Junior to Hendrick makes Busch the 'No. 1 free agent' (cont'd)

"We're just trying to get through the week," he added.

When asked if Busch's questionable behavior factored into Hendrick's decision to release Busch from his contract, Dickerson said only, "Mr. Hendrick has always embraced his personality and he loves the way he drives."

A culmination of occurrences may have led to Busch's free-agent status.

"There are no secrets in this business; when Junior announced he was on the market and shopping, obviously speculation said he was going to Gibbs and then to RCR and finally Hendrick. People put 2 and 2 together and it became obvious it might be Kyle leaving. The phone started to ring," Dickerson said.

Speculation turned to salivation.

Hendrick called Busch -- who made the Chase for the Nextel Cup last season and is in position to do so again this year -- the "No. 1 free agent right now, the No. 1 draft choice.

"Kyle is one of the most awesome talents," Hendrick said. "I compare Kyle to Tim Richmond. ... There are a lot of people offering him some awful nice incentives out there; there are some unbelievable opportunities, some unbelievable money out there right now."

Busch said he's eager to see what other teams have to offer but at the same time, Hendrick was like a father to him.

"I have tremendous respect for Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. It's where I grew up, and I have a lot of great memories," Busch's statement read. "I kind of feel like I'm graduating. I'm excited about my future, and I know a lot of opportunities await because of what everyone at Hendrick did for me -- on the track and off."

Busch's leaving Hendrick has been likened to a bird leaving the nest and spreading his wings, but if you ask Hendrick some birds come back.

"I think from Kyle's standpoint, I'm hoping that this deal happened with the relationship that he can come back, that we can hook up again," Hendrick said. "He's 22 years old. He's got to see what the world is like and what other teams are like."