Dale Earnhardt Jr's long-time relationship with Budweiser may yet end with his high-profile switch to the Hendrick Motorsports stable, despite suggestions that he may take his current sponsor with him from DEI.

According to captainthunderracing.com, Hendrick has been in talks with the Pepsi company about its brands appearing on the #5 machine - if Earnhardt fails to take his current #8 plate with him - with Mountain Dew the favourite to appear next season.

A former backer of Darrell Waltrip, Mountain Dew is expected to be revealed as the car's principal sponsor at a press call at Indianapolis this week. Sources say that Hendrick and Pepsi are still finalising some of the finer points of the deal, but that the prospective partner would be happy about Junior running a limited Busch campaign alongside his Cup commitments.

The branding may not be restricted to Mountain Dew, however, with the AMP Energy Drink and Gatorade both rumoured to make appearances as part of the deal.