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CUP: Earnhardt Press Conference Wednesday
Written by: Tom Jensen   
Mooresville, N.C.
 


Junior: headed to Hendrick for 2008 (LAT photo) ยป More Photos

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at his JR Motorsports race shop in Mooresville, N.C. At that time, he will announce his 2008 plans, team spokesman Mike Davis confirmed.

After this season, Earnhardt will leave Dale Earnhardt, Inc., the only team he has driven for in his Nextel Cup career. Earnhardt announced last month he was splitting with DEI, largely because of strong personality differences with his team owner and stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt.

Earnhardt has made it clear that he would only drive for a Chevrolet team, one capable of winning championships. That has led to speculation he would move to either Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing or Richard Childress Racing, all of whom have won championships already. Ginn Racing has also been mentioned as a longshot.

Although team owner Rick Hendrick recently described the situation at Hendrick Motorsports as having "no room at the inn" due to already having four fully-sponsored teams, Hendrick's name has emerged as a frontrunner in the Earnhardt sweepstakes, either with Earnhardt joining Hendrick or Hendrick providing support to a JR Motorsports entry.

A Hendrick spokesman contacted by SPEED said in an e-mail Tuesday morning, "We're not
going to comment on anything at this time." Representatives from Gibbs, RCR and Ginn said they are not involved in tomorrow's press conference.

Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs has repeatedly said he would welcome Earnhardt, but not his longtime primary sponsor, Budweiser, who has a longterm personal services contract with the driver.

The recent announcement that RCR & DEI are merging their engine departments indicated to many observers that is unlikely Earnhardt will sign with RCR, the team where his father won six of his seven championships.

Stay tuned to SpeedTV.com for much more on this developing story.

SPEED will broadcast the press conference live, with pre-press conference live updates beginning at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. ET, John Roberts will host a special live edition of The SPEED Report, with Bob Dillner on site in Mooresville, N.C. The press conference is expected to last one hour. Viewer's can also watch the event via LIVE Streaming Video on the web at mms://wmscnn.stream.aol.com/live/nascar/webcast1_high


At 7 p.m. ET, SPEED will present a special half-hour edition of The SPEED Report to summarize the day's events.