MOORESVILLE, N.C. – JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports will combine the two companies’ NASCAR Busch Series operations at the conclusion of the 2007 racing season with plans to field a joint effort beginning in 2008.

The partnership will campaign two full-time race cars under the JR Motorsports banner that utilize Hendrick Motorsports engines, chassis and vehicle engineering support. Rick Hendrick will be listed as car owner of the No. 5 team and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be car owner of the No. 88.

“It’s a great opportunity to have the wholesale support that Hendrick Motorsports is going to provide,” said Earnhardt, the owner of JR Motorsports. “Being a relatively new team owner in this sport, this is a huge step for me and everyone at JR Motorsports. It was never part of the equation when I was deciding where to drive next year, but it seemed to be a natural progression once Rick and I began talking about the transition into 2008.”

To support the operation, approximately 30 employees, including crew chief Chad Walter, will move to JR Motorsports’ Mooresville-based facility from Hendrick Motorsports’ Busch Series group in Concord. Walter will serve as crew chief of the No. 5 team next season.

“Ultimately, Dale Jr. and I both want to win races and give our people the best possible chance at achieving success,” said 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.”

JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports will also collaborate in the areas of partnership development, sponsorship services, marketing and media relations. The two companies are currently working together on JR Motorsports’ 2008 NASCAR Busch Series driver and sponsorship lineup, which will be announced at a later date.

“Rick’s Busch program is consistently one of the best in the series,” Earnhardt said. “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.”

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