Black 3 Victory Lap

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CONCORD, N.C. -- Richard Childress strolled toward a podium stationed in the Lowe's Motor Speedway garage area Tuesday afternoon, hoping his emotions wouldn't get the best of him.

After all, it had been nearly three years since his beloved No. 3 graced the high banks at Charlotte, and he was to announce its impending return.

Though difficult, Childress held it together long enough to describe his personal feelings about driving a specially painted No. 3 Chevrolet in honor of seven-time Winston Cup champion and close friend Dale Earnhardt.

As part of the "Victory Lap" tribute program developed to recognize R.J. Reynolds' contribution to NASCAR, as well as the 14 drivers who have captured Winston Cup championships, Childress will drive the No. 3 during a pre-race parade lap at the Oct. 11 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"It'll be emotional," said Childress, who fielded cars for Earnhardt in six of the legendary driver's seven championship seasons. "Just watching the video a while ago with Dale winning the races here in '93 -- we won The Winston and the 600 -- and boy, it was hard for me to get up there and talk, so I know it's going to be tough that night."

The special car, unveiled by Childress and Speedway Motorsports owner Bruton Smith on Tuesday, features the legendary Earnhardt black along the bottom with silver serving as the predominate color on the hood, roof and rear deck lid. The "Victory Lap" logo, honoring Winston, appears on the hood and several other areas of the car.

A commemorative die-cast is now available.
During a pre-race parade lap, Childress will drive side-by-side with Jeff Gordon, whose No. 24 Chevrolet will carry the "Victory Lap" paint scheme representing active Winston Cup champions.

"We knew if would take something very special (to get the No. 3 back on the track)," Childress said. "And with R.J. Reynolds, we talked to Teresa and everybody at DEI, and everybody felt really good about doing for everything RJR had done for the sport and for Dale and myself.

"You know, winning the championships and spending the time with the R.J. Reynolds folks was special, and it would take something really, really special for this to happen. That's why we brought the 3 back out, for this special night."

LMS president Humpy Wheeler anticipates an enthusiastic reception.

"This really puts a lump in my throat, because I was very close to Dale and it's the first time the 3 has been back at the speedway," Wheeler said. "I think it's a healthy thing, and I really appreciate Richard Childress being part of this and driving the car. If anybody should drive the car, it should be Richard.

"It's going to be one great night and we're really looking forward to it. Seeing that 3 car back for the first time since that day in Daytona, this place is going to come unglued."
 

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Originally posted by bowtie+Oct 9 2003, 11:19 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (bowtie @ Oct 9 2003, 11:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--majestyx@Oct 9 2003, 11:55 AM
It gives me goose bumps!
me to Maj., me to. :( [/b][/quote]
Me too
 
I'm sure that it will be an emotional time for all involved
 
i kinda hope that harvick or junior or somebody goes up there and gives it a big doughnut on the side...
 
Being a huge Dale sr fan I will have to have the Die cast. Gonna be great seing it roll around the track again. :cheers:
 
NASCAR on NBC races into primetime this Saturday night as the UAW-GM Quality 500 from Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte runs under the lights for the first time. NBC’s coverage gets underway with an abbreviated “Discover Card Countdown to Green” pre-race show at 7:00pm/et that will feature what is sure to be an emotional Winston tribute to former champion Dale Earnhardt. Green flag racing follows at 7:15pm/et. NBC will bring 59 cameras to cover the primetime race in Charlotte, including 30 in-car cameras (10 cars with 3 cameras in each car). “Squash-Cam,” made popular at the Brickyard 400, will also be buried in the grass just inside the tri-oval at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
 
I know I have my dvr and vcr and they are going to be recording, ya know I might be a man but every time they show a tribute to the legend I get all misty. :lilangel: 3
 
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