Dale Earnhardt Jr.has scheduled an 11 a.m. ET news conference at his JR Motorsports shop in Mooresville, N.C., during which he will announce his plans for next season, according to a team spokesman. Sources have indicated to NASCAR.COM that those plans center on Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful organization in Nextel Cup this season, with 10 race victories in 14 starts. Hendrick, with six total championships on NASCAR's premier series, would fit with Earnhardt's desires to drive for a contender and to continue to pilot Chevrolets. The Hendrick team also had ties to Earnhardt's late father, who shook down the first car the organization ever built, and was behind the wheel when team owner Rick Hendrick recorded his first NASCAR victory in a Busch race at Charlotte in 1983. Earnhardt Jr.'s car sponsor, Budweiser, also appeared on Hendrick cars in the mid-1990s.
Mike Davis, communications director for JR Motorsports, would confirm only that Wednesday's announcement concerned Earnhardt's plans for 2008 and beyond. A spokesman for Hendrick Motorsports declined to comment. Earnhardt and his manager, sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, have spoken with a number of unspecified team owners since the driver's impending departure from DEI was announced May 10. Three Chevy teams -- Hendrick, Richard Childress Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing -- emerged as frontrunners, with Ginn Racing lurking as a dark horse. The contract of Hendrick driver Kyle Busch expires after the 2008 season, and The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Busch may have asked to be let out of his deal.
well, it's not like Jr will crash out or overdrive the car like Kyle does....will make an interesting comparison though as then half of the people saying that Gordan/Jr is the better driver will be shutting up I guess.
I am thinking back to when Jr. got in Kyle's busted up 5 car and wondering if they had already approached Jr. about driving it before Kyle left the track. That would #### me off enough to leave the track if I was the driver of the car. Is it possible that when Kyle left it in turn provided an excellent cover story? Hmmm.
Or was it when Kyle left, they asked him to drive and they really cliqued and it started wheels turning.
Or had Rick, who helped Kelly with her surgery, already given a wink wink nudge nudge to Jr. before Jr. announced he was leaving way back when the rumors he might leave started.
There is no doubt Jeff is the better driver.
By DAVID POOLE & JIM UTTER - The Charlotte Observer
Sources told the Observer on Tuesday that Earnhardt will join Gordon, Johnson and Casey Mears on the four-team Hendrick roster in 2008.
Excellent fit for Jr, now we will see Hillbillys heads explode all over the U.S. Busch goes to DEI with Biffle. Newman finally eats a hamburger and chokes to death!
Falcon, why do you think Kyle would leave Hendrick? I am a fan of racing--the technology--whether it is NASCAR, NHRA, Power Boat, INDY, whatever. I taught math for 32 years and I love the technical side of racing so I am not a fan of any one driver or team. Also, I have stated before that I am a woman. I was just wondering why a guy in the "catbird seat" would leave such a successful team. Do you have any thoughts? My hubby is a huge Chevy and Dale guy, so I live with his thoughts. I like outside opinions. Thanks.
Well, it might be Kyle's attitude. You just don't leave a track before a race is over without making completely sure you are out of it.
Then there is the equipment he tears up. I am sure he has been asked to save his equipment to the end and then race hard without tearing it up which he does constantly. He is not a rookie anymore so he should be doing better. However, in his defense, he was rushed up through the system pretty fast.
Then there is all the ying yang about hating the Car Of Tommorrow while his team mates are killing the field in it. He shows a real lack of maturity and ability to keep his mouth shut.
Now despite all of that, DEI Ginn or Penske should snap him up in a heartbeat. Ginn would be an excellent spot for him because he could be the number one driver immediately and Bobby could let him do it his way as long as it worked. But the minute Nemechek or Smith started beating him consistently he would need his choke collar jerked.
I forget your a female. I like the way you write. Your technical concerns show. You come off more like a guy. I mean that as a complement in this case.
Biffle said during the rain delay in Pocono that he ain't going anywhere. As for Kyle...DEI would be the most obvious choice as it'd be a straight swap.
It doesn't really suprise me if Kyle does go however...he's costing HMS a bunch of money in repairs this year, lol
I still say that whoever Jr ends up with should run with the #03 on the side....it'd be a real nice touch.
Kellogg's and CarQuest are signed through 2009. However, the 25 does not have a sponsor for next year. Here is what I am seeing. Jr. puts Bud back on the 25 which adds nostalgia to the deal and is full of warm fuzzies. Mears goes to the five in 08 with Kellogg's and CarQuest as sponsors. Kellogg's and CarQuest get a better spokesperson.
I may be totally wrong, but this whole Jr going to HMS, is getting us ready for something totally unexpected. They want us to think that's where he is going, but honestly, per a gut feeling I have, I don't think he's going to Hendrick. Again I may be wrong, but I've seen it for myself that RCR is expanding, WHY???......I just don't see Hendrick having 3 star drivers and Jr out shining J.G. and J.J.- They would not allow it. (not saying he would, just a thought) Oh well we will find out tomorrow! Sucks I don't have internet access at work!
The 8 might be the quickest deal Kyle could do. But DEI will need a sponsor to make the deal work. That could be the hangup.
Is there talk Ryan could take Mobil to DEI? If so, that might happen faster. Then I wouldn't be surprised to see Kodak back in Cup at Penske with Busch in the 12.
I know Chris. I just didn't know what he looked like. I have the Garth Brooks box set right here next to me. I bet x knew who it was right away given he is a bull rider. Right x?
There is no way it isn't happening. ESPN wouldn't be putting it out there quite so strongly if they were the least bit unsure. At this point it's the worst-kept secret in sports.
people, please....it's obvious that Jr will be heading to F1 where he will race for Ferrari to replace Massa so he can run in the #3 and take Bud with him to keep the red cars, well, red. Mark my words ;)
now wouldn't that just cause an uproar in Jr Nation, LOL!
X- do you live in NC?
Falcon- I once told my Husband I was not a big fan of Garth Brooks, but I love George Strait! He ask whay and I told him Garth could not wear those wranglers quite like George!!
I hope JR will not go to hendricks. he is the man and the rest of hendricks drivers and hendricks him self are pussys!!!!!!!!!!! the bleep starts with a p ends with a y & HAS USS IN THE CENTER
Well ill be, i remember saying that i thought Jr. would be in a HMS car back when Negotiations broke off with DEI.... And i agree 100% with you falcons on the Drivers switching cars for 08.... Wonder just how many true fans of JR. will stop rooting for him.... If your a True and Loyal fan of someone you support them through everything. Or if you want to hop on a band wagon, you cheer for them only as long as there playing a team you dont care for. I ask all of you this, if at your job you didnt get rewards that you deserve and someone else offered you opportunity, even if it was an enemy at one time, but the (Rewards being money and a chance to win a championship) would you leave or not to go with that company ??? We all know Jr. will never have to worry about money, but we all know also, Jr. wants to win a championship and not have to live in Sr. shadow.... Think im gonna get in line when the new #25 hats are out. lol.... Going Jr..... Ill still cheer for you, and all at Hendricks motor sports....
Well if Jr does go with Hendricks, is he going to drive the #5 or the #25?? Mear has the 25 now so logically it will be the 5 theoretically speaking.
If this does happen, I do think Jr. will be a square peg fitting in a round hole at Hendricks.. I just do not see the chemistry working out with Jeff and Jimmie.. More like sparks to my thinking..
In all actuality, I am thinking Ginn racing is where Jr. will sign up with. Seems like a better fit and he will be the top gun there as a full timer..That is my prediction and I ain't sticking by it..
Huzzah, someone agrees with me about Ginn! Thank you for making my day, photo...work has been dead slow today since hardly anyone is in. Leaves me more time to read the news though I guess.
Jr. going to Hendricks is just a red herring.. I think it is Ginn or Petty Racing.. Kyle is getting out of #45 on a full time basis so that would be a good fit..( Just kidding on Petty Racing)..
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