After "blow-up," Norris out, Gilmore in at DEI

[Speed Racer]

BY LEE SPENCER
The Sporting News
Jan. 28, 2004 12:29 p.m.
Sources close to Dale Earnhardt Inc., confirmed that a "blow-up" took place at the shop over the weekend, leaving Ty Norris, the organization's executive vice president, with the option of stepping down or stepping out.
Team owner Teresa Earnhardt was expected to meet with teams Tuesday to discuss the developments that include a restructuring of upper management. Richie Gilmore, DEI's chief engine builder, is expected to move up to the front office.

Gilmore told TSN he's looking forward to the challenge and had not yet been told what his official title would be. The general consensus in the garage during Las Vegas testing was that having "a racer" run the day-to-day business would benefit DEI significantly.

Gilmore, a native of Rochester, N.H., began his racing career in Super Modifieds as a teenager. Gilmore met Ron Bouchard and moved to North Carolina in 1988 to work on his Winston Cup team. In 1991, after an apprenticeship with Keith Dorton, Gilmore joined Hendrick Motorsports and began working with Randy Dorton. At Hendrick's, Gilmore was assigned to the lease program at Joe Gibbs Racing when Dale Jarrett won his first Daytona 500. He continued with Hendrick's on Terry Labonte's team in 1995 and 1996 when the No. 5 car won the title.

In 1998, he was approached by Dale Earnhardt to build engines for the No. 8 car and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was making his Cup debut the following season. When Gilmore took over the engine shop, DEI had just 19 employees and 21 engines. Gilmore helped to grow the department to 61 employees and 115 engines during his tenure as DEI's head engine builder.

 

[Speed Racer]

Norris, DEI dismiss reports of 'blow-up" before change

Posted on Thu, Jan. 29, 2004

By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer

Ty Norris, who resigned Monday as executive vice president of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., on Thursday denied his departure was the result of a "blow-up" or confrontation with owner Teresa Earnhardt.
"There have been many reports of a 'blow-up' between myself and Teresa. Those are absolutely false," Norris said.

"We parted on the best of terms. We have been great friends for 15 years and I hope to remain friends with the Earnhardts until the day I die."

Norris would not address specific questions regarding his departure, saying further comment was "unnecessary."

Thursday, DEI formally named former head engine builder Richie Gilmore to lead its motorsports functions, replacing Norris.

"Because of close teamwork at DEI, Richie Gilmore has prepared to manage all motorsports responsibilities," team owner Teresa Earnhardt said.

"Looking at programs he has implemented over the years, we're confident he will continue to develop our success, both on and off the track."

Gilmore is a 38-year-old native of Rochester, N.H., and came to DEI in 1998 as head engine builder following an eight-year stint at Hendrick Motorsports.

DEI's news release did not address the question of why Norris left the company.

Reached later, DEI spokesman Steve Crisp reiterated there had been no confrontation or 'blow-up' between Teresa Earnhardt and Norris.

"Richie Gilmore was moved into this position over all the motorsports programs and Ty wanted to explore other options. There was no upheavals or shake-ups," Crisp said.

As part of Gilmore's move up, Teresa Earnhardt also announced DEI would strengthen its sponsor services division.

"This is more of an evolutionary step," Crisp said. "The level and rate of development of sponsorships in this sport has increased dramatically.

"Until recently, one guy could probably handle everything in that area. At this point, you need a staff of specialists."