| Dale Earnhardt Inc. finally got a win in 2008. It wasn't | | | | whether there are enough resources at DEI to back |
| on the race track, but horsepower was involved. | | | | a non-NASCAR entity after losing the sport's most |
| After earning a reserve championship in barrel racing, | | | | popular figure barely 13 months ago. |
| 19-year-old Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, the youngest | | | | Either money or input is scarce at DEI, which |
| progeny of the late Dale Earnhardt and the only child | | | | currently supports four full-time Sprint Cup Series |
| of DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, won the "World | | | | cars. One driver, Regan Smith in the No. 01, is having |
| Championship All-Around" horseback riding title as one | | | | trouble luring a 2009 sponsor. Flagship driver Mark |
| of 85 entries at Josey Ranch, a famed equestrian | | | | Martin has announced he will join Hendrick |
| facility in Marshall, Texas. Part of the event was | | | | Motorsports in '09 to drive full time and compete for |
| filmed by ESPN. Miss Earnhardt captured Reserve | | | | a Cup series championship, marking the second |
| Champion honors in her specialty of barrel racing | | | | straight season the company's No. 8 driver has bolted |
| during Texas competitions in May after competing | | | | DEI for the choice organization, and the second time |
| against more than 500 contestants. She followed that | | | | an elite driver said-this time indirectly-that he couldn't |
| up by bringing home another trophy buckle from the | | | | win a title on his present team. Martin Truex Jr. is |
| "All American" barrel race in Jackson, Mississippi in | | | | having a disappointing year. He's rumored to be |
| June. | | | | disinterested in returning next year, despite having his |
| Fast hoofs and fast cars seem to run in the family. | | | | contract option picked up for another season at DEI. |
| "The Intimidator" loved horses and other domestic | | | | And Paul Menard is still questionable for long-term |
| animals, keeping them around for years on his North | | | | success. |
| Carolina farm. Taylor relishes riding the family herd | | | | In '07, Junior mentioned how the team's mechanics |
| with her dad on the home front, and has been | | | | would have to use the pull-down rig at his Busch |
| involved with barrel racing since '02, the year after | | | | Series headquarters, JR Motorsports. DEI is now |
| her dad's death. She now travels the country while | | | | reported to be considering bringing in an outside |
| taking online courses at Mitchell Community College in | | | | investment firm to pump money into the beleaguered |
| Statesville. | | | | outfit. |
| The Mooresville resident travels with her horse, | | | | Taylor competed again in last weekend's Southern |
| named Packin Sixes Cowboy. Taylor calls him | | | | States Triple Crown Super Show in Perry, Georgia, |
| "Cowboy." | | | | and has no signs of slowing down. Her mother may |
| There is now another branch of racing, an equestrian | | | | have triggered Junior's departure last year with |
| team, tied to DEI to support Taylor's passion, | | | | comments questioning his desire to be a champion |
| prompting talk that company capital spent on | | | | racer, or a public figure. Where her own heart lies |
| horsemanship could be better used for building up a | | | | appears to be another query. |
| troubled NASCAR operation. Onlookers wonder aloud | | | | |