Hendrick, Earnhardt combine in Busch

Earnhardt's operation will receive chassis, engine and engineering support from Hendrick Motorsports for the No. 88 car in the Busch Series. The No. 5 car will also be part of the partnership and will have Rick Hendrick appear as its owner, while the No. 88 will be listed under Earnhardt's ownership.

"It's a great opportunity to have the wholesale support that Hendrick Motorsports is going to provide," said Earnhardt. "Being a relatively new team owner in this sport, this is a huge step for me and everyone at JR Motorsports.

"Rick's Busch program is consistently one of the best in the series. To be able to partner with him and utilize our combined strengths in competition, sponsorship and marketing will be a tremendous benefit to both our organizations."

Nearly 30 employees from Hendrick's Busch Series operation based in Concord, including crew chief Chad Walter, will move to JR Motorsports' shop in Mooresville. Walter will serve as crew chief of the No. 5 team next year.

"Ultimately, Dale Jr. and I both want to win races and give our people the best possible chance at achieving success," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Instead of operating independently of each other, we have an opportunity to work together to field an even stronger Busch Series effort.

"I have a great personal desire to see the No. 5 car succeed. My son (the late Ricky Hendrick) turned it into a championship team (as a car owner) and we are committed to continuing that legacy with both the No. 5 and the No. 88."

Earlier this year Earnhardt announced he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup next year, after it was first rumored that he would receive Hendrick's support to drive his cars under the JR Motorsports banner.

"It was never part of the equation when I was deciding where to drive next year," Earnhardt added about the new deal. "But it seemed to be a natural progression once Rick and I began talking about the transition into 2008."

The new partnership will announce their driver line-up for 2008 at a later stage.