Earnhardt Jr. to run No. 38

UPDATE #3 Doug Yates confirmed his team has been approached by a representative of Hendrick Motorsports about securing the #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 #8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick and now is considering other number options. The #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 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]." 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." ESPN.com

08/28/07 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. A source at Robert Yates Racing said Tuesday that reports that they were considering giving the No. 38 to Hendrick Motorsports for use on the car to be raced by Dale Earnhardt Junior were false and the subject was never raised.

The published report said that Hendrick asked Yates for the number that would combine the No.’s 3 and 8 for Earnhardt Junior. The No. 3 was the number raced by his legendary father and the No. 8 was the number that Earnhardt Junior currently competes under at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. DEI said recently that they would not allow the No. 8 to follow Earnhardt Junior to Hendrick.

According to the report, Yates would send the No. 38 to Hendrick and switch to the No. 28 for the Ford currently being campaigned by David Gilliland.

It was pointed out however; that the numbers could not be switched due to sponsor contracts already in place and renumbering a car could result in a breach of contract. CupScene.com

08/28/07 Marty Smith said on ESPN2's NASCAR Now yesterday that it is unlikely the #38 will be transferred from Yates to Hendrick.

08/27/07 Newman/Haas/Lanigan/Yates Racing has said it is willing to give up the No. 38 to Hendrick Motorsports to use. The #3 from his father plus the #8 that he ran for DEI – put them side-by-side and you get #38. So although Dale Jr. had said he might like to try the #81, #38 appears to be what he will use.