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JR Motorsports & Hendrick Motorsports to Combine Busch Series Operations
The Wire

JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports will combine the two companies' NASCAR Busch Series operations at the conclusion of the 2007 racing season with plans to field a joint effort beginning in 2008.

The partnership will campaign two full-time race cars under the JR Motorsports banner that utilize Hendrick Motorsports engines, chassis and vehicle engineering support. Rick Hendrick will be listed as car owner of the No. 5 team and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be car owner of the No. 88.

"It's a great opportunity to have the wholesale support that Hendrick Motorsports is going to provide," said Earnhardt, the owner of JR Motorsports. "Being a relatively new team owner in this sport, this is a huge step for me and everyone at JR Motorsports. It was never part of the equation when I was deciding where to drive next year, but it seemed to be a natural progression once Rick and I began talking about the transition into 2008."

To support the operation, approximately 30 employees, including crew chief Chad Walter, will move to JR Motorsports' Mooresville-based facility from Hendrick Motorsports' Busch Series group in Concord. Walter will serve as crew chief of the No. 5 team next season.

"Ultimately, Dale Jr. and I both want to win races and give our people the best possible chance at achieving success," said Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Instead of operating independently of each other, we have an opportunity to work together to field an even stronger Busch Series effort.

"I have a great personal desire to see the No. 5 car succeed. My son (the late Ricky Hendrick) turned it into a championship team (as a car owner) and we are committed to continuing that legacy with both the No. 5 and the No. 88."

JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports will also collaborate in the areas of partnership development, sponsorship services, marketing and media relations. The two companies are currently working together on JR Motorsports' 2008 NASCAR Busch Series driver and sponsorship lineup, which will be announced at a later date.

"Rick's Busch program is consistently one of the best in the series," Earnhardt said. "To be able to partner with him and utilize our combined strengths in competition, sponsorship and marketing will be a tremendous benefit to both our organizations."
 
Or to Uncle Rick. Hey Kelloggs I have already been on the boys over this. Called both of them.
 
Mergers Galore
Hendrick, Earnhardt combine Busch programs: RCR, KHI expand technical alliance
By Greg Engle, Editor Cup Scene Daily

Merger fever continued Monday as Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports announced they would combine their Busch Series teams in 2008.

Dale Earnhardt Junior owns JR Motorsports; he has signed to drive full time for Hendrick in the Cup Series in 2008.

Earnhardt's operation will receive chassis, engine and engineering support from Hendrick Motorsports for the No. 88 car in the Busch Series. The No. 5 car will also be part of the partnership and will have Rick Hendrick appear as its owner, while the No. 88 will be listed under Earnhardt's ownership.

"It's a great opportunity to have the wholesale support that Hendrick Motorsports is going to provide," said Earnhardt. "Being a relatively new team owner in this sport, this is a huge step for me and everyone at JR Motorsports.

"Rick's Busch program is consistently one of the best in the series. To be able to partner with him and utilize our combined strengths in competition, sponsorship and marketing will be a tremendous benefit to both our organizations."

30 or so employees from Hendrick's Busch Series operation based in Concord, including crew chief Chad Walter, will move to JR Motorsports' shop in Mooresville. Walter will serve as crew chief of the No. 5 team next year.

"Ultimately, Dale Jr. and I both want to win races and give our people the best possible chance at achieving success," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Instead of operating independently of each other, we have an opportunity to work together to field an even stronger Busch Series effort.

"I have a great personal desire to see the No. 5 car succeed. My son (the late Ricky Hendrick) turned it into a championship team (as a car owner) and we are committed to continuing that legacy with both the No. 5 and the No. 88."

Earlier this year Earnhardt announced he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports in Cup next year. Prior to his decision one of his options included having Hendrick support to drive his cars under the JR Motorsports banner.

"It was never part of the equation when I was deciding where to drive next year," Earnhardt said. "But it seemed to be a natural progression once Rick and I began talking about the transition into 2008."

The new partnership will announce their driver line-up for 2008 at a later stage.

Also Monday, RCR announced it had reached an agreement with Kevin Harvick Inc., co-owned by RCR Cup driver Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, to expand their technical alliance. RCR currently provides engines for KHI’s Busch and Truck series teams.

KHI will take on a larger role in regard to testing, aerodynamics, suspension and chassis development with RCR’s Busch program.

“Our plan is to field a fourth Cup series team for 2008 so we’re going to work more closely with KHI on the Busch side,” said RCR owner Richard Childress. “I have all the confidence in the world that we’re going to have a better overall program.”
 
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