Dale Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports

Correct.

 

Who was Labonte with when he won his first championship? I don't remember what number he had in the mid 80s. He went through that decline period in the late 80s/early 90s when he was driving the Skoal No. 1, then came back nicely with Hendrick.

 

Billy Hagan, IIRC.

 

Plus Bud and Hendrick have a long partnership with the #25.

Ken Schrader and Ricky Craven. Tim Richmond perhaps, but think he was Folgers?

 

Richmond was Folgers, I believe.

On another note, what do you think the backlash from the Earnhardt Army when Jr. blows his first engine in a Hendrick car???

 

Yep. Folgers also sponsored Schrader his first couple years at Hendrick, then two or three years with Kodiak colors before Bud came in.

 

Thought I read that Visa was going to Junior's sponsor wherever he went. Something along the lines of a 5-year, $100-million deal. I thought I saw it in SI, but I know I saw it somewhere.

 

So if Gordo beats Jr at Talladega under caution...will they still shower the track with debris?

 

Hagan according to Wikipedia...

He won his second career race in 1983 in the Budweiser Chevrolet. His team received sponsorship from Piedmont Airlines the following season, and he won races at Riverside International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, clinching his first Winston Cup championship.

 

I can't wait to see all of the Earnhardt fans kvetching over having to root for a Hendrick driver.

This will be almost as juicy as the wretching when Petty left Plymouth -- which I was too young to witness.

 

I'm actually amused at that commerical that was out a few years ago - the one of Dale Junior fans having all kinds of merchandise and even tattoos of the #8....will be coming true in about 4-5 months time.

 

Marty Smith says talks are going on that *could* lead to it happening this year.