Earnhardt first started the fresh new 2007 NASCAR Nextel Glass Collection season of the completing 32nd within Daytona 500 because of a belated race crash. 1st Top 10 appeared within Bristol Motor Speedway in the Eating Town five hundred, where the guy done seventh. 1st Most readily useful 5 arrived from the Martinsville Speedway throughout the Goody’s Chill Orange 500. He contributed 136 laps and you can completed 5th. The guy obtained his third Top of the season and his 8th on Talladega Superspeedway together with his seventh-lay show regarding 2007 Aaron’s 499. To the pionship facts, car owner Teresa Earnhardt is docked one hundred proprietor activities, and his crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., is fined $one hundred,000 and suspended to own 6 events due to the access to unlawful setting up mounts familiar with install the new side to their vehicle. 5 vehicle from Kyle Busch owned by Rick Hendrick.
Towards ouflage No. 8 car in the Coca-Cola 600 towards the Memorial Day to boost currency into the group off military soldiers. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, lin, Casey Mears, Shane Huffman and you may Expenses Elliott in addition to altered the painting schemes to have the fresh event. He done 8th, shortly after best having seven laps commit, however, he had in order to gap for fuel and you may Casey Mears accomplished on win.
In April battle at Texas System Speedway the guy drove the latest last ten laps regarding Zero
On the , Earnhardt received his first pole condition into the a dash since 2002 during the Pocono Raceway. No matter if Kurt Busch acquired the new battle, Earnhardt got a dramatic reappearance to end second just after spinning out and you can experience treat troubles. Earnhardt added to have seven laps prior to Busch grabbed over. To the August twelve within Watkins Glen Globally, Earnhardt was deciding to make the push towards the Most useful a dozen of Nextel Cup standings away from his No. thirteen updates. Just after staying at the brand new No. dos standing inside the competition, Earnhardt had motor troubles to the lap 64 together with to finish their battle day. Adopting the Glen, the guy best exclusive dating apps tried furiously to-arrive the latest twelfth place inside the standings. But not, a resurgence by the Kurt Busch and you will good blown engine when you look at the last battle from the Richmond concluded their Pursue dreams. That was his last possible opportunity to take part on Title within Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). After the 2007 12 months, Dale Jr. won the fresh NMPA Chex Top Rider honor toward 5th consecutive day.
Move to Hendrick Motorsports
Once much speculation, Earnhardt announced on , that he do hop out Dale Earnhardt Inc., the organization dependent by the their dad, to-drive for the next team inside 2008. Earnhardt conveyed you to his choice try founded entirely on his desires to get to their occupation goal of a sprint Mug Championship, with his obvious trust which he would not be able to getting that mission when you are operating for DEI. He said that unless he may get bulk control, and that manage, from DEI, that he was not confident in the latest business’s capability to career brand new top-notch height products who does give the fresh new elusive term.
Towards the , he launched from the a news conference he had closed a good five-year package that have Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Kyle Busch. During the time, Hendrick consisted of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and you will Casey Mears. One month later on , it had been established one to their long-go out first sponsor Budweiser would not be having Earnhardt as he generated the relocate to Hendrick.
To your , it was launched you to definitely Earnhardt wouldn’t be taking his common Zero. 8 having your to Hendrick Motorsports into the 2008. Their late grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, put you to definitely count, if you’re Earnhardt picked it as he entered new Glass Series in 1999. Their dad as well as used No. 8 at the beginning of their field. Earnhardt Jr. blamed their stepmother to own perhaps not making it possible for new No. 8 to go which have him in order to Hendrick Motorsports. Earnhardt said dealings broke down when Teresa Earnhardt wanted area of licensing cash, and interested in the quantity back immediately following the guy retired. (New No. 8 group, immediately after a successful 12 months in 2008 having co-people Draw Martin and Aric Almirola, create be closed during 2009 once DEI’s merger which have Ganassi Rushing.)