Most other contractual arrangements in place from the Hendrick Motorsports are said in order to features prevented a romance that have Bud

Earnhardt first started brand new 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Collection year from the doing 32nd during the Daytona five hundred as the result of a later part of the competition freeze. 1st Top appeared at Bristol System Speedway from the Dinner Urban area five hundred, where the guy accomplished seventh. 1st Better 5 emerged on Martinsville Speedway regarding Goody’s Chill Orange 500. He provided 136 laps and you may accomplished 5th. He obtained his 3rd Top of the season along with his eighth from the Talladega Superspeedway along with his 7th-lay results about 2007 Aaron’s 499. With the pionship factors, car owner Teresa Earnhardt try docked 100 owner factors, with his staff head, Tony Eury Jr., is actually fined $a hundred,100000 and you will frozen to own six racing because of the entry to illegal setting up supports used to attach the new side so you can his vehicle. 5 vehicles out-of Kyle Busch belonging to Rick Hendrick.

On the ouflage No. 8 car on the Coca-Cola 600 to your Art gallery Big date to improve money to your parents from army soldiers. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, lin, Casey Mears, Shane Huffman and you will Statement Elliott including changed the paint plans to own this new celebration. The guy completed 8th, immediately after top which have eight laps to visit, but he’d so you’re able to gap to own strength and you may Casey Mears finished with the earn.

Inside April competition in the Texas Motor Speedway he drove new history 10 laps on No

Towards the , Earnhardt received 1st rod status during the a dash because the 2002 at Pocono Raceway. Although Kurt Busch acquired the fresh competition, Earnhardt got a dramatic reappearance to finish second after spinning out and you can experiencing surprise issues. Earnhardt contributed to own 7 laps prior to Busch grabbed more than. Towards August 12 in the Watkins Glen International, Earnhardt are making the force towards Finest a dozen of your own Nextel Mug standings out-of his No. 13 standing. Once being at brand new No. 2 standing inside battle, Earnhardt got motor troubles to your lap 64 together with to get rid of their race date. Adopting the Glen, the guy tried furiously to-arrive the new twelfth place in standings. But not, a revival from the Kurt Busch and you will an effective blown engine within the finally race within Richmond finished his Pursue dreams. Which had been his past possibility to participate for the Tournament in the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). Adopting the 2007 12 months, Dale Jr. obtained the fresh NMPA Chex Most widely used Driver award into 5th straight day.

Relocate to Hendrick Motorsports

Once much speculation, Earnhardt announced into , he do hop out Dale Earnhardt Inc., the firm founded because of the their father, to drive for another group from inside the 2008. Earnhardt indicated that their choice was mainly based found on their desires to get to his industry purpose of a race Mug Championship, and his visible faith which he wouldn’t be capable attain you to objective while you are operating getting DEI. The guy asserted that unless of course he may obtain most control, and this control, out of DEI, which he was not confident in the fresh new businesses power to job the elite group peak equipment that would produce the evasive term.

On , the guy announced within a press conference he had signed an effective five-seasons price having Hendrick Motorsports, substitution Kyle Busch. At that time, Hendrick consisted of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey Mears. 30 days later , it absolutely was announced one to their long-day number one recruit Budweiser wouldn’t be that have Earnhardt when he generated new proceed to Hendrick.

For the , it actually was established you to Earnhardt wouldn’t be delivering their familiar Zero. 8 that have your to Hendrick Motorsports when you look at the 2008. His late grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, utilized you to number, if you find yourself Earnhardt selected it as he joined brand new Glass Show for the 1999. Their father as well as put No. 8 early in their career. Earnhardt Jr. attributed their stepmother to possess not enabling the fresh No. 8 to go having him to help you Hendrick Motorsports. Earnhardt told you dealings broke down when Teresa Earnhardt required area of certification money, plus looking the quantity back immediately after the guy resigned. (Brand new Zero. 8 group, once a profitable seasons during the 2008 with co-people Mark Martin and you may Aric Almirola, would getting closed last year shortly after DEI’s merger which have Ganassi Rushing.)