Some big news out of Charlotte today, Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc have agreed to merge their engine programs. Plans for the merger were underway before Jr made his announcement, but how will this affect where he goes? Surely, it will make him think twice before deciding on RCR, or has he already made his decision to go it on his own, or sign with a team like Hendrick Motorsports?

A formal announcement is expected later Friday. RCR and DEI officials were not immediately available for comment. Plans for the merger were under way before last week’s decision by DEI driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. to not return to the organization next season, sources said. Source: Childress, DEI to combine engine programs, effective immediately

The two programs will continue to operate out of separate facilities until a centralized site can be built. Lord knows they both need to do something, Harvick was running good previously, and he won the Daytona 500 this year, but has done little since, but I couldn’t even tell you who the others drivers are off of the top of my head, as they are talked about so little. Dale Jr has always run good on the super speedways until recently, with Hendricks dominating almost everywhere. We’ll know more after the official announcement today.

Looks like he has made the big announcement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is leaving DEI. Jr did not say which teams he was looking at, however, he did say it’s not about the money, its about being able to do what he wants on the racetrack, so, to me, sounds like he needs Hendrick Motorsports, hehe. He is going to see what offers comes in and go from there, he did not want to narrow it down to anything in particular without hearing everything that is out there, and he said he didn’t think one team would blow any other out of the water. Here are some quotes from the press conference, still looking for some video. Added: A short video has been posted at Nascar.com of just his announcement, here on the 50 newest page, it is the first video listed, none of the follow up questions have been added yet.

“I’ll be happy with whatever decision we make. It would be awesome to continue driving the No. 8 but those numbers are owned by the car owners and I’m sure Teresa would love to keep that number at DEI.”

“This decision was based solely on my driving career not my personal thoughts on DEI. We still want that company to succeed.”

“I think Max and Teresa worked really hard at something and I think myself and Kelly worked really hard but I don’t think we were even close.”

“My father’s vision…if he was still here I think we would be in a different place right now.”

“I think DEI can be a successful race team. It may not be the exact thing my father wanted but it can still be successful.” Source: Earnhardt Jr. to leave DEI after 2007 season

I foresee lots of speculation, guessing and rumors until he does decide. He said Martin Truex Jr. could stay at DEI or leave, he would support him in either direction. He stressed a few times that he wants DEI to do well, DEI is important to him, he doesn’t want to see what his father built go away, and he even mentioned something about 20 years in the future they might be able to come together, I’m assuming when Teresa is gone. It is clear to me that he would definitely go in a different direction with DEI, wonder which way he will go now?