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This Bud—and No. 8—Is Not for Earnhardt

Contract with new team strips racer of number with 'tremendous history'

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Aug 15, 2007 11:30 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose Budweiser ride has long been iconic among NASCAR fans, will have to surrender the number 8 under the terms of a new team contract. The racer, who's leaving his father's Dale Earnhardt, Inc., to replace Kyle Busch at Hendrick Motorsports, will also strip the Budweiser paint-job in a sponsorship move.

Earnhardt's new team was unable to save the digit despite Earnhardt's "tremendous history" with the number and its importance to fans, said Hendrick GM Marshall Carlson. The racer has driven No. 8 to all 22 of his career checkered flags. Earnhardt says he's now pushing for No. 81, which he's used in several Busch Series races.

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., smiles after winning the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race at Pocono raceway in Long Pond, Pa, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole)
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., smiles after winning the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race at Pocono raceway in Long Pond, Pa, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole)   (Associated Press)
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., takes the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race in Long Pond, Pa., at Pocono Raceway on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., takes the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race in Long Pond, Pa., at Pocono Raceway on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)   (Associated Press)
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., smiles in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race in Long Pond, Pa., at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton Jr.)
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., smiles in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 auto race in Long Pond, Pa., at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton...   (Associated Press)
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