Most other contractual arrangements in position within Hendrick Motorsports are said so you’re able to has actually averted a romance having Bud

Earnhardt began the latest 2007 NASCAR Nextel Glass Collection season by completing 32nd within Daytona five-hundred as the result of a late battle crash. 1st Top came at the Bristol Motor Speedway regarding the Eating Urban area 500, where he done 7th. His first Finest 5 emerged during the Martinsville Speedway from the Goody’s Chill Lime five hundred. He provided 136 laps and you can complete 5th. He obtained their 3rd Top 10 of the year and his eighth at Talladega Superspeedway together with 7th-set results about 2007 Aaron’s 499. On pionship activities, car owner Teresa Earnhardt try docked 100 proprietor items, and his awesome staff chief, Tony Eury Jr., is actually fined $a hundred,100000 and you may suspended getting six events because of the access to unlawful setting up mounts regularly install new side in order to their vehicle. mature dating apps Germany 5 vehicles off Kyle Busch owned by Rick Hendrick.

Into the ouflage Zero. 8 auto on Coca-Cola 600 with the Memorial Date to raise money to the family away from armed forces troops. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, lin, Casey Mears, Shane Huffman and Statement Elliott also altered the color systems to have the affair. The guy complete 8th, once leading which have eight laps going, however, he’d so you’re able to gap to have strength and Casey Mears accomplished for the profit.

Inside the April race within Tx Engine Speedway he drove brand new history 10 laps on the Zero

To your , Earnhardt received 1st rod position for the a race since the 2002 during the Pocono Raceway. Although Kurt Busch won the new competition, Earnhardt had a dramatic return to end 2nd immediately after spinning-out and you will experiencing surprise trouble. Earnhardt added having 7 laps ahead of Busch took more than. Toward August twelve on Watkins Glen Internationally, Earnhardt was putting some force on the Most useful a dozen of your Nextel Cup standings off his No. 13 position. Immediately after staying at this new Zero. dos condition inside the competition, Earnhardt got motor trouble on lap 64 together with to end his race big date. Pursuing the Glen, he tried intensely to reach the newest twelfth room from inside the standings. Although not, a revival by the Kurt Busch and good blown system for the final race on Richmond concluded their Pursue expectations. That has been his history possibility to take part into the Championship within Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). Following the 2007 seasons, Dale Jr. claimed new NMPA Chex Best Driver prize on fifth straight date.

Proceed to Hendrick Motorsports

After far speculation, Earnhardt announced toward , which he perform exit Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company founded by his dad, to drive for the next people during the 2008. Earnhardt conveyed one to his choice try situated found on his wishes to reach their job goal of a sprint Cup Tournament, and his obvious faith which he wouldn’t be capable getting you to purpose if you find yourself operating for DEI. He mentioned that except if he may acquire bulk control, hence control, off DEI, which he was not confident in the new organizations capacity to field the newest professional level products who produce the evasive title.

Toward , the guy established from the a news conference which he got signed an effective five-year package that have Hendrick Motorsports, replacement Kyle Busch. During the time, Hendrick contains Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and you will Casey Mears. One month afterwards , it absolutely was launched one their a lot of time-big date number 1 mentor Budweiser wouldn’t be that have Earnhardt as he generated brand new go on to Hendrick.

To the , it actually was revealed that Earnhardt would not be getting their common No. 8 that have him in order to Hendrick Motorsports inside the 2008. Their late father, Ralph Earnhardt, utilized you to definitely number, if you are Earnhardt selected they when he entered brand new Glass Show within the 1999. Their dad plus put No. 8 at the beginning of his community. Earnhardt Jr. blamed his stepmother for maybe not making it possible for this new No. 8 to go which have him in order to Hendrick Motorsports. Earnhardt said deals broke down when Teresa Earnhardt asked for area of the licensing funds, plus looking for the number straight back shortly after the guy resigned. (The fresh new No. 8 people, just after a profitable seasons when you look at the 2008 having co-drivers Draw Martin and you will Aric Almirola, carry out become turn off in ’09 once DEI’s merger that have Ganassi Racing.)