Earnhardt 'amped' about car, future with Hendrick (cont'd)

This is the Junior that Dawn Hudson, president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola America, and Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, both wanted. The new Junior. The polished Junior.

A Junior who can reach vast numbers of their target audiences.

Hudson said that Wednesday's announcement was made in Dallas largely because it was where a national convention of "1,500 strong" Pepsi bottlers were meeting. Earnhardt made an appearance at the convention earlier Wednesday, prior to the news conference, and Hudson said her employees "were overwhelmed."

She talked of her company's long relationship with Hendrick Motorsports -- Pepsi has been a sponsor of Jeff Gordon's No. 24 car for 10 years and has been a secondary sponsor for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 for four years -- and how she intends to use innovative marketing with Earnhardt to drive sales for Mountain Dew and the Amp Energy drink.

Vaughn spoke enthusiastically of how the National Guard identifies with the way Hendrick does business and the way Earnhardt conducts himself. He said that he expects Little E to help pump up the volume at recruiting stations nationwide.

"The Guard is like a family, and we want to be on this team," he said.

Others in racing have insisted that now that he is out from under the marketing restrictions that limited him to a certain demographic with Budweiser, Earnhardt, already NASCAR's most popular driver, likely will become even bigger. More importantly, especially in Earnhardt's eyes, they seem to agree that getting into Hendrick equipment should make Earnhardt an instant contender next season for wins and possibly even his first Cup championship.

"I think you saw the size of the community that his father [Dale Earnhardt] built running the Goodwrench car, and I think the job [Junior] has done personally as an individual, following the legend, has been remarkable," said Roger Penske, owner of Penske Racing South. "Having the chance now to reach 360 degrees of the population without having to pull back because of the alcohol requirements, I think he can only become bigger.

"I think it's a great move for Rick Hendrick. I have a lot of respect for Earnhardt. I think during the last few races [before the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup began], I was amazed at how cool his comments were and he basically did everything he could to get in. So I see him as a real contender next year, and I think this also gives him a great chance commercially."

Three-time driving champion Darrell Waltrip was on hand Wednesday and said bluntly that he expects Earnhardt to win the Daytona 500 next year. He went on to predict that Earnhardt will win a total of six races in his first season in the No. 88 car.

"I don't see why he can't. Rick Hendrick will put him in the best equipment, and surround him with the best of the best people," Waltrip said.

When they were flying to Dallas from Concord Wednesday morning, Hendrick said he turned to Earnhardt and said: "I wish the Daytona 500 was tomorrow."

Later, Hendrick told the gathered media: "There is just so much energy at our place. We just can't wait to get it on."

While stressing also that he intends to finish up strong over the last nine races of this season while driving the No. 8 for DEI, Earnhardt added that he is extremely eager for next February to arrive, too.

"The last lap of the Homestead race will be very emotional for me," Earnhardt admitted of the 2007 season finale that will be his last one in the No. 8. But then he later added: "I'm ready to get to Rick's and start working. ... Everything over there is top-notch, from one end of their shop to the other. I'm anticipating hitting the ground running at Daytona."

No doubt his new sponsors will have him hitting the ground and running long before then.