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Family business Dale Jr. agrees to drive for DEI until 2007Posted: Wednesday January 22, 2003 2:58 PMUpdated: Wednesday January 22, 2003 5:24 PM MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Ticker) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced Tuesday morning that he has reached a contract agreement to continue as the driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc., in the NASCAR Winston Cup series through the 2007 season. Earnhardt admitted he had considered the possibility for racing for another team, although he preferred to stay with the operation started by his father, the late Dale Earnhardt. The team is currently owned by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, and also includes the Winston Cup operations for drivers Michael Waltrip and Steve Park. "I'm very relieved to get it out of the way," Earnhardt said. "It was not really an issue; we just had a hard time being in the same place to hash it out. We spent four hours in a meeting on Monday and got everything agreed upon. I got what I wanted." Earnhardt finished 11th in the 2002 Winston Cup standings, 530 points behind champion Tony Stewart. He believes he needs more consistency to improve in the standings this season. "Everybody wants to be more consistent," Earnhardt said. "It's something that you really can't fix, it's something that has to happen. I thought this is exactly where I would be sitting. I didn't have any goals or expectations set as far as wins. I feel good with what we have been able to accomplish. I'm very proud to be put in the same category of several other great racers of this time. If we make some changes, we'll be able to have a good year." Earnhardt is beginning his fourth season and has seven victories, including three straight at Talladega Superspeedway. Earnhardt also announced that he will be a Busch team owner in 2003 with Teresa Earnhardt. The team will be called Chance2, Inc. with Earnhardt sharing the driving duties along with Park and Mark Truex Jr. racing in five events.
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