Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008

[WWMiNiME]

First of all, it's very unfortunate that he had to leave DEI in the first place. He is their flagship driver and they should have given him more control in the company that his father built. If Dale Sr. was still alive, I'm sure that he would have given him more say in the company and ultimately would have let him run the whole thing. The future of DEI is very unclear as they now have no solid drivers at all?

Once Junior announced that he would no longer drive for DEI following the conclusion of this season, I was curious as to who he would sign with. I asked one of my room mates, who is a diehard Dale Jr. fan and hates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, what would he do if he signed with Hendrick and became team mates with Gordon and Johnson. He said that would never happen and that Junior would never do it. However, he announced yesterday that he will drive for Hendrick in 2008. As I write this, his sponsor and number are still unknown. I think this is going to be very odd for many Dale Jr. fans as most who like him also dislike Gordon and/or Johnson. I have not been watchin NASCAR as much lately, but it would odd for me to watch Dale Jr. help Gordon or Johnson win a race. It's like helping the enemy...but now the enemy is on the same team.

If all is successful with Hendrick Motorsports, I don't see Earnhardt returning to DEI.

[Mathewman14]

I don't follow racing much at all, but that does seem like an intriguing peice of news, to say the least.

[bmicha20015]

I'm all for this move. This is the best possible team he could have gone with if he is serious about going for a championship. I hope this also means Gordon doesn't get booed as much (yes I am a Gordon fan). I also want to say that I saw one quote that just made me laugh, but I believe is the feeling of most Jr. fans. And here it is (this is only part of an e-mail that they showed on NASCAR Now, on ESPN), "I can't believe I ever liked him." I personally like him a little more now.

[WWMiNiME]

(yes I am a Gordon fan)
Oh, and I thought so highly of you before. Man was I wrong.

I hope Gordon continues to get booed, I dont like him at all. It's a good move for junior to be in the best position to win races and championships, but a worst position for fans who consider gordon and junior as opposite drivers - most like either gordon or jr., not both. I saw somewhere that Hendrick is now considered the Yankees of NASCAR.

If Hendrick works out for junior, DEI will not have an opportunity to sign him back and will ultimately lead to their destruction.

Anyone know how long his contract is for?

[bmicha20015]

5 Years I think. Also Gordon's a great driver. There's a reason he past Earnhardt on the wins list (if Earnhardt were still alive, you know he would have at least 7 more wins then he did when he died).