MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- They walked off stage Wednesday, arms around each other, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his future boss, Rick Hendrick.

As much as Earnhardt wants to win Nextel Cup races and championships, he sought someone to lean on.

For years, Earnhardt has relied on his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge. She negotiated the five-year deal that sends Earnhardt to Hendrick Motorsports beginning next season. Earnhardt, though, needs more than Kelley's support.

He had a spotty relationship with his father until reaching the Cup series in 1999. Then his dad died in 2001. Earnhardt looked to others as he struggled with his role as the sport's most popular driver. Hendrick, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte were among Earnhardt's closest advisors.

His stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, was rarely part of that group. Some in the garage saw her as an absentee owner of Dale Earnhardt Inc. because of her infrequent race appearances. She was less than that to Earnhardt. He admitted earlier this year that their relationship "ain't a bed of roses."

While many Earnhardt fans wanted him to join Richard Childress Racing and drive the No. 3 car his father made famous, or thought Joe Gibbs would provide the best guidance, the driver's decision was easy.

Rick Hendrick.

He provides the warmth, closeness and, yes, the best chance to win Cup races and titles.

Earnhardt beamed throughout Wednesday's announcement. With the pressure of where he'll drive next year lifted, he looked like a cleaned-up version of the laid-back guy fans worship.

He entered a new family with this contract. One minus so much bickering.

Earnhardt and Hendrick reminisced Wednesday about the contract napkin they signed in 1991 as a joke. They talked about Hendrick's late son, Ricky, who was friends with Earnhardt. Ricky told his father a few years ago that one day there would be an Earnhardt-Hendrick pairing.

Earnhardt mentioned the stories -- maybe a half dozen he'd heard during his search for a new ride -- about Hendrick helping friends and employees with medical issues.

Those moments stuck in Earnhardt's mind as he visited race shops. In each one he saw similar equipment and similar ability to build cars.

The relationship, Earnhardt said, was "what made the difference for me.

"He was just always really genuine to me. Even when I was thinking about my decision to leave DEI, his main concern was just my well being. He had no other motives or any other intention than trying to help me in any way so I could be as happy as I could at the end of the day. That was one of the things that I never forgot."

Earnhardt admitted he felt peace of mind with this decision.

"I know that Rick is going do everything he can do for me," he said, "and that's a great feeling to have somebody that is going to support you like that."

That support is not only personal but professional. It's how Earnhardt can join a team that features the sport's other most popular driver, Jeff Gordon. Thing is, Earnhardt and Gordon have been friends for several years. Gordon also has advised Earnhardt on some issues.

"Dad helped him a lot coming into the sport so Jeff ... over the last six years, has always expressed to me that he's sort of repaying that favor back to my father by helping me in a lot of ways, a lot of things behind the scenes that a lot of people don't know about," Earnhardt said.

Earnhardt also knows the company's support on the track will be immense. Hendrick has won 10 of the first 14 races this season, and the team has won six championships, including last year's crown with Jimmie Johnson. In all but one season since 1994 Hendrick's teams have won at least six races.

And yes, Earnhardt will have the chance to beat Gordon and needle him at the shop.

"We do have a personal competition -- if you want to call it a rivalry, fine," Earnhardt said.

"Jeff is one of the best that's ever been in our sport. He's fun to race with, and especially when you beat him, it's a good feeling."

Hendrick made room for Earnhardt by releasing Kyle Busch from his contract after this season.

Hendrick said talks to extend Busch's contract beyond next season stalled last month.

"It became pretty obvious to both of us that maybe a fresh start might be good for both of us," Hendrick said.

That feeling washed over Earnhardt as he walked off, smiling, with his new boss.