When Dale Earnhardt Junior arrived in Daytona for winter testing in January there were more questions than answers for the head of Junior nation.

Just what exactly did team owner and step mom Teresa Earnhardt when she was quoted in The Wall street Journal Saying "Right now the ball's in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality?"

How will the new Car of Tomorrow effect the No. 8 team’s performance?

For much of the testing session Dale Jr ducked the media’s questions, but the following month when he returned to Daytona for Speedweeks, the 2 weeks leading up to the Daytona 500, he was ready to be heard.

On Media Day, the kickoff to Speedweeks, Dale Earnhardt Jr casually commented to a throng of reporters that he was seeking controlling interest in the family business that was Dale Earnhardt Inc.

"I want majority ownership, basically," Junior flatly told the crowd of journalists and media types.

At least 51%?

“Absolutely,” came the simple reply from the driver of the No. 8 Chevy.

The negotiations would continue between Dale Jr and Teresa -- both in the media, and behind closed doors, until May. That’s when Junior announced he was leaving the company his Dad had founded.

The season on the track would be less than stellar. A crash would take him out of contention in the Daytona 500.

After 20 races a 4^th place finish at New Hampshire would be his best finish.

Some people would say that Dale Earnhardt Jr wasn’t getting the best equipment DEI had to offer because he was leaving at the end of the season.

In May Dale Jr called a press conference on short notice at his JR Motorsports shop in Mooresville, NC.

There, on live television, he announced to his fans and the world that he was leaving DEI at the end of the 2007 NASCAR season.

"After a year of intense negotiations and intense efforts on behalf of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and JR Motorsports, we decided that it's time for us to move on and seek other opportunities for me to drive for a new team in 2008, Earnhardt Jr said.

Junior made it clear that he was willing to talk to any NASCAR team that was interested in talking -- and that starting his own team would be a last resort.

During the press conference his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, sat along side him and answered some of the questions. Kelley would be instrumental in negotiating Dale Jr’s new deal with Hendrick Motorsports.

Then in June another news conference was called at JR Motorsports. Dale Jr was ready to tell the world who his new boss would be. After introductions by the head of NASCAR's Hall of Fame, Winston Kelley, Junior was ready.

"We talked with many teams, but one stood out above the rest. It became apparent to me the man that I wanted to drive for. I've known him since childhood. He competes with integrity, and more importantly he wins races."

Just then Rick Hendrick appeared from behind the curtain. It was official -- Dale Earnhardt Jr had signed a 5 year deal to drive for Hendrick Motorsports.

Earnhardt Jr now had a new home, but there were many questions remaining.

Who would be his new crew chief?

Who would be his sponsor?

Would he be able to keep the No. 8?

Shortly thereafter Tony Eury Sr, Dale Jr's long-tome crew chief and the director of competition at DEI, resigned his position. Eury Sr was going to work for Junior at JR Motorsports.

At Pocono in August Junior would take the pole -- he would run competitively all day but finish 2^nd to Kurt Busch.

Later in August the disappointing news would come: Dale Earnhardt Jr would not be behind the wheel of the No. 8 in 2008 -- Teresa Earnhardt refused to give him the number.

However, Earnhardt would not give op on hopes of a championship. As the cut-off for the Chase drew closer, Earnhardt and his team worked hard to secure a spot.

His position in the championship standings had been moving from 12th to 13th. 12th was the cutoff.

2 blown engines at Indianapolis weren't helping matters, but Junior wasn't giving up.