The team will grow to a three-car NEXTEL Cup Series effort with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. joined by Paul Menard, who graduates from the team's Busch Series program.
But with the start of the season on the horizon, Earnhardt Jr.'s contract negotiations continue to be the focal point for the team.
Earnhardt Jr., who will see his DEI contract expire after the 2007 season, remains optimistic something will get done in short order.
"We look forward to negotiating and hope to have something in the next couple of months and put this to bed," Earnhardt, Jr. said. "We've spoken briefly, but I really don't feel like there's a need for any in-depth conversation tonight about it. We're just focused on next year and winning races."
After a dismal 2005 season, which saw Earnhardt Jr. miss the "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup," The No. 8 Budweiser team rebounded nicely last year. Earnhardt Jr., reunited with crew chief Tony Eury Jr., snapped a 27 race winless streak with a victory at Richmond and made the "Chase," finishing a solid fifth in the point standings.
“I feel like we're very capable of winning the championship,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I feel like I know more each year in and out about what to do to win the championship and how to better position myself to make the Chase and do those type of things. Each year you learn more about that. I have to minimize my mistakes. It's really hard as a human being to do that, but you've just got to really, really try, just to be perfect as a driver, not to make mistakes on the racetrack.”
Truex Jr.'s rookie NEXTEL Cup season was impressive with the freshman finishing 19th in the final standings. Truex Jr. started to gain some momentum as the season wound down and hopes to bring that with him into the 2007 campaign.
“We feel we’ve come a long way” Truex said. “We’ve learned a lot. We feel we can contend for wins this year. It’s a good feeling going into the season.”
Menard moves up to NASCAR's top division after a solid Busch Series campaign that saw the Wisconsin native score a popular win at the Milwaukee Mile.
Menard will now try to pick-up this year's NEXTEL Cup Series rookie title and is excited about the opportunity.
"This is what I've been working for my racing career," Menard said. "I want to race at the top level and with the team we have, I think we can all succeed. I'm really looking forward to it."
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Report: DEI can't sell No. 8 to Hendrick
FOXSports.com, Updated 3 hours ago
Hendrick Motorsports may have Dale Earnhardt in their stable, but they won't be able to buy his trademark No. 8.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. will not be allowed to sell the No. 8 to Hendrick or any other team, according to a report on the Charlotte Observer Web site.
According to the report, spokesman Ramsey Poston reiterated that NASCAR owns and assigns all car numbers and said a team cannot sell numbers on their own accord.
"NASCAR owns the numbers and licenses them to teams on an annual basis," Poston said in the report. "A team may allow another team to use the number for that year pending NASCAR's approval."
Poston said in the report that each year a team submits the numbers it wants to use. Numbers a team has previously been using are usually reissued. If a team gives up a number, it returns to NASCAR for reassignment. Selling the numbers is not an option.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced June 13 that he would be joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, sparking speculation over what would become of the DEI-owned No. 8 car. Earnhardt said during the news conference that he would like to drive the No. 8 for Hendrick.
DEI spokesman John Story said Monday they were aware of NASCAR's policy prohibiting the sale of car numbers, according to the report. Officials at Hendrick were not available for comment.
There is a chance that both teams could give up the numbers and end up swapping but don't get too excited....Check out this quote from Larry McReynolds
"If Dale Earnhardt Inc. makes a run at Busch, it would make sense DEI and Hendrick to swap the No. 8 and No. 5. Rick Hendrick may be the guy to negotiate that deal with Teresa Earnhardt, but I believe that she would do anything on earth to keep Earnhardt Jr. from having that No. 8, just because"
HMS has a long history with the #'s 5 and 25, if they can't get the #8 I don't think they will want to give up either of the other numbers.
It would be cool to see the #25 Bud car again.
Last edited by bowtieguy : 06-26-2007 at 11:18 AM.
I think that HMS and DEI should just switch numbers 5 and 8. That is if Busch goes to DEI otherwise I don't think junior will be racing in the #8 next year.
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If HMS really wants the 8 they can talk to DEI about it. Since NASCAR has stated that they own the #'s DEI can drop or choose not to renew it at the end of the year allowing HMS to possibly pick it up. I'm sure that HMS can pay DEI to do that, sort of an under the table deal. I'm surprised that NASCAR didn't allow the number swap since Jr. is their marketing machine. There are always was around everything, it seems that HMS has been caught doing that lately.
If HMS really wants the 8 they can talk to DEI about it. Since NASCAR has stated that they own the #'s DEI can drop or choose not to renew it at the end of the year allowing HMS to possibly pick it up. I'm sure that HMS can pay DEI to do that, sort of an under the table deal. I'm surprised that NASCAR didn't allow the number swap since Jr. is their marketing machine. There are always was around everything, it seems that HMS has been caught doing that lately.
Your right about Junior being Nascars maketing machine which is why they don't want him to have the 8 next year. If he doesn't have the 8 car next year that means they will be selling alot more merchandise because everyone will want Junior stuff with his new number.
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UPDATE: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)
Dei can't sell #8 to Hendrick
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