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Remember that Budweiser commercial where Dale Earnhardt Jr. jokingly changed his number to 6.7, and fans panicked? Wednesday it became real. This time it wasn't Earnhardt's call.

Hendrick Motorsports said Earnhardt won't drive the No. 8 car next season because it couldn't swing a deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc., which controls the number. Earnhardt Jr. will switch from the DEI team to Hendrick next year, when he will have a new number and a new sponsor in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Hendrick officials said earlier that Budweiser would not sponsor Earnhardt next season.

Numbers define a driver. Say No. 24, and everyone knows that's Jeff Gordon. Richard Petty will forever be No. 43. Dale Earnhardt is No. 3. Earnhardt Jr. seemed headed in the same direction. He had driven the No. 8 -- his grandfather's number -- since his Cup debut in 1999.

The number is a NASCAR icon, appearing on decals all over the country.

"Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense."

Hendrick officials didn't say what number Earnhardt will use next year. He has raced with the No. 81 in the Busch Series. A move to that number could mean that those with a No. 8 tattoo would only need to have a 1 added instead of needing laser surgery.

-- Dustin Long

PETTY OUT: Chad McCumbee will drive for Kyle Petty this weekend in the Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Petty broke his right hand when he slammed it against the inside of his team hauler Sunday after finishing last at Watkins Glen. He underwent hand surgery Tuesday. The team said he likely will return for the Aug. 25 race at Bristol.

McCumbee, 23, finished 25th in his Cup debut in June at Pocono. He has a combined 38 Truck Series starts in the past two seasons. He also has two victories in five ARCA starts this year. Petty Enterprises plans to race McCumbee in the Busch Series in 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.