'm just not as ready to write off a team just because someone's contract is expiring and they may go elsewhere.
With the detachment, and limited day-to-day interaction with her employess. Added that the team is unstable swapping drivers, etc. They're like two seasons away from running one car and hoping someone like DJ will hop in it just so they're sure to make a race.
