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Rita from Columbia, Conn.: Why would Bud want to leave Junior? They were perfect together, and he is the best spokesperson they have ever had. It may be years before anyone can get to that level.

Jeff Hammond: In just about any driver's career, there comes a time when he has to make changes. Some changes have to do with economics. But it can also come down to the simple fact that Rick Hendrick has had an experience with Budweiser in the past. Dale Jr. is at a point in his career when he might like to represent a sponsor that markets to children. I hope that's what he wants to do because he can be a great role model. That's not to say that Budweiser is a bad thing, but you can't play to kids under 21 years of age when you're sponsored by an alcohol company. It's a good thing all the way around. Dale Jr. will benefit from having a new sponsor. Budweiser will undoubtedly survive. Look back at the history of Budweiser Racing from the time they really got into NASCAR in a big way with Junior Johnson and Neil Bonnett in the mid-'80's. Then they went to Hendrick Motorsports and eventually wound up at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Bud always comes up with good combinations to best represent their product, and they're going to do the same thing again.The drivers being discussed would fill the Bud bill pretty quickly. Kasey Kahne is one, and more importantly, if Bud elects to stay at DEI, a guy like Kyle Busch would be good. Budweiser will rebound. It's another one of those bumps in the road that goes along with our sport. A lot like the New Car and name change from Nextel to Sprint, it's another step in the growth of a major sport like NASCAR. You've got to get used to it.

Kyle from Toronto, Ontario, Canada: In all this talk about Pepsi and adidas, why is nobody mentioning Kellogg's as a potential sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr.? I believe they have a year or more left on their contract to sponsor the No. 5 car. Would Hendrick kick them off the car to make way for a "cooler" sponsor for Dale?

Jeff Hammond: There are a lot of possibilities out there. You've heard so much about Mountain Dew and Pepsi possibly stepping up and being interested in taking over. Any number of companies from this point — including, as you suggest, the present sponsor on that No. 5 car — would be great for his image, and Dale Jr. could do a lot for a sponsor, no matter who it is.

Robbie from White House, Tenn.: I believe that it would be great for Tony Eury Jr. to join Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports. Communication is the one thing that a winning crew chief-driver combination have to have is communication.

Jeff Hammond: Having a person that allows you to be you helps you become successful. Was my relationship with Darrell Waltrip always smooth? No, but I never had a problem with him venting to me and telling me what he wanted me to do. When it wasn't right, I helped him fix it until we got it right. That's what most of these really good relationships are all about.
If No. 20 crew chief Greg Zipadelli did not care about Tony Stewart, it would be easy for him to get frustrated with some of the things that go on with Stewart and tear them apart instead of making them stronger. That team is so successful — winning two championships and 30 races — because Zipadelli stands by his driver and works through those tough times. The same goes for Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson and Robbie Reiser and Matt Kenseth. These combinations have been together for a long period of time because their personal relationships are so storng. Dale Jr. wants Eury Jr. to go with him because the driver has already experienced what it's like to be without him. That's enough to make him decide not to do it again. I hope Rick Hendrick and the people at Dale Earnhardt Inc. can get this straightened out and make it happen for Dale Jr.

FOX Sports on MSN - NASCAR - Speed Mail: New sponsor, old crew chief for Dale Jr.