| After Dale Earnhardt Junior earlier this year | | | | connection with the possibility of holding a press |
| announced that he will be leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. | | | | event at Lowe’s if Budweiser has already found |
| after this season, there were questions where the | | | | a substitute to Junior. |
| most popular NASCAR driver today will end up. That | | | | According to an official from Evernham Motorsports, |
| question has already been answered when Earnhardt | | | | no agreements have yet been formed between |
| confirmed that he has signed with Hendrick | | | | them and Budweiser. The official went on to say that |
| Motorsports for next year. | | | | the team is still talking with other companies that are |
| Another question raised during that time is whether | | | | also interested in sponsoring the team for the next |
| Junior’s sponsor Budweiser will be following him | | | | season. |
| to whatever team he will be racing for next season. | | | | Ray Evernham, the owner of the team, has a |
| The answer to that question has also been answered | | | | standing agreement with Dodge via the Dodge |
| as Budweiser is reportedly looking for a new driver | | | | Dealers for a sponsorship of Kahne’s car and the |
| to sponsor next season. | | | | Number 19 Dodge driven by Elliott Saddler. Accepting |
| It is now widely known in the paddocks that | | | | sponsorship from Budweiser for Kahne’s car |
| Budweiser officials are in a quest to find a driver to | | | | would mean that Dodge Dealers should agree to it. |
| sponsor next season which means that the ‘King | | | | Although speculations are rampant that Budweiser will |
| of Beers’ will not be sponsoring Junior next | | | | be sponsoring a Dodge next season, there are also |
| season. Although adjudged as the most popular | | | | reports that there is still a possibility that Budweiser |
| NASCAR driver today by fans, it seems that the | | | | would remain with Dale Earnhardt Inc. But this would |
| move by Junior from the team that his father | | | | only hold out to be true if Budweiser like who DEI will |
| started to Hendrick Motorsports made Budweiser | | | | be bringing in to replace Junior. |
| think about withdrawing the sponsorship. | | | | It can be remembered that Budweiser has sponsored |
| Speculations arise that Junior will be sponsored next | | | | Junior since his rookie season in 2000. With |
| season by PepsiCo Inc. It is also expected that if the | | | | Junior’s popularity and the amount of air time |
| sponsorship of the soda company pushes through for | | | | that the Budweiser logo appears on national television |
| Junior, his car will be boasting a Mountain Dew logo or | | | | painted across Junior’s car’s hood has been |
| a combination of Pepsi products. Junior will be driving | | | | translated to millions of dollars worth of |
| the Number 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick next season. | | | | advertisement. The reason for Budweiser’s |
| It is also reported that Budweiser is talking with | | | | apparent lack of support for Junior’s jump to |
| Evernham Motorsports regarding sponsorship for the | | | | another team is yet to be cleared. |
| following season. It is speculated that Anheuser-Bush, | | | | Aside from Kahne, Budweiser is also reportedly |
| the makers of Budweiser would move their logo | | | | looking at three more drivers to sponsor next year. |
| from Junior’s to hood to Kasey Kahne’s | | | | The three drivers that Budweiser is considering were |
| Number 9 Dodge just above its Dodge bumper next | | | | not named by the company. In the end, one of |
| season. | | | | these four drivers, one is Kahne and the others still |
| Officials from Budweiser have also contacted officials | | | | unknown, will be picked by Budweiser to sponsor |
| at the Lowe’s Motors Speedway. This is in | | | | next year. |