NASCAR - Sports Rumors

Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:35 pm EST

Could No.3 return to NASCAR tracks?

By Joe Zedalis

Richard Childress joined Teresa Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway Sunday to unveil a special paint scheme to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Seniors and his first and only Daytona 500 win. The win in 1998 came after years of frustration and after Earnhardt had won every other race at the famed speedway.

Included in the scheme was the once familiar number 3. Since the day Earnhardt died, the No. 3 has not been seen on a NASCAR track. Childress has often said that it would take a unique situation to bring back the number 3 into the Cup ranks.

That situation may come in the form of Austin Dillion, Childress’s 16-year-old grandson who is now campaigning the number 3 in the late model ranks. He told his grandfather that he wanted to run the number not because it was Earnhardt’s number, but because Childress himself raced the number prior to Earnhardt’s arrival.

Source: cupscene.comNew Window

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127 Comments

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  1. sportsfan
    1. Posted by sportsfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    who cares if someone runs a car with the 3 on it
  2. Michael S
    2. Posted by Michael S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    I think at some point, they should bring back the number 3. I think when the majority of drivers entered the cup series after Seniors passing, then it has been gone long enough. Plus, for us senior fans, it will be nice to see him remembered and talked about when someone else is driving his car. Much like the #28 is used to talk about it's former drivers.
  3. CamShaft
    3. Posted by CamShaft Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    Not sure I like the decision. If this happens.
    I would be even more surprised if Teresa doesn't put up a fight.
    Not that she has any rights to do so.
    But that hasn't stopped her in the past.
  4. oldcorps116
    4. Posted by oldcorps116 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:44 pm EDT

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    i guess nothing is sacred in IROC
  5. John Mike N
    5. Posted by John Mike N Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    It's time. Other drivers ran the number, Richard Childress ran the number and also RCR owns the number. If he he wants to have his grandson drive the number, that is up to him and only him. Dale Earnhardt was a great driver, he will always be a legend. But, it's time to move on. Good Luck.
  6. oldcorps116
    6. Posted by oldcorps116 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:44 pm EDT

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    gee i wonder what marketing firm came up with this brainstorm
  7. PeeWee
    7. Posted by PeeWee Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    RCR does NOT own the number, Nascar does. I thought the 3 was retired, meaning never to be resurrected again. I don't know but I guess I could warm up to idea seeing Senior's grandson in the 3 car.
  8. Tim M
    8. Posted by Tim M Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    They drive mini vans around now anyway!
  9. marcus r
    9. Posted by marcus r Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    Number 3 is sacred,no one but jr should be able to run it!!!!!!!!!!!!
  10. disdainful
    10. Posted by disdainful Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    Who really cares. Jr has resurrected his career with Hendricks and it didn't require him remaining in his father's shadow. Let Richard and Teresa exploit it for what it's worth. Just only shows where both their hearts lay. Isn't money a wonderful thing?
  11. jamersonde
    11. Posted by jamersonde Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    Since it's Childress' grandson, who cares? Richard drove it before Dale Sr., so it's okay with me. (As long as the kid runs good.)
  12. Kirk W
    12. Posted by Kirk W Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    God, who gives a rat's behind?
  13. kevin s
    13. Posted by kevin s Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    #3 should never lap a track again,unless jr does it by the way post 14 kirk w F*** YOU ,JERKOFF!!!!!
  14. John C
    14. Posted by John C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    It was never about a car number, but about Dale as a driver. Who cares about a car number?
  15. camron's girl
    15. Posted by camron's girl Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Toney Stewart is way better than Dale!
  16. stickmanrik
    16. Posted by stickmanrik Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Why JR its bad enough that his Dad could think up a new name when he was born and give him own identity.
    Now he only one that can race #3 Please let Dale be Dale not JR He's what 35 years old.
    Sr dead we cant bring him back so lets let Dale just be dale.
  17. greg b
    17. Posted by greg b Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    folks, if the #14 on the open wheel circuit made famous and identified with a.j. foyt can be used by other drivers since, then the #3 should be made available if the owners and powers-to-be wish it to be.
  18. martin w
    18. Posted by martin w Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    Its been long enough since the #3 has not been used! I understand its dale"s number. But it is time to get over it! NASCAR should say use it or lose it !!!
  19. Jonny23
    19. Posted by Jonny23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    For as huge as Dale Earnhardt was to the sport, the only driver that could ever be thought of to run the # 3 would have to be his son. There is nobody else without the name Earnhardt that should adorn the number, and the colors.
  20. Aaron
    20. Posted by Aaron Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    Does anybody remember that Dale drove numbers other than 3? Sure, he was most successful in the 3, but people still run those other numbers. I'm fine with it, and I don't think RC will make the 3 in the same font as when Sr drove it - too much attachment for him personally, and too much pressure on the new driver. Jr doesn't want to run the 3 - if he did he would've asked RC and wouldn't have switched to 88. Eventually a 3 will be back on the track, and I can't think of a better way than RC's grandson - provided he can drive.
    And just for clarification - NASCAR owns the numbers, and numbers are never retired.
  21. CamShaft
    21. Posted by CamShaft Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    17 thru 19 -
    Camron's girl -
    Are you some sort of possession? Can't speak for yourself?
    Can't spell your boyfriends name or TONY's for that matter.
    Get a clue girl...
    BTW- Your boy "smoke" got smoked by Junior
  22. CamShaft
    22. Posted by CamShaft Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    Camron's girl -
    Are you some sort of possession? Can't speak for yourself?
    Can't spell your boyfriends name or TONY's for that matter.
    Get a clue girl...
    BTW- Your boy "smoke" got smoked by Junior
  23. bobs41andsingle/loveingbobsoon
    23. Posted by bobs41andsingle/loveingbobsoon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    its awful funny that harvick can run the number 3 on his car nothing ever said but let somebody eles run it and everyone gets upset get over it dales gone he could careless about that number jr moved on left dei behind nows he;s winning again
  24. Jose e
    24. Posted by Jose e Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    its jr brith right to run the 3 rcr thanks

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