DEI 01 is heading to the auction block
Dale Earnhardt and his wife, Teresa Earnhardt formed DEI in 1998. The race team remained in operation through the 2009 NASCAR season.
View photos of the first DEI chassis below.
In 1998 and 1999, Dale Earnhardt Jr ran two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In both years, he won the championship for his father’s race team, Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Starting in 2000, Earnhardt made the move to the NASCAR Cup Series, driving for the same team. He later made the move to Hendrick Motorsports before retiring from his full-time career after the 2017 season.
Now, a major piece of racing history is heading to the auction block. This is a 1998 AC Delco no. 3 Monte Carlo Busch Series race car.
The auction info listing states this chassis as a NASCAR Nationwide Series car. That would be likely be incorrect. The series was called the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series from 1984-2002. It became the NASCAR Busch Series from 2003 through 2007.
It wasn’t until 2008 that the series was called the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
In the past, we’ve seen fake NASCAR race cars roll across the auction block. However, if the car is legitimate, this is set to fetch a large check.
Related: Richard Childress is confused to hear of Dale Earnhardt cars for sale (2019)
DEI 01
10 98
The chassis is marked DEI 01 10 98. That appears to be the markings of the team’s first ever chassis build. 10 98 would appear to indicate October 1998.
The car was sent to Michael Waltrip by Dale Earnhardt Sr. Waltrip then raced the car in the Busch Series.
In it’s most recent action, the car was owned by Brad Baker of Baker Club Racing. In 2003, the car was retired.
Dale Earnhardt Jr won the most popular driver award in the NASCAR Cup Series, 15 times.
Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at Daytona in 2001. His widow continues to run Dale Earnhardt Inc to this day. Following the 2009 season, the race team was closed but they continue to provide a range of racing related services.
The first chassis built by DEI will roll to the auction block in Houston, Texas. It’s part of Lot S29 of the December 3-5, 2020 auction.
The NASCAR car auction will be sold at no reserve. The highest bidder will take home the car.
Click here to learn more about the NASCAR auction.
Related: Dale Earnhardt race car sold at auction
Dale Earnhardt Inc
NASCAR Auction
Photos
Dale Earnhardt Jr – NASCAR race car for sale 
NASCAR engine – Dale Earnhardt Inc 
NASCAR race car cockpit – DEI 
Dale Earnhardt Jr – NASCAR Busch Series car 
NASCAR gauges – DEI 
DEI 01 chassis – NASCAR 
Dale Earnhardt Jr 3 – NASCAR Busch Series car
Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr suffered 20+ concussions; He hid most of them from NASCAR
