Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Does It Again

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. certainly knows how to make news and the headlines—and they've done so once again. And once again it's for something negative.

In the midst of rumors about Martin Truex, Jr.'s contract negotiations—in which some say he's staying, others say he's going, and some even have him signed with a new team—DEI has filed a lawsuit against former crew chief Doug Richert, whom they fired after the Richmond race earlier this season.

Richert was hired in December to serve as crew chief for the No. 01 car being driven by Regan Smith in the Sprint Cup Series, but just five months into the season he was released.

According to DEI, Richert was fired due to poor car performance, failure to work with other crew chiefs, and for not following the procedure in ordering parts.

Now a North Carolina Superior Court must decide if DEI had the right to fire Richert and if they owe him money. Their complaint also states that he committed a breach of contract.

Just what did Richert's contract entail? Terms that could only have been drawn up by DEI:

"In the confidentiality section, confidential information includes 'all personal and/or non-public matters relating to Teresa Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, or their families, experiences, or circumstances' gathered during his employment.

"Richert also was not allowed to write a book, short story, article, or screenplay based on his experiences and cannot participate in any interviews relating to DEI, Teresa Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, and their families. He was allowed to do at-track interviews that focus on the car or drivers and their performance as it relates to the race.

"Richert also agreed to a clause to 'endorse the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation shall be the primary, non-religious charity to which Employee principally devotes Employee’s support and the time Employee spends on charitable matters.'

"He also agreed to do free appearances on behalf of the Dale Earnhardt Foundation."

Maybe DEI should spend more time on the performance of their cars, the direction of their company, and keeping their employees happy rather than these ridiculous commands. It could account for the lack of focus and performance of their teams since they all must commit to off the track distractions.