Earnhardt Set to Disclose Future Plans

[obie7661]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a Chevrolet next season, that much he's made clear. Just who he'll be driving for may finally be answered. Earnhardt called a Thursday morning news conference amid speculation he would announce he's leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company founded by his late father and now run by his stepmother, Teresa....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-CAR-NASCAR-Earnhardt-Future.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[MTigers006]

Updates on this subject. There is also mention of RCR and Richard Childress.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/05/11/dearnhardtjr.future.archive/index.html

[obie7661]

NASCAR Confiscates Earnhardt Car Parts

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-CAR-NASCAR-Earnhardt.html

[obie7661]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/sports/othersports/13nascar.html

[longtimefirsttime]

He's in a great position to pick the situation that's best for him. DEI can spin it anyway they want. But most of the sponsors are going to try to follow Dale. Truex and Menard are OK drivers but don't have sponsors (other than Menard's for obvious reasons) clamoring for their services.

[obie7661]

Earnhardt Docked 100 Points; Crew Chief Fined, Suspended

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051502223.html

[longtimefirsttime]

There's no room for Earnhardt at Hendrick.
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2876374

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Not so fast my freind!

It looks like it's going to be Hendrick and it may very well be in the #5 car of Kyle Busch!

[Mass6]

Once they came out and said there was no room, that should have raised eyebrows. I personally don't think that will work with all those ego's on one team (ie Gordon, Johnson, and Earnhardt), plus he got in the 5 car after being wrecked by it at Texas. I personally would like to see him at RCR, but looks like that won't happen. Oh well, better equipment then form my boy Harvick!!!!!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I think I get what you're saying!

[longtimefirsttime]

Don't count out Richard Childress Racing. They have a long history with his father and own his father's number.

Job Gibbs Racing would be a good fit but Gibbs is a very religious man and has said he has strong reservations against Budweiser being a sponsor.

I could also see Earnhardt signing with Ginn Racing. While on the surface it seems like a longshot, it may not be. They already have engines provided by Hendrick. With the ownership restrictions they could become an "unofficial, wink, wink" subsidiary of Hendrick, complete with all of the resources Junior would need.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

If Gibbs wanted him bad enough he could put him in a Sharps or O'Douls sponsored car! :laughing:

[The Butler]

In Jayski's latest update, he is saying multiple sources have Jr. and Kyle Busch swapping rides for next season.

Note: He also had several sources say that Dale Jr. was going to run his JRM team in the Cup Series.

[Mass6]

ESPN.com has stated that Jr. will be joining Hendrick MotorSports next year,
:doh:

We'll see what happens with these three on a team, and how are the Jr fans who continuously throw things everytime Gordon beats Jr gonna live with them as teammates???

[longtimefirsttime]

Wow. Earnhardt and Gordon in the same stable. Never say never I guess.

[Spize]

Sounds like it is a done deal. I still won't like Gordon.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Kyle Busch in the #8 with Bud makes sense. He wrecks alot and looks like he's been drinking when he's on the track.
On a more serious note, if he and Truex Jr. are with DEI next year it will give DEI two of the better young drivers in NASCAR.

[Mass6]

Sounds like it is a done deal. I still won't like Gordon.

I'm with you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Attack From Mars]

RCR would have been great. I feel that Hendrick is killing the sport. I guess NASCAR is letting it happen but the 4 car teams and owners points are killing it. I can barely watch races anymore. You know how they are going to end. Hendrick has won 10 out of 14 races. :zzz: