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.
t.z good article i’ve read alittle on this I think he will probaly drive the three car and since grandpa owns it you know that is about close as it comes if you want that number. Iwas not a sr. fan but they ought to leave that 3 car out of the big show nationwide maybe but not cup.
I tend to agree for the most part in terms of letting it run in the Nationwide Series. I did read somewhere, though, that Harvick will be running with the “3″ on his Cup Series car, though not as the car’s actual number.
Heck, it was Richards number to begin with. if his grandson wants to run it then let him. besides I would like to see the #3 back in cup as long as it is a car that RCR is fielding. I have been a NASCAR fan since before it was was cool to be a NASCAR fan. It would be a fitting tribute to Dale and RCR to have that Number back out there. I dont think that the Big E would mind at all.
CMON KEEP THE NUMBER OUT OF THE TOP 3 DIVISIONS. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DRIVER LIKE BIG E. AND IF THERE EVER IS THEY DESERVE TO HAVE THERE NUMBER RETIRED ALSO WHEN I SEE THE BLACK 3 IS ALL I WANT TO REMEBER IS SR. NOT A ROOKIE
EVEN THOUGH IT IS RICHARD CHILDRESS #. i DON;T THINK NO ONE WILL EVER REPLACE THE INTIMIDATER. I THINK HE SHOULD GET ANOTHER NUMBER
NO NO HELL NO .The #3 is way to big and too good for anyone in Nascar today.Like the MAN said wrap the rags with oil in them around your legs so the ants won’t crawl up your legs and eat your candy asses.
Their all scare of racing now days.Its a show now.Don’t bring #3 back to this JUnk.
Eh, I don’t know. Controversial stuff, I guess. At first, I was all, “Oh, leave it out, it’s sacred to the family, etc.” but then I watched some documentary (on ABC, I think) last year and Jr. said he’d be all for NOT retiring it (permanently, I guess) simply because there may be other drivers out there who want to use the #3 because it has special meaning to them. Which makes sense to me.
That’s a tough one.. it’s the man himself we respect, not the number. Yet the number is what it is. It’s almost like holy ground.. don’t mess with it.
Tim: “I did read somewhere, though, that Harvick will be running with the “3″ on his Cup Series car, though not as the car’s actual number.”
Ever since Kevin took over the Chevy, if you look just under the B post you’ll see a small 3 under the post (Is that the B post that’s the rear of the door window?) on both sides of the car.
After Dale’s passing, that small 3 showed up on many cars, and not just in NASCAR.. but in NHRA and other series.
I was one of the devastated fans who has a forever void in his heart.. still miss him to this day, and hates what Teresa has done with TEI. But then again, don’t get either one of us started on that one, huh Tim.
Crap.. now I’m depressed.. and I have to go back to work. Ug…
The number should be retired.
I am somewhat different here.
Dale should always be remebered and will regardless of what anybody tries to do, but let the mans legacy live on through what he did on the track. Not just his number (even though I know that is hard to imagine).
Eventually at somepoint in time, somebody will assume the number 3 and i don’t think that there should be a time limit that should have to pass before that happens.
Childress and Earnhardt were close enough friends that I think Earnhardt Sr. would stand by whatever his decision was.
I was a big Dale Sr fan and I’d love to see Jeffrey Earnhardt drive the #3 but maybe Austin Dillon will have to do. As long as it remains an RCR car and is driven by family, I say OK. It is time for some new blood in NASCAR – drivers and rule makers. I’m sick to death of Hendrick Motors and ALL their drivers. Lets bring those young guys on!
This is stupid conversation. Why should Dale Earnhardt be treated any different than any other “legend” that doesn’t race anymore? Just because he’s dead? Guess what – he’s not even the greatest of all-time. Richard Petty’s definitely more of a legend than Earnhardt, and maybe even a guy like Cale Yarbrough. Are there numbers retired? Didn’t think so, so why should this guy be any different?!?! I don’t care if it’s Dale Junior, Kevin Harvick, or this Austin Dillon kid – if Childress wants to bring the 3 back, then so be it. Wipe the sappy tears from your eyes and try to grow a backbone you sissies!
It’s definitely an interesting topic to see. I actually agree with Jeff though when he says that the number should be retired, but that’s just my opinion.
Bruce, I believe you’re correct about the B Post. Thanks for the scoop!
t.z they do always run the 3 on the b post.
Yes Roc, as far as I know and can tell, it’s been on every single 29 car that’s been out on the track since Dale’s passing. (I know it’s every single diecast I have, and I gots me a “few” of those.)
Pete, get off it, man. Sure, it was Childress’ number to begin with, that’s fine, but let’s not forget the fact that Childress – along with Richard Childress Racing – wouldn’t be crap if it weren’t for Earnhardt. Pay the man his respects and leave the damn number alone!
Bruce / Roc, I can’t believe I’ve never noticed that before. Great attention to detail, eh? lol
Hey Adam yes Petty has more wins but most of them came when he was the only factory backed driver. What you fail to see is that Big E is the one that brought Nascar to mainstream fans he did it with his agressive driving style and his being as real and true as a man could get . What you seen on t.v. or at the track is what you seen at his ranch or on the street. Besides how many times did Big E blow Petty’s doors off and how much longer did Petty drag his career out causing wrecks and embarassing himself by not knowing when to step away. Don’t get me wrong Petty is and always be one of the best but I’m sure if he wanted to retire the 43 you think nascar would tell him NO ! So before you ramble and bash Big E get your facts together!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, dirocz jackass – This sport probably wouldnt even exist if it werent for Richard Petty and Earnhardt wouldve never even gotten a chance to race if it werent for him. So get your facts straight bud!
Oh iv’e been waiting well maybe longing for this i have been a 3 fan since Junior Johnson drove the Holly Farms Impala.It will look Right with the 3 on the track it just belongs out there mixing it up with the rest of em.
I think the number 3 should return. I think it is great that Austin wants to run it. I am real tired of people at races flying Earnhardt 3 flags, the man is dead. I am a Earnhardt fan. But time to let go people. If the 3 should not come back, then the 43 should be gone and the 21 for Pearson, list can go on and on….
Moonshiner and Ed, you both make great points. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts here. Always much appreciated!
Please….. There’s no way this number should be retired. While this means no disrespect to Big E, you can’t retire the 3 and continue to run the 22 (Fireball Roberts) and 55 (Tiny Lund). These guys made racing what it was intended to be and not the spectacle it is today.
Excellent points, Russ. I still say that if the 43 car is still out on the track, then I don’t see why the 3 shouldn’t be. But, alas, it was actually Childress himself who retired the number, not NASCAR.
hi i used to watch dale sr. race every weekend and loved it, and was one of his fans now i watch the 29 and kevin, but as i remember it most of the time these same people who now cheer the big man used to boo him, it is like all of a sudden he’s a saint. i say let the kid run the 3,most people don’t this because it was only said right after dales death but in 2006 dale was planning on retireing and kevin would now be driving that car, and that number would be the 3.
i say give austin the shot the boy can race,and if not him then who?
hey i think he should use the #3 because i have seen him drive a 311 speedway and he can driver better than yall think so just give him a try
richird petty has the choice to run the 43 car t.z its his team.
You are right Roc. Petty has the choice to “run” the car. Nascar has elected to not retire the number 3 from competition. Childress has decided to override Nascars decision and just put the car in storage. I was under the impression that the car owners had to run the car number in a certain number of races to be allowed to keep it. If thats the case Nascar should take the number back.
I am under the same belief Russ. I came across some noise saying the number had to be used by the car owners also, at least that’s what was out and about in the media in 2001 and 02. But there are car #’s out there that aren’t in the field but stay with the teams.. so now I’m confused. .. I hate being confused. I need a copy of that much maligned NASCAR rulebook. I could do wonders in dispensing info if I could get my hands on that mythical beast!!
Roc … that’s pretty much what I said, bro. =)
I’m not exactly sure about what the rulebook states in terms of what would allow Childress to keep the car number without actually running it, but I would imagine it has something to do with RCR actually purchasing the car number for a very large sum of money, or perhaps NASCAR was just willing to bend on it due to the whole scenario surrounding Earnhardt.
Another possibility would be that maybe the rulebook allows for special events & showings to constitute an appearance for the car number. Hell, maybe it even has something to do with the 3 being posted on Harvick’s car.
I dunno.
Please no, no and no! Only Dale Jr. should be allowed to drive that car.
I’m curious to know, though, Kathy … what makes you feel as though a member of the Earnhardt family is qualified to drive the car, but a member of the Childress family is not?
screw that. It should stay retired. I started watching racing because of earnhardt, he was NASCAR. they retired it in honor of him, they should leave it retired. IF jr. wanted to drive it, which i don’t think he would, then let him. some 17 year old kid shouldn’t get to though just because his grandfather owns the number. i don’t believe ANYBODY should get to drive it though. I think it should stay in retirement in honor of the greatest man in nascar but Jr. has paid his dues so if anybody is gonna drive the number that his father died in, it should be him. Not some kid straight out of high school, he doesn’t deserve it. I don’t even like jr and I think that. It’s wrong to let this kid drive earnhardts number. I will no longer attend races if he does and that’s gonna be hard considering i live in indy and haven’t missed an indy 500 since I was a little girl. this sux.
Now, you do realize of course that Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Richard Childress, Richard Childress Racing, and Austin Dillon all have absolutely zero to do with the Indianapolis 500, right?
Details.
“Details.”
Bruce, I’m glad I wasn’t drinking milk when I read that just now …
Milk, OK.. But don’t you dare do the nose rainbird with beer… it’s one of the major food groups and would be such a waste!
NO ONE TODAY IS A RACER.NO#3 is a racerers car.Leave it be retired.
Now, you do realize of course that Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Richard Childress, Richard Childress Racing, and Austin Dillon all have absolutely zero to do with the Indianapolis 500, right?
LOL, I’m so glad I subscribe to these comments.
yes i do but I watch ALL races and to me they are all the same. most of you don’t agree, but to me a race is a race and i just think of them all as related and all the same. If I stop watching one, I stop watching them all. i do realize that it’s not the same stuff, I just consider everything the same.
Very fine point JJ.
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.
“I just consider everything the same.”
* crickets *
As I said, most of you won’t agree. It’s how I was brought up and it’s how I think, most people don’t feel that way. You don’t have to be all sarcastic. You asked a question so I answered it. There’s no need to be rude. You don’t agree with me, that’s fine, but don’t be rude about it guys.
Welcome JJ…
We’re just having some fun… Sometimes we jest because we care…
I used to categorize like that too, so I understand where you’re coming from but I found that people needed more specific information or they’d annoy me with their dang questions.
Besides, core NASCAR fans don’t even know Indy racing exists I think! We don’t want to shock them!
“NO ONE TODAY IS A RACER.”
I would be willing to contend that statement ANY day of the week …
“LOL, I’m so glad I subscribe to these comments.”
Hey, what can I say … we’re always here to amuse you, Alicia. ;)
“yes i do but I watch ALL races and to me they are all the same. most of you don’t agree, but to me a race is a race and i just think of them all as related and all the same. If I stop watching one, I stop watching them all. i do realize that it’s not the same stuff, I just consider everything the same.”
Look, I’m not trying to heckle ya – or, maybe I am – but, I just can’t agree with that line of thinking. That would be like me not watching NCAA Football because of the Brett Favre debacle.