Dale Earnhardt, Jr. isn't the first sports personality to have a public falling out with his step-mom, but good luck finding another family squabble that's generated as much interest.

Junior's recent announcement that he is leaving Dale Earnhardt, Inc. at the end of the season sent NASCAR nation into full-time speculation mode. Who is Junior going to race for? Will he still drive the #8 car? Will Budweiser continue to be his primary sponsor? What does it mean financially for DEI, Junior, and his new team owner?

The prediction here is that Junior will sign with Richard Childress Racing, the team his father won six Cup titles with prior to his death on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Childress and Earnhardt, Sr. were extremely close and Junior has always viewed Childress as a friend and mentor.

Regardless of which team he elects to drive for, Junior is unlikely to be sporting the #8. Car numbers are owned by NASCAR and are assigned to team owners. Although NASCAR reserves the right to revoke or transfer car numbers without an owner's consent, it's unlikely they would take sides in the dispute between Junior and his stepmother, Teresa. One possibility has DEI selling the number to Junior's new car owner. But given the frosty relationship between Junior and Teresa, she may refuse to negotiate just for spite.

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