Childress may bring No. 3 back in Nationwide Series
Quote selected text Published August 23rd, 2008 in NASCAR News
Richard Childress might bring the No. 3 back to an RCR vehicle in a NASCAR national touring division when grandson Austin Dillon competes in the series.
Childress said Dillon likely will drive in a Nationwide Series race later this year and possibly could be in the series full time in 2010.
Childress still owns the rights to the No. 3.
Dillon, the 18-year-old son of RCR Vice President Mike Dillon, has driven the No. 3 car in the NASCAR Camping World East Series.
“He enjoys racing it in the Camping World East Series,” Childress said. “He’s been running it some. We might do it in Nationwide, but I don’t have any intention anywhere else.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the No. 3, made famous in Cup by his father, in the then-Busch Series in two races in 2002. Those are the only two races that number has appeared in the Nationwide or Cup series since Earnhardt Sr. died in the 2001 Daytona 500.
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Richard should bring the 3 back to cup or the nationwide to HONOR the Man In Black—Dale Earnhardt
Hes used the 3 in busch before with jr a few times so I can see that happening,but I doubt he would in cup because of memories him and dale were more than just owner/driver they were like brothers.
Richard Drove the 3 before ole Ralphy ever did, and last time I checked that gives Richard “Seniority” for that number, and well Austin is Richards relation, so yes I think he should drive the 3 before any Earnhardt.
^I agree Fisha695
Fisha695 wrote:
I didnt say a earnhardt should drive the 3 car,like I said in busch jr drove the 3 for richard in a few races and maybe he’ll use that number with austin in nationwide,but I dont think richard will ever use the 3 in cup if he was going to why wouldnt he next year instead of the 33,you seem to always have a problem with the earnhardts fisha why is that with your smart a$$ “Seniority” remark im sure richard doesnt give a hoot what you think about who used the number 1st.
Fisha695 wrote:
Do you have to be negative with every post you make? “ole Ralphy” is a show of disrespect, but that seems to be the only way you know how to communicate.
As far as your comment go’s , so what! RCR owns the number and that is all that matters. As long as Richard pays the fee each year Nascar will let him keep the number for what ever purpose he chooses. I like Richard but he quit racing so that he could be the car owner for Dale Sr and that is a fact.
Just because Richard is bringing back the #3 in the Nationwide series I highly doubt he will ever bring it back in the Cup series. Austin is his grandson and he has been using the #3 in other series right now but most of us know how he feels about bringing it back in the Cup series. He drove a pace lap at Lowes with it years ago and you wont see it in competition again.
Howie Motorsports Photography wrote:
I agree with the nationwide deal,but like you said in cup I dont see it ever happening because of the relationship richard and dale had.
I really think that the #3 should be retired from all three major series. I know that NASCAR doesn’t retire numbers, but given the extraordinary circumstances behind that number I think it’s best out of respect to the fans and the Earnhardt family that the number is put to rest in tribute.
What “extraordinary circumstances” are behind that number?
With all due respect to Sr, IT’S JUST A NUMBER.
Fisha695 wrote:
I guess because its richards choice to use it or not!!!!! im sure he doesnt care what you think about the matter if you have a problem with it why bother commenting.
Where have I said I have a problem with it? I simply want to know why people are making such a big deal out of a sports number.
Personally I don’t think any sports number should be retired. Remember people the numbers are nothing more then a way for officials to identify the sporting participants while in the area of play.
I’m extremely excited that RCR could bring back the #3 in the Nationwide Series.
Fisha695 wrote:
That maybe true but other sports have retired hundreds of numbers,im not saying nascar should retire the number its just gonna be richards choice to use it or not which im sure he never will.
Meaning in cup that is.
Just make sure it doesn’t come back with the black paint scheme!
Here we go again with the #3
Here is a question, and a serious one.
What is the difference between Joe Bob in Bumfart, Iowa running a Enduro car that is painted up like one of Dale’s car with the 3 on it because he was a fan of Dale and RCR, and Austin running a car with a similar scheme to one of Dale’s in the top series of NASCAR?
The answer is Nothing.
When Anyone Sees the Number 3, they think Dale Earnhardt !! End Of Story
Yes Mel that is true (well except for people that watched more then just the Cup series, but I digress)
However my question is still valid and raises a truthful point. Austin has run that number for years for a reason, and that reason is not only because it is his Grandfathers number, but because he was a fan of Dale’s. So lets say GSE stays with Austin and they keep a similar scheme (which if you haven’t seen it his CW East scheme is pretty cool).
What is the difference if it’s Austin running a black/red/silver #3 Chevy in a NASCAR race, and somebody running an enduro/demo (or any form of local weekly racing) car that is black/red/silver (maybe even Sr’s exact design) with that #3?
There is no difference. I’m sure if Austin didn’t want to run that number he wouldn’t have been running it for years, I’m sure if Richard doesn’t want that number run in the top 3 series it won’t be, and I’m sure that if Richard wants it to be run but Austin doesn’t want to run it he won’t. But if he runs the #3 in any of the top NASCAR series it’s not because he wants to capitalize off of Sr’s legacy or he wants to try and make people think he is the new version of Sr. It’s because he has his reasons to run that number, and truthfully those reasons are no different then any Earnhardt for wanting to run that number.
The only difference is that in a enduro/demo or any other weekly home track, say in Kansas….I wouldn’t have to see it, because I am thousands of miles from kansas. I see your point and I know a guy who used to (and probably still does) drive a car that had the same paint scheme as Sr. It wasn’t easy seeing that car after Sr’s death and it wouldn’t be now. Yeah I guess we would all get used to it and maybe if it was running people would let the poor man rest in peace. But I just wouldn’t be very happy for the awhile seeing it on the track and knowing how sad it must be. BUT!!!! IF and that’s ONLY IF Dale Jr was cool with it…then well I guess I would be too. I think the ones closest to him would have a say…at least I would hope they would.
What can jumpstart the cash flow at RCR? Anything they slap the old #3 on. Now they are thinking about bringing it back to the Nationwide series. Junior was the last really successful driver to use it in that series. I would like to see that number always succeed but things don’t usually work out that way. The #43 in Cup comes to mind. Well if RCR feels they need to do this, let them. I just hope the wholesalers don’t flood me with the new #3 merchandise catalogs because I’m not buying into it.
gigolo george wrote:
Speaking of that I find it kind of funny that everybody is blaming DEI for the new series of Dale & (Insert Dead person here) diecast, when there is not one DEI logo on it, but there is two big RCR logos on the Quarter panels….. l0l
The deal with all the new diecast is to generate money for Srs kids and grand children. The will was very specific that all the proceeds from all merchandise sales when to them. Srs trailer as of Bristol was still 6th in sales by MA officials. The trailer sales of the retro shirts and hats are still brisk along with the John Wayne merchandise.
As far as bringing back the 3 in Cup, that is something Richard will think about in his study at night when he is alone. He is a great guy and will do what he thinks is right. Not even Judy will have a decision in this one. And as far as the fans , they should respect anything Richard does. Its not about money.
Fisha695 wrote:
You say its just a number right? then why you bringing austin up about using it after all you say its just a number whats the big deal then.
And Childress owns the rights to the slanted 3 design.