Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. ever drive the #3 car and if not will anybody?

Question

In a 2006 interview he said he would when he was older but with the way things are looking at HMS and all his on track success and consistency, i'm not sure if he will ever drive for another team.

Answer 1

The #3 car is like the #2 in baseball. Never to be used again.

Answer 2

Jr himself did mention once that he would consider running it near the end of his career. He also said that he wouldn;t be oppoesed to someone else driving it, mentioning the fact that there are some kids out there running go karts right now who have never heard of Dale Sr, but the 3 is their # and it wouldn't be fair to tell them no once the reach the top level after having it their entire lives.

It really boils down to what NASCAR and Childress want though. I don;t see Childress telling his grandson NO when/if he makes it to the Cup level and I don;t see Brian France Jr or whoever turing down the attention and money that it would bring in.

Jr has a 5 year contract with HMS and I doubt he'll drive for them beyond that time, especially if he goes thru with bringing his Nationwide team up to the Cup level.

Answer 3

I kinda doubt he ever will. Maybe some day the number will return. Dale Sr was an incredible addition to the sport of NASCAR racing. He was the working mans racer as is his son. The two should not be compaired as each will have their own place in history.

As for the number? Until RCR releases it or uses it, it will remain where it is. In the hearts and memories of all who loved the man in black.

Answer 4

It will probably come back if Childress' grandson reaches the Cup level, I'm just hoping RC makes the number look radically different.

Answer 5

Richard Childress had that number before Dale, it should stay in his family. Hopefully his grandson will get to spend his whole career driving the 3 car.,

Answer 6

I think Jr would be the only one to drive the #3 if he doesn't I don't think anyone will!!

Answer 7

Junior said that he would drive his fathers car towards the end of his career, if it is possible.  I really don't think Childress will ever put out the #3 car again.   Just in honor of his late friend.

Answer 8

if Jr. don't then no one will

Answer 9

Richard Childress' grandson was talking about it...I think...there's a story on nascar.com about it. He might do it when he gets old enough, he races the #3 dirt late model right now. His name is Austin Dillon

Answer 10

Jr will not drive the #3 but on the other hand Austin Dillon, Richard Childresses grandson, is currently driving the black #3 in the Grand National East-West series...Dillon asked his grand father if he could drive the #3 and said that it would be more in honor of Childress than Earnhardt and Richard Childress responded "How can you say no to your grandson"

So who knows??? Maybe we may see the Black #3 back in action

Answer 11

Interesting question and there's lots of opinions about it. For me personally, I don't think long time NASCAR fans are ready to see the number return. I believe it will be after the 10 year mark before we see it again. But with what driver, I really can't begin to guess.

Answer 12

nobody will they retired that # when dale died

Answer 13

Like many have said, Jr. said he would consider it toward the end of his career. Also, Childress has not ruled out using the #3 at the Cup level with his grandson. He hasn't said yes and he hasn't said no.  The fact that he's been noncommittal about worries me.

Answer 14

If Jr dont i dont think anybody would i mean i dont think its ready to be  back on track to me it wouldnt feel right seen the #3 on track not panted black or with out dale jr driving plus any body in they right minds wouldnt want to drive it knowing the history of it and knowing last time this number was on track the driver was killed i mean if jr said ok Next year in the all star race he will run a Mock #3 of his dads and it was fast and ran up front like the old days it would be nice 2 see

Answer 15

OK lets just put this one to bed.  Jr siad it was an interesting idea but he has NOOOOOO interest in driving the number 3 he feels it was his dad's number and his legacy not Jr's.  Richard Childress himself has said that he has no interest in putting the number back on the track at the cup level.  Yes we see it in the lower series but it is a comepletely different issue at this level and holds to many memories for any involved to run it again.  That is why Childress keeps the number in stable so no one else can put it back out.

Answer 16

I don't think Jr. will drive it anytime soon.  Richard Childress' grandson is supposedly going to drive it in the near future.

Answer 17

Nope, never.  He told DW on SPEED TV that he does not want to do that.

If he does it be at an event like the All Star Race.

Answer 18

Childress's grandson. Watch for it.

Answer 19

Jr. has said many times that he has no desire to drive the 3.  People trying to cling to Sr.'s legacy need to let it go.  Why would you want to see it, anyway?  Sr. had more talent in his thumb than Jr. has in his whole body.  He probably doesn't want to tarnish the number.