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closeJunior sweepstakes likely a three-team race, Elledge says
NASCAR star's sister handicaps Chevrolet organizations in radio interview
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, May. 25, 2007
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appears all but certain to be headed to one of three Chevrolet teams next season - Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing or Ginn Racing - according to comments made by his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, on XM Satellite Radio's "Dialed In" show.
In an interview broadcast Wednesday evening with XM's host, Claire B. Lang, Elledge, who serves as president of Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports, said "anybody can read through the lines" to see there are three choices for Earnhardt Jr.
"When we say we want to be with the top competitive Chevrolet organization anybody can read through the lines there and know there’s only three that really you can fit in that category, so if that’s our No. 1 directive, that’s what we want to do," Elledge said during the show broadcast live from JR Motorsports.
Asked if she honestly felt there was no room at Hendrick Motorsports right now, Elledge replied: “Yeah, I mean, they have drivers and sponsors under contract until 2008 so I don’t see any situations that would work there.
"You know, that would be an awesome place to be because they’re at the top of their game right now.” She continued, “But you know in this sport you never know whose going to be on top of their game. Gibbs is right behind him Richard (Childress) is right behind him. Richard has stepped up his program in the last several years, Ginn Racing has stepped up their program with Bobby coming on board there and getting involved with that team."
During last weekend's NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Hendrick team owner Rick Hendrick told The Associated Press there was "no room at the inn" for Earnhardt Jr., who recently announced he would not return to Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season.
Earnhardt Jr. and his sister have maintained the No. 1 priorities for Earnhardt Jr.'s next career move was being at a team where he could compete for championships and that it be a Chevrolet organization.
Asked in a follow-up question whether there was any way Hendrick could be an option, Elledge was even more firm: "I think from a driving perspective at this point with his drivers and his sponsors and what he’s got lined up that looks to be out of the question.”