Austin Dillon to Drive the No. 3 Car
March 25, 2008 by Tim Zaegel
Filed under Racing
*Credit photo to lowesmotorspeedway.com
A few months ago, I told you all to keep your eyes out for the possible re-emergence of the no. 3 car in NASCAR, and it seems as though that day may be sooner than expected. As any racing fan already knows, the no. 3 car was retired from Richard Childress Racing following the untimely death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. back in 2001, and that car number has resurfaced on only a handful of occasions. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran the number for a few races in the [then] Busch Series back in 2002 and 2003, and the Intimidator’s old car has made a few cameo appearances at select events. But, the notion that the number could ever return on a full-time basis has always seemed impossible, maybe even tragic, to fans of our sport.
Austin Dillon – grandson to Richard Childress himself – has been running the no. 3 on the side of his car ever since he first started racing. In recent years he’s been racing late-model dirt cars, and on April 19th of this year, the 17-year-old will debut in the Camping World East Series. With his grandfather’s approval, Austin will continue to race with the number “3” painted on the side of his car, and the black car will be sponsored by Garage Equipment Supply. The car itself is not owned by Childress, but rather by Andy Santerre.
We’ll continue to keep tabs on Austin Dillon as he climbs his way through the amateur series with hopes of one day making it to one of NASCAR’s top-three series. When that day comes, it should be interesting to see who owns the car that he drives, and what the number is painted on the side of that car. Don’t be too surprised if you’re looking at another RCR-owned number 3.
“This why I no longer eat carrots. Carrots are a vegetable. Tomatoes are a vegetable and could cause Salmonella. Therefore Vegetables are bad and we should not eat any of them.”
Actually, tomatoes are a fruit, are they not?
“Besides, core NASCAR fans don’t even know Indy racing exists I think!”
Now, there’s the understatement of the day …
Very good point and correction Tim. I apologize for the error.
Now lets take a brief trip into the science realm.
In scientific terms the big question to ask is, DOES IT HAVE SEEDS?
If the answer is yes, then technically, you have a FRUIT. This, of course, makes your tomato a fruit. It also makes cucumbers, squash, green beans and walnuts all fruits as well. VEGETABLES such as, radishes, celery, carrots, and lettuce do NOT have seeds (that are part of what we eat) and so they are grouped as vegetables.
OK enough about that. Just let Austin run the 3 for heavens sake.
But will Austin be driving with seeds?
And then what does that make Sunflower seeds? A fruit?
I know, I know, I couldn’t help myself.
Maybe he can be sponsored by “Davids”.
And yes, technically a sunflower is a fruit.
Odd where these threads end up.
Alright, Russ … ya got me – I’ll concede (partially because I’m just too tired to argue tomatoes at this point … you say tomato, I say tomato).
Bruce, do you realize you’ve managed to reference milk, beer, sunflower seeds, and racing diecasts all on one topic?
And I was holding back. (You can now add restraint!)
Now, where would be the fun in that?
Austin hasnt earned the right to run the #3. Lets see if he has what it takes to be the greatest before giving up the legend #3. Make him EARN IT!!!!!
I still think it would be nice to see the 3 out on the track. I know I will remember Dale and the great things he did with every lap I see the 3 on the track. Just watching the 3 do what is does best. RACE every weekend. I think of Fireball every time I see the 22 car no matter who is in it.
lets get another hard nosed racer like Dale back in that car and kick some butt in his honor. the 3 has been away for too darn long. oh yeah before you flame me for comparing anyone to Dale there will never be another Dale to influence the sport like he did ! his carreer was from the bottom up and I admire him for his success in doing what he loved to do. More of us should work as hard as he did . what a great role model for people that are working their way up from nothing and doing what they enjoy ! Dales carreer is proof that it can happen if you have the guts and drive to make it happen !
Heck I am still heart broken over Davey and Neal
losing Dale kind of did it for me. I still attend races and I still watch a few races but I am not the same hard core race fan I was before we lost Dale. Heck I used to record all of the races and watch them over and over.
I like all of the drivers and I like to see the guys win that has not won in a long time. it gets kind of borring seeing the same guy win all of the time.
To me the super teams are what is killing the sport along with the cost. I have been attending more local races and watching the little guys that are hungery and determined to move up that ladder eventhough almost all of them will never even get as far as ARCA.
Heck what do I know ? I am just a race fan and a Dale fan that remembers Dale in his own way.
I also honor his memory in my own way. we all have our opinions about the #3 but, whatever the folks in control of the #3 will make the final decision. and it will come down to the all mighty dollar not the man that is a sad fact of life and bussiness.
our feelings will have nada to do with it .
Regards.