Return of the "3"

[TexasRaceLady]

So I may get jumped for this... but I've been curious for a while now....

From what I've heard about Dale Earnhardt Sr.... he pushed a lot of people out of the way, wrecked, bumped, and otherwise "intimidated" his way through the field a lot.. Why was it okay for him to do that stuff and not get jumped on like pretty much anyone that would do it today? I mean what was so great about the guy? I get that he was fast and won a lot of races and championships.. but how many of those races and championships did he just wreck his way into winning? I seriously asking because I don't know.. The reputation that he has IMO is o a guy that would wreck you if he couldn't beat you.. I obviously don't know fully but I don't like that back then it made someone one of the greatest of all time and now everyone cries when a guy makes contact? I suppose it's a lot of "no one remembers who finished second" type thing.. he got the trophies and guys like me don't know how he got which ones etc.. So all we see is all those wins and cups... but how many times did fans leave the track pissed off at him making some stupid move and dumping their driver to win? I don't see that stuff because I see wins.. numbers.. which are all that matters... but what really bugs me is that if some driver were to start wrecking people for wins they get scrutinized.. I mean damn even Joey was scrutinized for moving Mark out of the way at Pocono.. but the numbers remain and eventually no will remember that he moved Mark... just that he won that race..... is that the same kind of situation here? Between that and respect for him because of his death?

I guess my main thing is... why was it okay for him and not okay for these guys today? .. and how many of his "fans" weren't even his fans until his death? I'm not trying to be a dick.. I'm just curious.. There had to have been a lot of people who didn't like him.. but looking back he is an icon because he had the numbers and lost his life, which in turn brought NASCAR into a new safety era and had an overall positive affect on the sport as a whole.. but how much of the love for him is only because of that?

Please.. don't jump all over me for this one guys, I'm actually asking a serious question.

I think part of it has to do with the way he made his way to the big time. For him, it was serious business to win. Winning meant prize money --- that money meant he could pay back the loan he took out in order to race. That money also meant he could put some food on the table. In order to race, he worked in the mills in Kannapolis --- he was one of the "lint-heads". He also worked in a welding shop building trailers. When his father died, DE was the major breadwinner for the family --- at age 22. His first race car was pink --- because there wasn't enough of any one color to paint the whole car, so they mixed the leftovers together.

The hard-working, blue-collar folks that bought the tickets could identify with him ---- he was one of them. If you look at pictures of him in his early days, there was nothing about him that was polished and clean. He was rough around the edges because life was rough.
His tactics on the track were really no worse than anyone else's. He was just better at it than most.

 

[StandOnIt]

Dillon will be tested just like everyone else, he better be ready

ready for what? he already has more Nascar series wins than than you know who and whats his face. Wake up.

 

[FenderBumper]

So I may get jumped for this... but I've been curious for a while now....

From what I've heard about Dale Earnhardt Sr.... he pushed a lot of people out of the way, wrecked, bumped, and otherwise "intimidated" his way through the field a lot.. Why was it okay for him to do that stuff and not get jumped on like pretty much anyone that would do it today? I mean what was so great about the guy? I get that he was fast and won a lot of races and championships.. but how many of those races and championships did he just wreck his way into winning? I seriously asking because I don't know.. The reputation that he has IMO is o a guy that would wreck you if he couldn't beat you.. I obviously don't know fully but I don't like that back then it made someone one of the greatest of all time and now everyone cries when a guy makes contact? I suppose it's a lot of "no one remembers who finished second" type thing.. he got the trophies and guys like me don't know how he got which ones etc.. So all we see is all those wins and cups... but how many times did fans leave the track pissed off at him making some stupid move and dumping their driver to win? I don't see that stuff because I see wins.. numbers.. which are all that matters... but what really bugs me is that if some driver were to start wrecking people for wins they get scrutinized.. I mean damn even Joey was scrutinized for moving Mark out of the way at Pocono.. but the numbers remain and eventually no will remember that he moved Mark... just that he won that race..... is that the same kind of situation here? Between that and respect for him because of his death?

I guess my main thing is... why was it okay for him and not okay for these guys today? .. and how many of his "fans" weren't even his fans until his death? I'm not trying to be a dick.. I'm just curious.. There had to have been a lot of people who didn't like him.. but looking back he is an icon because he had the numbers and lost his life, which in turn brought NASCAR into a new safety era and had an overall positive affect on the sport as a whole.. but how much of the love for him is only because of that?

Please.. don't jump all over me for this one guys, I'm actually asking a serious question.

He got away with a lot because he owned about 60% of the fans. He caused some serious wrecks with his "I was already committed to that line' attitude. Took a championship away from Rusty and Penske racing at Talladega and almost killed Rusty. Totally dirty move. Earnhardt went to the apron to turn Rusty.

Best view around 2:00 mark. Rusty had to race with an injured hand the last few races and lost the championship.



This kind of cheap shot is part of the reason Evernham commanded Gordon not to engage Earnhardt in these battles.

 

[StandOnIt]

yep and he had a nickname towards the end of his career called "Iron head" IMO his rough driving worked to a certain extent on all the little tracks, but most of it was B.S. when they were running the big tracks..A good example for newer fans was Kez and Carl, if you saw those wrecks, it was a matter of time before somebody got hurt or dead. Any driver could do what he did to turn somebody, but few would do that.

 

[fergy1370]

yep and he had a nickname towards the end of his career called "Iron head" IMO his rough driving worked to a certain extent on all the little tracks, but most of it was B.S. when they were running the big tracks..A good example for newer fans was Kez and Carl, if you saw those wrecks, it was a matter of time before somebody got hurt or dead. Any driver could do what he did to turn somebody, but few would do that.

He got the nickname "Ironhead" early in his career...."The Intimidator" came later....

 

[mreed]

So I may get jumped for this... but I've been curious for a while now....

From what I've heard about Dale Earnhardt Sr.... he pushed a lot of people out of the way, wrecked, bumped, and otherwise "intimidated" his way through the field a lot.. Why was it okay for him to do that stuff and not get jumped on like pretty much anyone that would do it today? I mean what was so great about the guy? I get that he was fast and won a lot of races and championships.. but how many of those races and championships did he just wreck his way into winning? I seriously asking because I don't know.. The reputation that he has IMO is o a guy that would wreck you if he couldn't beat you.. I obviously don't know fully but I don't like that back then it made someone one of the greatest of all time and now everyone cries when a guy makes contact? I suppose it's a lot of "no one remembers who finished second" type thing.. he got the trophies and guys like me don't know how he got which ones etc.. So all we see is all those wins and cups... but how many times did fans leave the track pissed off at him making some stupid move and dumping their driver to win? I don't see that stuff because I see wins.. numbers.. which are all that matters... but what really bugs me is that if some driver were to start wrecking people for wins they get scrutinized.. I mean damn even Joey was scrutinized for moving Mark out of the way at Pocono.. but the numbers remain and eventually no will remember that he moved Mark... just that he won that race..... is that the same kind of situation here? Between that and respect for him because of his death?

I guess my main thing is... why was it okay for him and not okay for these guys today? .. and how many of his "fans" weren't even his fans until his death? I'm not trying to be a dick.. I'm just curious.. There had to have been a lot of people who didn't like him.. but looking back he is an icon because he had the numbers and lost his life, which in turn brought NASCAR into a new safety era and had an overall positive affect on the sport as a whole.. but how much of the love for him is only because of that?

Please.. don't jump all over me for this one guys, I'm actually asking a serious question.

Dale didn't get a pass on his rough driving. There were millions of fans that loved him, but at the same time there were millions of fans that hated his guts for his driving style, just like the way they hate Kyle for some of the things he's done on the track.

But love him or hate him he was nascar. When he was killed every it hit every fan hard, even the one's that didn't like him.
So, it's not a thing where it was ok with the fans then, and not ok now. He took as much s**t from some fans then than any driver does now for his driving.
It's just that we all missed him when he wasn't there anymore. Even that fans that didn't like him.

 

[ztevans]

Dale didn't get a pass on his rough driving. There were millions of fans that loved him, but at the same time there were millions of fans that hated his guts for his driving style, just like the way they hate Kyle for some of the things he's done on the track.

But love him or hate him he was nascar. When he was killed every it hit every fan hard, even the one's that didn't like him.
So, it's not a thing where it was ok with the fans then, and not ok now. He took as much s**t from some fans then than any driver does now for his driving.
It's just that we all missed him when he wasn't there anymore. Even that fans that didn't like him.

Bingo. I was talking to a NASCAR fan I work with the other day, and we started talking about the 90s. She was a Terry Labonte fan, and without me even mentioning it she started seething about Dale Earnhardt spinning Terry at Bristol in 1999. That was 15 years ago.

I think later in his career, Earnhardt may have gathered more fans, much in the same way Gordon has. If not necessarily fans, then at least people don't hate him as much as they once did. But during his prime, nobody was more polarized than Earnhardt. Ryan McGee (ESPN) has a podcast with Marty Smith, and on a couple of occasions he has talked about being at Rockingham in 1994 when Earnhardt clinched his seventh title. Since he wasn't a reporter yet, he was there (along with several thousand others) openly rooting against Earnhardt because the thought of anyone having seven titles like their idol Richard Petty made them sick. You know, kinda like people feel about Jimmie Johnson now because they were Earnhardt fans.

Ultimately, that's what makes Earnhardt special and such a hot topic. Yes, he was an aggressive and sometimes dirty racer. Yes, fans loved or hated him for it. But he also had incredible talent which led him to a very successful career. There really hasn't been anyone like him since. I thought Kyle Busch might be that guy at one time, but he hasn't kept his head on straight long enough to win one title yet. Logano has the driving style, but hasn't won a race that didn't involve rain, dumping Mark Martin, or passing Mark Martin after he ran out of fuel (and yes, I'm bitter about the last two).

I think, with enough time, Austin Dillon will develop his own personality, and fans will react accordingly. It may take several years. It was a long time before Kevin Harvick became "Kevin Harvick" and not "Dale Earnhardt's replacement," but it happened. For now, though, fans of a certain (and not necessarily that old) age see that number and think of Earnhardt. Some see it as a tribute, some see it as an insult.

Yeah, yeah, I know, TL;DR. Sorry.

 

[SlicedBread22]

Logano has the driving style, but hasn't won a race that didn't involve rain, dumping Mark Martin, or passing Mark Martin after he ran out of fuel (and yes, I'm bitter about the last two).

Im just curious... on the topic Dale and I mentioned that Mark Martin thing in my OP about it... why are you bitter about the last two? Joey clearly had the better car in both those races... I can kiiinda see about Pocono but why is it Joey's fault Mark ran out of gas at Michigan?... his CC knew it before the restart if they didn't get a caution they were screwed. Regardless Joey drove his heart out and passed Harvick on the restart.. I think the only reason he didnt fight Mark was bc he knew heed run out of gas. He probably could have passed him.... but either way I don't see either of those win being that big of a deal... unless ur a Mark Martin fan.

also while were on the topic... dont give up on Joey quite yet... he hasnt even shown what he can do yet... still only 23

 

[ztevans]

I can kiiinda see about Pocono but why is it Joey's fault Mark ran out of gas at Michigan?... his CC knew it before the restart if they didn't get a caution they were screwed. ... unless ur a Mark Martin fan.

Yep, I'm a Mark Martin fan, that's the only reason. You're absolutely right that Logano wasn't to blame for Martin running out of fuel (and that Logano was faster at Pocono), but it didn't make it hurt less, dammit.

 

[Zerkfitting]

Aggressive drivers used to move others out of the way (often wrecking them). Earnhart was booed when he took out Labonte in Bristol (the second time). I remember a race when Earnhardt was parked for 2 laps for wrecking someone; I was yelling at Earnhardt (my TV) when he did that and I was thinking NASCAR finally got it right by penalizing him. Earnhardt made up those laps and he earned my respect that day. Ward Burton spun Earnhardt out for a win, he did it just like Earnhardt did it and during his interview he rattled off every excuse Eanhardt had used - it was funny. The rules of the road changed and NASCAR started to clamp down on wrecking cars for a pass.

 

[StandOnIt]

Aggressive drivers used to move others out of the way (often wrecking them). Earnhart was booed when he took out Labonte in Bristol (the second time). I remember a race when Earnhardt was parked for 2 laps for wrecking someone; I was yelling at Earnhardt (my TV) when he did that and I was thinking NASCAR finally got it right by penalizing him. Earnhardt made up those laps and he earned my respect that day. Ward Burton spun Earnhardt out for a win, he did it just like Earnhardt did it and during his interview he rattled off every excuse Eanhardt had used - it was funny. The rules of the road changed and NASCAR started to clamp down on wrecking cars for a pass.

I think a lot of it is and was a sign of the times, short tracks and slower speeds, single lane tracks.

 

[Kyle18fan]

ready for what? he already has more Nascar series wins than than you know who and whats his face. Wake up.

I dont recall Dillon winning any cup races, I must have been asleep huh ??? Who in the hell is "whats his face" and "you know who" are they drivers from back in the day ??

 

[SlicedBread22]

I dont recall Dillon winning any cup races, I must have been asleep huh ??? Who in the hell is "whats his face" and "you know who" are they drivers from back in the day ??

Doesn't say cup wins... says NASCAR series wins... has a total of 7.. 2 NNS and 5 trucks... not to mention the 2 championships.

I assume you know who and whatshisface are no name drivers that never made it anywhere..

 

[Kyle18fan]

Doesn't say cup wins... says NASCAR series wins... has a total of 7.. 2 NNS and 5 trucks... not to mention the 2 championships.

I assume you know who and whatshisface are no name drivers that never made it anywhere..

Maybe if you let the op answer he can tell me who they are, and yes he will be tested by many drivers in the cup series just like Joey

 

[SlicedBread22]

Maybe if you let the op answer he can tell me who they are, and yes he will be tested by many drivers in the cup series just like Joey

Yup.. agreed. I think he'll take a while to come into his own.. but he has shown that he deserves a cup ride.. I still think the OP means random no name people without the talent to make it there.

 

[Kyle18fan]

Yup.. agreed. I think he'll take a while to come into his own.. but he has shown that he deserves a cup ride.. I still think the OP means random no name people without the talent to make it there.

I am sure he will do fine, I just wonder if people will expect him to fill Dales shoes since he is driving the 3 ?? I have actually heard several people expecting a cup championship out of him this year, hell he couldnt even win a Nationwide last year. Whats gonna happen when he gets in Harvicks way or Stewarts ???
Will they treat him the same way they treat others ??

 

[SlicedBread22]

I am sure he will do fine, I just wonder if people will expect him to fill Dales shoes since he is driving the 3 ?? I have actually heard several people expecting a cup championship out of him this year, hell he couldnt even win a Nationwide last year. Whats gonna happen when he gets in Harvicks way or Stewarts ???
Will they treat him the same way they treat others ??

I've been saying... he'll be alright and the fans can look at him however they will... but he will not get the respect in that 3 car that Dale did until he earns like Dale did. Which he probably won't.

 

[Kyle18fan]

I've been saying... he'll be alright and the fans can look at him however they will... but he will not get the respect in that 3 car that Dale did until he earns like Dale did. Which he probably won't.

If he grows a couple of feet he will get more respect LOL
Pop pop and the crew will be there to handle any "problems"

 

[paradigm]

Pop pop laid out a nice golden path for Austin. He is a talented driver, but will never ever garner the same image Earnhardt had. I am glad to see the 3 back on the track though. Would be awesome if they decided to run a retro paint scheme (all black circa Goodwrench / Earnhardt days) for a race or two.

 

[Clutch]

So I may get jumped for this... but I've been curious for a while now....

From what I've heard about Dale Earnhardt Sr.... he pushed a lot of people out of the way, wrecked, bumped, and otherwise "intimidated" his way through the field a lot.. Why was it okay for him to do that stuff and not get jumped on like pretty much anyone that would do it today? I mean what was so great about the guy? I get that he was fast and won a lot of races and championships.. but how many of those races and championships did he just wreck his way into winning? I seriously asking because I don't know.. The reputation that he has IMO is o a guy that would wreck you if he couldn't beat you.. I obviously don't know fully but I don't like that back then it made someone one of the greatest of all time and now everyone cries when a guy makes contact? I suppose it's a lot of "no one remembers who finished second" type thing.. he got the trophies and guys like me don't know how he got which ones etc.. So all we see is all those wins and cups... but how many times did fans leave the track pissed off at him making some stupid move and dumping their driver to win? I don't see that stuff because I see wins.. numbers.. which are all that matters... but what really bugs me is that if some driver were to start wrecking people for wins they get scrutinized.. I mean damn even Joey was scrutinized for moving Mark out of the way at Pocono.. but the numbers remain and eventually no will remember that he moved Mark... just that he won that race..... is that the same kind of situation here? Between that and respect for him because of his death?

I guess my main thing is... why was it okay for him and not okay for these guys today? .. and how many of his "fans" weren't even his fans until his death? I'm not trying to be a dick.. I'm just curious.. There had to have been a lot of people who didn't like him.. but looking back he is an icon because he had the numbers and lost his life, which in turn brought NASCAR into a new safety era and had an overall positive affect on the sport as a whole.. but how much of the love for him is only because of that?

Please.. don't jump all over me for this one guys, I'm actually asking a serious question.

Sliced he was a polarizing dude......you loved him or you hated him.
He wrecked many to get those wins
I remember one time after he wrecked Kenny Schrader he told the broadcast crew to apologize to Kenny...
Kenny said thats what he said last time he wrecked me.
He would come up on your left rear quarter panel and give you as little nudge....often wrecking you.
But he had the tenacity that we all like to see in a racer.......winning is paramount.

 

[Zerkfitting]

Most of the rookies related to a Cup driver or team get a better than average chance at a ride. But it takes talent to keep the ride. I don't know much about Dillon (except his over sized hat) but he did impress me at Eldora last season.

 

[MRM]

I wonder if some people would make a big deal out of the #3 coming back if they used a different font? I've always said I'd like to see a team change the font if a different driver takes over a familiar number, at least give the new look attached to the new driver.

 

[Nitro Dude]

Most of the rookies related to a Cup driver or team get a better than average chance at a ride. But it takes talent to keep the ride. I don't know much about Dillon (except his over sized hat) but he did impress me at Eldora last season.

I think he has a lot more talent then a lot of fans give him credit for. I think this year we will see just how much he really has.

 

[George Finley]

Cowhat aint no Dale Earnhardt and never will be IMO Nobody can fill those shoes.
Some folks wont ever be happy seeing that car on the track and Im one of em

LMAO!!

What are the odds of RCR's grandson bringing the 3 back for the first time since Earnhardt's death, starting his rookie season in Sprint and sitting on the pole?

Hell...next thing you know he will win one of the qualifiers and Jesus will take him off to heaven to be with Dale.

 

[George Finley]

Is anyone else sick of this?

Yeah, Earnhardt drove it. So what, it's just a number. He also drove no. 2, no. 8 and no. 15.

You'd think Austin Dillon was the second coming watching FOX1.

OOP's....late flash. The kid's gonna quit NASCAR and start playing the lottery.

 

[BOWTIE GUY]

And this right here is what all the Earnhardt worshipers are going to have to deal with. A LOT of younger people who will be watching weren't watching during the Earnhardt Era. It's nice to demand that they know who he is and demand they worship him but it'd be like people expecting you to know what it was like to live during the Civil War. Earnhardt's been dead for 13 years. It's time to move on.

and that is why nascar is doinh

He got away with a lot because he owned about 60% of the fans. He caused some serious wrecks with his "I was already committed to that line' attitude. Took a championship away from Rusty and Penske racing at Talladega and almost killed Rusty. Totally dirty move. Earnhardt went to the apron to turn Rusty.

Best view around 2:00 mark. Rusty had to race with an injured hand the last few races and lost the championship.



This kind of cheap shot is part of the reason Evernham commanded Gordon not to engage Earnhardt in these battles.

rusty wreck dale two out of the last three races in 89 to win his championship.

 

[mreed]

and that is why nascar is doinh

rusty wreck dale two out of the last three races in 89 to win his championship.

lol Rusty was as dirty as they come when talking about dirty drivers. Dale was more famous for being a dirty driver, but I'd put money on Rusty having wrecked more cars than Dale ever did in his time.

No sympathy for Rusty.

 

[George Finley]

lol Rusty was as dirty as they come when talking about dirty drivers. Dale was more famous for being a dirty driver, but I'd put money on Rusty having wrecked more cars than Dale ever did in his time.

No sympathy for Rusty.

Here's the real Earnhardt.....at least watch the first and the last minute...it's about 5-6 minutes long:

 

[FenderBumper]

and that is why nascar is doinh

rusty wreck dale two out of the last three races in 89 to win his championship.

I did not know that.

 

[mreed]

I remember that race very well.
Rudd was another one cut from the same dirty cloth as Rusty and Dale. Some of the things Stewart has done over the years due to his bad (spoiled brat) temper remind me a lot of Rudd. If a driver pissed Rudd off, that driver usually ended up in the wall, period.

 

[klemmabyna]

i am, and always will be a diehard earnhardt fan. having said that, maybe i should stay away from jumping in this late on the topic, but here goes a few comments, some i've said before...

the 3 back on track: i don't have a problem with it, especially since it is childress, the owner that gave dale a chance to make it famous. better yet, it's still in the family with austin. the only other option i would approve of would have been dale, jr. childress did it right and austin is deserving.

earnhardt on track: i know i saw it all with rose colored glasses, but my impression was always that if he was faster, he gave you a chance to get out of the way. intimidation. if you didn't, he moved you. not always gently. the labonte and wallace incidents were two that not even i could agree with. bristol/for the win was made famous by prior reputation and terry's class. any other driver but earnhardt and today's fans would say he was just going for the win. rusty at talledega was entirely different. and i think it even rattled earnhardt at how quickly things went so terribly bad.

part 2: if a driver had earned dale's respect, they got respect. gordon and earnhardt were complete opposites with jeff quickly denting earnhardt's chances to pass petty's seven championships. but it seemed that after a couple of years, dale gave jeff a pass when many times he could have taken cheap shots, both on track and in the media.

last call: because of his reputation, too many people seem to think he crashed his way to all those wins and championships. simply not true. his restrictor plate/superspeedway results were because of an incredible understanding of what not only his equipment, but those around him were capable of. on the other tracks, he manhandled cars on bias-ply tires, getting everything out of his ride. reputation aside, he could drive a racecar beyond what anyone else could.

finally: charisma. he had it. and earned it. no one since has come close. the lack of racing hasn't created all the empty seats. it's that the sport is missing a true hero/villian. one with credibilty amongst the fans and the nascar brass.

again, admittedly an earnhardt fan, and just my opinions.

tracy williamson
delavan, wi
(ex-prescott,ia)

 

[George Finley]

I remember that race very well.
Rudd was another one cut from the same dirty cloth as Rusty and Dale. Some of the things Stewart has done over the years due to his bad (spoiled brat) temper remind me a lot of Rudd. If a driver pissed Rudd off, that driver usually ended up in the wall, period.

The reason I posted that was to show the way Earnhardt came down on Ricky then cursed him out in the post race interview. Also the fact that Rusty and Dale were racing for the championship and because of that fiasco Rusty finished ahead of Dale and went on to win the championship. Also....Earnhardt said "He Knocked The **** Out Of Me" and "They Oughta Make That son-of-a-bitch Set Out The Rest Of The Season"

Earnhardt could dish it out but he was a wuss at the end of the day.

 

[FenderBumper]

and that is why nascar is doinh

rusty wreck dale two out of the last three races in 89 to win his championship.

no wonder I didn't know that. It isn't true. Dale finished the last 3 in '89, and even won the last race that year. In fact, dale didn't have ANY dnf's due to wrecks that year.

 

[mreed]

The reason I posted that was to show the way Earnhardt came down on Ricky then cursed him out in the post race interview. Also the fact that Rusty and Dale were racing for the championship and because of that fiasco Rusty finished ahead of Dale and went on to win the championship. Also....Earnhardt said "He Knocked The **** Out Of Me" and "They Oughta Make That son-of-a-bitch Set Out The Rest Of The Season"

Earnhardt could dish it out but he was a wuss at the end of the day.

I know that Dale didn't like it when the shoe was on the other foot.
But can anyone name a driver that has pushed other cars around on the track like Rusty and Dale did, that were ok with it when it happened to them?

As many times as Rusty pushed a car out of his way for position he would always cry about it when it happened to him. Dale wasn't always as vocal about it as Rusty, but as in the vid you posted Dale had his moments with the crying towel.

 

[George Finley]

I know that Dale didn't like it when the shoe was on the other foot.
But can anyone name a driver that has pushed other cars around on the track like Rusty and Dale did, that were ok with it when it happened to them?

As many times as Rusty pushed a car out of his way for position he would always cry about it when it happened to him. Dale wasn't always as vocal about it as Rusty, but as in the vid you posted Dale had his moments with the crying towel.

The most obvious wreck in the history of the sport was when Earnhardt pushed Terry LeBonte into the wall at Bristol. Near the end of the race Terry went to the pits and put on fresh rubber. There were eight cars on the lead lap and Earnhardt was running in front with old rubber. Terry came back out and ran past the whole field in short order. When he cleared Earnhardt the three car floor boarded it right into the side of Terry and put him into the wall. Then the arrogant bastard made a joke of it when in the post race interview he said, "I Just Wanted To Rattle His Cage A Little"

Like I said....dirtiest racer I've ever seen. I saw my first race at Bristol in 1962. Bobby Johns won and Fireball Roberts ran second. Both were driving Pontiacs. A good seat back then cost $6.00. I was there in 1979 when Earnhardt was a rookie and he won the race in the 2 car. The next year he won the championship.

 

[mreed]

The most obvious wreck in the history of the sport was when Earnhardt pushed Terry LeBonte into the wall at Bristol. Near the end of the race Terry went to the pits and put on fresh rubber. There were eight cars on the lead lap and Earnhardt was running in front with old rubber. Terry came back out and ran past the whole field in short order. When he cleared Earnhardt the three car floor boarded it right into the side of Terry and put him into the wall. Then the arrogant bastard made a joke of it when in the post race interview he said, "I Just Wanted To Rattle His Cage A Little"

Like I said....dirtiest racer I've ever seen. I saw my first race at Bristol in 1962. Bobby Johns won and Fireball Roberts ran second. Both were driving Pontiacs. A good seat back then cost $6.00. I was there in 1979 when Earnhardt was a rookie and he won the race in the 2 car. The next year he won the championship.

I remember DW turning Terry first and that's when he went in to get new tires for the final run to the finish.
And then there was Dale. Terry wasn't smiling about it like the first time. lol

Hey that's great that you've been a fan for so long. Been a fan since the mid 80's and some people still consider me a rookie.

Welcome to the forum, George.

 

[hawg dawg]

I remember that race very well.
Rudd was another one cut from the same dirty cloth as Rusty and Dale. Some of the things Stewart has done over the years due to his bad (spoiled brat) temper remind me a lot of Rudd. If a driver pissed Rudd off, that driver usually ended up in the wall, period.

don't remember rudd in same hot-head / whiner category as rusty/dale sr.
he was never proactive dirty like them......only reactive......as field soon learned.

 

[mreed]

don't remember rudd in same hot-head / whiner category as rusty/dale sr.
he was never proactive dirty like them......only reactive......as field soon learned.

I think that's fair. Rudd was more reactive. But way over the top reactive.

Like when he was several laps down and Rusty leading was trying to get past him. Rudd didn't like how Rusty was acting so he wrecked Rusty as he was going by.

A car several laps down wrecking the leader because he had a bug up his butt about something.

Couldn't stand Rudd.

 

[hawg dawg]

I think that's fair. Rudd was more reactive. But way over the top reactive.

Like when he was several laps down and Rusty leading was trying to get past him. Rudd didn't like how Rusty was acting so he wrecked Rusty as he was going by.

A car several laps down wrecking the leader because he had a bug up his butt about something.

Couldn't stand Rudd.

no huge fan myself. just liked his "ain't gonna take no crap" attitude. 1 tuff dude !
had ta be....or those other stars would run all over ya...mentally -n- physically.
thinkin they figured him out pretty quick ! no prey here ! ha!

 

[Yogisd1]

Well Fans of the number three car must be in seventh heaven tonight. The new driver of the car is just like the old driver. So much so, that they should call him "The Eliminator". Rich Childrens Racing has struck gold again.