DEI Was “Splintered” After Loss of Dale Earnhardt

Ty Norris was a loyal lieutenant for Dale Earnhardt Sr. at DEI, serving as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Hear how Dale Earnhardt laid out his vision and what kind of leader he was as Ty assisted him in building the organization.

After Dale’s death in 2001, Ty explains why he described the company as splintered and who he thinks could have saved it. Dale Jr. weighs in on when he lost faith in DEI following his father’s vision.

Hear the story of what Dale Jr. did when he and teammate Michael Waltrip hadn’t been paid in months and how it ultimately led to Ty’s dismissal from the organization after being offered a bad deal.

TO LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST:

[motogordo]

This makes me appreciate Kelly and her strength so much more. Not only, helping Dale grieve and keep his career on track, but grieving herself, raising her family, and helping build JR Motorsports into the powerhouse it is. All the while having someone like Theresa trying to tear them down and be the very antithesis of what they needed. I hope one day, Kelly finds a spot in the HoF right next to her father and brother.

[howabouthetruth]

"Caring about Dale Jr IS caring about you hit the nail on the head when you told Teresa that, and it was true. God only knows how DEI would've turned out, had that witch treated Dale Jr ( and everyone else for that matter ) with HONOR & RESPECT. But it's painfully obvious that witch doesn't know the meaning of those 2 words. Personally, I don't see how she can look at herself in the mirror. ( The mirror would most likely shatter anyway. ) She took the living, functioning DREAM that her husband built, and utterly destroyed it. Still pisses me off to this day. To "sue an Earnhardt for using his own family name" is downright despicable.

[tmcorey]

You don’t pay your drivers for three months, then make them sit and wait for three hours stewing, how in the world can you claim to be “ambushed”? What a piece of work that woman is?

[joenagy]

Have always been a huge Ty Norris fan even before he came to DEI .... I never wanted to believe that Theresa was as bad as some would say .... Now I guess we know for sure that Theresa is the biggest single reason for the failure of DEI .... No Doubt Jr. Wasn't ready to carry the load, but if Theresa gives them her full support and Ty stays on to help Jr. mature and lead the troops then maybe DEI survives for Dale's kids like it was meant to THANK You for this Ty Norris you did one Helluva job for Dale trying to keep it all going.... No shame in that game

[nolandavis]

When she said that “We’ll make another Dale Jr” that pissed me off. You can’t replace the Earnhardt name. Especially only being 3-4 years after his death. That comment alone would have made me go off on her

[g.l.williams]

OUSTANDING follow up to your interview with your Brother which was incredible!

[mr.goodwrench]

Golly man. When you said "Let's dump this all out on the table", No kiddin', it got dumped out on the table. You could definitely see the intensity in Ty Norris as he told the story. As if though it all happened yesterday.

[DennyDeliversYT]

Crazy how many ups and downs Ty Norris has been through... awesome y’all got him on!

[garthschneider]

These Dale stories, especially these with Ty and Jr, peels the curtain back more than The Undertaker's Last Ride did for The Undertaker! As Sr. will always be my number one favorite driver. I thank you Dale Jr. I thank you for allowing those fans of his that access into your Dad and his life.

[kennypatterson]

I love these pod casts, Nothing but the truth and facts.. A lot of broken hearts in this one!

[cmdrmeseks]

"We'll make another Dale Jr." How well did that go Teresa? Lmao

[jrjrjr]

It would be interesting if there will be a 30 for 30 on DEI.

[timconnollycgcs]

Ty Norris and Andy Petree interviews are pure gold. Thanks Dale Jr. and team. The conversations brought back so many memories and added another dimension to those memories as an Earnhardt fan. These are real people who gave it their all to win.

[sebfettel]

Theresa doesn't pay her drivers and then all of a sudden plays the victim for being confronted lol, , yeah that sounds like a Jezebel to me.

[AlphaXCalibur]

If I were Dale Jr in that room that day & I heard teresa say what she said about just making another junior outta nowhere, I would've quit right there on the spot. I'd be seeking free agency the moment I walked out. That has to be THE biggest slap in the face to Dale Jr I've ever heard

[freshtendrills]

Finally touching on teressa. I've literally waited 15 years for a lot of this stuff. I hope we get more. It's honestly one of the most tragic stories in NASCAR history. The death of DEI was so sad man. Teressa just wouldn't get out of the way, or DEI was still be here today. At least we have JRM.

[TonyWud]

There are times during these podcasts that I feel like I'm eavesdropping on a conversations I shouldn't be hearing. I think Mike had that feeling with his reactions. Thanks, Dale, Ty, and Mike.

[Mister_Matt_X]

After hearing this podcast about the real truth about DEI... I just simply was in shock with my jaw down thinking constantly “Oh my gosh...” and after that I was thinking that Teresa was the bait and she baited DEI with Sr. not being there...

When Ty was talking about the new sponsorships brought to DEIs table with Oreo and Remington contracts I thought “hmmm.... that’s one out of many “what if Dale Earnhardt was alive?” scenarios for the ages that we don’t know for sure...

And to be fair and square with my best honesty I like these “what if Dale Earnhardt was alive?” scenarios because they will only give us thoughts of what could’ve been of Dale Sr.s future in later years and legacy that he’ll leave behind after being behind the wheel and when he retires DEI would’ve been his favorite toy and made it a real new powerhouse team for the ages! With a bit of help with Richard Childress of course after learning the tips and tricks to know how to keep a raceteam afloat...

My “what if” scenario is on what he would’ve said about Kentucky Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway being opened in 2001... if he likes them or hates them...

Personally I think that he would probably like the tracks and tell nascar to host a cup race at Kentucky and Nashville Superspeedway as soon as possible after he would’ve probably seen them...

[jakeskully]

Man, i really enjoy these old storys and all the history background parts of that crazy dynasty. I am from Germany. I am a 80s guy and somehow the "3" made it back in these days without I-net and social media into my "german" childhood. It is crazy. Dale sr. brought me to this sport and there was often no more, just reading about another race win. Later watched some highlights and since late 90s full races. So, years later its great to see, hear and read more and more...about the Ernhardts storys. And btw, there could be no one better then jr. himself. I like his style and way to talk about those things. All the best to you and YOUR team jr.!!! Best podcast ever made! Keep it up and i hope there is more to come...

[TheFirstBubbaBong]

Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes details during those tough years guys. That's some hard stuff to rehash.