Speculation became reality last week when Scarborough’s Ryan Moore signed a driver development deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc.

He will run up to seven Busch Series races next year in preparation for a full schedule in 2006.

Negotiations began in the spring but things weren’t finalized until last week.

The 21-year-old Moore currently is seventh in the Busch North Series points and he expects to run several Busch North races next season in addition to his Busch schedule.

He was the Busch North Rookie of the Year last season.

Beginning this winter, he will test Busch Series cars for DEI.

“I’m pretty happy to catch on with a company like that,” said Moore. “DEI is probably the best company to be with in auto racing. We’ll see how everything comes out. Hopefully, I’ll make the best of it.

“It had been on my mind a lot. But they’re really trustworthy people. If they give you their word on something, it comes true,” said Moore.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip drive for DEI in the Nextel Cup series and Paul Menard races in the Busch Series. DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also co-own the Chance 2 car in the Busch Series with current series points leader and former Busch North regular Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel.

Moore won’t drive more than seven races for DEI next year so he can retain his rookie eligibility for 2006.

He is looking forward to working with the DEI crew chiefs and engineers.

“The seat time will make me a better driver,” said Moore.

Moore said driving the Busch cars would be a “big adjustment.

“The cars are a lot different,” he said. “But they have all the right people to help us go and run up front. Hopefully we’ll have decent runs next year and, when I go full time, we’ll be competitive.”

He’s not sure which Busch Series races he’ll enter, “but I hope we start out on tracks I’m used to like Loudon or Richmond or some other short tracks so I can get comfortable with the cars, the people and the other drivers.”

Richie Gilmore, DEI director of motorsports, said in a press release that “Ryan comes from a racing family and has been a student of the sport all of his life. He’s a good kid with a lot of natural talent. He’s shown some success in the Busch North Series in a short amount of time.

“After watching him over the past year and meeting with him and his family, we feel he is a good match for our program and will be very successful in this sport,” Gilmore added.

Moore said he was grateful to his family for its support throughout his career.

His father Kelly is third in points in the Busch North Series.

“They’ve definitely been 100 percent involved. They’ve owned every car I’ve driven,” said Moore.

Moore is setting his sights on Saturday’s Sylvania 125 Busch North race at New Hampshire International Speedway.

“I’m 100 percent focused on that race right now,” he said.

Santerre, Olsen vying for title

The Busch North Series has three races left and it appears as though the championship is a two-man race between Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre and Mike Olsen of North Haverhill, N.H.

Santerre, the two-time defending series champion, leads Olsen by 82 points. Third-place Kelly Moore trails Olsen by 140 points.

“It’s pretty much coming down to me and him. He’s a great competitor and a good friend,” said Santerre, who has won four of the 11 races.

Santerre said a lot of people have asked him about Newburgh’s Ricky Craven, who will drive the No. 32 Tide Nextel Cup car for the last time in the Sylvania 300 Sunday.

“I think he’ll end up with a Nextel Cup ride next season. He’s a great driver. If he gets in the right situation, he’ll land on his feet. He deserves a good Nextel Cup ride,” said Santerre.