Pepsi's decision to pull its sponsorships of International Speedway Corp. racetracks was the first step in the company's plans to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he drives at Hendrick Motorsports next year.

According to industry sources, Pepsi's Mountain Dew soft drink now is the leader to sponsor Earnhardt Jr. next year.

The fan favorite announced his intention to race a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on June 13.

International Speedway Corp., which includes Daytona International Speedway and half of the tracks on the Nextel Cup Series schedule, will have its deal with Pepsi phased out as contracts expire over the remainder of the season.

Pepsi's deal with Daytona includes Saturday night's Pepsi 400 event, but that contract expires upon that race's completion. Pepsi plans to re-direct the money it spends with racetracks to Earnhardt Jr.

Hendrick Motorsports is talking with several companies to sponsor Earnhardt Jr., the most popular driver in racing. Budweiser, Earnhardt Jr.'s current sponsor, is working to remain with him, but Pepsi's Mountain Dew brand has become the clear front-runner.

DuPont currently has the most-expensive sponsorship deal in the sport at $20 million with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports.

Mountain Dew is expected to challenge, if not beat, that mark.

KAHNE WANTS OUT: Kasey Kahne's frustration at Evernham Motorsports has forced him to ask out of his contract, according to Fox Sports.

Kahne reportedly wants the freedom to negotiate with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008.

Dodge got a new front bumper this year, and so far it's been a big challenge to figure out.

Kahne has one top-10 finish this year and is 26th in the standings.

DIDN'T SKIP A BEAT: When Tony Eury Jr. was suspended for six races for using an illegal bracket for the rear wing on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car, the team was ranked 13th in the standings.

Not much has changed.

As Eury Jr. prepares to return for Saturday night's Pepsi 400, he comes back to a team that's 12th in the rankings and would qualify in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

"Tony Eury Jr. has got his work cut out for him," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Seriously, man -- Tony Gibson (interim crew chief), I ran great with him. (Eury Jr.) has been laying out for six weeks. He's got to come in here and work hard. I expect a lot of him."