TMS to change billboard at request of Kelley Earnhardt...

TMS to change billboard at request of Kelley Earnhardt Elledge

Texas Motor Speedway officials have agreed to replace a billboard highlighting the strained relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother after a complaint from his business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge. The controversial billboard, located near the track, shows a picture of Earnhardt Jr. and says “Reason #88: Step-Mom” with the track’s Web site listed underneath it to promote the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the track in April. The billboard is part of a campaign dubbed “Reasons” that TMS devised to help sell tickets for its race. Earnhardt Jr. left Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is owned by his stepmother, Teresa, after the 2007 season to go to Hendrick Motorsports, where he will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet. The new billboard will say “Reason #88: New Car Smell” and will be up in a week to 12 days, TMS President Eddie Gossage said Thursday. Earnhardt Elledge, who had told NASCAR Scene that she thought the original billboard was “completely inappropriate” earlier in the week, declined further comment. Gossage said he told Earnhardt Elledge, the driver’s sister as well as his business manager, on Wednesday that if she were uncomfortable with the billboard, he was willing to change it. Gossage said the new billboard has the approval of Earnhardt Elledge, who told him that she and her brother were trying to move on since last year’s highly publicized split between Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc. “Obviously it’s edgy, no question about that,” Gossage said of the billboard. “I didn’t expect we would change them out, but if that’s what they want, out of respect for the Earnhardts, that’s what we’ll do, no problem.” SceneDaily.com Bookmark to:

Date: January / 31 / 2008
Link:

Car News Overview for January / 31 / 2008

Other News:
Dale Jr and Adidas unveil three stripe race suit at Daytona 500 (January / 31 / 2008)
MOTOGP: Suzuki: Tough day at tough track. (February / 1 / 2008)
MOTOGP: Melandri makes a great start - 'finally'. (February / 1 / 2008)

Already got those 2 quotes? Get more auto insurance quotes!