DALE JR. NEWS CONFERENCE WED, 11:00A.M.

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

DALE JR. NEWS CONFERENCE WED, 11:00A.M.

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

My speculation on what may come.....

This news conference is being held at Jr. Motorsports. Usually a press conference would be held at the new team's location.

This could be for 1 of 2 reasons.... 1st, its Dale Jr.... if he scheduled a press conference at someone else's shop, everyone would know where he is going. He probably wants to keep it hushed until then.

2nd... Jr. Motorsports might be where he is racing next year. Hendrick still might be involved though. Its very possible this could be a satellite team of Hendrick Motorsports.... all cars, engines and resources supplied by them, but he won't be an "official" teammate of the other drivers there.

Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

And the rumours keep flying in:

UPDATE 2: ESPN.com's Marty Smith reports: Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Wednesday will announce his intent to drive the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy in 2008, multiple sources with intimate knowledge of negotiations told ESPN.com Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Hendrick Motorsports declined comment Tuesday, and e-mails and calls sent to Earnhardt's representation were not returned. Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, who has handled contract negotiations for her brother, declined to comment on the report. There was some speculation that the wheels are already in motion to plant Earnhardt in the #5 now driven by Kyle Busch before season's end, but Dale Earnhardt, Inc. president Max Siegel, contacted by phone Tuesday, discounted that scenario, saying Earnhardt would remain in the #8 through season's end. Sources said there are indications that Busch may not finish the year in the #5. Busch is under contract with HMS through the end of next season, and Hendrick had been working to sign the 22-year old driver to an extension. Jeff Dickerson, an attorney for Busch, told ESPN.com that "a lot of things may or may not occur. Out of respect for Hendrick Motorsports, we're not really sure what's going on yet. But we're trying. I don't think anything's changed yet. I can not tell you that Kyle is out of the #5 for 2008." It is unknown whether sponsor Budweiser will follow Earnhardt to Hendrick.(ESPN.com), the Associated Press is reporting similar news/speculation.(6-12-2007)

I guess Hendrick found room at the inn after all.

-- Edited by President Lou Demian at 15:02, 2007-06-12

FORD tuff · Jun 12 5:19 PM, 2007

this will keep everyone on the edge of their seat til tomorrow morning. everything ive seen says hendrick. am wondering what bud is doing as well

Lefflerfan · Stephen DiCaprio - Vice-President

Anyone else surprised that it is Kyle Busch being tossed to make room for Jr and not Casey Mears?

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

Well supposedly its Kyle Busch who wants out of his contract.... of course I can't imagine why.

Race chick · Eli Schmittou Mafia Motorsports Cup Series Driver

Being a new Nascar fan I must say, please sign something with someone. Nothing personal but I'm soo tired of hereing that name. At least win a race or something to saturate the news. Please sign already. I really don't care where. ( wow, sorry, I'm starting to sound like you know who.)

yatesfan · Marty Fleissner Former Member

I can't wait to here what Speedy has to say about this one. This outa be good!! Where ya at Danny boy?

-- Edited by yatesfan at 18:53, 2007-06-12

txcowgirl3500 · Jun 12 7:12 PM, 2007

Well, I was hoping in the back of my mind that it would not be Hendricks, but I am part of "Earnhardt Nation" and I will follow him anywhere!!! I just hope he takes "bud" with him, if not I am gonna have to take out a loan at the bank to replace all the "bud" stuff in my house, on my car, in my office, in my yard, and I just bought a special order Dale Jr Bud stock car christmas inflatable for next christmas, and I dont care if it has a 8 on it, its going in my yard for christmas....lol. Ya know, I thought it was really strange that Jr got in Kyle's car at Texas....................makes ya wonder, huh?

Shawnda

Tooz · Matt Sealey Former Member

well for the rumors of Kyle leaving.....I really don't think he has ever fit in with the 24 and 48 over there.....(part of the reason I like him)......he wants to go to a team where he will be the top dog I'm sure........and with the current guys and Jr. there, he would never be that guy at Hendricks.
If Jr. does in fact go to Hendricks, I will still root for him because I like him, his talent, his personality, not the sponser, or the team, or whatever else.
But don't be surprised if it is in fact Visa and not Bud on the car. Although I'm sure Hendrick would love to get Bud back into the fold.

---sidenote, I am completely baffled about how this was kept a secret for so long.........this is the biggest story in Nascar in about seven years, you think there would have been more leaks about who Jr. has been meeting with......I mean I'm sure its not that hard to find out where he's been. Must be the respect issue, that the Nascar beat reporters want to honor his wishes.

JG4TMR · John Magee

There goes the neighborhood!!! As they say...if ya cant beat em, JOIN EM !!! I think this goes back to those 9 laps JR ran in Kyles car. He realized then where he needed to be.

Tooz · Matt Sealey Former Member

just remember, the very first win for Hendrick Motorsports came with an Earnhardt behind the wheel!

joesgot4 · Troy Wiggins - Council Member

I'll accept dirty red with open arms, but i'll expect some wins from his car not all from jeff & jimmie! I dont know why ,but i'll learn to like him as long as he wins!� troy wiggins

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

I think next year there are going to be a lot of confused fans on both sides. Until now everyone knew where their loyalties lie.�

it'll be a totally new era for NASCAR, think about it.

FORD tuff · Jun 12 9:08 PM, 2007

gonna suck for us ford guys for sure . before at least all you confused bowtie fans were against each other , now everyone and his brother is goon be pulling for hendrick. sheesh , yates better get his crap together and give jack a hand . and jack has to resign biffle now , no doubt about it . figured he was gonna replace jr at DEI but would be crazy if that red 8 was the one out there wrecking everybody instead...lol....nascar is grabbing headlines now !

Speed Demon Racing · Daniel Schmittou Former Member

Talk about a "red-headed freclked step-child!". Good add for Hendrick and may pull some pressure off Tiny. I just hope it costs every "JR." fan hundreds of dollars in new tiny stuff, as well it should. Tiny Nation has bad-mouthed Hendrick folks for years and now this! Eat crow twice a day "Tiny Nation". Also bow-down and kiss the mans feet you've ALWAYS cursed and Hated! Maybe Jr can win some races gettin out of those DEI tanks! Tiny Nation needs to go to church and as for forgiveness for their years of doggin who they now will root for. jr. will only be 3rd best at HMS...much like Klye. Man, I may start drinkin again.

� Speedy

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

As I see it, both sides have some adjusting to do.� Yes, Jr. fans are going to have to get used to him joining the evil empire. Some won't be able to do it I'm sure, and he may lose some of his fan base.

But over the years how many of you Hendrick fans have bad mouthed and criticized Jr??��Heck, just look back on this board and you'll see all the trash talk against Jr. by Speedy, Troy, and some others who aren't in the league any longer.
Now he'll be Jeffy boy's teammate and you're all excited about it. That's just as funny.

Speed Demon Racing · Daniel Schmittou Former Member

Hendrick fans have "never" really been down on tiny, its his "sheep fans" the Hendrick contigent HATES because their all sheep. I mean this, what has tiny ever done, nothing. Why does he have so many fans then?, because his fans were praying for another Dale sr. Didn't happen, but could now. Tiny has fans because of his dad..not him. It the tiny fans that will have too decide what to do now, not hendrick fans. Tiny's fans are the worst class of fans at any track. Throwing cans at Super G, and for what, winning? Just receitly "cheering"� when Jeff wrecked at Charlotte.( I'd bet you were right there with them Lou) Face it, its not Tiny Hendrick fans hate, its his classless fans. Absolutely the worst in Nasacar. I for one hope they grow up now. We'll see.

PS. I know not all tiny fans fit this mold...but most do.

Speed Demon Racing · Daniel Schmittou Former Member

Oh and just to set the record straight, I am anything But "excited" to have a driver bring some many red-neck fans to "my" shop. Maybe they will take notes from Jeff's and Jimmy's fans on how to act. Lets hope so cause HMS Is nothing but class.� Sorry you red-neck mutant Budweiser fans, but call em like I see em. Hopefully class will rub off on yall.

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

Sorry Speedy, I can find about a hundred posts in these forums of you saying how Jr. sucks.... never has amounted to anything, never will......

And you calling Jr. fans redneck fans isn't very cool.�� There are some classless fans but there are a lot of classless Hendrick fans as well. Looks like everyone is going to have to get along together now.

And gee.... when did it become "your" shop??�� Guess I missed that in the news when Rick Hendrick sold his shop.

Speed Demon Racing · Daniel Schmittou Former Member

Well sorry Lou but my personal posts I stand by. The nut doesn't fall far from the tree. I never liked Sr. because of his wreckin people constantly. I will say tiny drives differently so I've backed off him. His fans suck though. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY STATED WHY. You can say all you want but lets face it, the entire NASCAR Nation stands by me on tiny's fans. Many some of those sheep will wander to different pastures now cause their behavior is not welcome at HMS.

Tooz · Matt Sealey Former Member

Speed Demon Racing wrote:

Talk about a "red-headed freclked step-child!". Good add for Hendrick and may pull some pressure off Tiny. I just hope it costs every "JR." fan hundreds of dollars in new tiny stuff, as well it should. Tiny Nation has bad-mouthed Hendrick folks for years and now this! Eat crow twice a day "Tiny Nation". Also bow-down and kiss the mans feet you've ALWAYS cursed and Hated! Maybe Jr can win some races gettin out of those DEI tanks! Tiny Nation needs to go to church and as for forgiveness for their years of doggin who they now will root for. jr. will only be 3rd best at HMS...much like Klye. Man, I may start drinkin again.

� Speedy

I haven't picked you apart in awhile and this post told me that it was about time to.�
first, you say you have nothing against Jr., just his fans, but in this post ALONE, you call him 'tiny' four times?� It has always been Hendrick fans like you throwing the derogatory remarks at either Sr. or Jr. for some unknown reason.
Sr. is easily in the top five best drivers ever in Nascar history, and yet somehow he isn't worthy of your respect???
Jr. has only 17 wins, but he does have 17 wins too!� That is more than any other driver since '99 with the exception of Jeff, Tony, and Jimmie.� (More than Kenseth, Burton, Harvick, Busch, Hamlin, Jarrett, Edwards well you get it)
All that coming while he has been with a sub-par team who did not want to commit the money or the resources to provide a top-caliber team!

But to get back to your posts, just because Jr. is joining Hendrick, does not mean in any way that we have to or even want to cheer for the rest.� I will still cheer for Truex and Kyle and even Stewart on occasion, But Never Gordon.

Get used to it, now with Jr. in top quality equipment, there is a new sheriff in the town of Nascar!� I'll predict in between 7-10 wins next year for ol' June Bug.

President Lou Demian · Lou Demian - President

Yes I'm definately interested to see how Jr. will perform in top notch equipment.

How many times in the last number of years as he had a poor finish because of mechanical problems or a poor handling car?

I'm sure that could still happen from time to time even at Hendrick, but it will be far far leass than what has happened with DEI.

This is when we find out what Jr. is really capable of.

JGibbsdomination · Carolina Dominators Truck Series Driver

Well, I was kinda hoping Jr. would come over to Gibbs, but its no big deal.

I just hope ol' Joe doesn't try for the shrub. Don't get me wrong, he's a talented driver, but he's a loose cannon. We already have enough high tempered drivers here, lol. Besides, the guy tears up too many cars.

I feel sorry for all the confused Jr. fans that now have to follow him to Hendrick. LOL, I guess it's good to be outside looking in on this one.