pandr
09-02-2011, 01:13 PM
Earnhardt signs 5-year extension with Hendrick
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Sep. 01, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. HAMPTON, Ga. – There was little drama surrounding Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s free agency.
For months, Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick and Earnhardt have insisted that an extension of Earnhardt’s contract to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series was a formality.
On Thursday, the Hendrick organization made it official with a news release about Earnhardt signing a five-year extension of his contract, which was to expire at the end of the 2012 season.
That would keep NASCAR’s most popular drive with one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations through the 2017 season.
“Rick and I were on the same page from the first time we talked about it, so there wasn’t any sense in waiting. There were never any questions or hesitations from either of us,” Earnhardt said.
“The team’s been very competitive this season, and we’re all excited about the direction of things. I want to make sure we’re giving our fans something to cheer about for a long time.”
Earnhardt has missed the Chase for the Cup the past two seasons, but with two races left to set this year’s field, he is ninth in points. If he can remain in the top 10, he will be guaranteed a chance to compete for the championship.
“Junior and I had a handshake agreement months ago, and we let other people work out the finer points from there. It was as simple and smooth as it gets,” Hendrick said.
“My feelings haven’t changed since the day he first signed with us. I’m committed as ever to putting him in the best possible situation to be successful and compete for wins and championships.”
Earnhardt, 36, has 18 career Cup wins but only one – in June 2008 – since joining the Hendrick organization. During his Cup career Earnhardt has won the Daytona 500, the all-star race and is a two-time champion in what is now the Nationwide Series.
C/P Thats Racin
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Sep. 01, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. HAMPTON, Ga. – There was little drama surrounding Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s free agency.
For months, Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick and Earnhardt have insisted that an extension of Earnhardt’s contract to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series was a formality.
On Thursday, the Hendrick organization made it official with a news release about Earnhardt signing a five-year extension of his contract, which was to expire at the end of the 2012 season.
That would keep NASCAR’s most popular drive with one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations through the 2017 season.
“Rick and I were on the same page from the first time we talked about it, so there wasn’t any sense in waiting. There were never any questions or hesitations from either of us,” Earnhardt said.
“The team’s been very competitive this season, and we’re all excited about the direction of things. I want to make sure we’re giving our fans something to cheer about for a long time.”
Earnhardt has missed the Chase for the Cup the past two seasons, but with two races left to set this year’s field, he is ninth in points. If he can remain in the top 10, he will be guaranteed a chance to compete for the championship.
“Junior and I had a handshake agreement months ago, and we let other people work out the finer points from there. It was as simple and smooth as it gets,” Hendrick said.
“My feelings haven’t changed since the day he first signed with us. I’m committed as ever to putting him in the best possible situation to be successful and compete for wins and championships.”
Earnhardt, 36, has 18 career Cup wins but only one – in June 2008 – since joining the Hendrick organization. During his Cup career Earnhardt has won the Daytona 500, the all-star race and is a two-time champion in what is now the Nationwide Series.
C/P Thats Racin