INSIDE MOTOR SPORTS
Intimidator II
Earnhardt is spread thin
by Ed Hinton
Posted: Wed November 12, 1997
Yet another son of a famous driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 23, will
take the next step in preparation for Winston Cup racing when he
becomes a full-time driver in the Busch series next season. He
takes over the Monte Carlo in which Steve Park won three races
this season. Park, a protégé of Dale Sr's., moves up to Winston
Cup to drive for a new team owned by the Intimidator.
All this will spread Dale Sr., 46, a little thin next year. He
will continue to drive the notorious black number 3 Monte Carlo
for owner Richard Childress, while also advising teammate Mike
Skinner and keeping a close eye on Park and Dale Jr. What's
more, he's battling the weight of a 58-race winless streak.
Sound like a good time to retire? "I've got a contract with
Childress through 2000," Dale Sr. says. "I'm not going to quit
before then. If I sign another one, I won't quit that, either.
Racing is still fun. I'm going to win some more races and that
eighth Winston Cup championship."
Besides, he says, "I want the fans booing me like they used to."
Issue date: November 17, 1997
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