NASCAR Earnhardt

The Hendrick team announced on Friday that Budweiser would not continue as the sponsor of Earnhardt's car next season because of Hendrick's ``long-term contractual commitments to existing sponsors.''

``We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser,'' team owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. ``Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold.''

``They had a full plate,'' said Earnhardt, who said he'd prefer to keep driving the No. 8 car for his new team. ``They had sponsors pretty much already signed in agreements through '08. It wasn't really an option for Rick to make room.''

``Budweiser has sponsored Dale Jr. for nearly a decade, and we wish him the very best,'' said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch Inc. ``Budweiser will remain an active sponsor of NASCAR, and we look forward to building upon the legacy of the iconic Budweiser red car in 2008 and beyond.''

``Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year,'' Earnhardt said. ``I'm a race car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners and give my best effort each weekend.''

Earnhardt said he had some regrets about splitting with the Budweiser brand, but he's excited to see what new sponsorship deals the team will put together.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- "We've decided it's time for us to move on and seek opportunities to drive for another team in 2008." Jeff Gordon said he is impressed by Jr.'s actions.

Matt Slocum/AP Photo

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will command millions from a new racing team.

With that declaration, Dale Earnhardt Jr. began to end his relationship with the only team he had ever driven for, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. team his late father founded in 1998. "At 32 years of age, the same age my father was when he made his final and most important career decision, it's time for me to compete on a consistent basis and contend for championships now," Earnhardt said at a news conference. "I believe I'd have my father's blessing."

His decision is sure to set off a bidding war for NASCAR's most popular driver, though Earnhardt said Thursday money will not be the deciding factor in his decision.

"Money's not really the issue. It's not the guy who gives me the biggest paycheck," he said. "There's some things you can't get with money: peace of mind and satisfaction."

The ability to win races and compete for championships will be equally important factors, said Earnhardt, who has 39 race wins (including 22 Busch Series wins) and one Daytona 500 victory since his 1996 debut -- but only two race wins and 18 top-five finishes in 82 events since 2004.

"I feel like over the last year or two I've shortchanged my fans," he said. "I'm hoping to win some races, win some championships to give [the fans] what they pay all that money to go see us for."

NASCAR Earnhardt's

Hendrick move ends BUD

Budweiser sponsorship !

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