So here is some interesting news, saw on my twitter feed this morning that the number 3 will be back for 2014 and will be driven by Austin Dillon.


The Iconic 3 Will Be Back In NASCAR Starting Next Year

 

This is hardly news, even though I know it was just officially announced today.

I think everyone know I'm no Dale Sr. fan. That being said, I think it is horribly disrespectful of Childress to use this number for his grandson. It's not the disrespect of Dale Earnhardt that bugs me, it's the disrespect of his fans. The ones who want to keep his legacy alive by flying #3 flags from their campsites. The one wearing the #3 t-shirts. The ones who spend the money and keep this business going! Childress and every other car owner is delusional to think that they own the number just because NASCAR sez so. I highly doubt that anyone ever flew a #3 flag to support Richard Childress.

With Austin Dillon piloting the #3 now, this will begin to erase Dale Earnhardt's legacy. I am sure of that. Time does that. And Austin may have more years ahead him than Sr even had. When my daughter grows up, she will not associate the #3 with Dale Earnhardt. She will probably think of Austin Dillon. Which honestly does not bother me one bit. But I think there are a lot of people that gave Childress his fortune that do not want to forget. Those people do a lot to drive this industry and it results in good business for everybody. Childress would be nothing without those fans.

I think it's a really selfish decision

 

Brent makes a beautiful argument.......

 

I think they should have retired # 3 ,But Childress owns #3 so he can do what he wants..

 

I can sum it up in 3 words .Not a fan .

 

X2, I don't like it at all......






No argument from Dale Jr. over No. 3's return

 

Agreed, im not really a fan either. Its associated with Dale Earnhardt, and I think it should stay that way.

 

To play the devil advocate... when you think 43, do you think Aric Almirola, AJ Allmendinger, Bobby Hamilton, John Andretti, or whoever the heck else has driven that car? No, you generally think Petty..... maybe the same will hold true here.

 

Richard Did not Die though. Dale did it in such a Inspiring and Fatherly way helping his teammate /son getting the win and Second .
And just to clarify I say Inspiring because as we all know in the Media the shows him a bad @$$ and he would do anything for a win but his true fans knew this all along that he had a HEART of gold .
In my mind that is what makes the so different. I have to say having a child I would have done the same for Her because I love seeing her Succeed . So As I said I do "not like it" .

 

I'm not happy about it...
I think its going to erase Dale Sr's legacy...


Heres an Example....

Alan Kulwicki ran the number #7 He was a Winston cup Champion in 1979. (owner Driver like Richard petty) Who also died 5 races into the 1993 season. In a plane crash.


Now Robby Gordon is running the #7... Does anyone remember Alan Kulwicki now or associate that number with him? I highly doubt it...

Maybe its just us die hard Nascar Fans that do/will remember? The same will hold true for Dillion running Dale Sr's #3! In time.... They wont Remember the Greatest Driver that ever lived... IMO Dale Sr was/is Nascar.