Is there a tear in your beer?

I think that HMS and Dale himself want to broaden his approachability to fans. I know many Dale Jr. fans are sad, and even mad, about Bud not staying with Dale, but it could all turn out for the best. With a sponsor other than an alcoholic beverage, Dale can appeal to kids, teens, AND adults if he gets the right sponsor. I think that is what Dale might be after in the back of his mind; a new image.

I have no idea what Dale Jr. fans are going through, but I sympathize with you. I don't think my driver will ever have to switch teams, sponsors, or numbers...fortunately. Thanks for a good question Shorty.

It won't be the same but it wouldn't have been anyway with him on a new team. Even if they get the 8 from Teresa there will be different colors and sponsors to make it neccessary for people to get the new Jr gear. Bud with a different number would have accomplished the same thing, more merchandise sales. Rick is a very shrewd businessman and I really do think they have the sponsors in place through all of next year anyway. Don't be fooled by a wolf in MY clothing shorty, imposters are everywhere these days.

It's sad but not surprising that Bud won't be able to stick with Jr. next year. But, God....I hope Jr isn't partnered with Pepsi as I am a Coke man myself. But whatever sponsor he's partnered with will unfortunately make him more marketable to a wider crowd. By that, I mean families, kids. If you think about it Jr will become the John Cena of Nascar.

Ya it's going to be strange Dale Jr. without Bud.But like you I expect Bud to be back in the future or at least spark a bidding war with whomever is Dale's sponser.We will get use to Lil E's new sponser whoever it is.But,Pepsi? aren't they a prime sponser of the #24.Anyone else think Hendrick hasn't totally come clean about their newest driver.I'm thinking maybe Jeff has an owner interest in his newest teammate,yet Ive heard nothing to that effect.Anyone else thinking there may be more to this story then their letting on.

l can imagine how you feel. l'm not a Jr. fan but l am used to seeing the red Bud #8. lt will be odd for sure. But sometimes sponsor changes are good. You can imagine how relieved l was when Mark Martin changed from Viagra to AAA. And it was even better when he went Army!!! lol

i was shocked i think it is an incredibly bad marketing move on budweisers part....i just knew they would go with jr....and i used to think bud had a pretty good marketing sense,

and i realize that ppl aer very devoted to their beer of choice but there is no way that this can be a more profitable endeavor than staying with a driver who has the fan base which Jr has....tell me this...who drove the skoal bandit car after harry? and the valvoline after mark? and yes skoal and valvoline products r still around but they missed out on alot of air time well look at coors light even ...

face it from a marketing perspective ....because of Jr's fan base..even when he is laps down and limping along he gets air time...they keep ya updated on him and his car...due to the popularity of the driver

look what UNC did for Dale Jr...he is a huge tarheel fan our colors happen to be carolina blue...(nc state is the red one)

but since Jr is the tarheel fan that he is...UNC came out with a Red UNC ballcap they sell on campus...(if u look at his bud cap when he turns it backwards he has the tarheel on it)

and they sold a mess of them hats....good marketing...

and what in the h~~~ r the stands gonna look like exactly if they aint painted red?????

It will be weird to see Jr in something other than a red Bud car. He does still have a personal contract with Budweiser though. He will still be in their commercials and things like that.

I really have no preference as far as Dale's sponsor is concerned. I'm dissapointed for him and his fans because I know how one is associated with the other....but, such is life.

Oh, and I'm a coke girl as well....

I'm disappointed, but not surprised. Hendrick will make so much more in merchandising with Jr having a new sponsor and a new #. I'm with you on the pepsi thing too!

So, Bud will not be Jr.'s sponsor. So, he may not have the # 8 next year. So?

Is Jr. going to be able to pick any sponsor he wants next season? More than likely. Is Jr. going to have fans next year even though he may drive with a different # on the car next season? More than likely. Will Jr. fans be able to remember him next year while he drives with a different sponsor and # on the car? Maybe.

True Jr. fans will simply say, "SO WHAT" he is changing things up. True Jr. fans will think of Jr. and not a # or sponsor.

Just remember, NASCAR fans should know Jr. for Jr. not a sponsor or number. Bud is the looser in this