DALLAS -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a car numbered 88 and sponsored by Mountain Dew, AMP energy drink and National Guard next season, officials announced today.

"I'm really happy with that,'' Earnhardt said of the new number. "It's a great choice.''

Earnhardt has driven the No. 8 car sponsored by Budweiser for his entire Cup career starting with his first race in 1999.

The change comes with Earnhardt moving from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick Motorsports next season where he'll be teammates to Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears.

The No. 88 had been used by Robert Yates Racing since 1985 and by such drivers as Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd. Yates is relinquishing the number for Earnhardt.

"This was the number we didn't think we would have a chance to get,'' Earnhardt said. "I want to thank Robert and Doug Yates for working with us in obtaining this number.''

Check out Dustin Long's blog, NASCAR Chase, for updates throughout the day.