FanHouse Earnhardt

"Boorish, pig-headed, stubborn to the point of foolishness - all things that have described Jimmy Spencer in the past." FastMachines, 2004

Some things never change.

Today on "Raceday," host / analyst Jimmy Spencer--sometimes known as the true stupid idiot of NASCAR--basically called Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sister an egomaniac.

One, because she kept the Earnhardt name when she got married, and two, because she's playing hard ball on negotiating Earnhardt Jr.'s contract with DEI.

Is he kidding?

The daughter of the late legend Dale Earnhardt wears many a hat.

She's a wife, to crew chief Jimmy Elledge, and a mother, to Karsyn and Kennedy.

She's a patient, still recovering from a surgical operation removing a growth from her pancreas last month.

She is her brother's business partner, advisor and confidant.

Kelley Earnhardt Elledge is also playing one of the biggest roles of her life right now as chief negotiator for NASCAR's most popular driver in this season's face-off between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc.

She has quietly become one of NASCAR's most powerful women and she's going head-to-head with another--also an Earnhardt--who just happens to be her stepmother.

Well, almost head-to-head. Teresa Earnhardt has a go-between to do the negotiating on behalf DEI. I imagine that having Max Siegel around is good for family relations.

The Kids Have Spoken

What's at stake is their father's legacy. This time, Kelley isn't negotiating just on behalf of Junior, but also herself. She didn't spare her thoughts Tuesday when she reiterated that they want control of what their late father's company because they're not satisfied with the way it's going:

While Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s future at DEI hangs in the balance, he continues to wheel and deal on behalf of his own company, JR Motorsports.

Last week, Junior's company announced a partnership with Double A... honk honk MCO.

The world's largest chain of transmission specialists will now serve as an associate sponsor on the #88 team, which is in its second season in the NASCAR Busch Series with the U.S. Navy and driver Shane Huffman, and the primary sponsor of an additional car, the #83 AAMCO Chevrolet, which will run the June 2 and Sept. 1 Busch Series events at Dover International Speedway and California Speedway respectively.

Additionally, as part of an extended deal, AAMCO will be the primary sponsor on the #40 Chevrolet Silverado operated by Key Motorsports, which will be piloted by Huffman in the Truck Series events at Lowe's Motor Speedway, O'Reilly Raceway Park and New Hampshire International Speedway.

JRM General Manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, said, "Everyone at JR Motorsports is pleased to have such a well-respected company partner with us for the 2007 season. We look forward to building a strong relationship with AAMCO."

They also look forward to strengthening their relationship with DEI, before taking over.