I've said it before, I'll say it again here. The problem at DEI is that Richie Gilmore has been promoted to a position he is not even close to qualified for. That is the main reason for the mass exodus of talent and money from DEI. Once Gilmore was promoted from head of the engine department to VP, the downhill slide began, and it may not ever be reversed. First they pissed off Jr. by letting Michael Waltrip go, and that cost them NAPA, which Gilmore was sure he'd keep. It also cost them Domino's and Burger king, as well as a full 1/2 dozen other associate sponsors. It took Jr.'s favorite team mate and partner. All because Martin Truex and his father held Gilmore's feet to the fire and got a good contract. After that, Gilmore felt he had to beat Michael up to prove he was in charge. Now DEI has lost both Tony Eury Sr., (who was one of only two people who SHOULD have been VP) and Tony Eury Jr., as well as Steve Hmiel (the other person who SHOULD have been VP).
At the same time Gilmore started the disaster, when Richard Childress came to DEI and offered to form a joint engine program, Gilmore practically spit in his face. The whole time, the engine department at DEI, the ONE place Gilmore WAS qualified to run, fell into a state of disfunction. Finally, Gilmore had to go to Childress and BEG for help, and they had to buy Bobby Ginn out to get some decent talent back after everyone else left.
So at this point DEI is a full 2/3 less money and less talent than they had 3 years ago. And they're dependent on Childress for help. Eventually, DEI will become a subsidiary of RCR, owned by RCR everywhere but on paper, or possibly, IF it hangs on long enough, it will belong to Jr. and his siblings.
