Dale Jr and Steve Letarte Part Ways In 2015

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Left) and Steve Letarte (Right) after winning the 2012

Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Raceway

By, Joey Gucciardo (1/10/2013 - 8:24 PM ET)

DAYTONA Beach, FL-After joining together in 2011, anounced Thursday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte are going to part ways. Letarte, Jeff Gordon's former crew chief. will leave Hendrick Motorsports in 2015 for a television deal with NBC Sports Network. Letarte spent 20 years as a Hendrick Motorsports employee, and staretd his crew chief job in 2005. He is one of the younger crew chiefs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. What I personaly believe what was a great partnership is now ending. Letarte and Jr. just seemed to work out, personally.

Steve Letarte (Left) , and Dale
Earnhardt Jr. (Right)

"You never want to see a talented and all-around quality person like Steve move on, but we understand this is an exciting opportunity for him and his family. He has all the tools to be a terrific broadcaster, and I know our fans will enjoy hearing his perspective. We're looking forward to a successful year in 2014 with Steve and Dale leading the No. 88 together.", said Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports' team owner said in a statement. Letarte led Jeff Gordon to five chase berths, and Jr. to only three. He will join Rick Allen, and Jeff Burton in the announcers booth for NBC Sports Network for the last twenty Cup Series races of the 2015 season.