Racing fans will shed tears tonight. ESPN reported that fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. will no longer be racing under the #8. Henricks Motor Sports couldn’t reach an agreement with DEI.

What does this mean? It means All those red #8 hats you see people wearing will end up in Goodwill centers across the South. Earnhardt is getting a new car, new number and new sponsors. That means more merchandise to be sold! Crack open that piggy bank, it’s time to show your support for Junior.

All the changes will begin in 2008 at the start of the season. If I cared about Nascar, I might wonder about how this will effect the sport. Will Dale fans riot in the streets? Will Daytona hold a mass burning of all #8 merchandise ala the Detroit Tigers and Disco music? What will happen… only time will tell.