The fall and rise of the Hendrick dynasty

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a lock for the Chase for NASCAR Nextel Cup in 2006. Earnhardt, NASCAR's most popular driver, struggled mightily without the services of crew chief Tony Eury Jr. for most of 2005, but the two showed signs they're back on the same page after reuniting late in the season. Earnhardt's new role as a team owner is the first apparent sign, other than his driving, that he's starting to fill his father's shoes off the track. He also has learned patience, and that has helped him appreciate the business side of the sport more than ever. Junior is embracing his racing pedigree.

TRUCK DISH

Ted Musgrave, who finally won his first NASCAR championship, says he has a lifelong contract with Ultra Motorsports. But what type of truck will he drive in 2006? Dodge is pulling some of its support from the series, and owner Jim Smith has not said publicly what manufacturer the team will be affiliated with. Ford appears to be the top candidate. * Todd Bodine has found a home in the Craftsman Truck Series with Germain Racing. Bodine battled in the Cup series as a supersub when top teams needed a fill-in, but he never could latch on to a top-tier ride. Now he has made a name for himself in the No. 30 Toyota. He won five races this season and has won seven in his trucks career. Bodine is a lock for the 2006 trucks title. * Erin Crocker, who will run the full schedule next year, made her trucks debut at Phoenix. Crocker, 24, qualified 22nd and finished 36th--last. * Wood Brothers' new trucks program will make its debut at Daytona. Bobby East will drive the No. 21, and Marcus Ambrose will drive the No. 20. Both drivers will have to pass rookie tests before they're allowed to compete. * Former Goody's Dash racer Justin Hobgood is pulling double duty in the No. 9 Toyota. In addition to driving, he's a fabricator for Germain Racing during the week. Though the number of trucks races Mark Martin will drive in 2006 is uncertain, the number that will be on the truck is certain: 6. Kevin Harvick Racing graciously released the number, which Martin uses in the Cup series, to Roush Racing. KHR will field the No. 33. * Expect rookie Aric Almirola to have a full-time ride with Chevrolet next season. The only hitch is Almirola, 21, is under contract to Joe Gibbs Racing, which doesn't have a trucks team. * GM Racing locked up its sixth manufacturers title.

speed reads

If Todd Bodine had started the season in the No. 30 Germain Motor Co. Tundra, it's quite possible Toyota would have scored its first Craftsman Truck Series title. Bodine, who replaced Chad Chaffin in June after his No. 66 team shut down, had a series-high five wins and finished third overall, 73 points behind Ted Musgrave.

Chip Ganassi has opened the checkbook to upgrade his organization's pit crews. The challenge now will be to get all the parties working together successfully.

Because Bobby Labonte is coming on board, the atmosphere surrounding the No. 43 Petty Enterprises team is the most positive it has been since The King was in the car more than a decade ago.

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