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[elmono311]

Big NASCAR news: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has announced a press conference for tomorrow at 11 am. With his contract negotiations, you might say he's announcing that he signed. But wait, he's not having the conference from Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s facilities, he's having it at his team's (JR Motorsports) facilities. There are rumors he's taking JR Motorsports to Nextel Cup next year, with him and Martin Truex, Jr. driving. That would leave DEI with only Paul Menard and without Junior, making DEI the same threat a team like Bill Davis Racing is... which is not much of a threat.

*feels the rumble of NASCAR Nation*

I know I'll be sitting in front of the TV at 11 am tomorrow.

[jitspoe]

I felt a rumble, too.

Oh, wait, that was my stomach.

* jitspoe needs to eat something.

[Zorchenhimer]

Mmm. Cup cakes...

[disnut8]

I'm sitting here waiting for the news conference myself.  This is a very different scenario than just a NASCAR Nextel driver bolting from one team to another.  This would be Dale Earnhardt, Jr. not driving for Deale Earnhadt, Incorporated, a team put together by Dale Earnhardt, Sr.  And because Theresa Earnhardt, who just happened to be married to Senior when he died, is being an idiot.  Tony Stewart said it - DEI without Junior is just a museum.  Theresa doesn't come to the track very often.  If Junior goes to another team, she might as well never come to the track.  Hell, I'll bet even Gordon fans  think she's stupid.

[elmono311]

Wow, Junior is leaving DEI.

-He doesn't have a team in mind
-He said he will most definately drive a Chevrolet
-The #8 will most likely stay with DEI
-Truex is not involved in this, he will probably stay with DEI
-First choice to drive for a top tier team (that will most likely happen) and last ditch would be to bring JR Motorsports to Cup
-It seems to be up to crew chief Tony Eury, Jr. whether or not he goes with Junior
-Budweiser is not confirmed to be going with Junior but we all know Bud will continue to sponsor Junior

Possible teams:
#1: Richard Childress Racing: He's been waiting for this moment for years. I'd say it's a very very very very good chance he'll be driving the #3 Budweiser Chevrolet next year. RCR has been looking to expand to a fourth car. Junior mentioned not wanting to run the #3 until he's older. RCR does own #33.

#2: Joe Gibbs Racing: He's friends with Stewart and they work well together. Gibbs has been looking to expand to a fourth car as well. I believe Gibbs owns #80, which they could use for Junior. The reporters also mentioned the #18 would be a possibility if the team doesn't step up and perform better, thus dumping JJ Yeley to the road.

#3: Hendrick Motorsports: They're already capped out at the maximum four teams and it's highly unlikely Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, or Kyle Busch would be dumped. Casey Mears is in his first year with Hendrick and probably has a three-year contract. Unless they do some crazy swapping such as Mears to DEI to give them a boost after losing Junior. Now if Junior drove for Hendrick and became a teammate of Gordon, that would mean the end of the world... to the fans. Funny thing is the #25 that Mears drives now used to be sponsored by Budweiser.

#4: Robert Yates Racing: Although they drive Fords, there was a rumor last year that DEI and RYR were merging. RYR needs a good driver, Gilliland and Rudd are stinking, but it's highly doubtful Junior would switch to Fords. Unless there really is a merger with DEI and RYR switches to Chevrolet... although RYR said they were going to stick with Ford no matter what

#5: JR Motorsports: Creating a new team in this era of NASCAR is hard (just ask Robby Gordon and Michael Waltrip). This is the last case scenario if no other deal comes through. This would also mean Junior would have to qualify on time for the first five races of 2008 and if he missed a race, say goodbye to the fans. But this will never happen because it's silly to think no one will offer a ride to Junior.

I'm predicting #3 Budweiser Chevrolet with Richard Childress Racing for 2008

[disnut8]

Now NASCAR and Junior will sit back and let the bidding war begin.  Although Junior has said it's not about the money.  It's about him being able to do what he wants to do which is to win a championship and to race consistantly.  There was a commercial on in the past couple of years where Junior jokingly announces that he's switching number from 8 to 7.9 and all the fans go crazy.  Art is now imitating life.

And I would love to see Junior and Gordon on the same team.  That would be classic.  That will never happen, though.  Fans' heads would spin around.  Cats would live with dogs.  But it's fun to think about.

[elmono311]

The number was 6.7 BTW I only remember because it was mentioned constantly in NASCAR forums