Junior's Big Announcement

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. made the big announcement we've all been anticipating this afternoon, he'll be racing the #88 for Hendrick Motorsports next season and he'll be sponsored by Mountain Dew, Amp Engergy Drink and the National Guard. The cars will look like this:

(Photo: Speedtv.com)

Now this is the third "big" announcement Junior's made this year. And as the season has progressed his fashion at said press conferences has definately gotten better. (Thank goodness!)

Here's Junior announcing he's leaving DEI:

(Photo: Getty Images)

Obiviously this was a difficult time for him. He was leaving the team started by his father and he was unsure of where he would land in 2008. But that doesn't mean he could rock the beard for the press conference. It's ok to shave. I know that you dropped the whole Gilette sponsorship but I'm sure they gave you a lifetime supply of razors as a welcoming gift when you originally signed with them that you couldn't possibly have gone through yet. I also wasn't digging his hair. It was too short and kind of looked like Tony Eury, Jr. used the flobbee to cut it. But at least it looks like he took a shower before hand because his hair is still wet. I'll give him a C, factoring in emotional stress of course because otherwise it would have been much worse.

About a month later Junior announced he was heading to Hendrick Motorsports:

(Photo: AP)

Junior look incredibly excited. He got to move over to a team with a more "hands on" owner and his family had history at HMS, so he felt like he was moving from one family member to another. But Junior apparently thought that no one would notice if he wore jeans to the event because he'd be sitting down and his legs would be covered. Accept...he got out of his seat and someone snapped this photo. Ooops! I'm glad he shaved and his hair seems to have grown back in the front. But the shirt is a smidge too night time at club Junior for my tastes and the pants are little too hanging out with the boys. Overall, an improvement but he's still a ways off, I give him a B-, because from the top up, he looked presentable.

Enter today's press conference:

(Photo: Nascar Scene)

I thought today was the best I've seen him in a while. I actually emailed my brother to tell him how proud I was of the Hendrick Motorsports PR team that got Junior to fix his hair so well. (When I get a better close up I'll post it.) I don't think I've ever seen his hair look so good. Either it's shaggy and unmanageable or short and unflattering, but today, was a great hair day. He also decided to shave, thank goodness. But then he stood up and I gasped. Untucked shirt, really? Would it kill you to conform on press conference day? I believe he was wearing dress pants and his dress shirt fit extrodanarily well for Junior. But this untucked shirt thing is a killer, it's not like he's Tony Stewart and tucking in his shirt would reveal just how large his beer belly is. Junior looks to be in pretty good shape (although, according to Kyle Busch that's not that accurate.) So overall, I give today's look a B+. Good job June, and good luck in the new ride!

Update: Junior was a guest on Espnews' hot seat. You can see it here. On second thought, I think he might have not shaved. Down grade.

UPDATE: Upon final review, Junior is wearing dark denim not dress pants. A step in the right direction from the Hendrick announcement but still not what I was hoping for. How about these pants instead. They even have "broken in" in their title. Oh, but I am still on cloud nine with the great hair!

It's been fun blogging with you,

Kate