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RICHMOND, Va. -- Mark Martin will be among two drivers who will replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 next season, and Martin says he'll race beyond next year.

Martin said Friday at Richmond International Raceway that he plans to race about 22-25 races a season through the 2009 season. He would be 50 before the 2009 season started.

Martin will share driving duties with rookie Aric Almirola. Dale Earnhardt Inc. also announced that rookie Regan Smith will drive the team's fourth car. They'll join joining Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard. The team did not announce Smith's car number and sponsor.

EARNHARDT'S NUMBER: Car owner Rick Hendrick said that an announcement on Earnhardt's number and sponsor is likely in a couple of weeks. Hendrick did say that it won't be 25, which has been with Hendrick for years.

Hendrick said that Earnhardt's number likely would have an 8 in it.

LOOKING FOR WORK: Chip Ganassi Racing officials have told David Stremme he can look for other rides for next season.

The team announced earlier this week that Coors is not returning as sponsor. A report states that Indy Racing League driver Dario Franchitti could replace Stremme. Ganassi officials have not ruled out Stremme returning, though.

MAJOR CHANGES AT YATES: Car owner Robert Yates said Friday that he'll retire after this season. His son, Doug, will take over the team, which will be called Yates racing.

David Gilliland will return and Travis Kvapil will replace Ricky Rudd. The partnership with Newman/Haas/Lanigan will not continue. They announced an intention to merge at Indianapolis. Instead, Roush Fenway Racing will provide full support from hardware, engineering, marketing and operational practices. No sponsors were announced for either of Yates' teams.

UNUSUAL SPOT: Ricky Rudd was at Richmond but as a spectator after separating a left shoulder in his crash at California last weekend. This is the first time in Rudd's career he's missed a Cup start because of an injury.

Rudd, whose arm was in a sling, said he's unsure how long it will take for him to recover and return to racing.

Kyle Busch led four times and for all but 25 laps and even made overtime look easy at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, earning his ninth career NASCAR Busch Series victory and second of the season.

"It's a lot of fun being able to perform like that," Busch said.

BUSCH RACE: Kyle Busch, who also started first, never gave up the lead for more than 17 laps and grabbed it for good on the 160th when Matt Kenseth spun avoiding an accident.

Kenseth, winner of 23 career series races, led for 17 laps when Paul Menard spun out right in front of him.

PIT STOPS: An ESPN.com report states that open-wheel driver Patrick Carpentier could be headed to Gillette Evernham Motorsports and race a Cup car during the Chase. ... Hendrick Motorsports has signed a contract extension with Chevrolet that will keep the team with the manufacturer beyond 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dlong@news-record.com