Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be in the No. 88 Chevrolet when he moves to Hendrick Motorsports next season, the team announced Wednesday. Earnhardt’s car will be sponsored by Pepsi, with the company’s Mountain Dew soft drink and Amp Energy drink featured on the car. The National Guard will also be involved in the sponsorship. The No. 88 was retired by Robert Yates Racing, which asked NASCAR to transfer the number to Hendrick for Earnhardt.
“Ralph Earnhardt drove the No. 88 Oldsmobile in 1957 and because of this number’s history with the Earnhardt family, I felt car No. 88 should continue with Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” Robert Yates said in a statement. “Younger fans don’t realize I built cars and raced against Ralph. I also had a very close relationship with Dale Earnhardt Sr. I’m proud to transfer this number to Dale Jr.”
It is being reported that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No 88 next season. As for sponsorship, his Chevrolets will carry two different paint scemes. The first car is white from the nose back to just past the door, then green with the Mountain Dew logos. The second Chevrolet is white with blue and has National Guard decals with the No. 88 in red, both have AMP energy drink logos on them.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., of course, is moving from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick Motorsports next year, and the final pieces of that puzzle will come together in Dallas, Texas. The Hendrick team has schedule a news conference on Wednesday to announce Earnhardt Jr.’s primary sponsor and to reveal the car number and paint scheme. Why Dallas? ESPN.com reported Thursday that there is a major meeting of Pepsi Cola Company executives there on Wednesday. That would jibe with sources who have told the Observer that Pepsi-owned Mountain Dew and Amp, an energy drink affiliated with the Mountain Dew brand, will be featured on Earnhardt Jr.’s cars.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. indicated that his current Dale Earnhardt Inc crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., could be going with him to Hendrick. “We don’t have any announcement yet, but Tony Jr. is working in that direction,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
A decision is supposed to be made this weekend on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s number and sponsor next year, but Earnhardt Jr. wouldn’t speculate Friday on specifics. Earnhardt Jr. said a decision is “real, real close,” and an announcement is a “couple weeks out.” Hendrick has applied for trademarks for five numbers: 38, 51, 58, 81 and 82. Earnhardt Jr. does have a couple of numbers he would like to use at Hendrick.
Doug Yates confirmed his team has been approached by a representative of Hendrick Motorsports about securing the No. 38 for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next year, but if Yates gets his way, there will be no such transfer. Earnhardt recently was denied the opportunity to take the No. 8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick and now is considering other number options. The No. 38 currently is being used by David Gilliland. “Dale Jr., since he can’t have what he wants, he might want the 38,” said Yates, president Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. “They’re asking for the 38, and the 38 and 88 are our numbers. It’s almost a little strange. It’s like somebody asking if they can take your girlfriend or your wife out. We feel we’re going to have the 38 and 88 [next year].”
SPEED’s Bob Dilner reported that Robert Yates Racing has asked NASCAR if they could transfer the No. 38 to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 for Dale Eanrhardt Jr. to use, the No. 3 in honor of his father. The late Dale Earnhardt who ran the No. 3 a few races in 1981 and then from 1984 until the 2001 Daytona 500 and won 6 of his 7 championships using No. 3. No word what number David Gilliland would switch to, but RYR still has the license on the No. 28, last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd and has used the No. 90 in the past.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. blames his step-mother Teresa Earnhardt, the owner of Dale Earnhardt Inc., for not allowing the No. 8 to move with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season. “She either feels too personal about the number, or the rift between me and her is too personal,” Earnhardt Jr. said Saturday. “I’m not going to sit here and get personal about this. It’s upsetting as hell and unfortunate, but that’s just what happens sometimes.” Earnhardt Jr. said negotiations broke down when Teresa asked for part of the licensing revenue, along with wanting the number back after he retired. “Just ridiculous kind of requests,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Continue reading DEI Asks To Much To Sell The No 8 To Hendrick
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be taking his familiar No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season. Although teams do not own numbers – they are leased through NASCAR – DEI had the first right of refusal on the No. 8, and Hendrick officials said Wednesday they were unable to reach an agreement that would have made DEI pass on choosing the number for 2008. Hendrick officials didn’t reveal what number Earnhardt will use when he starts his five-year deal with the team next season. His sponsor has also not been announced, but Hendrick officials said Budweiser will not be on his car.
Earnhardt is widely recognized with his red Bud car and number, so this turn of events will give him a fresh new look next season. But having to part with his grandfather’s number was difficult. “Our hope was to carry the No. 8 with Dale Jr. to his new team, but the last proposal Hendrick Motorsports received from DEI just wasn’t viable,” said Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, his sister and business manager. “It was a difficult decision, but all of us agreed that it was best to move in another direction,” she said. “There’s disappointment, of course, but we look forward to working with Hendrick Motorsports on what will be a great program for Dale Jr. and his fans in 2008.”
Hendrick Motorsports announced that long-term contractual commitments to existing sponsors will preclude Budweiser from continuing as primary sponsor of the car driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he joins the organization next season. No timetable has been established for an announcement.