Dillon will use the #3 in Nationwide Series in 2012

wolfcub

Team Owner
Joined
May 25, 2004
Messages
492
Points
338
•:
The return of Nationwide Series teams to Richard Childress Racing also signifies the return of the venerable #3 Chevy to competition full time in 2012. The merger between Kevin Harvick Inc. and RCR will enable KHI's existing teams, the #2 car with Elliott Sadler and the #33 with a cast of current Sprint Car drivers, to compete in the NNS along with Childress' grandson Austin Dillon. Dillon, 21, drives the #3 Silverado in the Camping World Truck Series. Dillon competed in four Nationwide non-companion events for KHI this season. Dillon's brother Ty will take over the driving duties in the #3 truck next season.(Fox Sports), Austin Dillon is scheduled to make his Sprint Cup debut in the #98 Chevy at Kansas in October.(9-13-2011)

So what is everyone's thoughts? I think there will be some angry Earnhardt fans.
 
Speaking as a lifelong Earnhardt fan I can't see any problem with it. He's been running it in the Truck Series. Why not Nationwide and then Cup? No big deal.
 
Its the same number his dad ran in what is now the nationwide series. He is a better driver than his dad ever was.
 
A number is nothing but a number. However you put that stylized #3 on a black car there will be hell to pay.

remember that na$car was born down south, there's some down that are still fighting the war of northern agression.
 
Speaking as a lifelong Earnhardt fan I can't see any problem with it. He's been running it in the Truck Series. Why not Nationwide and then Cup? No big deal.

I believe that's the plan. Letting Jr run it last year was a good way to ease the number back into NW and then Cup. The #3 will get instant sponsor interest. I'm sure Richard has a few pics of Dale with his grandchildren too. We may see those before too long.
 
What bothers me about it is the hypocrisy. A couple years ago, Childress said he wanted NASCAR to retire the number 3 and didn't want it to be used again.

If NASCAR won't retire it, then why not use it? And nothing has been said about it being on a black Chevy....only that the number 3 was going to be used.

Making a big deal over nothing.....
 
It's a gimmick to try to get fans to root for Austin Dillon.

It may backfire. The Big E fans that are left will probably be pissed, and I'm not too sure non-Dale fans will cheer when they see the #3 return to Cup.

One thing is for sure. The sponsor on that car will get tons of attention. Is Mr Goodwrench still around?

What bothers me about it is the hypocrisy. A couple years ago, Childress said he wanted NASCAR to retire the number 3 and didn't want it to be used again.

Times have changed Andy. When sponsors were swarming the sport, RCR could afford to retire that most famous number. NASCAR didn't, so somebody will use it sometime. I'm glad it will (apparently) stay with RCR. Dale chose to drive for him even after starting his own team, so the connection couldn't be any stronger.
 
Its the same number his dad ran in what is now the nationwide series. He is a better driver than his dad ever was.

It is just a number, Dale ran the 2 before the 3. Heck, Austin's mom is a better driver than his dad ever was. :D
 
It may backfire. The Big E fans that are left will probably be pissed, and I'm not too sure non-Dale fans will cheer when they see the #3 return to Cup.

One thing is for sure. The sponsor on that car will get tons of attention. Is Mr Goodwrench still around?



Times have changed Andy. When sponsors were swarming the sport, RCR could afford to retire that most famous number. NASCAR didn't, so somebody will use it sometime. I'm glad it will (apparently) stay with RCR. Dale chose to drive for him even after starting his own team, so the connection couldn't be any stronger.

It may backfire for Austin. Even though he's not a replacement or anything, those are big shoes to fill. Whether he competes in Cup or not, he's in no way similar to Earnhardt and that might piss some fans off.
 
It's kinda funny that the only ones that seem to have a problem are those of you that weren't a fan of his. I haven't seen a comment yet that any of us Earnhardt fans have an issue with it. There's a lot of predictions running around but nothing yet to back it up.
 
I'm happy to see Richard Childress putting Austin in a car with that number, It was Richards number long before Earnhardt came along.
 
It's kinda funny that the only ones that seem to have a problem are those of you that weren't a fan of his. I haven't seen a comment yet that any of us Earnhardt fans have an issue with it. There's a lot of predictions running around but nothing yet to back it up.

Didn't like Earnhardt Sr (still don't), don't like Childress.

I call it as I see it, it's a gimmick and now, Richard's making Austin fill some big shoes.
 
Didn't like Earnhardt Sr (still don't), don't like Childress.

Agreed

I call it as I see it, it's a gimmick and now, Richard's making Austin fill some big shoes.

I have NO problem with this. Austin has been using that number in the Truck Series so it makes perfect sense for him to use it in N'wide and eventually CUP. Sponsors WILL line up to put their names on that car and Austin will have to learn to deal with the attention. But I am willing to bet that Grandpa will make sure that the young man is prepared!

It is brilliant marketing - just what NA$CAR needs!
 
Agreed



I have NO problem with this. Austin has been using that number in the Truck Series so it makes perfect sense for him to use it in N'wide and eventually CUP. Sponsors WILL line up to put their names on that car and Austin will have to learn to deal with the attention. But I am willing to bet that Grandpa will make sure that the young man is prepared!

It is brilliant marketing - just what NA$CAR needs!

Grandpa's not doing a good job preparing Ty, who's the much better driver of the two. Putting him in Cup equipment in ARCA where he leads every lap and doesn't learn a damn thing isn't preparing him for anything.
 
I agree with a lot of what I have read here. It is some what of a pubilicity stunt for sure, yet it doesn't bother me in the least. I was not a Sr. fan, but I do respect who he was and what he did for the sport.

At the end of the day, we all know it was gonna be used sooner or later, I still think Childress had Jr. in mind for it, but since that isn't going to happen, I guess he is trying use it in another way.
 
I agree with a lot of what I have read here. It is some what of a pubilicity stunt for sure, yet it doesn't bother me in the least. I was not a Sr. fan, but I do respect who he was and what he did for the sport.

At the end of the day, we all know it was gonna be used sooner or later, I still think Childress had Jr. in mind for it, but since that isn't going to happen, I guess he is trying use it in another way.

And I don't blame Dale Jr. one bit for NOT wanting to drive that number. He carries a load just wearing the name.
 
As far as using the #3 being a gimmick or marketing ploy Who Cares? Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt and RCR spent many years developing a name/following for themselves and that number. So Why can't RCR now take advantage of that marketing???
Childress would be a fool Not to Use It!


It's really just a number anyway.
 
It would be a gimmick if the boy couldn't drive. He has proven that he has talent. Now if they put Steven Wallace in the Blue Deuce, now that would be heresy!
 
I am not a fan so it does not bother me. I am surprised that fans of Earnhardt are not mad though but that was why I asked.
 
It's true when the takeover happened the Goodwrench advertiseing was one of the first things to be cut.

Funny, Goodwrench scaled back advertising and quit full time sponsorship in 2006. I'm 100% sure that was Obama's fault back then as well. :sarcasm:
 
What bothers me about it is the hypocrisy. A couple years ago, Childress said he wanted NASCAR to retire the number 3 and didn't want it to be used again.

it ain't in cup YET andy why don't you just be happy for us 3 fans,

o i forgot you hated him even though i bet you never actually were at a race when he was driving
 
it ain't in cup YET andy why don't you just be happy for us 3 fans,

o i forgot you hated him even though i bet you never actually were at a race when he was driving

And don't forget how terrible a father Sr. was. We'll hear that soon as well.
 
Back
Top Bottom