I suppose most of the die hards have heard but Junior has announced that he will be racing for Hendrick Motor Sports next year. I don't really care as I am not a die hard Junior fan. I like him but thats about it. I do not like Gordon or Johnson. I think that will be the most interesting part of this story is how those Junior Nation people who absolutely hate Gordon and Johnson will handle this. It sounds like he will be driving with Kyle Bush's team.
Who do you think will take over the # 8 team at DEI??
This will be the story of the story of the year for Nascar.
I think it is safe to assume that Hendrick will dominate financially any and all teams with Junior, Jeff and Johnson.$$$$$$$$$

Hendrick already has the maximum of the 4 teams allowed. Someone has to go. Kyle Busch will no longer be part of the team. Story here. (http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/13/dearnhardtjr.announcement/index.html) He will be released early from his contract. I think that he'll end up at DEI.

Hendrick already has the maximum of the 4 teams allowed. Someone has to go. Kyle Busch will no longer be part of the team. Story here. (http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/13/dearnhardtjr.announcement/index.html) He will be released early from his contract. I think that he'll end up at DEI.[/b]
toyo teams are calling him.

I did hear on one of the shows that Jr wants to be in a Chevy... It appears he will be. What is going to be strange is the fact he will be in a different #'d car. All the people who have the # 8 on thier cars, trucks, might have to change it to a 5 now? Bud will remain his sponser is this correct?

Hendrick definetly has the $ coming in now. Wow.. big news indeed !

Snow4

Nothing is definate on car # or sponsorship of Jr. He said in the press confrence this morning that he wants to talk to Theresa about taking the 8 with him. Bud used to sponsor the 25 so could Jr go to the 25 and Mears in the 5? Its not definate that Bud is coming with him either, but I imagine they will.

As far as Kyle Busch, probably DEI, but like dooman said, I could see Toyota wanting him bad and they will spend the money to get him. Rumor last week was that Dale Jarrett maybe out. Could Kyle go there?

I am surprised to see Kyle leaving & JR going to Hendrick. I wanted to see him go to RCR. I am glad to see he is driving a chevy & don't care where he goes.

toyo teams are calling him.[/b]

Let's hope that he's smarter than that and that he doesn't let the big money from Toyo lure him. I like Kyle. I little rambunctious yet, but he is a good driver....sometimes. :lookaround:

It used to be that Mr Hendrick owned the #24, #25 and #26 cars and his wife owned #48 (half with Gordon) and Busch's car, thus getting around the rule. I work closely with Haas CNC and they sponsor Hendrick and give them CNC machines to use, and we used to take customers there when I lived in Charlotte. This is how they organized it then at least.

One thing's for sure, and this isn't a slam, I am a big #8 fan, is that if Jr. doesnt win now, what will be next? I know DEI has been hurting for power and money, but if Jr doesnt win quick it will be a hard hurdle for fans to overcome.

I agree SW Tech Editor. Dale Jr will have no excuse when he does not win his share of the races with the best equipment in the garage. It could take him some time to 'bond' with his new crew chief though. I'd also be surprised if Nascar does not allow him to take the 8 with him in exchange for the 5. Nascar gets a small percentage of each item sold at the drivers store and the 8 items have been the hottest items.

We will know a lot more after a few races next year but Dale Jr. is in one of the best groups in the garage.

His performance on the track will tell the tale. Let's go racing boys.

My 2 cents.

I'd also be surprised if Nascar does not allow him to take the 8 with him in exchange for the 5.[/b]


I'm not 100% sure, but I really don't believe that NASCAR has anything to do with whether or not JR can take the #8 with him. I believe that it's up to the stepmom and DEI.

I'm gonna smile when Kyle or someone else starts winning in the #8 car.

One thing's for sure, and this isn't a slam, I am a big #8 fan, if Jr doesnt win quick it will be a hard hurdle for fans to overcome.[/b]
I don't understand this......If someone is a "fan" then wouldn't they remain a fan win or lose? Just my opinion, but I'm a matt Kenseth fan win or lose.

Snow4

I'm not 100% sure, but I really don't believe that NASCAR has anything to do with whether or not JR can take the #8 with him. I believe that it's up to the stepmom and DEI.

I'm gonna smile when Kyle or someone else starts winning in the #8 car.[/b]

Ya, I am pretty sure its the owners that own the numbers, not NASCAR. Jr said in the press confrence that he would have to talk to Theresa about the number.

I don't understand this......If someone is a "fan" then wouldn't they remain a fan win or lose? Just my opinion, but I'm a matt Kenseth fan win or lose.

Snow4[/b]


Fans do get restless.

When Dale Sr. ran any Busch races he used the #8. In Cup before Jr. came along, I only recall Bobby Hillin racing the #8 (long before DEI).

If you go to the Hendrick website, they have a transcript of the press conference. They had it on the CCTV @ work, so I was able to catch the 1st 15 or so minutes.

Nothing mentioned about Kyle's vanishing act in Texas & Jr. subbing for him, just that contract extension talks were going nowhere.

It would seem strange to see the 5 on a non-Hendrick car as that was Rick's 1st entry into the sport. That was about the same time I started following the Cup Series, so I can't tell you who used it before.

If Jr. doesn't do any ads "palling around" w/ Wonderboy, the Junior Nation might be able to handle him driving for Hendrick.

Also discussed was the possibilty of the drivers running 1-2-3 @ Daytona. What would he tell the drivers. He said, run each other, but don't wreck. I guess he's seen several scenarios like that unfold. A 1-2-3 finish a few years ago. Vickers taking Jimmie & Jr. out @ Talledega last year & back when Hendrick only had 2 teams, they were running 1-2 near the finish @ a short track (North Wilkeboro or Martinsville I think) & wrecked. If any one knows who the drivers were, post them. After that happened, it's been common knowledge that the drivers know what they're to do. I guess Vickers missed out on that.

Fans do get restless.[/b]This must be when they throw toilet paper rolls and can's ect out onto the track such as talladega? lol Or, maybe it's because Gordon won[attachment=36918:post_203...71364634.gif]........They will have to get used to the fact they are teammates now.

Snow4

I guy in the know told me today that the numbers are similar to renting a house. Nascar actually owns the # 8 but DEI rents it from them and has a contract for that number. If Jr. wanted to take it to Hendrick he would more then likely have to pay DEi for the number. In the end if Nascar wanted to they could do what they want. Kinda like renting an apartment. Technically you live in it and have the say so but with some legal work the owner can get it back from you.
Thats how it was described to me.

Dale Jr. in the Pepsi #5 Hendrick Chevy next year, at least that's my latest rumor of the day.