NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
Past 2008 News
Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates winning the first Gatorade Duel 150 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo Courtesy of Genesco Sports Enterprises
Daytona 500
Ninth Place Finish: #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. led 12 laps on the day and finished the 50th Daytona 500 in 9th place.(2-17-2008)
Daytona 500 Happy Hour: #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished the final practice session for the Daytona 500 37th fastest with a speed of 187.091mph. Complete speeds are posted on the Daytona 500 Practice Speeds page.(2-16-2008)
Friday Practice: Earnhardt Jr. was second fastest in Friday's only practice session. His top speed was 189.825mph. Complete speeds are posted on the Daytona 500 Practice Speeds page.(2-15-2008)
Earnhardt 2 for 2 at Daytona: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. led 26 laps in the first Gatorade Duel race to pick up his second win this week at Daytona. He will start the Daytona 500 from the 3rd position. See the complete starting lineup on the Daytona 500 Starting Lineup page.(2-14-2008)
Wednesday Practice: #88-Earnhardt Jr. lost and engine midway thru the 2nd Wed practice at Daytona International Speedway and the team will change engines. He finished the session 32nd fastest, with a top speed of 187.582mph. See complete speeds on the Daytona 500 Practice Speeds page.(2-13-2008)
Daytona 500 Qualifying: Dale Earnhardt Jr had the 15th fastest time in Daytona 500 Qualifying. His top speed was 185.659mph. He will start the first Gatorade duel Thursday from the 5th position.(2-10-2008)
Daytona 500 Practice 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 8th fastest in the second session with a speed of 185.659mph(2-9-2008)
Daytona 500 Practice 1: The first practice for the Daytona 500 is over and the #88 AMP Energy Drink Chevy was 8th fastest in the session with a speed of 185.621mph.(2-9-2008)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates in Victory Lane after winning his first race with Hendrick Motorsports. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR)
Bud Shootout
Earnhardt Jr. wins Bud Shootout: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the 2008 Budweiser Shootout in his first race with Hendrick Motorsports, dominating the race and leading 47 or 70 laps to win the race for pole sitters. #20-Stewart followed in 2nd and led 9 laps [2nd most], with #48-Johnson third in a backup car, 4th was #24-Gordon and fifth was #41-Sorenson. Earnhardt Jr. also won the 20 lap first segment. There were 17 lead changes with 8 different leaders and 4 cautions for 15 laps. See my 2008 Budweiser Shootout page, for results, lineup, news, streaks, all time pole leaders, 2007 pole sitters and more. Comment here (2-9-2008)
Final Bud Shootout Practice: Earnhardt, Jr. was 21st fastest in the final practice session with a speed of 188.119mph.(2-8-2008)
First Bud Shootout Practice: #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was 18th fastest in the first Bud Shootout practice. His top speed was 188.612mph.(2-8-2008)
Bud Shootout Starting Lineup: #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will start the Bud Shootout Saturday night from the 7th position. The complete lineup is posted on the Bud Shootout page.(2-7-2008)
Sports Illustrated cover to feature Earnhardt Jr.: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine's Feb. 18 issue, which is set to hit news stands this week.
Shot by photographer Michael J. LeBrecht II, the cover depicts a relaxed Earnhardt on the hood of his #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevy with the headline "Time to Win? Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has a New Car."
The cover story, penned by writer Lars Anderson and entitled "Fired Up," details Earnhardt's journey to Hendrick Motorsports and his relationship with team owner Rick Hendrick.
Earnhardt will kick off his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with Hendrick Motorsports in Sunday's Daytona 500 (2 p.m. ET on FOX).
For more information on Sports Illustrated magazine, visit www.SI.com.
Photo credit: Michael J. LeBrecht II/1Deuce3 Photography.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-13-2008)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. To Appear Live From Daytona On QVC 'For Race Fans Only' Broadcast:
Who: DALE EARNHARDT JR., Sprint Cup driver of the #88 AMP/National Guard Chevy.
What: For Race Fans Only broadcast featuring officially licensed NASCAR merchandise, including NEW 2008 NASCAR Driver Sprint Cup Series 1:24 Scale Die-Cast Cars; NEW 2008 NASCAR Driver Sprint Cup Series Big Face and Number Graphic T-Shirts; Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2008 AMP 1:24 Scale Die-Cast Cars; and Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2008 National Guard 1:24 Scale Platinum and Gold Die-Cast Cars.
In addition to the For Race Fans Only show, QVC will offer a special NASCAR-themed item on February 15. The special offer will kick off at midnight (ET), and will be good for February 15, 2008 until 11:59 PM (ET).
When: Friday, February 15, 2008, 8 PM – 10 PM (ET)
Where: On QVC, Live from Daytona, Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Details: Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to appear live on QVC For Race Fans Only with QVC on-air host and NASCAR enthusiast Dan Hughes, live from Daytona. NASCAR fans are encouraged to tune in to QVC to enjoy the show.(QVC PR)(2-8-2008)
Las Vegas to Offer Promotion with Dale Jr. UPDATE: On Thursday, February 7th, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will announce one of the most unique promotions in motorsports history. The promotion will involve Dale Earnhardt Jr. Race fans also are being sent flyers and emails to count down to this announcement.(LVMS PR)(2-5-2008) UPDATE: LVMS race fans pinning their hopes on a Dale Jr. title run
LAS VEGAS – What would a Sprint Cup Series championship by Dale Earnhardt Jr. mean to race fans?
Answer: For 8,888 fans who participate in a unique promotion offered by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it would mean free tickets to the spring 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at LVMS.
In one of the most extraordinary promotions in sports history, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is offering free tickets to thousands of race fans should Dale Earnhardt Jr. power his #88 Chevy to the 2008 Sprint Cup title.
The promotion, known as Dale Jr.’s South Point Jackpot, is sponsored by the South Point Hotel of Las Vegas. Fans can renew their weekend race tickets for 2009 – and be included in the promotion – Wednesday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 17. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entries for the promotion will end at the scheduled start of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17 (12:30 p.m. PST)
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been the most popular driver in NASCAR for the past five years, and we’re excited to give race fans a stake in his quest for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup championship,” said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager. “This promotion is unprecedented in our sport. We’ve bought the best insurance policy available, so if Dale Jr. is fortunate enough to win the title, we’ll be ecstatic for all the fans who receive free tickets to our spring 2009 event.”
Said South Point Hotel owner Michael Gaughan: “The South Point has become synonymous with NASCAR, and we’re thrilled to be a part of Dale Jr.’s South Point Jackpot. Our family has been involved in racing for many years, and we have a very strong relationship with Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the entire racing community.
Thousands of race fans stay at the South Point during NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas, so we’re excited about the fans’ opportunities to take advantage of this creative promotion. We wish the best of luck to Dale Jr. and his legions of followers.”
Individual ticket-holders will have five days next week (Feb. 13-17) to renew their Weekend Package tickets for the spring 2009 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS. The people renewing the first 8,888 tickets – reflecting Earnhardt Jr.’s car #88 – will be refunded the entire ticket amount for next spring’s Sprint Cup event on Sunday of NASCAR Weekend – if Dale Jr. wins the 2008 Sprint Cup championship. As long as the number has not exceeded 8,888, the speedway will continue renewals until the scheduled start of the Daytona 500. The only way to participate in Dale Jr.’s South Point Jackpot is to call the LVMS Ticket Services department at 1-800-644-4444 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 13-16 and 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 17. (All times PST.)
Tickets for the 2008 NASCAR Weekend, as well as credentials for the fan-interactive Neon Garage, are still available. Race fans can call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.
Q&A with Las Vegas Motor Speedway General Manager Chris Powell
Question: What was the motivation behind this promotion known as Dale Jr.’s South Point Jackpot?
Answer: We’re always looking for ways to make racing more exciting for the fans. There is a tremendous amount of attention and anticipation surrounding Dale Jr.’s move to Hendrick Motorsports, and this allows our race fans to share in his quest for his first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.
Q: Given the cost involved with refunding ticket revenues, are you rooting against Dale Jr. this year?
A: Absolutely not. We’ve purchased an insurance policy that will cover every dime that we would pay out. So if Dale Jr. is fortunate enough to win his first Sprint Cup championship, we’ll be ecstatic for the race fans who’ll have the cost of their tickets refunded.
Q: Why did you pick Dale Jr.?
A: He’s been NASCAR’s most popular driver for the past five years, and I believe his popularity transcends NASCAR and motorsports. Combine his popularity with his switch to a new race team, and he’s the logical choice. Imagine the excitement if Dale Jr. makes the Chase for the Sprint Cup this year as 8,888 ticketholders sit on the edge of their seats hoping he wins the title.
Q: What about the ticketholders who don’t participate? Can they still renew their tickets in the same seats.
A: Absolutely. All Weekend Package holders are eligible to renew their same seats regardless of whether they participate in the promotion.
Q: What’s the role of the South Point Hotel?
A: There is no greater supporter of motorsports in the Las Vegas community than Michael Gaughan, owner of the South Point Hotel. As soon as we mentioned this promotion to Michael, he was captivated by it. Michael’s from “old-school Las Vegas.” He still works in the sports book on Super Bowl Sundays. He knows a fun wager when he sees one. And he immediately agreed for the South Point to become the sponsor. It’s not a coincidence that NASCAR fans flock to the South Point when they’re in town for our NASCAR Weekend.
Q: How does this promotion benefit Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
A: First off, we want it to benefit our returning ticketholders. We also want to entice people to purchase the few tickets that we have remaining for our NASCAR Weekend in three weeks. And I’m confident that Dale Jr.’s South Point Jackpot will help build goodwill with the race fans who participate, and it should draw the attention of anyone who follows Dale Jr.’s progress throughout the year. So this promotion benefits our speedway as well as NASCAR and its fans.
(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(2-7-2008)
The Special 2008 Speedweeks coverage per his sponsor AMP
Dale Earnhardt Jr guest at Phillip Island [Australia]: America's biggest motor sport star, Dale Earnhardt Jr, was the guest of honour at Phillip Island [Sunday]. Earnhardt is the most popular driver in NASCAR racing and earns more money than the entire V8 Supercar field combined. But unlike the media circus that surrounded David Beckham's recent visit to Australia, Earnhardt was able to slip under the radar. The only people clamouring to meet the racing celebrity were the V8 Supercar drivers and team managers as he walked down pit lane. The American had a close look at the cars and was impressed with the technology and craftsmanship. "I didn't anticipate the cars to have so much preparation because they race them so hard," Earnhardt said. Having just signed a multi-million dollar deal with NASCAR's leading team, Hendrick Motorsport, Earnhardt is highly unlikely to quit any time soon but admitted he would like to try his hand at V8 Supercars. "In a perfect world, I would come and race in the V8 series for a year and I would enjoy it," he said.(Herald Sun [Australia])(12-3-2007)
Hendrick Motorsports Atlanta COT Test Plans: Although Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will test with their 2008 teams at Atlanta, they will not drive cars branded with their 2008 numbers. Mears, who will drive the #5 Chevy next season, will run his customary # 25 National Guard/GMAC paint scheme during the two-day session. Earnhardt, who is slated for the #88 Chevy in 2008, will test a #5 car at Atlanta. To commemorate his first laps with Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt will sport a "throwback" #5 All-Star Racing Chevy during next week's Atlanta test. Earnhardt's Impala SS will feature a red and white paint scheme identical to the first car campaigned by team owner Rick Hendrick in Cup-level competition. Then known as "All-Star Racing," Hendrick Motorsports fielded the car with driver Geoff Bodine in 1984. The #24 and #48 teams of Hendrick Motorsports will not attend next week's Atlanta test.(Hendrick PR)(10-27-2007)
Earnhardt Jr. Launches The Dale Jr. Foundation: Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced the launch of The Dale Jr. Foundation Tuesday night at the eighth annual Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction. His newly-formed charitable organization is dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals, primarily youth, the resources to improve confidence, education and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. "My path in life made it a bit easier for me to reach my goals and get to where I am today, but I realize that not everyone is as fortunate," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I've had the opportunity to meet some really cool kids through the Make-A-Wish Foundation the last few years, and it's made me appreciative of all that I have. I decided to start this foundation as a way to help those who haven't had some of the opportunities I've had. We plan to help those in need who are trying to reach their goals and just need someone to give them a chance to succeed." The Dale Jr. Foundation will continue to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will also aid the Victory Junction Gang Camp, with the Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction serving as the annual fundraising event for the foundation.(JR Motorsports PR)(10-26-2007)
Another Episode of MTV Cribs with Dale Jr. Filmed: Six years after the first episode aired, MTV video crews were back near Mooresville, NC Thursday to tape another episode of CRIBS with Dale Jr. It's the last major media appearance for Junior as a part of the Budweiser family (even though it will air sometime early next year). This time it's an all-new ball game as MTV has the first exclusive look at Junior's Whisky River western town, the multiple karting tracks, the golf course, numerous priceless automobiles, the vintage gas station, the pool/jacuzzi/slice of tropical paradise and... oh yeah... his house.(fingerprint inc./Budweiser PR)(10-26-2007)
Earnhardt Jr. & Busch will test with new teams at Atlanta: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch will be allowed to test with their new teams at a car of tomorrow test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 29-30. A Hendrick Motorsports spokesman confirmed Saturday that plans have been finalized to allow Earnhardt Jr. to drive one of that team's Chevys in the test following next weekend's Cup race at the Atlanta track.(Thats Racin)(10-21-2007)
New Dale Jr. show on ESPN? hearing that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is working on a deal with ESPN to telecast a mini-series following Dale Jr as he makes the transition to Hendrick Motorsports from now up to the Daytona 500, which Jr's people have already started taping meetings, all kinds of behind the scenes situations. No word on an air date.(10-16-2007)
Latest on Dale Jr. testing for Hendrick: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to test a car for Hendrick Motorsports at the upcoming Atlanta car of tomorrow test, but said he would only do so if Dale Earnhardt Inc. allowed it. DEI's answer? Go ahead. "We're talking about it and we don't necessarily have a problem with it," DEI vice president John Story said. "We recognize that Dale Jr. and Tony [Eury] Jr. both need to get going with their new program and we're not going to stand in their way." DEI had already planned to put Regan Smith in the #8 car during the two-day Atlanta test, which will take place in the two days following the Nextel Cup race at the track. Tony Gibson will be the crew chief at the test for DEI, as Eury will already have left for Hendrick. "It would be positive for everybody," Story said. "It would give Regan a chance to work with our team and give Tony Jr. and Dale Jr. an opportunity to go work with their new guys. In the spirit of cooperation, I don't think there's anything wrong with that."(SceneDaily.com)(9-24-2007)
About car numbers and #28 back at Yates? A common misconception in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing is that the teams own their numbers and can trade them freely among each other. In fact, NASCAR owns each and every number in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series and licenses them to the teams on an annual basis. That’s the formal policy. Informally, NASCAR has on occasion permitted the exchange of number between teams, which was the case when Robert Yates Racing agreed to forego its right to the #88 so that Dale Earnhardt Jr. could use the number in 2008 when he moves to Hendrick Motorsports. RYR agreed to give the number up and Hendrick went to NASCAR for approval of moving the #88 to Earnhardt’s car. But the transfer wouldn’t have happened without the OK from the Yates organization, which next year will campaign #28 in the Nextel Cup Series for Travis Kvapil and #38 for David Gilliland. The deal to move the #88 to Hendrick was negotiated between Robert Yates and Earnhardt’s sister and business manager, Kelley Elledge Earnhardt.(Ford Racing)(9-22-2007)
McGrath leaves JR Motorsports: JR Motorsports development driver Jeremy McGrath has left the team and has joined a Late Model team on the West Coast, closer to his home. JR Motorsports Vice President of Competition Steve Crisp confirmed Friday the departure of the motorcycle supercross star. "He's got a little girl, and he's got another on the way," Crisp said. "Looking at what he's done, he's had a full career, a very successful career - and a career that's every bit as taxing as a Nextel Cup driver. He traveled all the time, had to go all over the world. He wanted to drive a stock car, but he didn't want to get into the traveling. "And he didn't want to relocate his family. Looking at those two components, that mean he probably needed to do it on the West Coast." McGrath, who lives in the San Diego area, has Monster Energy Drink as one of his sponsors, and that would have been an apparent conflict with JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s deal with Mountain Dew Amp Energy beverage.(SceneDaily.com)(9-22-2007)
Eury Jr. to leave DEI after Talladega: Tony Eury Jr. will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports earlier than expected, team officials confirmed on Thursday. Eury, who has been Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car or crew chief for all but one season since the two broke into the Nextel Cup Series in 2000, will step down after the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway. He will be allowed to take four members of Earnhardt's #8 team with him under a deal made by DEI when it agreed to free him contractually to join Earnhardt at HMS in 2008. DEI vice president John Story said he met with Eury's crew this week and only one person has mentioned leaving thus far. Eury and Earnhardt could work together for HMS as early as the Car of Tomorrow test at Atlanta Motor Speedway following the Oct. 28 race. Tony Gibson, who replaced Eury during Eury's six-race suspension earlier this year, will complete the season with Earnhardt Jr. Mark Martin will step into Earnhardt's #8 next year, bringing crew chief Ryan Pemberton and his entire crew with him from the #01 team. Gibson is a candidate to move to the #01 car that will be driven by Regan Smith. "Tony Gibson needs an opportunity to get his team together,'' said Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(9-20-2007)
Dale Jr. to run up to seven Busch races in 2008: Dale Earnhardt Jr. likely will run seven Busch Series races next season. Which races he runs in the #5 car is still to be determined, said his sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, general manager for JR Motorsports. "It will be around seven or so," Earnhardt Elledge said Wednesday. "We haven't identified where exactly and we haven't identified all of the sponsor partners." The team has not yet named a driver for the #88 [Busch Series] car, where Brad Keselowski is finishing out the season and is a candidate to remain there for next year. The drivers of the #5 car will likely come from the Hendrick Motorsports stable. The two teams are merging their Busch operations.(SceneDaily.com)(9-20-2007)
Hendrick may try to test Dale Jr at Atlanta: Rick Hendrick said he might try to get Earnhardt into a Hendrick Car of Tomorrow during testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway next month, a week before the Nextel Cup series returns to Texas Motor Speedway. Hendrick said he's considering talking to other car owners to see if they'd be willing to swap some drivers so teams could get a head start on next season. "Car owners do work together, so we'll see if that's a possibility," Hendrick said. "But we don't have anything planned at this time."(Dallas Morning News)(9-20-2007)
Mountain Dew AMP Energy & the National Guard to Sponsor Earnhardt Jr.: Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the Army National Guard will sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the popular stock-car driver joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series campaign, it was announced Wednesday at the Dallas Convention Center. Earnhardt, who helped design his two primary paint schemes and red car-number graphic, will drive the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolets next season. The cars will see racing action for the first time in February during season-opening Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. "To be able to announce our new sponsorship partners, car number and paint schemes for 2008 is a big relief for me, and I know it is for my fans as well," said Earnhardt, 32, winner of 17 Cup-level races and two NASCAR Busch Series championships. "This year has been full of major decisions and changes, and I'm really happy with the outcome. We are aligned with powerful brands, Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the National Guard, each with traits that everybody can identify with. And we are racing with a number that's very relevant to me, the #88. It's hard not to already be excited for the 2008 season."
Pepsi-Cola North America, the maker of Mountain Dew AMP Energy, has been involved in racing since NASCAR introduced its premier division, now known as the Nextel Cup Series, in 1949. Mountain Dew was the lead sponsor on Darrell Waltrip's championship-winning Cup entries in 1981 and 1982. The Mountain Dew AMP Energy sponsorship will provide opportunities for driver-branded products and prominently feature Earnhardt's image in television, radio, print and online advertising, along with at-track activation and in-store marketing. Mountain Dew AMP Energy is charged with an energizing blend of B-vitamins, taurine, caffeine, ginseng and guarana geared to help keep consumers focused and in control.
"Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most popular athletes in the world and his talent is as big as his following," said Dawn Hudson, president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America. "Mountain Dew's racing heritage runs deep and in many ways it is the original energy drink. AMP is the next evolution of Dew and now it's entering a new exciting chapter with Dale. We couldn't be more thrilled to be partnering with Dale, Hendrick Motorsports and the National Guard. We look forward to joining them in victory lane."
The oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard has a longstanding dual mission: to provide the states with units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while serving the nation with units ready to defend the country and its interests around the world. An active NASCAR sponsor for more than five years, the National Guard's racing initiative focuses on three primary areas: recruiting, retention and branding. The Guard also leverages its program by honoring exceptional soldiers through NASCAR-focused recognition programs. "Dale Jr. is the real deal," said Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director, Army National Guard. "He is authentic, talented and focused on victory, which mirrors what America's National Guard Soldier is all about. Every mission, every time America calls on us, whether at home or abroad, victory is the only goal that matters. We are proud to be partnered with PepsiCo, a great American company that has done so much for the Soldiers of the National Guard, and Rick Hendrick, a NASCAR icon who knows how to win. It is an honor to be a part of one of the greatest teams in the greatest sport in America."
Both sponsors of the #88 Chevrolets are established Hendrick Motorsports partners, as 2008 will mark PepsiCo's 12th season with the organization and the National Guard's second.
"Having a pair of sponsors like Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the National Guard supporting the #88 team is just unbelievable," said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who has scored a NASCAR-best 161 Cup-level victories since 1984. "It's a fantastic combination that fits Dale Jr.'s personality and will allow him to be successful at Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. We have terrific sponsors, talented people and sharp-looking cars, so we think Dale Jr.'s fans can really get excited about the future. Now that we've got everything set for 2008, there's a lot to look forward to." With 65 wins and 52 poles since 1949, cars carrying the #88 have started 1,264 Cup-level events with multiple drivers, including Earnhardt's legendary grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt. The number is currently campaigned by Yates Racing, which has released it for the 2008 season.(Hendrick Motorsports PR) Added a bunch of images of the cars on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(9-19-2007)
Numbers Game: History of the '88' in NASCAR: It was announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolets in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, giving him a storied car number for his transition to Hendrick Motorsports. Some history behind the #88 in NASCAR's top series:
FAMILY TIES: Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s grandfather, drove a #88 Petty Enterprises "Oldsmobile 88" in the 1957 Virginia 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The elder Earnhardt started ninth and finished 13th in the May 19 Grand National division race won by Buck Baker. Ralph Earnhardt also piloted the #188 entries for Petty in seven events that season, posting three top-10 results and six top-15s.
'88' DEBUTS: On Sept. 11, 1949 at Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway, driver Pepper Cunningham started 15th and drove his #88 car, a 1949 Lincoln, to a 33rd-place finish in the Strictly Stock event. Won by Curtis Turner, the race marked the first time a #88 was entered in NASCAR competition.
ALL-STAR ROSTER: The list of drivers who have piloted a #88 car in NASCAR Cup-level competition reads like an all-star race roster. Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Buck Baker, Buddy Baker, Geoffrey Bodine, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Benny Parsons, Jim Paschal, Fireball Roberts, Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip and Joe Weatherly have all taken turns wheeling it.
65 WINS... AND COUNTING: The #88 has been to Victory Lane 65 times since its first race in 1949, ranking it ninth among car numbers on the all-time win list. It is also 10th in all-time starts (1,264) and 12th in all-time pole positions (52).
WHAT'S IN A NUMBER: Along with its 65 Cup-level wins, the #88 has recorded 52 poles, 315 top-five finishes and 526 top-10s. It has led 18,398 laps and logged nearly 350,000 miles.
PAIR OF 88s: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports operation also uses the #88 on its Chevrolets in NASCAR Busch Series competition. In fact, the current driver of the #88 Busch Series entries, Brad Keselowski, also has family ties to the number. His uncle, Ron Keselowski, ran a #88 car on 43 occasions in 1971, 1972 and 1973 combined, recording a best finish of fifth at Michigan International Speedway on June 11, 1972.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-19-2007)
Dale Jr. in the #88 Mountain Dew/AMP Energy/National Guard Chevy in 2008: It was announced at a press conference in Dallas, TX, that Dale Earnhardt Jr., who announced in May he would leave the #8 DEI Chevy, then in June he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports, and Rick Hendrick announced Earnhardt Jr. would drive the #88 Chevy with sponsorship Mountain Dew / AMP Energy Drink / Army National Guard in 2008. Dale Jr. thanked Robert and Doug Yates for working with him to get the #88.(ESPNEWS/SPEED press conference coverage), will post the press releases, images and transcripts as they are available during the day. Added a bunch of images of the cars on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(9-19-2007)
#88 Retires with Robert Yates: Robert Yates confirmed today he is retiring the #88 from Robert Yates Racing (RYR) following the last race of the 2007 Nextel Cup season. He is requesting NASCAR transfer the number to Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for use in competition for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series. "Ralph Earnhardt drove the #88 Olds in 1957 and because of this number's history with the Earnhardt family; I felt car #88 should continue with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.," Yates said. "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. and let him know how much I appreciate the friendship and competitive racing I've always enjoyed with his family," Yates continued. Dale Jarrett began driving the #88 Ford Quality Care/Ford Credit Racing Ford in 1996 and promptly won the Daytona 500 in the team's first race. UPS assumed the role of primary sponsorship in 2001 with Ford Credit staying on as an associate sponsor. Jarrett had 29 victories and won, what was then, the Winston Cup championship in 1999. He also finished in the top 10 in points seven consecutive seasons from 1996 through 2002. Ricky Rudd assumed driving duties in 2007, with sponsorship from Snickers. Doug Yates announced two weeks ago, David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil will be the team's drivers in 2008 with sponsorship and car numbers to be announced.(Robert Yates Racing PR)(9-20-2007)
ESPNEWS, ESPN360.com To Have Live Coverage of Wednesday’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. Announcement: NASCAR fans will be able to watch live coverage of Wednesday’s media announcement by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on cable channel ESPNEWS and on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband service. Coverage from Dallas begins at 1:30pm/et. Full coverage and reaction to the Earnhardt announcement will be included in Wednesday night’s edition of NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information show, at 6:00pm/et.
Dale Jr.'s Sponsor and Car# to be announced Sept 19th UPDATE 2 TODAY: The official announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s primary sponsorship and car number for the 2008 NASCAR season will be announced Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 1:30pm/et in Dallas, TX. The event is not open to the public.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-13-2007) SO: the latest rumors have the sponsor being AMP Energy Drink, Mountain Dew and Army National Guard with the car number being #88 AND The announcement is coming in Dallas because PepisCo Inc. executives are having an annual conference there next week.(ESPN.com)(9-14-2007) UPDATE: Earnhardt is expected to announce Pepsi’s Amp energy drink as his new sponsor Wednesday; but Jeff Gordon hinted that it might be otherwise: “Have you tried the Jeff Gordon Energy Drink by Pepsi? There’s a huge investment there.”(Winston Salem Journal) AND SPEED will interrupt regular programming Wednesday afternoon at approximately 1:30pm/et to present a live press conference with Dale Earnhardt Jr. from Dallas. Anchored by SPEED's Steve Byrnes from the network's Charlotte studio, Earnhardt is expected to disclose additional information about his racing plans in 2008 with Hendrick Motorsports, including his sponsor and car number. At the conclusion of the press conference, SPEED will return to regular programming in progress.(9-18-2007) DW: and Darrell Waltrip will be in Dallas at the press conference and then the bottlers meeting tonight at Texas Stadium.(9-19-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Candy from Hershey: If you're a Dale Earnhardt fan and you like chocolate, you'll likely love the new "collector edition" Hershey bars that will hit the market in January. Hershey Co. unveiled four bars featuring different images of Earnhardt, two Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar designs, one Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar design and one Kit Kat wafer bar design. The images span the career of the seven-time NASCAR champion, including an image of the #3 Chevrolet with which Earnhardt won the 1998 Daytona 500. Also, the candy bars will feature a design that include Earnhardt's signature and the stylized #3. Hershey will invite consumers to make a donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation through an online charity event. The bars will be available in January at retail outlets nationwide, Hershey said. The promotion will run through May 2008.(SceneDaily)(9-19-2007)
More Earnhardt candy with Dale Jr.: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is bringing his heavy-hitting brand and high-profile name to the candy business, announcing the launch of his new candy bar, “Dale Jr.’s Big Mo’ ” through R.M. Palmer Company. Earnhardt Jr. introduced Big Mo’ to buyers and industry media today at the 2007 Candy Expo at McCormick Place. The name Big Mo’ is a play off Earnhardt Jr.’s hometown of Mooresville, NC., and the longtime moniker used for he and his closest friends, the Dirty Mo’ Posse. The milk chocolate candy bar will come in two flavors – creamy caramel and peanut butter. It is scheduled to hit stores nationwide in January 2008. Known for its seasonal novelty candies, R.M. Palmer Co. has been specializing in traditional holiday candies since 1948, but this is the first of its product line to be a milk chocolate everyday candy bar. To coincide the announcement of the Big Mo’ bar, R.M. Palmer Company is launching the “Big Mo’ment with Dale Jr.” sweepstakes [more info on my Contest Page](JR Motorpsorts PR)(9-19-2007)
What Dale Jr's cars will look like? been told the #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy's will look as follows:
One car is white from the nose back to just past the door, then green with the mountain dew logos
the other is white with blue and National Guard decals with the #88 is in red, both have AMP energy drink logos on them. No images, have had a few renderings from fans sent me, but I don't post those type images.(9-18-2007)
Drivers May Test with New Teams at Atlanta: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and J.J. Yeley both know they'll be with new teams next year, and both know where they're headed, but they can't escape their contracts until season's end. There's a possibility they could get a chance to at least test with their future teams in a few weeks, when there's an open trial at Atlanta, though a series of dominos would have to fall if that's to happen. Yeley hopes to test the #96 car that Tony Raines currently rides, which would allow his eventual replacement, Kyle Busch, to steer the Interstate Batteries Chevy, but in order for that to take place Earnhardt would have to be allowed to take Busch's seat in a Hendrick Motorsports machine. Whether that'll happen, however, remains in question. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. president Teresa Earnhardt has already said Regan Smith will test with Junior's current team at Atlanta, but hasn't yet released her stepson to test with Hendrick, so the whole equation may break down and leave the lame ducks with their soon-to-be defunct teams. "The biggest domino is if Teresa will let Dale Jr. go drive for Hendrick," Yeley said. "If that'll happen, I think you're going to see next year's lineup four months in advance, but that comes down to Teresa." (Concord Monitor)(9-16-2007)
Dale Jr. re-signs with Wrangler: As far as the Wrangler brand is concerned, whether or not to re-sign Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the 2008 season was not a difficult decision. Today, Dale Jr. confirmed the feeling was mutual by re-signing as an endorsee for the Wrangler brand. The denim icon will continue its tie-in with Earnhardt Jr. and follow him to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. For a fifth consecutive season, the Wrangler logo will once again proudly appear on his soon-to-be-announced car and race suit. "When a company like Wrangler acknowledges relationships and history, it really means something," said Dale Jr. "That's why they continue to be a really special sponsor for us. I'm proud to have them back and am looking forward to seeing that Wrangler logo on my car again next year." The Wrangler brand, the official jeans of Dale Earnhardt Jr., is long respected for comfortable, durable and affordable jeans, pants, shorts and shirts and is available at value-minded retailers nationwide. For more information visit www.wrangler.com.(VF/Wrangler PR)(9-15-2007)
No #25 for Jr. at Hendrick UPDATE: #88? Q) Will The Owner Points For The #5 And #25 Stay In Place Where They Are In 2008?
A) Rick Hendrick: "Yes, they'll stay like they are. Casey will move over to the #5 car and that's the only that will change there and the number will change on the #25."
Q) Do You Already Know What Number and Sponsor Dale Jr. will have and can you reveal it?
A) Rick Hendrick: "It's not going to be the #8. Nor the #25. And the sponsorship, hopefully in the next two weeks we'll be able to announce that and the number at the same time. We hope that's going to be probably something with the #8 [such as 81,58,82,38,28] in it but we really don't even have that locked in right now. That's a true story."(GM Racing PR)(9-8-2007) UPDATE: Hendrick said he'd like to find a number that includes an 8 for Earnhardt, and the team has applied for trademarks on the 28, 38, 51, 58, 81 and 82.(Associated Press), the #28 is new, seems an odd choice...but. AND on Sunday's LTN Hour radio show, Travis Kavapil, who was recently named to run the #88 Yates Racing Ford in 2008, said he didn't know what number the car would be, so that could free up the #88 for Dale Earnhardt Jr.(9-10-2007) UPDATE: Fans who liked watching Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #8 since he moved to the Nextel Cup series eight years ago will double their pleasure in 2008. Earnhardt will drive two stylized 8s next season for Hendrick Motorsports, sources told ESPN.com on Friday. Robert Yates Racing, sources said, has agreed to sell the #88 that Dale Jarrett drove to the 1999 championship.(ESPN.com)(9-14-2007)
Dale Jr. to open a nightclub: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to open Whisky River, a bar and live-music venue, in uptown's new EpiCentre development this December. "It's going to be a cool hangout," said Chris Epstein, a nightclub veteran in Charlotte who is partnering with Earnhardt, the majority owner. But don't expect Whisky River -- named for the bar at Earnhardt's house -- to look like a racing watering hole with NASCAR memorabilia strewn about. Rather, it will resemble a basement bar that anyone would enjoy hanging out in -- including Junior when he's in town, Epstein said. Think lots of wood and metal decorations, multiple TVs and a mechanical bull "with rides a bit rougher than those in a race car," according to a news release. As for food, think bar staples, such as chicken wings. "He really wants it to be a cool place he can take his friends and not be a shrine to anyone," said Epstein, who owned the former Liquid Lounge in Charlotte. He and Earnhardt worked with Charlotte's Bar Management Group, which operates Dixie's Tavern uptown and bars in 21 other cities, to land the EpiCentre location. Earnhardt, who has been sponsored by Budweiser, looked at other markets across the country and closer to home, including Mooresville, before choosing Charlotte. Unavailable Thursday for comment, Earnhardt said in a news release: "Charlotte is where I'm at the most and it's home." Whisky River will open in a 10,000-square-foot space facing East Trade Street across from the Bobcat Arena's main entrance. When asked how much Earnhardt was investing in the entertainment venture, spokesman John Rhodes left it at "a lot." Earnhardt and Epstein expect Whisky River to be popular with Charlotte residents looking for uptown entertainment as well as visitors, especially those checking out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, slated to open in 2010 at Stonewall and Caldwell streets.(Charlotte Observer)(9-7-2007)
Mears to the #5 in 2008; DaleJr to #25 team [new number]: Casey Mears will drive the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series, joining a team that secured its second consecutive Chase for the Championship berth Sunday at California Speedway. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, Mears has notched one victory, a pole position, four top-five finishes and six top-10s through 25 races. The Bakersfield, Calif., native will complete the current schedule in the organization's #25 Chevys before transitioning to the Kellogg's/CARQUEST team. The effort will be led by Alan Gustafson, 32, who has earned four wins, two poles, 25 top-five finishes and 45 top-10s since his first season as crew chief of the #5 Chevy in 2005. "My goal is to meet the high standard the drivers before me helped established with the #5 Chevrolet, both on and off the track," said the 29-year-old Mears. "I'm looking forward to working with Alan and the team to continue the winning tradition for Kellogg's, CARQUEST and Hendrick Motorsports." Since its inception in 1984, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team has posted 27 victories and 35 pole positions with just four different drivers -- Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Kyle Busch. It has finished among the top 12 in Cup points in 17 of the past 23 seasons (1984-2006), including a championship in 1996. "The #5 was our first car (at Hendrick Motorsports), so, for me, there's a lot of personal history in that team," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Casey has proven capable of winning and running up front, which is what the #5 has always been about. The goal is more victory lanes and championships for the team, and for Kellogg's and CARQUEST." The relationship between Kellogg Co. and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team is one of the most enduring in NASCAR. Kellogg's debuted as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevys in 1994 and has since earned a Cup Series title, 16 race wins, 89 top-five finishes and 170 top-10s.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
Eury Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008: When driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season, Tony Eury Jr. will be his crew chief. Eury, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief for the past two seasons, signed a multi-year agreement with the organization this week. "Tony Jr. and Dale have a successful history working together," Hendrick said. "They have trust in each other, which is the biggest part of the relationship between driver and crew chief. We have the utmost confidence in their ability to win races and compete for titles at Hendrick Motorsports." A Kannapolis, N.C., native, Eury will move to Hendrick Motorsports immediately following the current NASCAR season. He will continue the work of Darian Grubb, who will finish the 2007 schedule as crew chief of the #25 Chevrolets before moving into a senior competition role with Hendrick Motorsports. "Dale Jr. and I are both excited to continue working together," said Eury, 34, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief or car chief for the majority of the driver's NASCAR career. "With the resources we'll have at Hendrick Motorsports, it's an opportunity to consistently run up front and be in title contention every year. The goals are winning races and winning championships." Grubb, 31, who hails from Floyd, Va., will coordinate the at-track engineering efforts of the Earnhardt and Mears teams with emphasis on supporting Eury's transition to Hendrick Motorsports and Mears' switch to the #5 Cup Series program. The personnel moves will give Hendrick Motorsports additional depth with the Earnhardt and Mears teams. Grubb, who earned a championship as an engineer with the #48 Chevrolets and has won three times in 29 races as a crew chief, will work hand-in-hand with veteran team manager Brian Whitesell. Hendrick Motorsports is evaluating alternative numbers for the Earnhardt team, which currently uses the #25 on its Chevy race cars. A timetable for that announcement has not been set.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
AMP Dale Jr's sponsor? UPDATE 2 and mountain Dew: ESPN.com's sources say Budweiser knows it won't be on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s cars next year at Hendrick Motorsports, and that it looks like some sort of sponsorship deal with a Pepsi product (or products) is likely for him. Terry Blount and David Newton got further down the road with sources than I have. Nothing they wrote conflicts with what I've been trying to nail down. But all anybody with official ties to Pepsi or Budweiser or the teams will say for the record is they don't comment on speculation. One source I've trusted for a long time tells me that AMP, an energy drink Pepsi markets under the Mountain Dew umbrella, will factor in the deal for Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick. Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick folks have a deal with Pepsi that stretches through 2010. Pepsi also is ending its contracts with International Speedway Corp. One reason could be that money's going into the Hendrick-Earnhardt Jr. basket.(Charlotte Observer)(6-12-2007) UPDATE and Mountain Dew: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports are expected to announce later this month Pepisco Inc. products Mountain Dew and Amp energy drink are his primary sponsors for next season, sources confirmed Sunday.(ESPN.com)(9-3-2007) UPDATE 2: on ESPN2's NASCAR Now Monday night, it was reported that Mountain/AMP would probably be 55% of the races and National Guard would be 45% of the races for Dale Earnhardt Jr. There would be no problem with Navy being the sponsor of Dale Jr's #88 Busch team, but don't expect to see Earnhardt in a National Guard Busch car.(9-4-2007)
RYR asked NASCAR to transfer the #38 to Hendrick for Dale Jr.: SPEED's Bob Dilner reported on Sunday's SPEED report that Robert Yates Racing has asked NASCAR if they could transfer the #38 to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 for Dale Eanrhardt Jr. to use, the #3 in honor of his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, who ran the #3 [a few races in 1981 and then from 1984 until the 2001 Daytona 500 and won 6 of his 7 championships using #3] and the #8 of course is Dale Jr.'s car #8 since he came into the sport. No word what number David Gilliland would switch to, but RYR still has the license on the #28, last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd and has used the #90 in the past. AND: Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday that Robert Yates Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are discussing a transfer of that number for 2008. The #38 currently is being used by David Gilliland. No formal request has been made to the NASCAR, which has to ultimately approve the transfer. Officials at Hendrick Motor Sports, Robert Yates Racing and JR Motorsports could not be reached for comment. Should RYR give up #38, it still has the rights to the #28 that was last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd.(ESPN.com)(8-27-2007)
No #8 for Earnhardt Jr at Hendrick: Hendrick Motorsports will not have the ability to field #8 entries for Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the Sprint Cup Series driver joins the organization in 2008. "We've been working hard to secure the #8 for Dale Jr.'s car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense, and now we have to move forward with other options. "We appreciate the efforts of Max Siegel and his team (at Dale Earnhardt Inc.), and are excited about unveiling our plans for 2008 in the near future." No timetable has been set for an announcement of Earnhardt's car number or team sponsor.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(8-15-2007)
Three to Six Weeks Until Earnhart, Jr. Sponsorship Announcment? A well-placed source at Hendrick Motorsports said it will be three to six more weeks before the 2008 sponsorship package for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will be announced. “There are a lot of details to deal with,” the source said. Earnhardt is leaving details of the sponsor agreement to his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, and his new boss. “Obviously there's a rush behind the scenes with Kelley and Rick and all them guys,” Earnhardt said. “They're doing all those things that they've got to do for sponsors and numbers and all that but me as the driver, I can go over there all season and do everything I need to do to get ready for the year. I'm not really looking in that direction quite yet. Still got things to do here. I've got my integrity and my team's integrity on the line to be able to run hard all year long and finish well."(SPEEDtv.com)(8-4-2007)
Pepsi? National Guard? #81? for Dale Jr.? No final decision has been made regarding #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s future team sponsor at Hendrick Motorsports, but one is expected within the month and possibly within the next two weeks, multiple sources close to the negotiations said Monday. It is widely speculated that PepsiCo. is the leading candidate to sponsor Earnhardt through its Mountain Dew brand, but sources with knowledge of negotiations say National Guard is also a top candidate as part of a split sponsorship package. National Guard currently sponsors Hendrick's #25 Chevy, driven by Casey Mears. Sources say the combined deal will be the richest team sponsorship in NASCAR history, somewhere between $25 million and $30 million annually. Earnhardt said last week that Navy will continue its sponsorship of JR Motorsports' #88 Busch Series entry in 2008, but sources said that would not conflict with a potential National Guard association in the Sprint Cup Series. As for the other key piece of the Junior puzzle -- his car number -- DEI and Hendrick are actively negotiating. Hendrick has submitted a proposal to DEI. This is an intricate proposal that carries obvious emotions. NASCAR owns the car numbers and leases them to the teams each year, and gives the team that ran a respective number the previous season last right of refusal on running it again the following year. Therefore, DEI holds the rights to the #8. NASCAR said it won't stand in the way of any potential transaction. Earnhardt last week reiterated his want to drive the #8 in 2008, but said if the deal ultimately doesn't pan out he'd like #81, which he has run at times in the Busch Series.(ESPN.com), so how would this effect the #25 and Mears? Kellogg's and Carquest are supposedly signed with Hendrick thru 2009, so they could sponsor Mears, who would drive the #25 or #5 if Earnhardt Jr. gets the #8 or #81.(7-30-2007)
Hendrick Motorsports Confirms Dale Jr. Will Have New Sponsor in 2008: UPDATE: 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. "We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 Sprint Cup season, which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold." On June 13, Earnhardt Jr. signed on to race for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2008, but primary sponsorship of his team remains undecided. No timetable has been established for an announcement. "Budweiser has sponsored Dale Jr. for nearly a decade, and we wish him the very best," said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch Inc. "Budweiser will remain an active sponsor of NASCAR, and we look forward to building upon the legacy of the iconic Budweiser red car in 2008 and beyond." "To climb into that red Budweiser car each weekend has always been a privilege," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year, and will continue to make it my beer of choice. I'm a race car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners, and give my best effort each weekend."(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(7-13-2007) UPDATE: Earnhardt announced at Chicagoland Speedway that beyond ending his association with Budweiser on the hood of his car, he will end his personal services deal that was to run through 2008. Leaving Budweiser is another sign that Earnhardt's new deal will be with PepsiCo Inc., likely the Mountain Dew brand or a combination of several Pepsi products that include Gatorade, because the soft drink company can't be associated with a beer company.(ESPN.com)(7-14-2007)
Dale Jr. to announce deal with adidas UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Friday will announce a personal services agreement with clothing manufacturer adidas, sources told ESPN.com. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sources said adidas will manufacture Earnhardt's fire retardant driving suits and shoes, and the Nextel Cup star will be involved in promoting specific consumer apparel. Earnhardt has yet to announce the biggest piece of his sponsorship puzzle for 2008 -- the primary financial-backer [rumored to be Mountain Dew or Monster Energy Drink] of his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy. Earnhardt is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company his late father founded, to drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season.(ESPN.com)(7-5-2007) UPDATE: adidas and Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a multi-year partnership, beginning with his quest to win THE CUP in 2008. The collaboration will include a full line of Dale Jr. footwear, apparel and accessories including his future racing suit and technical footwear as well as off track footwear and fan apparel. In the same way that crews work to enhance race cars, Dale Jr. will work directly with the adidas Innovation Team (aIT) to design and create an innovative, groundbreaking racing suit and technical driving shoes as the critical link between man and machine. Dale Jr. will debut these cutting edge adidas products at the 2008 season opener in Daytona. Together with Dale Jr., adidas is exploring opportunities to add technical features such as ClimaCool to Dale Jr.’s racing products in order to provide
him with a competitive advantage. In addition to providing fans access to Jr.’s technical driving range, there will be an extensive collection of off track footwear, technical apparel and fan merchandise. These products will be more accessible than ever via adidas’ extensive network
of retail partners. For the first time, Dale Jr. licensed products will be available via adidas’ own retail stores and through sporting goods retailers such as ‘The Sports Authority,’ who have over 400 stores nationwide. The line will roll out beginning in February 2008.(JR Motorsports PR)(7-7-2007)
Hendrick wants to buy the #8 from DEI UPDATE 2: Car owner Rick Hendrick has let it be known to officials at Dale Earnhardt Inc. that he'd like to purchase the #8 for Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he begins driving for his organization in 2008. "I'm not sure what their position is or what they want for it," Hendrick said Saturday between practices at Infineon Raceway. Earnhardt said last week he would like to stay in the #8 if a deal can be reached with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, who has the rights to the number [NASCAR owns the number and leases them to a team to use and market] and his long-time sponsor, Budweiser. Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, said he will not act until there is a formal proposal. Hendrick doesn't expect any sort of announcement for at least a few weeks. "Honestly, we're leaving everything open," he said. "It's just so early. If you say you're going to do something and you really think you are, six weeks from now we might change our mind again. We're working through our sponsors and everything."(ESPN.com)(6-24-2007) UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports wants to buy the #8 so that Dale Earnhardt Jr. can race it next season. But it's not for sale, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer. The story quoted NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston, who said NASCAR owns and issues the numbers and that teams can't sell them. He said a team can allow another to use the number for a year as long as NASCAR approves. The report said Dale Earnhardt Inc., which uses the number, was aware of NASCAR's policy on selling numbers. Hendrick Motorsports officials weren't available for comment.(Dallas Morning News)(6-26-2007) UPDATE 2:There is nothing keeping Hendrick Motorsports from buying the #8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. as long as NASCAR approves the transfer of the number. While NASCAR owns all numbers and issues them to organizations on an annual basis, teams sell numbers all the time. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said it is unlikely the governing body would prevent such a transfer, adding the financial terms are not a concern.(ESPN.com)(7-2-2007)
Monster Energy Dale Jr's sponsor in 2008? NASCAR Nation is on pins and needles waiting to hear who will sponsor the ride [at Hendrick Motorsports] of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008. The deal could fetch $28 million, vs. roughly $15 million this year, fueling a growing consensus that Budweiser will bow out of its eight-year relationship with Earnhardt at season’s end. Chatter from both NASCAR and Wall Street is making an Anheuser buyout of Hansen Natural, the Corona, Calif., maker of the popular energy drink, Monster Energy, increasingly likely. Officials at the companies were not available for comment. Mentioned as a possible successor in its own right to the King of Beers' deal with Earnhardt, Hansen’s Monster Energy drink has been distributed by Anheuser-Busch for over a year. In five months this year, sales have increased more than 67% on average vs. 20% for rival Red Bull, which is making its NASCAR debut this season as a primary sponsor. The test drive of Hansen’s high-growth "functional beverage" business makes an Anheuser takeover the next logical step.(Forbes.com), also...Monster Energy has a plant in Mooresville, NC and also a rumored sponsor is Mountain Dew..a Pepsi product.(6-30-2007)
Eury Sr. leaving DEI...to JR Motorsports? UPDATE: Claire B. Lang reported on XM Radio Tuesday that Tony Eury Sr. [former #8 and #15 crew chief] has resigned from Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s research and development team and will be named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports today.(XM Radio) AND David Poole reported on Sirius' Morning Drive that Tony Eury Sr is expected to announce this afternoon that he is leaving DEI to become the team director at #88-JR Motorsports. Early in June, Eury reportedly accepted a Research and Development position with DEI after stepping down as Paul Menard's Nextel Cup crew chief.(6-27-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has turned to a familiar face and proven winner to help lead the competition efforts of his race team, announcing today that his uncle and longtime NASCAR crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., has been named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports. Commonly referred to as “Pops” around the NASCAR garage, Eury Sr. will oversee competition and technical support for all of JR Motorsports, which includes a full-time Busch Series program, a USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series entry, and three late model teams. His new role at JRM will begin immediately, as he will work closely with crew chief Wes Ward, motorsports director Steve Crisp, and
driver Shane Huffman in preparation for Saturday’s Camping World 200 Busch Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway. “Tony Sr. brings wins, championships, and an immeasurable amount of knowledge to JR Motorsports,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He also brings a sense of trust that you only have in family. This company needs his expertise, and I’m glad he sees the potential at JR Motorsports to want to work here. I hope I can provide him the same amount of success here that he has achieved over the years, and I hope he enjoys working here as much as I know he enjoyed working at DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.).”(JR Motorsports PR)(6-27-2007)
Sony and Dale Jr. and more on Adidas UPDATE: Sony will announce Thursday [6/21] that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has signed a personal endorsement contract with the high-end consumer electronics company. Adidas is set to announce another deal with Earnhardt next month. Sony was an easy choice for Earnhardt, an avid online racing gamer who likes high-tech gadgets and computers. He primarily will hawk high-definition products (such as TVs, camcorders, cameras and Blu-ray disc players) for Sony, joining Peyton Manning and Michelle Wie as its high-profile endorsers.(USA Today)(6-21-2007) UPDATE: Sony Electronics announced a personal endorsement deal with #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Jr Motorsports to participate in
the company's upcoming marketing efforts. The multi-year deal provides Sony the use of Earnhardt's name, likeness, image, voice and endorsement for use in advertising, promotions and merchandising for consumer marketing campaigns aimed at driving sales of Sony Electronics products. Among the products Earnhardt will promote are Sony's high definition BRAVIA televisions in which he will appear in Sony's new HD ad campaign. In addition, Earnhardt will participate in major electronics industry events and trade shows and will make personal appearances each year on behalf of Sony as part of the agreement. Sony Electronics is an active supporter of NASCAR for the past seven years and is the official high-definition TV partner of NASCAR.(Paine PR)(6-22-2007)
Monster? Pepsi? Adidas? Dale Jr's 2008 sponsor? Captain Thunder reports....am hearing that Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has been in talks with two beverage sponsors for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s racecar for 2008. One is Pepsi [or a Pepsi Product] and the other is Monster Energy. Pepsi has had a running relationship with Hendrick for many years as they have shared the sponsorship of Jeff Gordon's #24 car with the DuPont Corporation. Monster Energy has had a recent relationship with Dale Jr. and JR. Motorsports. Monster is all set to sponsor the late model car that Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath will drive for JR. Motorsports this year for a 10-race run. Look for an announcement soon as teams must have sponsorships and car numbers to the merchandise manufacturers for merchandise to be ready for February's Speed Weeks in Daytona.(Captain Thunder site) AND a note, Monster Energy drink is marketed by Anheuser-Busch, who also owns Budweiser, Earnhardt Jr.'s current sponsor.(anheuser-busch.com). MORE Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s marketing team at JR Motorsports has been working on an apparel deal with Adidas that could put his own line of ClimaCool wear in major sporting goods retailers, a place where NASCAR has had no presence. Earnhardt’s own endorsement muscle is again evident in the deal with Adidas, which is believed to be a separate agreement from Earnhardt’s new relationship at Hendrick. It’s uncertain if the Adidas relationship might blossom into a team sponsorship deal. Earnhardt, though, was looking to go in a different direction. Sources say he was more interested in the “lifestyle” approach that Adidas offered through its ClimaCool brand, which could include Dale Jr. jerseys, performance T-shirts or other mainstream sportswear, as well as footwear. No launch date for any lifestyle line could be determined. Meanwhile, team owner Rick Hendrick offered no sponsorship news last week on Earnhardt’s new ride. Although Budweiser has made it clear that it’s interested in continuing its relationship with Earnhardt, other sponsor conflicts must be navigated. Kellogg’s and Carquest have a contract to be co-primary sponsors on Hendrick’s #5 car — the one that will be vacated by Kyle Busch to make room for Earnhardt — through 2009.(Sports Business Journal)(6-20-2007)
Another Beverage Sponsor for Dale Jr.? Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Sundays, 9pm/et on SPEED) welcomed Darrell Waltrip on Sunday June 17 to talk about Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s move to Hendrick Motorsports. One comment was about Dale Jr.'s 2008 sponsor:
Dave Despain: (There's) a great picture on the Internet. Somebody has already designed the paint job for the car. How quickly these things happen (with) the magic of the computer. There is your #5 Dale Jr. Budweiser car, all laid out for next year. Photoshop indeed.
Darrell Waltrip: That can't be true because I don't think it's going to be Budweiser.
Dave Despain: That was one of my questions. You don't think it will be Budweiser. Do you know who it will be? We've heard a shoe deal. We've heard a credit card deal from one of your buddies. What's it going to be?
Darrell Waltrip: Yeah, wrong. It'll probably still be something you could drink. That would my guess.
Dave Despain: "Something you could drink," he said, hinting.
Darrell Waltrip: And it won't be in a red can.(FoxSports)(6-19-2007)
Gordon Knew Hendrick was Negotiating with Earnhardt: #24-Jeff Gordon was in on the secret all along. Privately he listened to team owner Rick Hendrick agonize over the arduous, closed-door maneuvering to sign #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Rick was going back and forth, back and forth," Gordon said. "He was like, 'Man, I would love to do this,' and at the same time, 'I don't know how I'm going to do it.' And, 'Should we do it?' " Gordon didn't waver. "I was very supportive of it from the beginning," he said, sitting in the lounge of his team transporter during preparations for the Citizens Bank 400. "Because I've been at Hendrick for 15 years and I have equity in the company, I probably got let into it a little bit sooner," Gordon said. "I actually told Rick, 'Don't give me too many details because I know I'm going to get asked.' But I knew they were in talks."(Orlando Sentinel)(6-18-2007)
Earnhardt Elledge says contract details still to be finalized: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick have agreed for Earnhardt Jr. to drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season. But while they have an agreement, there are many details to work out, from potential sponsorship conflicts to whom the actual sponsor of the car might be. While Hendrick and Earnhardt Jr. have agreed, it's now time for Hendrick Motorsports Executive Vice President Marshall Carlson and JR Motorsports General Manager Kelley Earnhardt Elledge to get to work. "We haven't gotten all the details down," said Earnhardt Elledge, who is the business manager for her brother. "Rick is a man of his word. We've had some high-level discussion on our expectations and what the most important thing for us is, the involvement in terms of sponsors and licensing and marketing in terms of Dale's brand. Dale knows the competition side and what's important there. ... We still have a long ways to go in putting all the details together." Earnhardt Elledge said that Earnhardt Jr. has basically signed a letter of intent and contract details are still being worked out. But she said it will get done because Earnhardt Jr. is comfortable that Hendrick will watch out for his well-being. Earnhardt Elledge said negotiations with other teams had not progressed to the point where Earnhardt Jr. was close to signing with another team.(SceneDaily.com)(6-14-2007)
Anheuser-Busch Statement Regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Tony Ponturo, Vice President, Global Media and Sports Marketing
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.: "Anheuser-Busch has enjoyed a remarkable relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. since our sponsorship commenced back in 1999. Dale Jr. is an excellent ambassador for the sport and our company, and we look forward to exploring options with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports to continue Budweiser’s relationship with him as he enters this new stage of his racing career." Per Anheuser-Busch policy, there will not be any additional public comments, nor interview requests granted regarding on-going
negotiations or contracts.(fingerprint inc./Budwesier PR)(6-13-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to drive for Hendrick in 2008: announced via live on TV, Dale Earnhardt Jr., current driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevy for DEI, will drive for Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2008. Dale Jr. started the press conference with a short speach/explanation, then introduced his new team owner Rick Hendrick and unveiled the Hendrick Motorsports logo. One thing noticed...the biggest smile ever seen on Dale Jr.'s face.
Hendrick was asked about having a full stable of drivers, Hendrick immediately brought up Kyle Busch and working on a contract extension, that Busch was talking to other teams, Hendrick said conversations with Busch led both to realize it would be better for Busch to look at his other opportunities and part ways, but that Busch would run the #5 Chevy for the remainder of the season.
As for a car number and sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick said none of that has been finalized as of yet.
Dale Jr. said concerning Budweiser that sponsorship has not been talked about, before the press conference, SPEED reported that Budweiser is talking to other teams, including Kasey Kahne.
As for the #8, Dale Jr. mentioned he would like to keep the #8 and would talk to Teresa Earnhardt [owner of DEI #8] and that drew a large laugh from the media, but said he is looking for a number and car design that would look 'cool'.
Asked about crew members and current crew chief Tony Eury Jr., Dale Jr. said it would have to be discussed down the road.
Dale Jr. said all the other rumors to other teams [Gibbs/VISA, RCR] came out of thin air.
Hendrick said Kyle Busch would finish the season in the #5 Chevy and run for the championship
Hendrick said he would be open to swapping the #5 for the #8 if DEI is interested, but no discussions so far. But said the #24 and #48 are locked up and nodded his head when said the number Dale Jr would use was between the #5 and #25.
The deal is a five-year deal 2008-2012
The press conference ended at 12:05pm/et....let the speculation begin
(TV Coverage of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Press Conference, transcript will be available later and posted)(6-13-2007)
Earnhardt Jr. To Drive for New Team in 2008 Four-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced today at a news conference at JR Motorsports that negotiations to extend his driving contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. have come to an amicable
end. Earnhardt Jr. will continue driving the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet through the remainder of the season, while his sister, Vice President and General Manager of JR Motorsports, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, will begin exploring new opportunities for 2008. Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday he would look at his options in the coming months and hopefully announce a decision mid to late summer. “What team I drive for next season, I don’t know,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “But what I do want to say is that it’s been a privilege to drive for DEI. After a year of intense negotiations and concerted efforts to extend my contract there, it became evident that while we want to get to the same place, we simply have different visions on how to get there.” Earnhardt Jr. made the announcement with his sister, Earnhardt Elledge, by his
side, and many of the Earnhardt family in attendance. “DEI will always be a special place for me and my family,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
“(Owner) Teresa (Earnhardt) and (Vice President of Global Operations) Max Seigel are taking the necessary steps to bring DEI back to one of the front-running NASCAR teams. However I am 32 years old – the same age as my father when he made his final and most important career decision – and the time for me to compete on a consistent basis and contend for championships is now. Since that is what I plan to do, I feel strongly that I would have my father’s blessing.” Earnhardt Jr. said JR Motorsports will continue to work with DEI on many projects that will benefit both companies and protect the legacy of his father. A full transcript of today’s news conference will be released later this afternoon.(JR Motorsports PR)(5-10-2007)
Dale Jr. to leave DEI after 2007 season UPDATE: Statement from Teresa Earnhardt/DEI: In response to today's announcement by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., that he will be leaving DEI, Teresa Earnhardt, CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. issued the following statement. "While we are very disappointed that Dale Jr. has chosen to leave the family business, we remain excited about our company's future. Our aggressive expansion and diversification plans have not changed. This company has continued to thrive since Dale left us in 2001, and it will thrive following today's announcement. Dale and I built this company to be a championship-contender, and those principles still apply. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will win, and we have other extremely talented drivers and hundreds of employees that are dedicated to the programs we founded. This company has a great legacy and a bright future, built on loyalty, integrity, and commitment."(DEI) UPDATE: some highlights from the Dale Earnhardt Jr. press conference:
Dale Jr. will leave DEI at the end of the season
Sponsor/Budweiser? will be discussed in a timely manner
Car #8: No decision, but Dale Jr. expects DEI to keep the car number 8. Note: NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers to an owner(s). NASCAR reserves the right to revoke or transfer car numbers to another owner/team at any time. Car numbers are non-assignable and non-transferable, except by NASCAR. NASCAR works with teams and sponsors when a specific number is requested. Team have been known to 'sell' car numbers, like when DEI got the number from the Stovala Brothers in 2000, #15 from Bud Moore, etc.
Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr.: no decision on if crew chief Eury Jr. will go with DaleJr, Dale Jr. said he can't speak for Eury Jr.
DEI Teammate Truex Jr.: is not part of this situation or discussion
Possible Plans:
1) sign with a top tier Nextel Cup team [one that wins and runs for the championship
2) sign with a second tier team
3) and the last choice, would be to run Nextel Cup with Dale Jr's own team, JR Motorsports, but no plans for that to happen at this points, Dale Jr. does hope he can drive a few Busch Series [or whatever it will be called in 2008] out of the JR Motorsports shop.
Why leave DEI? Dale Jr. said he negotiations were never close, and he knows fans are disappointed, but so is he.
More on this and hopefully a transcript will be posted in a bit.(5-10-2007)
Goodbye to the #'25: The #25 Chevrolet will make its final start for Hendrick Motorsports Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports first entered the #25 Chevy in the 1986 Daytona 500 with Tim Richmond behind the wheel. The #25 has had 11 different drivers, including car owner Rick Hendrick, in 656 starts. Six drivers have visited victory lane with the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, with Casey Mears adding win No. 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(11-14-2007)
Hendrick Motorsports Atlanta COT Test Plans: Although Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will test with their 2008 teams at Atlanta, they will not drive cars branded with their 2008 numbers. Mears, who will drive the #5 Chevy next season, will run his customary # 25 National Guard/GMAC paint scheme during the two-day session. Earnhardt, who is slated for the #88 Chevy in 2008, will test a #5 car at Atlanta. To commemorate his first laps with Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt will sport a "throwback" #5 All-Star Racing Chevy during next week's Atlanta test. Earnhardt's Impala SS will feature a red and white paint scheme identical to the first car campaigned by team owner Rick Hendrick in Cup-level competition. Then known as "All-Star Racing," Hendrick Motorsports fielded the car with driver Geoff Bodine in 1984. The #24 and #48 teams of Hendrick Motorsports will not attend next week's Atlanta test.(Hendrick PR)(10-27-2007)
Former 49ers Owner Almost Bought Hendrick in 2004 UPDATE no: Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo told Sports Business Journal recently that he almost became a NASCAR owner in 2004. "We would have bought a NASCAR team if Reggie White hadn't died," DeBartolo said of the former NFL player. "The week he passed away we were going to sign the agreement with Hendrick Motorsports. After that, I just couldn't do it. I loved Reggie too much."(Roanoke Times)(10-14-2007) AND and from a July article - Dale Earnhardt Inc. president Max Siegel told ESPN.com on Wednesday [in July] that three years ago he was prepared to partner with NFL Hall of Famers Reggie White and Ronnie Lott, as well as former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartalo Jr., in purchasing MB2 Motorsports, which at the time fielded the #01 and #10 Chevrolets. The papers were drawn. All that was left was the official closing, which was slated for Jan. 15, 2005. But when White died suddenly on Dec. 26, 2004, and the deal died with him. Siegel said he and White originally had planned to partner with Rick Hendrick on a NASCAR Busch Series operation. Then the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in October 2004 halted that initiative. A couple of months had passed, and Siegel said Hendrick contacted him about the program. Hendrick explained that in order for him to be involved, White and Siegel had to purchase a team with an existing Hendrick partnership. Enter MB2, whose engines were supplied by Hendrick. At the time, Valvoline was part-owner of MB2, as well. All the pieces were in place, then White passed away.(ESPN.com)(10-14-2007) UPDATE 2: At the time in question, Mr. DeBartolo and Mr. White were in discussions with the former MB2 Motorsports team, and our involvement was limited solely to a potential technical support relationship. Hendrick Motorsports is not, and has never been, for sale.(HMS)(10-16-2007)
Hass Racing Quiet about 2008 Drivers: When it comes to who'll be in what Haas CNC Racing cars in 2008, nobody seems to know much of anything. Joe Custer, the team's general manager, plays his cards close to the vest. Very, very close. Johnny Sauter, driver of the organization's #70 entry, says that he doesn't have a clue what he'll be doing next year, but adds that he's been given permission to look elsewhere. Jeff Green, who steers its #66 Chevy, refuses altogether to comment on the situation. With Scott Riggs already signed for next year and two Haas cars available, there's considerable speculation as to which one he'll drive and whether it'll be Green or Sauter who's left out of the mix. Then again, names other than Riggs' [including Mayfield and Stremme] have been mentioned as joining the operation. If that happens, Green and Sauter would most likely both be gone. According to Custer, neither driver has a decided advantage at this stage of the game.(NASCAR.com)(10-14-2007) More Stremme Buzz in the Garage: Hearing from many sources that #40 David Stremme is now the leading candidate for at least four teams. Options include third and fourth car situations (GEM?, Penske?, MWR?, Ganassi?) and Haas Racing where Johnny Sauter is expected to be replaced.(10-14-2007)
Crew Cam: This weekend at Kansas, fans at home will be able to experience pit stops through the eyes of Ben Fischbeck, front-tire carrier for the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevy team. The Waynesville, Mo., native will wear a "crew cam" during ABC's coverage of Sunday's Nextel Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. In addition to his duties with the #25 team, Fischbeck also serves as the front-tire carrier for Hendrick Motorsports' #24 Busch Series team. He has worked at Hendrick Motorsports since 2001.(HMS PR)(9-29-2007)
Mears To Visit Walter Reed: Casey Mears and members of the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevy will visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon. The group will meet with military service men and women who are currently receiving treatment. The Walter Reed Army Medical Center serves more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military. “It’s not easy to visit soldiers who have been through so much, but it’s something I really want to do,” Mears said. “It’s a great honor to represent the National Guard every weekend, and the men and women who serve put a lot of things in perspective for the rest of us.”(NASCAR)(9-20-2007)
Chevy Continues Partnership with Hendrick Motorsports: Chevrolet, the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, will continue its partnership with championship team Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR competition in 2008 and beyond. In 23 years (1984-2006) of NASCAR competition, Hendrick Motorsports has garnered six Nextel Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup) championships, three Craftsman Truck Series titles and one Busch Series crown, making it one of stock-car racing's premier organizations. Rick Hendrick is the only team owner in NASCAR's modern era to earn more than 150 Cup Series victories and is currently at 160 Cup wins - all of them coming in Chevrolets. Hendrick Motorsports' win at the first "Car
of Tomorrow" race at Bristol earlier this year also earned Chevrolet its first Impala SS win and Chevy's 600th win in NASCAR Cup competition. The four full-time NASCAR Cup teams of Hendrick Motorsports slated to run in 2008 include four-time champion Jeff Gordon in the #24 DuPont Chevy; Jimmie Johnson in the #48 Lowe's Chevy; Casey Mears in the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy; and new addition Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has only driven Chevrolets in his NASCAR career.(GM Racing PR)(9-7-2007)
Congratulations to Lisa Smokstad, tire specialist for the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevy team, and husband Craig on the birth of their first child. RaElla Michelle Smokstad entered the world on Aug. 30 and weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.(HMS PR)(9-6-2007)
Mears to the #5 in 2008; DaleJr to #25 team [new number]: Casey Mears will drive the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series, joining a team that secured its second consecutive Chase for the Championship berth Sunday at California Speedway. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, Mears has notched one victory, a pole position, four top-five finishes and six top-10s through 25 races. The Bakersfield, Calif., native will complete the current schedule in the organization's #25 Chevys before transitioning to the Kellogg's/CARQUEST team. The effort will be led by Alan Gustafson, 32, who has earned four wins, two poles, 25 top-five finishes and 45 top-10s since his first season as crew chief of the #5 Chevy in 2005. "My goal is to meet the high standard the drivers before me helped established with the #5 Chevrolet, both on and off the track," said the 29-year-old Mears. "I'm looking forward to working with Alan and the team to continue the winning tradition for Kellogg's, CARQUEST and Hendrick Motorsports." Since its inception in 1984, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team has posted 27 victories and 35 pole positions with just four different drivers -- Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Kyle Busch. It has finished among the top 12 in Cup points in 17 of the past 23 seasons (1984-2006), including a championship in 1996. "The #5 was our first car (at Hendrick Motorsports), so, for me, there's a lot of personal history in that team," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Casey has proven capable of winning and running up front, which is what the #5 has always been about. The goal is more victory lanes and championships for the team, and for Kellogg's and CARQUEST." The relationship between Kellogg Co. and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team is one of the most enduring in NASCAR. Kellogg's debuted as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevys in 1994 and has since earned a Cup Series title, 16 race wins, 89 top-five finishes and 170 top-10s.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
#25 to run the '57 Chevy scheme at MIS: This weekend Casey Mears' #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevy will feature a special paint scheme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Chevrolet, one of the most recognizable cars in American motoring history. The scheme will include decals replicating the iconic 1957 car design. In addition to the '57 Chevy paint scheme, Mears #25 Chevy will also recognize Sundance Chevrolet of Grand Ledge, Mich., on its deck lid this weekend. As a co-primary sponsor on the #25 Chevy, GMAC recognizes outstanding GM dealerships throughout the NASCAR season.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), approx 10-12 Chevy's are scheduled to run the '57 Scheme, see my Paint Scheme Gallery Chart for the most recent list and some images.(8-15-2007)
Hendrick re-signs with GM: Hendrick Motorsports has verbally agreed to a five-year contract with General Motors, keeping HMS in Chevrolets through 2012. "We're done," team owner Rick Hendrick said after Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International. "We haven't signed it, but we've verbally agreed." GM is in the last year of all of its contracts with teams in the Nextel Cup series. Re-signing HMS was key, particularly with speculation that Joe Gibbs Racing may be leaving for Toyota. Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc., GM's other top teams, remain in negotiations but are expected to re-sign. Two of the top three owners in Chevrolet expect Joe Gibbs Racing to move to Toyota in 2008. "I'd say they're gone," said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who has agreed to a five-year deal with General Motors. Richard Childress Racing owner Richard Childress said there are enough signs to believe that JGR will make the jump, which he says will take Toyota to another level. "It's pretty well written in stone," he said on Sunday at Watkins Glen International. Childress is so convinced JGR will bolt that he questions whether the organization should be included in Thursday's key partners' meeting at GM's headquarters in Detroit. "No, I wouldn't feel comfortable with them there," he said. "If the [other Chevrolet] teams have a feeling they're going to be there, we're not going to discuss openly with them in a room things we normally would discuss openly. You're sitting there working on stuff for next year and you don't want them to take that and help out the competition."(ESPN.com)(8-13-2007)
Eury Sr. talks about HMS/JRM merger: Tony Eury Sr, Director of Competition at JR Motorsports, talked with Claire B. Lang on XM Satellite Radio Tuesday about the developments in the JR Motorsports Busch operation this week. He told her that he and the JR Motorsports team visited the team at Hendrick Motorsports yesterday. JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports have merged their Busch operations and Eury told CBL he was amazed by what he saw. Eury Sr. said: "I had not actually been through Hendrick Motorsports until yesterday and I took my first tour through there yesterday and we all sat down and kind of tried to address this thing out how it's going to happen you know how it'
