Earnhardt agrees to 3-year extension with Childress
Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt and team owner Richard
Childress said Thursday they had reached agreement on a contract
extension that will keep the seven-time Winston Cup champion racing
at least through 2003.
Dale Earnhardt will remain in the No. 3 until at least 2003.
"He is the best of the best in my book and what we accomplished last year was just the beginning of what's to come over the next four years," Childress said. "We want to get that next championship. And, when we do, I'll be ready to extend it again until he says he's ready to get out of the car."
Earnhardt, 48, has won six of his seven championships while driving Chevrolets for Richard Childress Racing. Sixty-five of his 74 victories have come since joining Childress' team in 1984.
Earnhardt, who is recuperating from offseason back surgery, will begin practice Friday for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.
Earnhardt also owns his own team, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., which will field Winston Cup cars this year for rookie Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Park.
"I never planned on going anywhere," he said.
Earnhardt said he has no plans to retire when the new contract ends.
"I would like to drive for maybe five or six years ..." he said. "We'll see how many championships we've won between now and 2003, then decide about our future."
