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This is my rough draft of the press conference. Pics forthcoming.

Jr - Running with Schrader at dirt track met Rick for the first time at 15 years old before he was racing anything. He said do you have a contract, they wrote it down on a napkin and he signed it. Jr says, even if it was a joke I better sign it, it may come in handy one day.

Ricky Hendrick said one day this would happen.

Rick said I still have the contract, but I was scared of your daddy.

Rick - Kyle Busch and I have been re-negotiating for the last year. It was obvious to me others were talking to him for quite some time. In recent discussions talking around the Charlotte race, it was obvious to both of us that a fresh start was best for both of us. it was best for him to pursue the other options and me to pursue Jr.

Car Number, sponsor?.........haven’t decided on any of that. Deal is for 5 years for Dale. Things could change by the end of the year. Nothing in place yet.

Robert Gee with Hendrick, how much does history mean. My granddaddy helped Rick get into racing, he was one of the best body man in the business. He was proud of his involvement at Hendrick. That was apparent to me as a child going to the shop with him. My Dad and Rick were friends for a long time. 1983 Dad won the first race in the Busch series.

How does the biggest brand in motorsports blend with your teams? All of our drivers are different, Jeff, JJ and Casey are friends with Dale. Important for me to protect Jr’s brand. I work with Kelley now and she’s told me how important that is.

Daytona win Busch abd Cup and will take Kelley to NY if they win the championship. It’s neat to see what Jr has built at JRM.

It’s not just professional it’s personal. I feel the pressure just driving in here today. :)

He;s gonna have to beat the other team members and they have to beat him. I’m going to give them all the best equipment.

Teresa question. It had a huge impact on my decision. A lot of people don’t know the inside relationships in the garage. Over a period of time there have been a lot of decisions I’ve had to make and sought others advise and Rick was one of them. Rick when it comes down to business he really cares about his friends and employees he takes care of them.

How much pressure going to such a dominant team? I don’t feel a lot of pressure, I’m excited to drive his equipment. I feel a little pressure, not that hard to get into victory lane. :) This will motivate me to run well the rest of the season.

Fans question? Bud? I think the fans will make up their own minds and somehoe come to terms with our decision. Once we get on the track with success we’ll be able to give them what they deserve. I haven’t been able to do that and make that happen now. They will have a lot to get excited about that in the future. Sponsor hasn’t been decided.

Team JRM? He wants to commit to support our Busch programs, driver development. And maybe some races for myself here. Devlope future drivers and CC’s.

Bear Bryants son playing for Auburn. LOL Two old waring camps coming together. I’d like to be number 8 talk to Teresa about that. I’ll throw that out there!!!!!!!!!
There’s other numbers I have interest in. I want to have a hand in design what car looks like and the number. I never looked at them as an arch rival, but they were the best competitors. Jeff has always been a good friend of mine and Dad’s. He’s sort of repaying back my father by helping me. Jr helped JJ get in the sport, I know he won’t give me credit. He came to me to buy his first motorhome. LOL

Fans upset about Jeff as teammate? We do have a personal competition, I like to outrun Jeff because he’s one of the best. It’s agood feeling to outrun someone like my father. It’s just an Earnhardt wanting to beat Jeff Gordin and you can have that rivalry and it’s still healthy. We respect each other. We will have equal equipment so he won’t have any excuses. LOL

Rick says I’m liking this already.

Not about money, about championship....peace of mind yet? Big weight lifted off my shoulder, but still sponsor stuff and other stuff going on we have to mix together. I still have to concentrate on the red #8 car and as hard as I can do that I will, I owe that to my guys. Big relief and a lot of excitement is what I feel.

Team going?? 8 ?? Part of the problems we will be discussing re: crew. All has to be worked out. Rick has a lot of great employees.

Can’t hear question? Close to signing with RCR or Gibbs?? We had discussions with them, most of the reports came out of thin air.

To Rick-pressure for winning championship? I’ve been through this before. If JJ wins, Jeff fans say I don’t give him good equipment. If Jr doesn’t win I will be blamed for not giving him equipment. Yes the pressure is there, he’s such an icon and we need to give him what he needs to reach that goal.

Can Kyle leave early? No I don’t think KYle will consider that, we have a responsibility to the sponsor. His goal is to see that car finish in first place. The same is true with Jr. We all have obligations.

Championship, can win now? If you don’t do you think your career will be judged unkindly? {Stupid question}
Jr says I’ve done more in this sport than I ever anticipated. I just wanted to pay my bills, it seems it was just 3 months go I was 3 months behind on my power bill. I want to give myself and Tony Jr the opportunity to get that this season. I will then focus my efforts on the car with Rick. I think I will cherish the championship on my mantle when all is done. 99.5% I really do want it.

Rick trading the 5 for 8 to DEI? Swap, if they want to talk about that we’d be open to that. Did the Texas ride with Jr in the 5 start all this. Jr said I was just trying to see the HP they had.

What numbers?? 5 or 25. Are you looking for a sponsor?
We have several sponsors that are multi year deals. My responsibility is to those people. We do have some space. We couldn’t talk to them?Bud because the media would know the next day!!

Hendrick passing RP tracks? Not a competition issue, I have confidence in the car and being able to drive them well. I think there will be a lot of difference in the feel of the car, just driving the 5 at Texas. How it rolled in the corner, the yaw etc. Casey said it took him a bit of time to learn their setups and to drive the car. Close to guys at DEI, Truex? I’m happty for Martin, he’s always appreciative of everything anyone has done for him. I’m happy for him. As far as DEI, they take a lot of pride in their ability to win races.

Expanding gift shop Rick? 3 of 4 superstars if all three 1 2 3 at Daytona, “Be nice and don’t wreck each other” I’m looking forward to that and will expand the gift shop!!
Dale has never wrecked anyone to win a race.

Reality of leaving DEI hit home? I never struggled with that I felt solid about that. Once I ran my brain around it I felt confident I made the right choice, The worst part was being in limbo not having a home. I had a job driving cars when Dad was around because of the family connection. This is a new venture and ahuge risk to make that decision and work for someone. Rick said I don’t have to change much, not wear jeans and t-shirts as much. LOL White shirt and pants.

When decision made? That was when I looked at other shops I sw the same thing everywhere, build good cars, hire good people. I didn’t really...Rick’s got a big operation, our relationship is what made the difference to me. Winning is what it’s all about, he will commit that. Some of the things I saw amazed me, Joe Gibbs coach of the Redskins, I was awed to be in the same room with him.

Ricky said Jr would drive for Hendrick? Joe, Dale and Ricky were together....Ricky was to take over the 25...he called me and said I’m gonna sign Dale Jr. Ricky just had this in the back of his mind. He always respected Dale, that was his goal in life....and to see this happen is special to me.

Jr...Rick does a lot of things for his employees, he did it for my sister when she was sick, he had his health issures, and he learned the importance in confidence in medical teams and I’ve heard half a dozen stories when someone like BP a family member or employee....he gets them the best treatment they can get all the time. I find that fascinating he has the ability to take time out of his busy life to do this for other peoplem you want to be around people like that. Not to take advantage but to make yourself a better person. If you’re a race car driver you gotta feel you’re the best and I don’t have a problem doing that!!

What would Sr say? 5 teams friends? When we talked about being a free agent, the crew members that came over and asked me to come with them. That was a great feeling. I know my Dad would trust Rick, they had a great amount of respect for each other. Dad would appreciate what Rick has and will do for me. What he’s done for my sister and my family. He’d be a little jealous to be honest.

Contract deal 5 years? What after that? Jr “I always like doing 3 year deals, I know what kind of guy Rick is and I anticipate 5 years being a solid amount of time.”

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Per Speed Kyle is talking to DEI but will finish at Hendrick.

And I love how he threw out the #8 car question to Teresa. The balls in her court now. :)