Numbers game

It looks like Dale Earnhardt Jr. has narrowed his preferences for what number he would like on his car next year. After spending his entire NASCAR Nextel Cup Series career in the No. 8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc., he will be driving for Hendrick Motorsports next year. DEI gets to keep the No. 8 leaving Earnhardt Jr. looking for a new number.
There has been some speculation that he would lobby for No. 83, combining his old number at DEI with the number of his father's car at Richard Childress Racing. Only problem is the No. 83 is Team Red Bull's and on the car of Brian Vickers.
"I do have one or two that are on the top of the list," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I don't think there is a reason to make a big deal out of it. The bigger deal to me is the people that we partner with and the sponsorship that we put together. That is where the main excitement lies for me in the next announcement we make. The number, it will be fun to have a new number and to being doing something different."
Earnhardt Jr. said he doesn't quite understand why there is such a fuss about his new number. He said it is a little over the top.
"I am more excited on who the sponsor will be and what the car will look like, the color and design wise and what our approach will be as far as marketing that we are going to produce to try and market ourselves with our new partners," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It is real real close, we are probably about two weeks away."