#3 In Cup Series in 2013?

[RP Motorsports]

I'm just curious as to the sources for these "rumors" the OP is speaking of.

RC was just asked about this last weekend during a media conference (and a couple weeks before that) and he specifically said "There are no plans to run the 3 in the Cup series. If that were to ever change, it wouldnt be Dale's stylized version. We would do something different". He then went on to say, Dale made that number famous with all his accomplishments and its part of his legacy, and alot of people connect with it. So because of that they would never run the same stylized 3 if it ever made it back to the Cup series.

Of course that could change, but thats been RC's feelings on the situation, not just now, but for quite a while.

The bottom line is its different for everyone. Kind of like opinions, everyone has their own feelings about it and none are any more valid than the next person's. Some feel its just a number, and others feel its an important part of Dale's legacy. Neither views are right or wrong.

Has Jr. said what he feels about the 3 coming back? I'm curiously interested in that.

He said he has no problems with it either way. He understands both sides of the coin and he'd be happy to see it back on the track.

Jeff Green?

I had always thought that Jeff Burton was Dale's hand picked successor...

That was something I had heard a long time ago, and have never forgotten it.

Yea, at the time, Jeff Burton was known as Dale's hand picked successor. Maybe there were others, as some have suggested based on one reason or another. But Burton was the only one that Dale would speak of himself in that manner, and during that time, was widely known as "Dale's hand-picked successor".

I remember all the talk and hype going on during that time. There was a lot of speculation as to when Dale was going to retire. And because of the Burton talk, alot of people felt it was going to happen soon.

But Austin has raced the #3 in trucks and Nationwide (most likely lower series as well) not the #07 or #33. The #3 is more of Austin's number than Dale's number to me. It could be because I didn't start following Nascar until 2007.

Interesting. I dont think I've heard that take before. Its somewhat understandable to me since you've only been following since 2007, but you do know about Earnhardt and what he's done right? At the end of the day, its RC's number before either of them, but if we're talking about the two drivers, Earnhardt made that number famous and he accomplished alot more driving it than Dillon could ever dream of.

Obviously different perspective though. There's probably others who have only been following since recently, and have similar feelings on it because they see Dillon now, but never saw Earnhardt. I just personally cant see it.

 

[David24]

Once again...it's just a number. Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Alan Kulwiki, Davey Allison and I'll go as far as saying Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson all have their own number/scheme/sponsor combo that is iconic and only belonged to their respective drivers. When (if) we happen to see a black/blue/red Advocare sponsored #3 in Cup I will not think of Sr. won't even cross my mind. Why? Because Sr. didn't drive a black and blue advocare sponsored car. On the flip side, when the #43 happens to run an STP scheme in the famous Petty blue with red I will think of Richard Petty because he's the one who made it famous.

This isn't football or baseball. Nascar and other motorsports have way more than just a number to remember an athlete from. Sponsors, color combinations, designs are what make up the equivalent of a retired jersey from basketball/baseball/football or whatever. And I'm pretty sure there will never be a Goodwrench sponsored black #3 Chevy in Nascar Sprint Cup ever again, or at least not in our lifetime. And to close: It's just a number.

 

[nascarfreak88]

And I'm pretty sure there will never be a Goodwrench sponsored black #3 Chevy in Nascar Sprint Cup ever again, or at least not in our lifetime. And to close: It's just a number.

Makes it easier because GM Goodwrench doesn't exist anymore XD But I do agree about the just a number part.

 

[SBJR7]

Once again...it's just a number. Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Alan Kulwiki, Davey Allison and I'll go as far as saying Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson all have their own number/scheme/sponsor combo that is iconic and only belonged to their respective drivers.

I mean look, Alan is one of my favorite drivers. Nobody gave Robby Gordon a hard time about using the 7. I think it will bring MORE attention to the sport having the old number 3 out there. No number is off limits. Of course some numbers we don't use for other "iconic" reasoning. Richard pays a lot of money to keep that number every year. I think it will be better if he put that money to use. We will forever respect what Dale did, and accomplished. But Dale is a human being, he walked among us. He is nothing above that, and he certainly isn't no number on the side panels.

Now granted there are some loose ends to this puzzle, like the 61 of Richie Evans and such, however that is left to the car-owners and drivers if they want the number's.

 

[4WideRacing]

Interesting. I dont think I've heard that take before. Its somewhat understandable to me since you've only been following since 2007, but you do know about Earnhardt and what he's done right? At the end of the day, its RC's number before either of them, but if we're talking about the two drivers, Earnhardt made that number famous and he accomplished alot more driving it than Dillon could ever dream of.

Obviously different perspective though. There's probably others who have only been following since recently, and have similar feelings on it because they see Dillon now, but never saw Earnhardt. I just personally cant see it.

Yes, I know a lot about Dale Earnhardt. I do understand how people would think of Dale when they see the #3, I still sometimes fall for thinking Tony Stewart when I see #20 merchandise. XD

 

[nascarfreak88]

Now granted there are some loose ends to this puzzle, like the 61 of Richie Evans and such, however that is left to the car-owners and drivers if they want the number's.

I never liked how NASCAR actually officially retired Richie's #61. Like you said, they're very good and talented drivers, but is nothing above everyone else.

 

[bigrolltide1877]

I think austin should be the one to run the 3 in cup. Im a huge Dale Earnhardt and Jr fan. It would be awesome to see the 3 back on the track on the cup side of things.

 

[ayrwolf]

Sr. was a hell of a driver, but it was RC that put together the organization, sponsorship, and equipment needed to get the job done. I feel that it is RC's number and if he wants to let Austin run the 3 it is alright by me.

 

[RP Motorsports]

Once again...it's just a number. Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Alan Kulwiki, Davey Allison and I'll go as far as saying Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson all have their own number/scheme/sponsor combo that is iconic and only belonged to their respective drivers. When (if) we happen to see a black/blue/red Advocare sponsored #3 in Cup I will not think of Sr. won't even cross my mind. Why? Because Sr. didn't drive a black and blue advocare sponsored car. On the flip side, when the #43 happens to run an STP scheme in the famous Petty blue with red I will think of Richard Petty because he's the one who made it famous.

Once again...not everyone shares the same views on it. Just like not everyone shares the same opinions on any subject. And nobody's view/opinion is more valid than the next person's.

Just for the record, I'm not arguing for either side of the fence. I'm just trying to remind everyone that there are different trains of thoughts, different feelings, different views, and different opinions. So we should try not dismissing or minimizing a particular view because it differs from our own.

This isn't football or baseball. Nascar and other motorsports have way more than just a number to remember an athlete from. Sponsors, color combinations, designs are what make up the equivalent of a retired jersey from basketball/baseball/football or whatever. And I'm pretty sure there will never be a Goodwrench sponsored black #3 Chevy in Nascar Sprint Cup ever again, or at least not in our lifetime. And to close: It's just a number.

In this kind of situation, I dont think the sponsor really plays into it. And its not just the number either. Its the particular stylized number that people identify drivers (or teams) with. When people see that stylized number 3, they are always going to associate it with Earnhardt, no matter what sponsor is on the car.

And its not just the 3, its many different numbers. When you see the Wood Bros 21, you know its the Wood Bros, and most people (not so much the younger crowd) automatically think of David Pearson. Even if some other team ran it 50 years from now, people would still associate it with the Wood Bros and Pearson. But I'd be willing to bet, half the people (or more) on this forum probably couldnt tell you (right off the top of their head) what the sponsor was on Pearson's 21 car.

 

[ayrwolf]

And its not just the 3, its many different numbers. When you see the Wood Bros 21, you know its the Wood Bros, and most people (not so much the younger crowd) automatically think of David Pearson. Even if some other team ran it 50 years from now, people would still associate it with the Wood Bros and Pearson. But I'd be willing to bet, half the people (or more) on this forum probably couldnt tell you (right off the top of their head) what the sponsor was on Pearson's 21 car.[/QUOTE]

It was Purolator! Do I win the 1979 Chrysler Cordoba? Also when I think of the 17 I think of Kenseth and Pearson, not Kenseth and Waltrip.

 

[K.Chuck]

when I think of the 17 I think of Kenseth and Pearson, not Kenseth and Waltrip.

I always think of that damn Western Auto 17, but when I see the 33 its always Skoal.

 

[David24]

In this kind of situation, I dont think the sponsor really plays into it. And its not just the number either. Its the particular stylized number that people identify drivers (or teams) with. When people see that stylized number 3, they are always going to associate it with Earnhardt, no matter what sponsor is on the car.

And its not just the 3, its many different numbers. When you see the Wood Bros 21, you know its the Wood Bros, and most people (not so much the younger crowd) automatically think of David Pearson. Even if some other team ran it 50 years from now, people would still associate it with the Wood Bros and Pearson. But I'd be willing to bet, half the people (or more) on this forum probably couldnt tell you (right off the top of their head) what the sponsor was on Pearson's 21 car.

That's the point I'm trying to make though. When I see that style of the Wood Bro's #21 I think of Pearson, Bayne, Waltrip ect because it's basically the same style used across so many decades. And when I see that style #3, of course I think of Earnhardt Sr. and Jr., Hornaday Jr., now the Dillon's are coming to mind. What I'm trying to say is that only one person will be known for having an great amount of success in a #3 black Chevy sponsored by GM Goodwrench. No one can change that and it never will change.

I know everyone has their own opinions and views on everything. But I think it's silly to call it a "problem" and to want to erase any future existence of a number from the top series.

 

[antknee10]

This argument will rage on until the #3 has actually used in Cup for a while. I personally believe it is just a number and wouldn't expect any driver to want their legacy to be defined by it.

RCR does not own the rights to the #3, however they do have priority over other teams to use it. They do own the rights to the "stylized" 3 featured in Earnhardt's legacy. This would allow a different style of number to be used.

In my opinion it should be used again to help the sport move along. Will there be calls to retire the #43 when Richard Petty leaves this world? After all, his accomplishments outweigh even those of Earnhardt. I'm all for history and rememberence but it seems a bit overboard in this case.

Just my two pennies.

 

[S. Yogurt]

I give up now. Let him use the #3. Honestly no one seems to care so go for it. As long as Kyle Busch stays with a good team I'm happy. I don't even know why I bothered to argue in the first place...

 

[antknee10]

No reason to give up...as long as it remains a healthy debate and no one spouts out a "you're stupid" response. It quickly goes south when people have nothing intelligent to add. So far this thread has been interesting. (y)

 

[David24]

I give up now. Let him use the #3. Honestly no one seems to care so go for it. As long as Kyle Busch stays with a good team I'm happy. I don't even know why I bothered to argue in the first place...

It's not that I don't care. I'm just trying to say that there's more to a driver and his legacy than the styled number he drove with IMO.

 

[S. Yogurt]

It's not that I don't care. I'm just trying to say that there's more to a driver and his legacy than the styled number he drove with IMO.

Not directed at you lol. I have the utmost respect for you, it's just that people seem to forget it's not just a number. If it was just a number, RC would have used it the very next week after the 2001 Daytona 500. People affiliate it with him, and always will unless they change the font.

 

[Sgt Slaughter]

You're stupid... nah I'm just kidding XD

This has been one of the more spirited debates and everyone has had good reason for their side of the story... rare nowadays XD

 

[Carl Robinson]

There was a podcast from jayski a few months back about this very topic. I cant verbatim quote Richard but it goes to this extent.

When I started the team I chose 3 because it was one of 3 numbers available to use and it was cheapest to put on the car. Dale at the time had no request to change the number he just wanted to drive. He never told anyone that he wanted the number retired. However with our sport the way it is, we just couldnt put it back on track it has to be one of those "Feels Right" situations.

IMO
Austin is said situation im sure im going to catch flak for this but dillion I think, Is probably the only guy in nascar that could sit behind a 3 and no one argue about it. I know I sure wouldnt and Im not a big Dillion fan. I know people want to see JR in the 3, and I understand that. However it took the guy (Through faults of him and others) 4 years to win a race. In a number made famous by DW and Dale Jarret. So can you imagine how we would never hear the end of it if here where to under-perfrom in the 3? And theres also the other arugment "Whats dillion got that Jr doesnt" Well for one...ermm not to say he isnt talented Jr has a ton, momentum and key communication may be the better term I mean took the kid two years to win his truck title and may just win his Nationwide title in his rookie year (im assuming this is his first FULL rookie season)

 

[Elio Lugaru]

Personally, I think Dale Sr. wouldn't want to see the number retired if he was still alive.