BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s replacement could be announced within the next two weeks, a senior executive for Dale Earnhardt Inc. said Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

Max Siegel, president of global operations for DEI, spoke about the team's direction and Earnhardt's comments about not taking the No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports next year.

With Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race rained out, there was little else happening at the track other than Siegel's comments.

Siegel spoke a day after Earnhardt blamed his stepmother, car owner Teresa Earnhardt, for not allowing him to use the No. 8 next year. Siegel would not discuss why the talks failed but admits negotiations were challenging.

"It's a very complicated situation," Siegel said.

"The emotional charge of this whole situation tells you how complex the discussions are, and I have no interest in kind of re-opening those discussions and debating them in the media. I understand his frustration and his disappointment.

"I don't know what to say to fans. I certainly don't expect them to understand. Hopefully, five years from now, people will say nice things about Dale Earnhardt Inc. and this will be a part of our growth process."

Siegel also said that Budweiser remains a possibility to sponsor the No. 8 car next year but quickly added that "we've had to come up with contingency plans in the event that they're not with us."

Reports have Budweiser moving to Gillett Evernham Motorsports and sponsoring Kasey Kahne next year.

Asked about the sponsorship status for all four DEI teams next year, Siegel said "we'll go into next year with four fully funded Cup cars."

If Budweiser leaves and Siegel is confident he'll have all his cars sponsored, it would seem the company has a replacement sponsor all but signed for next year. That's just part of the post-Earnhardt team Siegel is looked to build at DEI.

"I think that what I want to do is to continue to build upon the high standard and all the principles and legacy that Dale Sr. and Teresa Earnhardt built this company on," he said. "We're going to get competitive drivers in the car. We're going to do everything we can to represent our commercial partners and win championships."

Siegel also says the team is "well down the way" in negotiations to remain with Chevrolet. Dale Earnhardt Inc. has merged its engine shop with Richard Childress Racing and Childress' team announced Saturday it has signed a new contract with Chevrolet.

Pit stops

Bill Davis Racing has re-signed sponsor Caterpillar. This was the company's last year in its current contract with the team for driver Dave Blaney. ... Bill Elliott was recently inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

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