Earnhardt declines to discuss contract publicly

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. received a new contract Tuesday. It just wasn't the one he wants.

Lowe's Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler presented Earnhardt with a "Big Contract" to poke fun at Junior's ongoing contract negotiations. That came during an appearance to reminisce about his 2000 all-star race win.

The contract offered Earnhardt Junior less than one percent of the speedway if Junior agreed to drive the tram, teach Victory Lane etiquette, be the pre-race musical act and serve as the track owner's personal chauffeur.

Junior is asking for 51 percent of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, his late father's company. He declined to discuss his contract situation.

Earnhardt's sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge has set a deadline of the end of May to resolve the situation.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)