The 8 stays at DEI

Figures.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and had hoped to take No. 8 with him to his new team. His late grandfather, Ralph, used that number and Earnhardt picked it when he entered the Cup Series in 1999.

Although teams do not own numbers - they are leased through NASCAR - DEI had the first right of refusal on the No. 8, and Hendrick officials said Wednesday they were unable to reach an agreement that would have made DEI pass on choosing the number for 2008.

Is it spite, or just business?

The emotional response is, why not let Jr keep the 8. That is who it is associated with it. If anyone else gets in the car, it is just anotehr number, no matter who's driving it. In fact, who ever gets in that car, will probably have an image issue to deal with for some time to come.

If it ain't Jr., it ain't sh**!! We'll see.

foxsports.com