| Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr. recently announced that he | | | | NASCAR Nextel Cup Series victories and two |
| will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), the company | | | | NASCAR Busch Series championships, all powered by |
| founded by his father, to drive for Hendrick | | | | the legendary small-block Chevy V8. Dale, Jr. has a |
| Motorsports starting in 2008. | | | | choice in his future direction. We are proud he chose |
| It is expected that his primary sponsor, Budweiser, | | | | to stay with Team Chevy - the winningest name in |
| will tag on him to his next team, although Budweiser | | | | motorsports with 609 wins and 30 championships - to |
| still has a contract with DEI. Earnhardt, Jr. will take | | | | pursue his championship bid. On behalf of General |
| Kyle Busch's spot in Hendrick Motorsports. Busch, | | | | Motors and Chevrolet, congratulations to Dale |
| meanwhile, will leave the organization at the end of | | | | Earnhardt, Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports on the |
| the 2007 NEXTEL Cup season. | | | | announcement of their partnership," noted Brent |
| Earnhardt, Jr.'s decision, like a dependable Gibson | | | | Dewar, General Motors' North America Vice President |
| exhaust, elicited positive feedback from the NASCAR | | | | of Vehicle Sales, Service and Parts. |
| community. "Today's announcement of Dale | | | | Even the American cable television network ESPN is |
| Earnhardt Jr.'s move to Hendrick Motorsports is | | | | backing the professional American driver's decision. "I |
| indeed an important announcement for this season | | | | can't think of anything at all that's bigger. He hit a |
| and beyond, and it should be noted that high-profile | | | | home run and hit it out of the ballpark. His father |
| partnerships have always been a part of NASCAR's | | | | always loved Rick Hendrick and had a great |
| competitive history. There have been so many great | | | | admiration for him. With Junior finding that he can be |
| partnerships involving people of great character and | | | | in a car with points, he's assured that he's in all the |
| ability. We're proud of what they have brought to | | | | races next year. You'll never risk any problems |
| our sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always said that first | | | | whether it rains or you have a blown engine that can |
| and foremost, he wants to win a NASCAR NEXTEL | | | | keep you out of a race. I think he could have done |
| Cup Series championship. We wish him the best of | | | | well at Richard Childress next season, but there was |
| luck," said Brian France, the NASCAR Chairman and | | | | one problem - he wouldn't have had points headed |
| CEO. | | | | into the 2008 season," said Rusty Wallace, an ESPN |
| Tony Ponturo, the Vice President of Global Media and | | | | analyst. |
| Sports Marketing Anheuser-Busch, Inc., has this to | | | | Wallace's workmate, Tim Brewer, added: "I think it's a |
| say: "Anheuser-Busch has enjoyed a remarkable | | | | great decision because he wants to go and win races |
| relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. since our | | | | and win championships. He's going to make the |
| sponsorship commenced back in 1999. Dale Jr. is an | | | | change for himself, get in a good race car and he'll |
| excellent ambassador for the sport and our | | | | get the job done. They are proven winners and |
| company, and we look forward to exploring options | | | | proven champions at Hendrick. The combination he's |
| with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports to | | | | had hasn't been working, and that's no disrespect to |
| continue Budweiser's relationship with him as he | | | | anyone. If I were him I would show up, not even |
| enters this new stage of his racing career." | | | | take my helmet, and just ask 'which car do you want |
| "Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been synonymous with the | | | | me to get in?' If I'd implemented a change and gone |
| modern era of Chevy Motorsports with his 17 | | | | this far, I believe I'd make a big change. |