I know I am probably going to get a lot of negative comments on this, but come on race fans, why wouldn’t you want to see the No. 3 back on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit? Sure a “legend” drove that number, but that was 12 years ago. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is fine with it and I would bet that Dale Earnhardt Sr. would be fine with it also.
“I think it will be great,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It was an iconic number for my father and it means a lot to a lot of his fans. This sport doesn’t really retire numbers, and all the numbers have history tied to them for several different reasons. The No. 3 is no different.”
Dale Earnhardt Sr. who lost his life back in the 2001 Daytona 500, was known as the Intimidator to the NASCAR community. Many race fans never expected that iconic No. 3 to return to the sport, but there is reasons why it should. Remember in 2011 when the Wood Brothers No. 21 had Trevor Bayne behind the wheel and he took it to victory lane? That was one of the hugest celebrations in NASCAR history! If that No. 3 went to victory lane in the 500 the fans would go crazy!
The Richard Childress Racing No. 3 is expected to be driven by Austin Dillion for the 2014 season (Austin’s grandfather is Richard Childress). Many race fans are upset that Austin will be driving the car because he isn’t a “legend” and he didn’t necessarily earn the ride. Dale Earnhardt Jr. grew up around the Childress family and watched Austin develop into the racer and knows he has talent. “He has shown he can be aggressive, and he will work real hard at every position,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Just watching him run laps and watching him in races, you see he is just a tough competitor”
“I think that for Austin … he drove the No. 3 in dirt racing and he drove the No. 3 in his Truck Series and Nationwide Series. He has earned the right to run that number as long as he wants,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
“[If] he wants to run it, I think it’s not really fair to deny somebody that opportunity. I’m OK with it. I know that might not be the way a lot of people feel or some people feel, but I’m sure it’s the minority that feels that way. I think that a lot of people will be telling Austin positive things about it.”
I don’t know about your race fans, but if Earnhardt Jr. is fine with it, then I’m fine with it. I can only hope that Dillion thrives in the No. 3 because I want the Intimidator’s car back in victory lane.
Love it wish Caterpillar had the number next year
He’s gone. Get over it already. Bring back the 3 and maybe all you old 3 fans can start acting like normal people who lost a loved one. It’s not normal to be grieving this long.
Childress and NASCAR will bring back the “3” to try to stop the massive loss of fans from the grandstands. They need bodies in the seats for any reason!
That’s totally absurd. A number?
When we lost Dale, I stayed loyal to RCR and became a Harvick fan. With Harvick leaving RCR, I’m torn where my loyalty lies. BUT, the No. 3 is symbolic to Dale Earnhardt, NOT to Richard Childress. If the ‘3’ comes back, my loyalty to RCR is severed and I’m keeping my loyalty to Harvick.
I’m perfectly fine with it, like I wrote: “If that No. 3 went to victory lane in the 500 the fans would go crazy!”
I looked up the history of the #3 in the Cup series, and there’s a lot more there than just Dale Earnhardt. Granted, he made the biggest mark with it, but there were some other big names that used it too. Buck Baker, Buddy Baker, Ricky Rudd, Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Fireball Roberts, and yes Richard Childress. There were also several drivers who didn’t make much noise in NASCAR history that drove it as well.
IMO, you leave the number and continue building history with it. As for Austin not doing anything to “deserve” it, well, I don’t think any of the aforementioned drivers (including Dale) were superstars when they first used it either. If that is the new precedent, then a non-champion should not be allowed to drive the #’s 7, 11, 24, 42, 43, 48…
Sorry, not feeling it. There is no way Austin has the fire in his belly that drove Dale. Not when you’ve been fed your entire life with a silver spoon. I’ve thought about it for a few years and I’ve come to the conclusion that number should be retired. Putting AD in the ride would cheapen the number and/or he’ll be compared to Dale his entire career.
About 3 months ago ESPN had a pole, one of many, I believe it was worded, should the #3 be retired in Cup, around 60,000 votes with 82% voting it should be retired, that should have said it all.
Remember you heard it here first. the #3 will be on the pole for the Daytona 500
The number 3 is just that, a number. I was/am a huge fan of Earnhardt Sr. and that is my point. I would have been a fan no matter what number was on his car door. We all know the number 3 is associated with Earnhardt Sr. as is the 21 with the Wood Bros. and the 7 was with Kulwicki, but that is not why we followed them. We applaud and cheer the driver, the skills and daring that each one shows, not the number. The number does not make a better driver, any number on the door of Earnhardt’s car would have worked – it did not make him or any driver a better competitor.
The number 3 belongs to Richard Childress Racing, if they choose to bring it back in its original form so be it – it’s theirs. It is the driver who makes the number famous, not the number who makes the driver famous.
I have been and still am a Dale Earnhardt fan and when people when say “Junior?” I say no…Dale Earnhardt. I was in the stands that awful day in Daytona and I guess I am living in denial that everything is okay with the sport…but it is not.
I am still waiting for that black Monte Carlo with the stylized 3 to cross the finish but I know it wont. My car still wears the 3 tag on its front bumper and always will. You see I miss Dale Earnhardt!
We can see the respect that Austin and Ty Dillon show the number 3 that was there grandfather’s before it was Dale’s. We can see the respect they give the sport and I for one appreciate that.
So, I am ready and anticipating the return of that stylized number 3 car and will watch it cross the finish line at the Daytona 500.
Who knows, many people may agree with me and help us heal just a bit more. Some may disagree with me but then we would have to discuss the retiring of the 7 that Kulwicki used when he died as Winston Cup Champion or the 28 of Davey Allison but that is another argument.
Let the kid run the 3 and kudos the Richard for letting him and to us for seeing it on the track again.
i was not and am not a dale fan or jr. but i think you hit the nail on the head.still have marlin stuff (coo coo and sterling) hope dillion is one of the top chevys as long as they come after ford toyota and dodge when they come back
Simply using the number 3 isn’t the point. It’s the logo. It’s the same design as Dale Sr.’s. That’s my problem. That particular design is almost as much Dale’s signature as his signature was. I’m not going to look at that and see Austin Dillon. I don’t mind Austin using the -number-, but put a different design on it.
Nobody’ll care about me saying this but I had to say it anyway.