Deal or no deal, Teresa -- the future of DEI is now (cont'd)

But Dale Earnhardt never intended the greatest part of his legacy to be how much DEI made from souvenir sales of a car that no longer runs in the races that are viewed by millions of spectators live and via television for 36 weekends a year. That is what Teresa Earnhardt appears to somehow, inexplicably, fail to understand at least on some level.

She cannot carry on her husband's legacy in the manner he intended by herself. She cannot carry it on without her stepson -- and he will not carry it on without taking his beloved sister, who has meant so much to him on a personal and professional level, along for the multi-million dollar ride.

Can you imagine how Dale Earnhardt would have reacted if someone would have told him that Teresa would hire and hand over much of the control to a "director of global operations" before making sure Junior was locked up for the long haul and promised a portion of control of the company as well?

On Tuesday Elledge reiterated that her and her brother want at least a 51-percent stake of DEI. She told reporters that 51 "is the right number because it gives you control." She went on to add that she and Junior will take "75 or 95 or whatever we work out" but that it has to be at least 51 so they have that control.

"The biggest reason we want ownership in the Cup program is so that we can direct it to where we feel like it needs to go," she said.

Her message is clear. They don't like the current direction of the DEI's Cup program, or at the very least believe they can greatly improve upon it.

Give up control of DEI, Teresa and Max, or face the alternative: life destined for NASCAR obscurity without Junior. And we're talking about Dale Jr. here. Folks -- meaning fans and sponsors -- don't fork out big bucks to come to the track and see Martin Truex Jr. race. Or Paul Menard.

They line up to see Dale Jr. And they'll line up to see him and cheer for him and put him in advertisements for their products no matter who he is driving for. That's why Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and Dale Jr. have Teresa Earnhardt over a barrel.

They know that it's time for Junior to call his own shots, even if Teresa is only now grudgingly coming to that stark realization.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.