CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Kyle Busch chose to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing next season and began informing other teams Monday of his decision.

A source close to Busch told The Associated Press that the driver had selected Gibbs after a seven-week search that began when Hendrick Motorsports released the 22-year-old driver to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season. The source requested anonymity because the deal was not finalized.

“Kyle has made his decision and is in the process of informing the teams of his preference,” said Jeff Dickerson, who represents Busch through Motorsports Management International.

“As there are many details that still need to be worked out, Kyle will not be making that decision public at this time.”

Two car owners who had actively pursued Busch told the AP that the driver informed them Monday he had not selected their teams. They requested anonymity because they didn’t reveal Busch’s selection.

Gibbs currently fields cars for two-time series champion Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley, who is in the final year of his contract. Busch is expected to replace Yeley, who has not put up the results necessary to keep his ride.

While Stewart and Hamlin are thick in Nextel Cup title contention, Yeley is 21st in the standings with just one top-10 finish.

Busch signed with Rick Hendrick shortly before his 18th birthday and immediately began racing in the Busch Series. He had previously driven for car owner Jack Roush, but was able to void his contract when NASCAR passed a rule that said all drivers had to be at least 18.

Hendrick put him in top equipment, and moved him up to the Cup Series in 2005. Busch has scored four Cup wins, eight Busch victories and won four times in the Truck Series. He made the Chase for the championship last season, but finished 10th in the standings.

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He’s currently eighth, with one win this year, and on pace to make the Chase again. But he became expendable at Hendrick when the team needed to make room for Earnhardt.

Hendrick said at the time that negotiations on a new contract had stalled because so many team owners were interested in the young, talented driver, which made it easier to sign Earnhardt.

But Busch later said he was unaware of outside interest and had only been interested in extending his deal with Hendrick. He then fired his representation and moved to MMI, which also represents Stewart.