Earnhardt will join Hendrick Motorsports for 08

[recxjake]

per espn.com

[recxjake]

Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt.... wow

[L.A. Chieffan]

I wonder if all those Gordon Haters are gonna have a heart attack

[Bugeater]

I'm not a big Little E fan, but I am nonetheless disappointed by this.

[Fruit Ninja]

Hell of a team. I wonder who is out? Mears or Bush.

[BigVE]

I heard it was the 5 car so Bush would probably be the odd man out.

[Donger]

Meh. Donger only follows the Ferraris.

[eazyb81]

Won't this put them over the salary cap? If so, do they have to give up any draft compensation for the following year?

[Ultra Peanut]

Now, NASCAR. That's a fake sports organization.

http://imgred.nyquil.org/index.php?Image=http://wwwp.mirror.waffleimages.com/files/91/919299eff0e3fb6c193946ed0a4659df8b899878.jpg

Meh. Donger only follows the Ferraris.Lewis Hamilton IN YO FACE!

http://imgred.nyquil.org/index.php?Image=http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov06/28_Vodafone_McLaren_Mercedes_Adds_Lewis_Hamilton/1096580Lewis_Hamilton_at_the_McLaren_Technology_CentreS.jpg

[BigVE]

Won't this put them over the salary cap? If so, do they have to give up any draft compensation for the following year?


No, you see, Jr. hasn't won a race in so long it doesnt count against the cap. Being the most POPULAR driver doesn't count, WINNING races does.

[Donger]

Now, NASCAR. That's a fake sports organization.

http://imgred.nyquil.org/index.php?Image=http://wwwp.mirror.waffleimages.com/files/91/919299eff0e3fb6c193946ed0a4659df8b899878.jpg

Lewis Hamilton IN YO FACE!

http://imgred.nyquil.org/index.php?Image=http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov06/28_Vodafone_McLaren_Mercedes_Adds_Lewis_Hamilton/1096580Lewis_Hamilton_at_the_McLaren_Technology_CentreS.jpg

I'm kidding, of course. I hate Ferrari. I'm actually a McLaren fan, so...

Woohoo!

[Gonzo]

Car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car stop for gas, etc.....

[The Rick]

The rich get richer
Earnhardt Jr. set to announce move to Hendrick in '08
Posted: Tuesday June 12, 2007 4:37PM; Updated: Tuesday June 12, 2007 4:37PM

The most powerful free agent on the racing market has found himself a new home for next season -- and it's with racing's version of the New York Yankees.

The rest of NASCAR better watch out.

Multiple sources have told SI.com that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to announce in a press conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET that he's signed to join powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 season and beyond.

According to sources, Junior will be hired to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet, replacing current driver Kyle Busch. The only official word from the Junior camp comes in the form of a press release announcing the press conference, to be held at Earnhardt's JR Motorsports shop in Mooresville, N.C.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no word yet on where Busch will go, although a source has told SI.com he'll head to Dale Earnhardt Inc. in what would be an unprecedented driver swap. No one from Hendrick or DEI is talking to confirm or deny those rumors.

Also left undecided is the future of Budweiser's sponsorship, although it's highly likely they will follow Junior to an organization they've sponsored in the past, headlining drivers from Ken Schrader to Wally Dallenbach Jr. in a four-year agreement with Hendrick's No. 25 team from 1996-99.

The announcement will end a month's worth of speculation as to Junior's future since he said he would be leaving DEI on May 10. Since then, Earnhardt Jr. has been the most sought-after free agent in Nextel Cup, linked with everyone from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing, the team with which his father won six of his seven Cup championships. In the end, though, Junior chose to go with the team that's been a cut above the rest all throughout '07.

Hendrick Motorsports has produced one of the most dominant performances in modern racing history this year, taking 10 of 14 wins to start the season. Driver Jeff Gordon currently is on top of the standings by 242 points, and the Hendrick stable also includes last year's defending champ, Jimmie Johnson, as well as new first-time winner Casey Mears, victorious in the Coca-Cola 600 at the end of May.

The signing would create a partnership between two of racing's most powerful personalities, armed with more similarities than you might think.

On a more personal level, the deal would pair a driver who constantly has to face the loss of his father coming face-to-face with a man who's forever recovering from the loss of his son. Of course, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s father was killed tragically in a last lap crash in the '01 Daytona 500; Hendrick's son, Ricky, was among several relatives killed in a plane crash outside of Martinsville Speedway in '04. The tragedy claimed the lives of ten.

Apparently, such a natural magnetic attraction was too much to pass up.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/06/12/earnhardt/index.html

[Ultra Peanut]

I'm kidding, of course. I hate Ferrari. I'm actually a McLaren fan, so...

Woohoo!Oh, duh. You're a British ex-pat, aren't you?

[Donger]

Oh, duh. You're a British ex-pat, aren't you?

Yes.

[Fruit Ninja]

Car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car stop for gas, etc.....
Yep, but still none of us could keep up with them. lol

[GoHuge]

This will just be weird having Junior and Gordon on the same team. What does Junior say when his team mate is getting pelted with Budweiser cans for beating him? I can see some Junior fans being pissed about this. Most Junior fans hate Gordon.

[Bugeater]

This will just be weird having Junior and Gordon on the same team. What does Junior say when his team mate is getting pelted with Budweiser cans for beating him? I can see some Junior fans being pissed about this. Most Junior fans hate Gordon.
It is an odd marriage for sure. I never in a million years would've seen this coming.

[Redrum_69]

"And now driving the #5 car, sponsored by Bounce Fabric Softener...Earnhardt Jr."

[ChiefsCountry]

Thats a heck of a lineup for Hendrick that is for. The rich gets richer.

[Valiant]

This will just be weird having Junior and Gordon on the same team. What does Junior say when his team mate is getting pelted with Budweiser cans for beating him? I can see some Junior fans being pissed about this. Most Junior fans hate Gordon.

Which is funny because did EArnhart Sr. drive the same way Gordon does?? Never really followed it much besides being at my uncles and falling asleep watching it... The Wnba is more exciting then watching nascar imo... And I hate womens basketball...

[Cochise]

...

[TrebMaxx]

Meh. Donger only follows the Ferraris.

Anyone going to the US GP at Indy this weekend? I will be leaving Friday, getting the camp set up and downing cold ones.

[Donger]

Anyone going to the US GP at Indy this weekend? I will be leaving Friday, getting the camp set up and downing cold ones.

I'd like to, but I can't. The last GP I saw in person was Phoenix in 1991.

[Mr. Laz]

I wonder if all those Gordon Haters are gonna have a heart attack
there will be some backlash

the Gordon haters stem from Daddy E


Jr. is leaving daddy's company and joining the hated rival of Daddy E.


Dale Jr. just lost a bunch of fans, i bet.

[Nzoner]

Car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car stop for gas, etc.....

step away for 10 minutes and come back and you ain't missed a focking thing

[DaKCMan AP]

yawn

[keg in kc]

step away for 10 minutes and come back and you ain't missed a focking thingTurn on the last 5 minutes to see who wins. Or better yet, catch it on sportscenter, see all the wrecks and the checkered flag, without wasting 4 hours.

(Seeing it live...different story)

[PinkFloyd]

Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt.... wow

Gordon is a whinny momma's boy little bitch, and Johnson is a cheater whenever he can get away with it...

Jr. will still be my favorite driver, but as far as the other two, I hope they crash every damn week...

[Donger]

Comparatively speaking, how fast are NASCARs?

Formula One cars can accelerate from zero to 100mph then back down to zero in under six seconds, lateral acceleration of up to 4-5Gs.

[alanm]

You know guys, this is all speculation still at this point. Jr's press conference isn't until tomorrow morning. And no one knows for certain what he's going to do.

[kstater]

there will be some backlash

the Gordon haters stem from Daddy E


Jr. is leaving daddy's company and joining the hated rival of Daddy E.


Dale Jr. just lots a bunch of fans, i bet.


I highly doubt that.

[CoMoChief]

there will be some backlash

the Gordon haters stem from Daddy E


Jr. is leaving daddy's company and joining the hated rival of Daddy E.


Dale Jr. just lots a bunch of fans, i bet.


That may be true, but true Nascar fans know that Dale Sr.'s wife screwed the pooch on this one.

[Bugeater]

Comparatively speaking, how fast are NASCARs?

Formula One cars can accelerate from zero to 100mph then back down to zero in under six seconds, lateral acceleration of up to 4-5Gs.
It's hard to say because acceleration times can vary greatly due to the many different track configurations NASCAR uses. The cars will be geared significantly lower on short tracks and road courses than they would be on the superspeedways.

On a related note, I once heard that the Shelby Cobra could go 0-60-0 in ten seconds. Not too shabby for a production (sort of) car.

[BigVE]

You know guys, this is all speculation still at this point. Jr's press conference isn't until tomorrow morning. And no one knows for certain what he's going to do.



Excellent point. Let's all RE-hash this TOMMOROW when it's official...wherever he goes.

[GoHuge]

Comparatively speaking, how fast are NASCARs?

Formula One cars can accelerate from zero to 100mph then back down to zero in under six seconds, lateral acceleration of up to 4-5Gs.A Cup car has about 850 HP, but they weigh 3400 lbs. A F1 car would smoke a Cup car but they are much more technologically advanced and that is exactly the way NASCAR wants it. I've done the Petty driving experience in a Cup car and it will scare the shit out of you. At Kansas Speedway you go into the corner at just under 200 and they put you right up against the wall coming out of the corner. Rusty Wallace ran an unrestricted Cup car at Talladega at 228 mph for his average speed.

Juan Pablo Montoya says that driving a Cup car at full speed is much more harder than driving a F1 car. You have to learn to "slide" a stock car around a track where open wheel cars are glued to the track because of all their downforce. He said that charging the corner at Miami at 190 in a cup car was way scarier than anything he did in a F1 car.

[ROYC75]

Just one thing for all of you that think it is such a pussy sport ......... Go out and try it yourself, you will find out right away it's not easy as it looks.

That's all, carry on.........

[Al Bundy]

Just one thing for all of you that think it is such a pussy sport ......... Go out and try it yourself, you will find out right away it's not easy as it looks.

That's all, carry on.........
Exactly... and on to the point of this thread. I hope they keep the number 5 Kelloggs and move Casey Mears over to it. Giving the 25 back to Budweiser which is where it was Tim Richmond drove it.

[DJ's left nut]

Jr. lost at least one fan with this move.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Gordon for me. It has everything to do with him taking the easy way out.

Jr. could have gone to a team like Ginn Motorsports and done it the champion's way. Ginn has huge resources and an owner that wants to win. He could have strapped them on his back and taken them to the next level.

Instead he pussed out and signed with the Yankees. He took the turnkey title route instead of going out and working for one. Sure, Theresa boned him here, but Daddy E is spinning in his grave right now. I guess Jr. was more interested in being a rockstar than making his own way in this sport. Way to stay in the shadow there, Junebug.

I hate this move and will be forever pissed at Jr. for making it. I'll be rooting for Happy Harvick from this point forward.

[Ultra Peanut]

Comparatively speaking, how fast are NASCARs?

Formula One cars can accelerate from zero to 100mph then back down to zero in under six seconds, lateral acceleration of up to 4-5Gs.Fun fact: Busch Series cars are actually faster than Nextel Cup's Car of Tomorrow.

[Mr. Laz]

That may be true, but true Nascar fans know that Dale Sr.'s wife screwed the pooch on this one.
true ....... and if Jr. didn't "sellout" and team up with Gordon they would just blamed the mom.

now it's not gonna be all about the mom .... it's gonna be about how Jr. couldn't win and is now trying to get somebody to buy him a championship.

[DJ's left nut]

The COT sucks ass. Wicked slow and yet somehow still unable to turn. Fortunately the damn thing is so slow that even when they spin out they don't bump into anything. Bristol was embarassing and it hasn't gotten any better. They should have scrapped the whole stupid program. Instead it's all we'll see next year (though I just may not tune in).

Go back to speed and danger. I'm willing to lose 1 driver a decade for a real sport. And before I get barbecued for it, I'm willing to bet those drivers are willing to make the same deal. The old school guys hate what Nascar has become as well.

The last 10 years have been little more than a series of insane overreactions to the loss of a NASCAR legend. Nascar's response to Dale's death has scarred the sport more than his loss itself.

Restrictor plates, COT, etc... All it has done is water down racing to address a problem that really didn't exist. I hate Bill France.

[Fruit Ninja]

I highly doubt that.
i second that. They dont care.

[kcfanXIII]

alright, all this bickering is pointless.

dale sr and jeff gordon were not hated rivals, they respected each other. i think that sr would want whats best for jr and his career. HMS is the best spot for him, they have proven dominate motor and ayro programs. how else do you think a loose cannon like bush is able to compete? with the 24 and 48 as teamates, jr. can win a championship with hendrick, if he can beat them.

F1 is extremely advanced racing. the drivers are probably some of the best in the world, among any circut. this is america though, and nascar pulls in the dollars. why else would drivers of gordon, stewart and montoya's caliber stay? NASCAR will forever be america's prefered style of racing, because it originated here. F1 fans need to understand that while F1 may be the king of motor sports, they do not need to look down their noses at nascar. nascar has its place in racing, and isn't going anywhere.

for the record i'm a Dale Jr fan. i love this move and what it could mean to Jr's career.

[DJ's left nut]

alright, all this bickering is pointless.

dale sr and jeff gordon were not hated rivals, they respected each other. i think that sr would want whats best for jr and his career. HMS is the best spot for him, they have proven dominate motor and ayro programs. how else do you think a loose cannon like bush is able to compete? with the 24 and 48 as teamates, jr. can win a championship with hendrick, if he can beat them.

F1 is extremely advanced racing. the drivers are probably some of the best in the world, among any circut. this is america though, and nascar pulls in the dollars. why else would drivers of gordon, stewart and montoya's caliber stay? NASCAR will forever be america's prefered style of racing, because it originated here. F1 fans need to understand that while F1 may be the king of motor sports, they do not need to look down their noses at nascar. nascar has its place in racing, and isn't going anywhere.

for the record i'm a Dale Jr fan. i love this move and what it could mean to Jr's career.

Sr. would have wanted Jr. to be his own man. Sr. took RCR to a new level when he went there. Jr. had a chance to do the same.

Instead he rode coat-tails....again. I liked Jr. because of Sr. and the fact that Jr. has been a class competitor and a good ambassador for the sport. With this chickenshit maneuver, he's lost any residual goodwill.

This was the coward's way out. He could have gone to a team with resources (there are numerous ones) and helped them work on their aero packages or performance. Hell, he could have gone to a team that shares motors with Hendrick.

He could have made a team his own and been a great driver in his own right, with a great team that was of his creation (see: RCR). He chose to follow the trail blazed by others.

His old man would have been ashamed.

[kcfanXIII]

some how, i doubt sr would be ashamed of his son, no matter where he wins his championship. to address your "point" about building his own team, if he's one of the best drivers, he deserves the best cars. i have been a jr fan since he came up from busch, and i have long envied hendrick motor packages. there is nothing chicken shit, or cowardly about setting up yourself for success. if you think so, take your college degree, high school diploma, or ged, and burn it. cause you needed help to get there, when you could have learned on your own.

[TrebMaxx]

alright, all this bickering is pointless.

dale sr and jeff gordon were not hated rivals, they respected each other. i think that sr would want whats best for jr and his career. HMS is the best spot for him, they have proven dominate motor and ayro programs. how else do you think a loose cannon like bush is able to compete? with the 24 and 48 as teamates, jr. can win a championship with hendrick, if he can beat them.

F1 is extremely advanced racing. the drivers are probably some of the best in the world, among any circut. this is america though, and nascar pulls in the dollars. why else would drivers of gordon, stewart and montoya's caliber stay? NASCAR will forever be america's prefered style of racing, because it originated here. F1 fans need to understand that while F1 may be the king of motor sports, they do not need to look down their noses at nascar. nascar has its place in racing, and isn't going anywhere.

for the record i'm a Dale Jr fan. i love this move and what it could mean to Jr's career.

Don't get me wrong, I like all forms of motorsports. F1 is so much different than NASCAR, but the goal is the same. WIN!

Donger, you really need to get to Indy for the F1 race someday. I have only missed the first race since they came back to the US. I really want to go to the Canadian GP next year.

Back on topic. I am unsure about the move if it is true. I root for Jr., but I really don't like him going to Hendrick. What I really wanted was for T. Earnhart to give Jr. control of DEI, I am sure that is what Dale Sr. wanted in the long run. It will be hard to root for Jr. if the rumor is true. Guess I will have to go with the home town boy Carl Edwards as my #1, then Jr.

[Nzoner]

Just one thing for all of you that think it is such a pussy sport ......... Go out and try it yourself, you will find out right away it's not easy as it looks.

That's all, carry on.........

Personally I know it's not for pussies having been on a ride along,I just don't care for it and do not get all the hoopla surrounding it.

And yes I've been to a race in person and watched on tv and still,no thanks.

[Bugeater]

Personally I know it's not for pussies having been on a ride along,I just don't care for it and do not get all the hoopla surrounding it.

And yes I've been to a race in person and watched on tv and still,no thanks.
You may find this hard to believe, but there's people who feel that way about football. I've met one before.

[Deberg_1990]

No, you see, Jr. hasn't won a race in so long it doesnt count against the cap. Being the most POPULAR driver doesn't count, WINNING races does.

Earnhardt Jr. = The Anna Kournikova of NASCAR.

[kcfanXIII]

You may find this hard to believe, but there's people who feel that way about football. I've met one before.

thats like smart donkey fans, right? i've heard of them, just never actually seen one.

[dtebbe]

What's going to be great is that we will all now see that Jr. isn't worthy of holding the jock of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, or Jimmy Johnson. He'll be out of excuses, and be relegated to just another 'perty face with a famous name.

I love the move.

DT

[Calcountry]

Car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car turn left, car stop for gas, etc.....Ever heard of Watkins Glen?

[Calcountry]

The COT sucks ass. Wicked slow and yet somehow still unable to turn. Fortunately the damn thing is so slow that even when they spin out they don't bump into anything. Bristol was embarassing and it hasn't gotten any better. They should have scrapped the whole stupid program. Instead it's all we'll see next year (though I just may not tune in).

Go back to speed and danger. I'm willing to lose 1 driver a decade for a real sport. And before I get barbecued for it, I'm willing to bet those drivers are willing to make the same deal. The old school guys hate what Nascar has become as well.

The last 10 years have been little more than a series of insane overreactions to the loss of a NASCAR legend. Nascar's response to Dale's death has scarred the sport more than his loss itself.

Restrictor plates, COT, etc... All it has done is water down racing to address a problem that really didn't exist. I hate Bill France.Don't forget those phantom cautions so the pretty boy can pit and group up with the leaders now.

[Calcountry]

step away for 10 minutes and come back and you ain't missed a focking thingThen again, step away, and the leader gets clipped, wrecks, and is out of the race. Kind of like Hockey. Get up to get a sandwich, and right when you are spreading the mayo you hear HE SCORES! on the T.V. and you missed the only goal.

[BigVE]

In case you missed it, this IS official now.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AiDUSqpMGOXZlG6Hu0h8f.o5nYcB?slug=ap-nascar--earnhardtfuture&prov=ap&type=lgns