For What It's Worth: Go Fast. Turn Left.

Daytona + Danica – Dale + (return of) No. 3 car = “Mixed thoughts”

NASCAR has not been the same for me since 18 FEB 01 when we saw the No. 3 car hit the wall on the last lap coming out of Turn 4. I remember telling my family—before watching Kenny Schrader's emphatic waving for emergency personnel—we may have seen Dale race for the last time. The angle of the impact proved to be more than what a human body can sustain and live. Many of us learned terms such as “energy dissipating”, “crumple zones” and worse “basilar skull fracture”. Later when the world heard the words, “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt”, the entire racing community shared a collective gasp. We were stunned. We were not ready for the iconic symbol that championed the little guy, to be gone. We identified with his blue-collar, hard working, non-politically correct, racing hero. We lost a legend. We lost a friend.

Today, the Green Flag will fall starting the 56^th running of The Great American Race. The field includes many of the “New Breed” or “Young Guns”, including GoDaddy girl Danica Patrick. There is a sprinkling of the old timers with the likes of Michael Waltrip and the Brothers Labonte (Terry and Bobby). Only a handful of the 43-car grid raced in Dale’s last race. The three drivers above plus Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. On RV's, Buses, and vehicles of all sorts, you will see large, medium, and small Black flags with the iconic No. 3 emblazoned on it, unfurled and flying in the ever present breeze off the Atlantic. Flying for The Intimidator.

No. 3 scheme for 2014 Daytona 500.

Also, starting in the grid—from the Pole position no less—is the famed No. 3 car. This is the first time the car has raced in the premier division (Cup series) since Dale drove it. It is driven by car owner and Dale’s close friend, Richard Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon. Gone is the blue GM/Goodwrench logo on the black hood. In its place—the red DOW logo. The car is not all black; a little more than 50%. The hood, roof and rear deck share the black scheme while the doors and side panels are white.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500 Talladega, 30 APR 95.

I have mixed emotions about this. NASCAR is different than other sports—it does not retire numbers. Instead, the numbers are licensed to car owners. Richard—Dale’s long-time friend—raced the number in his short career, then Ricky Rudd drove it (while with RCR), but it has and most probably will always be associated with Dale Earnhardt. Driver's respected and feared him. The only thing worse than seeing the Black No. 3 in front on you was seeing it in your rear-view mirror. You never knew when he might want to "rattle your cage". He Intimidated. He dominated his sport. He exemplified "Go Fast. Turn Left". His states: Seven Championships, 76 Wins, 428 Top 10s, 22 Poles. But is this sufficient to retire his number? When we think of the number 7 on a pin-stripe jersey, it will always be associated with Mickey Mantle. The number 23 will always remind Chicago Bulls fans of Michael Jordan. The number 19 for Indianapolis Colts Johnny Unitas. MLB went one step further and retired Jackie Robinson’s number 42 league wide in 1997: no other player will ever wear that number. The NHL did the same "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky’s number 99. When I think of the No. 3, it will always bring Dale to mind.

Yes, I would love to have seen the No. 3 retired and hanging high in the NASCAR Hall of Fame but I knew that would not happen. However, I have to ask myself, “What if Dale had not died but rather finished his career and retired? Would I still have the same thoughts about retiring his number?” The answer is no. Dale and Richard both knew he would retire and there was going to be someone else running the No. 3. If Fantasyland had a Cup race, it would have been a perfect ending for Dale Jr. to race the black No. 3, but sadly no one lives happily ever after. Things must change. Even Dale Jr. and Dale’s mother Martha are okay with the manner in which Richard has handled this. She was honest when asked how she felt about the return of the No. 3, she said, “I have mixed thoughts….I can sort of deal with it”.

Maybe it is time to put the No. 3 back in the field. Times are different; the world has changed. The drivers have changed. NASCAR has changed (Danica may never win, but she sure looks good). Maybe change is good. So, young Austin Dillon my advice to you is simple:

(1) Remember the tradition and history of the No. 3.

(2) Respect the reverence many NASCAR fans have for the No. 3.

(3) Race for yourself, not the car's reputation.

(4) Keep the rubber on the asphalt.

(5) Go Fast. Turn Left.

Update. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won in the 88 car. Austin Dillon finished 8th in the No. 3 car. Danica Patrick finished 37th (W on Lap 144).

I think Dale is happy

Author's Note. I met both Dale and Richard along with many other NASCAR drivers, including Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, and a young Jeff Gordon. I sat beside he and then wife Brooke during Chapel Service before the race. That race weekend (27 APR -- 30 APR 95), Dale raced in and won the IROC race. In the 500, he took the White flag leading the race, but was passed by Mark Martin in Turn 1. Coming out of 2, Morgan Shepherd turned him, taking him out of contention. He finished 27th. I had VIP In-field/Garage/Pit Passes via Motor Racing Outreach (MRO). I returned to Talladega for the Spring Race in 1998. There I spoke to Richard Childress about Nike entering NASCAR. They would soon provide Dale with racing shoes. I wrote my Master's Thesis (1999) on Nike, Inc.