May 10, 2010
By Matthew Pizzolato
Matthew Pizzolato
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As everyone who follows NASCAR knows by now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be driving a replica of his father's No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet in the Nationwide series at Daytona on July 2.
The idea was put together by Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelly, as a way to honor his father's introduction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It has become a joint effort between JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.
Most fans think it’s a great idea and are thrilled at the opportunity to see the famous car back on the track. And it's fitting because Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be behind the wheel, not to mention the fact that the car will be run at Daytona, the track that means so much to the Earnhardt legacy.
"This was an idea that came up as a way to pay tribute to my dad, and it's pretty cool that it's a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports, RCR and DEI," Earnhardt Jr. said in an official release on nascar.com.
However, there are some people who are upset about the tribute, who claim that it is unnecessary and the No. 3 car shouldn't be back on the track at all, but should live only in the memories of the people who saw it race. That sentiment is entirely ludicrous.
Yet, it would seem that NASCAR's most popular driver is going to be criticized no matter what he does.
What better way to share the history of the sport with the new generation of fans than to showcase a legendary car in such an amazing tribute?
"I think it's a neat idea. I really love the car," Earnhardt Jr. was quoted as saying in a Joe Menzer article for nascar.com. "I love being able to take it to the race track and put it in front of the fans -- for those who recognize it and for those who will see it for the first time. It should be a lot of fun."
There is no better way to honor Dale Earnhardt than for his son to drive the car that he made famous, especially with Richard Childress and Teresa Earnhardt involved with the effort.
Earnhardt Jr., shouldn't have to defend himself because he wants to honor his father's memory. Yet, that is exactly what he finds himself doing. Perhaps the issue with the dissenters is not the tribute itself, but the fact that he is driving the No. 3 car.
"It's ridiculous to try to retire numbers or favor numbers for certain drivers," he said in an Associate Press article. "The 3 meant a lot to Daddy and meant a lot to a lot of race fans, but there's some kid that's growing up that really was never a Dale Earnhardt fan that drives the No. 3 and he might want to be No. 3 all his life, and to not give him that opportunity just ain't fair."
While no car number has ever been retired in NASCAR, the No. 3 has seen very limited use since Dale Earnhardt passed away and hasn't been on the track since in the Cup series. And chances are that it won't be driven by anyone not named Earnhardt for a very long time.
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