DEI, the #8, Hendrick Motorsports

With the opinion about the numbers and the little dance the story took over the last few weeks, it got me to thinking.

At first, we were all thinking the number 8 was a potential sale item between race teams. Then we heard it was out of their hands, and then this last week, NASCAR declared it could be bartered between teams. A most exciting prospect indeed, for teams and fans alike.

But there is one hurtle that needs to be dealt with in this whole number 8 scheme, and that, may very well be Teresa Earnhardt.

It goes without saying that the fans want to see Budweiser and the number 8 go to Hendrick Motorsports. What Budweiser does is something unto themselves and will do what they need to do to position themselves best within the industry.

What Teresa needs to do is consider the idea of letting the number go. The number is DEI's to use for the moment, and it does have marketing appeal to retain it. A smart team would retain it. But a smarter team may ponder the very idea of making a gesture to the fans and letting the number go.

I'm not saying for them to give it away, but for them to make whatever financial arrangement that would be amicable to everyone, without making it a prohibitive maneuver.

Teresa's image is mediocre at best with the fans. Not being at races, making the hard business decisions that the fandom didn't agree with, and having her public differences with Jr, to the parting of ways that I'm sure some might believe to be her fault entrely. Business decisions, based on a business basis and not an emotional or public pressured one, are tough all around.

Here's hoping the 8 ends up where it truly belongs.

Bruce Simmons, the Fan Reporter.