Junior to Hendrick makes Busch the 'No. 1 free agent'

The sport's most popular driver is off the market for 2008 and beyond. Replacing him as the most-coveted driver available is one of contrasting personality to that of Dale Earnhardt Jr.: the fiery and outspoken Kyle Busch.

Earnhardt announced Wednesday he will join Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. He will replace Busch, whose contract expires after this year, in the HMS stable.

Busch, a four-time winner in team owner Rick Hendrick's No. 5 Chevrolet, released a statement Wednesday at the same time Earnhardt and Hendrick were holding a news conference at JR Motorsports.

"We had been working on a contract extension for me to remain at Hendrick Motorsports, but after prolonged negotiations, we mutually agreed that a fresh start was in order. I have been granted a release after the 2007 season," said Busch, known for being a fierce competitor on the track and his somewhat childish tantrums off of it.

Busch is the driver who this season said the Car of Tomorrow "sucks" after winning its inaugural race at Bristol; he's the driver who after his crash in Texas left the track without telling his crew members, leaving volunteer Earnhardt to finish the race once the car was repaired; he's the driver who wrecked big brother Kurt Busch during the All-Star race and, instead of patching things up, threw a fit inside his hauler. (Driver Video)

All of that said, every team in NASCAR still wants him.

Despite missteps and behavior contrary to those of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears -- his politically correct, well-mannered teammates -- every team in NASCAR is calling 22-year-old Kyle Busch.

"We've heard from just about everybody," said Jeff Dickerson, driver agent for Busch. "Since the announcement, we have had several calls from top-level Cup teams. People recognize his talent; they recognize his age and his upside. And they see how they could benefit from the natural maturation of Kyle Busch."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Dickerson said no offers were on the table.

"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."