When Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced earlier this year that he will be leaving the team which his father started after this season, there have been many speculations. The most important issue was of course for what team Junior will be driving next season. That question was answered when Hendrick Motorsports announced that they have signed Junior to a contract. Then, there’s also the speculation of what would happen to Budweiser’s sponsorship of Junior.  That too was answered earlier this week when Budweiser announced that they have picked Kasey Kahne to be the new face of Budweiser in NASCAR.

Then, Junior announced that he will not be driving a car No. 8 this season since his stepmother did not approve of his idea that he will use the number when he move to another team.  After that announcement, there are speculations as to the design of the new car that Junior will drive next year.  The waiting is over since Hendrick recently unveiled Junior’s car for the 2008 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

According to the Los Angeles Times, "The new look is relatively subdued compared to the bright red Earnhardt paraphernalia that currently fills NASCAR stands. In two versions of Earnhardt’s 88 Chevy car unveiled Wednesday, one had a green hood and roof top with the AMP logo in white, and the other the same design in blue with the National Guard logo in white. Both versions had white side panels, the ‘88′ in red on the side and black rear panels."

The number 88 has history behind it.  Other drivers who have used the number in the past include Junior’s grandfather, Ralph.  Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison and Buddy Baker all drove the number 88 car at one point in their career.  This season, the number 88 is being used by NASCAR veteran Ricky Rudd.  Rudd though will be retiring after this season and Hendrick, Junior, and NASCAR has reached an agreement for the mist popular driver in the sport today to use the said number.

Meanwhile, Junior had this to say:  "I was really trying to… do good by my fans because it was very important to them. That was one of the more popular questions: ‘Will it have an 8 in it?’ I think they can be twice as happy about the situation."  He added that:  "I like the fact that the number has some history, that makes me feel very proud to have it."