Junior's move made official

At an 11 o'clock press conference this morning, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it official that he will join the 4-car Hendrick Motorsports stable in Nextel Cup competition, beginning next season.

Earnhardt inked a 5-year contract with Hendrick. Car number, sponsorship details and team aligment will be decided upon in the future, according to Hendrick.

Earnhardt has 17 Cup Series wins in his career, and he joins a team that has won 10 of the first 14 races this season. Kyle Busch will leave Hendrick Motorsports following 2007, after Busch and the team failed to negotiate a contract extension. Hendrick and Busch, according to Hendrick, mutually agreed to part ways.

ESPN's Marty Smith reported this morning that Earnhardt could move directly into the No. 5 seat vacated by Busch's departure, or Casey Mears could slide from the No. 25 into the No. 5, leaving the No. 25 for Earnhardt. Hendrick said during the press conference that he is not opposed to trying to work a deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. for use of the No. 8 for Earnhardt Jr. in the future.