38 for JR

[Spur of the Moment]

Anyone else hear about Robert Yates giving up the number 38 for Junior? News said Hendrick and Yates might do a deal. I imagine money will be exchanged for it. I'll try to find the source where I heard it.

[Spur of the Moment]

Dale Earnhardt Jr To Drive #38?
Robert Yates May Release #38 To Earnhardt Jr
© Jeremy Dunn

Aug 28, 2007

Will Robert Yates allow the #38 to be transferred to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008?


Though ESPN's Marty Smith says it is unlikely, there is still a possibility that Dale Earnhardt Jr will drive the #38 in 2008 for Hendrick Motorsports. After failing to land the #8 for 2008, many numbers such as #81 and #08 have become possibilities for Earnhardt Jr, but the #38 would be perfect. What number could be better? You have the 3 and the 8 on one car driven by an Earnhardt. If this comes to fruition, fans may soon forget about the pain of losing the #8.

Robert Yates has carried the #38 since 2003 when Elliott Sadler replaced Ricky Rudd in what was the #28 Ford. Salder won two races in 2004, however he began to struggle in 2005, leading to his departure in the summer of 2006. David Gilliland replaced Sadler and has yet to bring the #38 back to victory lane.

If the #38 is transferred from Yates to Hendrick Motorsports, it is likely that the #28 would be resurrected.

[Spur of the Moment]

Doug Yates confirmed his team has been approached by a representative of Hendrick Motorsports about securing the No. 38 for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next year, but if Yates gets his way, there will be no such transfer.

Earnhardt recently was denied the opportunity to take the No. 8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick and now is considering other number options.

The No. 38 currently is being used by David Gilliland.

"Dale Jr., since he can't have what he wants, he might want the 38," said Yates, president of Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. "They're asking for the 38, and the 38 and 88 are our numbers.

"It's almost a little strange. It's like somebody asking if they can take your girlfriend or your wife out. We feel we're going to have the 38 and 88 [next year]."

Earnhardt said last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway that fans will "get excited about what we're going to do.''

"I know my fans are going to enjoy it,'' he said of his new number. "I wish I could be in the No. 8. I don't think that's something that goes away or I get used to. The possibilities I'm looking at I like a lot and are pretty cool and I think I can make an identity with.''

While Yates said he is not interested in parting with the number, doesn't everything in the sport have a price tag?

"That's my dad's side of it," Yates said, referring to his father, Robert Yates. "But for me, these are our numbers, and we're set with them."

[sherrybug]

That's what I have been hearing that Hendrick was trying to get the #38 for Dale Jr. Myself they should go after the #88 since Jr's Busch car number is #88. But that is just my opinion.

[Bignascarfan]

3= Daddy + 8=Jr= 38

that would be cool,