Earnhardt removes name from track project

Earnhardt Jr. has removed his name from the Alabama Motorsports Park project, according to the Mobile (Ala.) Press Register.

The project, which includes an oval track and road course, is scheduled to open in 2012 – more than two years later than the original plan – according to the track’s website.

Alabama Motorsports Park is owned by Gulf Coast Entertainment, and Earnhardt Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge and brother Kerry Earnhardt were part of the project.

"Dale is focusing on racing, and his sponsor demands have gone up incredibly," Bill Futterer of PSE-3 and Futterer Partners said told the newspaper. "We have agreed not to extend his personal services agreement."

Futterer said "We're not upset, and they are not angry."

Futterer's marketing firm is working on what had been called “Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway."

Gulf Coast Entertainment had agreed in February to purchase Memphis Motorsports Park, but the deal with Dover Motorsports Inc., was extended in July because Gulf Coast “continues to seek financing," a news release from Dover Motorsports said. Scenedaily.com