BengalszoneBilly Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 This sounds like a bit of spitefulness on the part of Juniors stepmom Theresa Earnhardt.Earnhardt can't bring No. 8 with him to Hendrick By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing WriterAugust 15, 2007CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be taking his familiar No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season. Earnhardt is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and had hoped to take No. 8 with him to his new team. His late grandfather, Ralph, used that number and Earnhardt picked it when he entered the Cup Series in 1999. Although teams do not own numbers -- they are leased through NASCAR -- DEI had the first right of refusal on the No. 8, and Hendrick officials said Wednesday they were unable to reach an agreement that would have made DEI pass on choosing the number for 2008. ``We've been working hard to secure the No. 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.'' Hendrick officials didn't reveal what number Earnhardt will use when he starts his five-year deal with the team next season. His sponsor has also not been announced, but Hendrick officials said Budweiser will not be on his car. Earnhardt is widely recognized with his red Bud car and number, so this turn of events will give him a fresh new look next season. But having to part with his grandfather's number was difficult. ``Our hope was to carry the No. 8 with Dale Jr. to his new team, but the last proposal Hendrick Motorsports received from DEI just wasn't viable,'' said Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, his sister and business manager. ``It was a difficult decision, but all of us agreed that it was best to move in another direction,'' she said. ``There's disappointment, of course, but we look forward to working with Hendrick Motorsports on what will be a great program for Dale Jr. and his fans in 2008.''The funny side of this is there's a boatload of people out there regretting this decision: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenyon1977 Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 It's just his b%^ch step mom trying to make even more money off of him.For those that have the number 8 tatooed don't lose hope.He can still drive a red car but with 08, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88, 98, or any 80 number,Yeley's done with the 18, 28 no one is using this year, 38 Gilliand sucks, 48 is on the same team, 58 and 68 not used this year, 78 well Kenny Wallace probably can keep it, 88 lost it's value without UPS on it, 83 and 84 are the Red Bull team which I don't think will be back next year, 98 is unused this year,Jr drove the 08 for 5 races in 1999,His Dad drove the 98 for one race in 1978 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 It's just his b%^ch step mom trying to make even more money off of him.For those that have the number 8 tatooed don't lose hope.He can still drive a red car but with 08, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88, 98, or any 80 number,Yeley's done with the 18, 28 no one is using this year, 38 Gilliand sucks, 48 is on the same team, 58 and 68 not used this year, 78 well Kenny Wallace probably can keep it, 88 lost it's value without UPS on it, 83 and 84 are the Red Bull team which I don't think will be back next year, 98 is unused this year,Jr drove the 08 for 5 races in 1999,His Dad drove the 98 for one race in 1978Rumor has it he'll be driving the 5 car. Whooo BOY! Wouldn't THAT piss of some tattooed Junior fans!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.