Earnhardt, Childress near 4-year extension
1999 News
Mike Harris, AP Motorsports Writer

(Aug. 28, 1999)
Although Dale Earnhardt is 48 and has struggled in recent years to reach Victory Circle, the longtime Winston Cup star has no intention of retiring any time soon.

In fact, he recently announced that he and team owner Richard Childress are close to finalizing a contract extension that would keep him in the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet through 2003.

"We still feel like we can win championships and races," said Earnhardt, whose last title came in 1994 and who has added just two of his 72 victories since March 1996.

"I don't feel any older," Earnhardt said. "I still feel like racing."

As for those who think he should make sure he doesn't blemish his record by staying on the track too long, Earnhardt said, "One day you're on top of the world and the next day you're not winning and somebody is ready to retire you. Richard Childress and I have a great relationship and there hasn't been any talk of retirement between us at all."

Earnhardt, who won a race in April in Talladega, is seventh in the season points.