45 Comments on Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Last No. 3 Ride

Sherri Tolley on


I would like to see Dale, Jr., drive the No. 3 Wrangler car every year. It’s a memory of his Dad, and he has the right to want to keep that memory alive. It’s nice to see Dale, Jr. finishing in the top 10 – it won’t be long and he will be in the winners circle. He is a winner, and I think that finally the “slump” is over. He is the driver to watch!! A Dale, Jr. fan forever. God Bless You Dale, Jr., keep up the good work.

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MONTY HARRIS on


ANY RACE WITH AN EARNHARDT,AND # 3 IS THE MOST EXCITING THING IN NASCAR !!!

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Tom McDonnell on


It is great that Jr. will drive the #3 Wrangler car at Daytona, but I wish that number would be retired. OK, it is Childress’s number but if I were Richard, I would have said I am leaving this number retired for my dear friend Dale Earnhardt. Dale would have loved that. The Beatles are no longer around so I can’t see another group using the name “The Beatles”, so why can’t the number 3 be the same way. To me, it will always be Dale’s number.
A DALE EARNHARDT AND #3 FAN FOREVER!!!!

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Jean on


This one time of driving the #3 is enough for me. I think the number
needs to be retired forever. There will never be another driver like
Dale Sr and I think it would be wrong to have someone else take over
the number. Good luck Dale Jr. We are all pulling for you!!!!!!!!

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charlotte on


dale jr has the memories of his dad driving the # 3 car. it will be very special for him. and who knows, dale might be riding with him! i do hope jr. wins in it for his dad.dale jr is a good driver. and he’s coming back! every week he’s still up there trying to win. i can’t wait to see that day! and i’m sure he can’t either. so junebug…you are a winner in my eyes. god bless you. we’ll all be watching you! good luck.

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Tim Pierce on


Yes, I would like to see Dale Jr. drive the #3 car in his career full time!! It would be an honor to see him behind that wheel and I feel that his father would love it as well!!! Richard Childress should not let anyone but a Earnhardt drive the #3 even though he had it before Dale Sr. drove it, that would be disrespectful!!! If Dale Jr. does not drive it then it should be retired permanently!! Tim Pierce, Rogers City, Michigan.

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Carla on


I think the #3 should be retired. It is great to see Jr. in the top 10. I think driving the #3 at Daytona will be emotional for him. You are a great guy Dale, keep enjoying what you do.

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Willard N. West, Jr. on


Dale, Jr, we watch every race and we have noticed that you are improving every race and we know your turn in victory lane is getting closer with each race.
When you get in that No. “3″, we know Dale, Sr. will be riding with you so drive as you were driving in that last race that he was driving behind you and Michael and remember, he was trying to guide you to victory lane that day………………….

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Daisy June on


I AGREE WITH ALL THE OTHER FANS! I THINK CHILDRESS SHOULD RETIRE THE NO. 3. IT BELONGS WITH DALE SR. I WISH JR COULD HAVE DRIVEN THE BLACK 3 JUST ONE TIME ON DALE SR. BIRTHDAY EACH YEAR, BUT AS IN ALL BUSINESSES, RCR MAY THINK THEY CAN CREATE A NEW HERO WITH ANOTHER DRIVER IN THEIR STABLE. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BLACK 3 AS DALE’S CAR AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE. JUNIOR , YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN NAME IN #88. YOU DO NOT NEED TO RIDE ON YOUR DADDY SHIRTTAIL. JUST GIVE HIM THE RESPECT THAT HE DESIRES AND BE YOUR OWN MAN. HE IS RIDING WITH YOU AND WILL GUIDE YOU ALWAYS.

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Deb Schafer on


I would love to see Dale, Jr. in a Black No. 3. We were Earnhardt fans of all Earnhardt drivers, If Dale Jr. isn’t going to drive the black no. 3, then it should be retired. After all, Dale is what made the car famous. Dale Jr. is a great driver, and I feel a victory is very close.

Take that Wrangler No 3 and race like you have never raced before. After all, Dale will be guiding you.

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Sammie on


drive the hell out of it like he taught you and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t ridin shotgun. he pulled you from the firey crash once and now he’s gonna help drive you to victory lane. good luck and remember you couldn’t have been taught by anyone better!!!!!!

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Daisy June on


OOPS! MISSPELLED DESERVES. GETTING TOO OLD FOR THE SPELLING.

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Sammie on


oh, yeah don’t forget to ride up on gordon, stewart, harvick and a few others and scare the crap out of them like the intimator would have. a little deja vu would be nice to see

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Dan V on


I think it won’t mean a darn thing unless JR wins and i hope he does! It will also sell more diecasts, which in the business world…is all that matters. The #3 should be retired forever just like all major sports retire the numbers of great, historical, influential players of their respectful sport. I understand that it was RC’s number before SR but…the intimidator made it great! Leave the #3 alone.

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Evie on


Yes I would like to see Dale Jr. drive the number 3, not all the time, maybe for in memory of Dale’s birthday, Father’s Day, maybe time or two after that. Dale Jr. has his number to fill.

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scott on


DALE JR YOU DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU I LOVE THE CAR AND YOUR DAD WAS THE MAN MY THING ON THE #3 IS THEY SAY IT IS RETIRED BUT THEY USE IT IN THE TRUCK RACES WHY ITS NOT RIGHT DALE KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP JR YOU WILL GET THERE AGAIN YOUR FAN SCOTT

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Reno3 on


Boy my boy would I love to see that ! I have thought alot about that since Dale passed. The best there ever was ! But I think that RCR #3 and an Earnhardt would be a great combo !!!!!!!

GO JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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diane on


Dale Jr. Win or Lose you are still the BEST.

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Diana from Canada on


I have say it would be nice to see Dale Jr in his dad’s car but I would like it Retired and only brought out on Special occasion like Dale sr’s birthday or the day Dale sr first got in to racing but I do have to say that Retiring it would be the most espactful that any one would do for the number 3 cup car and yes it sould not be used by the truck’s or nathionwide car’s and it was Dale’s and i can not see anyone driving it unles it was Dale jr.Yes R.C.R own’s the 3 car but as someone said it was Dale sr’s car and no one else.
hat is how I think it sould have gone after Dale sr passed away.
From Diana from Canada

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Debbie Roberts on


If Dale Jr says it will be the last time for him to race the #3, then everyone should respect his feelings about it – period. Apparently he doesn’t have a problem with Childress’ grandson using the #3 on his truck or I believe it would never have happened. This sounds to me like Jr plans to retire early and maybe just be an owner, possibly going back to his roots and doing some dirt track racing occasionally and staying occupied with his many businesses. I could certainly understand why he would want to do that. It must be really hard listening to all the stupid comments that get printed or aired about him all the time. The guy never seems to have a truly private moment. I say if you are a true fan let it go and enjoy watching him race whatever he happens to be racing, because he’s doing what he wants to do, you can bet on that.

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Mavis on


I wouldn’t mind seeing Dale Jr drive the #3 again in Nationwide but not in cup. I associate that with Sr and think it should be retired. I know Sr drove it in what is now the Nationwide series but we don’t associate him with it as much. Go Jr. go!!

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Maureen on


iT’S OBVIOUS MOST WILL BE SHOWING UP IN DAYTONA THIS WEEKEND TO SEE DALE JR. DRIVE HIS DAD’S #3 WRANGLER………………PLEASE GOD, HELP JUNIOR WIN THIS ONE…………PLEEEEEASEE!!!

Tell Dale Jr. he is too young to retire and discard the Earnhardt legacy from NASCAR, which is what will happen if he retires before he is fifty (50) years old. He could miss all those millions rolling in from racing too! If Jr. gets his heart back into racing I know he will win races, he just needs to put his whole heart in it and………………..go for it!

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AZomah on


I am looking forward to watching Jr. in the #3 car. I know it is a very special race for him. I am also hoping that Pop’s is his crew chief, that would be special for him to. I also would like to see the #3 retired, but I bet Dillon feels honored to have the number. As for Jr. retiring, I hope he doesn’t before I die, my credit card company will probably sue him for loss of income!! LOL!! I know Jr. will drive his heart out. I am looking forward to the time when he starts enjoying driving his racecar again, and I know that time is coming. Take care Jr. and put the pedal to the metal.

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Marie on


My first comment is for Diana from Canada, who says the #3 should not be in the truck or Nationwide series. Diana, the #3 that Dale Jr. will be driving Friday night IS in the Nationwide series, in case you didn’t know. I think many fans are under the impression that Jr. will be driving a #3 Cup car, which is not the case; it is a Nationwide car. Dale Jr. is under contract with Hendrick to drive the #88 Cup car, so he cannot drive a #3 Cup car. Dale did not drive in the trucks so I don’t think a #3 truck is being disrespectful to him. However, the #3 Cup car WAS Dale and I feel very strongly that it should be retired out of respect to him. Grandson or not, Childress needs to give Austin his own number when he breaks into Cup racing. Nobody on this earth can ever measure up to Dale Earnhardt as a race driver; therefore, nobody deserves to drive a Cup car with a 3 on it. I can’t imagine any driver even wanting to.

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mamadonia on


I would love to see Jr. drive the #3 forever, but it would be too much pressure on him to do so, everyone would expect him to be exactly like BIG E, it just wouldn’t be fair to Jr. As far as Richard Childress grandson driving it, I don’t think anyone other than an Earnhardt should drive it, Big E made that number famous, not Richard Childress and it should be retired permanently if Jr. don’t want it!!!!!

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Lawana on


I would hope that Richard Childress would give Dale Jr, the opportunity to drive for him whan his contract with Kendrick runs out….IF this is something he would like to do and IF he would want to drive the #3 car. Whatever his career move is when his contract runs out with Hendrick, I hope he gets away from Johnson & Gordon, and has his own team, so he can make his own decisions. I believe some decisions are not necessarily in his best interest, but he has to go along with it. I just would like to see him win a championship before he retires. Good luck this week-end Jr!!!!!!!!!

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Thelma on


I hope that Richard will retire the #3. I do not think anyone else would have the results that Dale hade in that car. I think it would be a shame to mar the accomplishments Dale had in the #3.

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Sandy on


I believe that the number 3 should be retired. Dale Sr was the best driver ever and there will never be anyone who will be better then him. I agree with Lawana I would like to see him get away from Johnson and Gordon also. I think Hendrick cares more about them and needs Jr. because he brings in the sponsors and the money. I do know that Dale Sr will be with Dale Jr on Friday and I pray that Dale Jr wins that race for his fans, his dad, and ecspecially for himself. He deserves it.

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Pat 88 on


It will be great to see the #3 on the track with his son in it. Thats the only way it should be. Childress may own the number but the fans own the memory of that car number & driver together. Thats what makes the number special the driver Earnhardt, I for one always hoped Jr. would drive for Childress but remember how hard it is for Jr. just to be Jr. It would be unblieveable how hard it would be for him to drive that car all the time. Some race fans are a–holes about Jr. already, his life would be hell on earth. Remember one very important thing Dale Jr. IS NOT DALE SR. no one is..there was only one and he can never be replaced no even buy his SON. That is how it should be.
Good luck next week Dale Jr. give them Hell !!! What ever happends we will be proud of you.

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JSB on


As much as I love Dale Jr. Richard said he would retire the # 3 . I took him at his word. But money always counts more. But I dont care what # Dale Jr has . He’s always # 0ne to his fans.

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Dave Bowles on


I know the Yellow/Blue was years ago and that’s fine by me! BUT, I would love to see that BLACK # 3 come thundering out of the pits, fire licking the night air from the exhaust, the windows so dark you can’t see inside. You feel the seats vibrate, the ground quakes, #3 glides out so smooth like it’s rolling on air, not air as we know it, it doesn’t even kick up dust. Down past the start finish line lightning branches through the first turn building speed every second. Turn two lights up as the stealthy black image explodes from the second turn and rockets down the back stretch so fast the white of the legendary #3 on the side looks like it’s flowing off the rear quarter panel on fire. Turn three is laid waste as you feel the chill run up your spine. All heads are anxiously looking as turn four comes up, never letting off entering turn four, riding down to the bottom of four everyone waits for the black #3 to come blasting out to the front stretch. We wait, we wait, since February 2001 we have waited in hopes to see one more time, #3 roar past us, with that familiar shadow leaning left in that seat.

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Swampy88 on


When you think of NASCAR and then the #3, what comes to mind? Big Dale! Yes, Dale Sr. period. Leave it at that. Junebug? Keep on truckin and do what your heart tells you to do. I hope Jr. makes the chase…….and how about a victory or 2?
As a hall of fame driver…..Dale Earnhardt is THE #3. Lets’ retire the number. There will never be another driver associated with the #3. Out of respect for the 7 time champion and hall of fame driver, put the #3 on the shelf. There shouldn’t even be any question about it.

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Debra Bates on


It would be so AWESOME to see Dale Jr. win in the #3. I think as long as Dale Jr. is racing and willing to drive the #3 one time a year at Daytona, would be nice, but other than that it should be retired. Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. you both are real champions in my eyes. Best of luck Dale Jr. in Friday night and Saturday night race. Where ever you start or finish you will still have me as one of your fans.

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Greg on


Let JR do what his heart tells him. As many others I would love to see JR drive the #3 for RCR but I don’t think any driver would want the pressure that would come with the number. JR has enough pressure now. In the end I think the #3 should go in the Hall of Fame where it belongs with Dale SR, after all SR and the #3 are one in the same. Good luck this weekend JR in both races and if prayer can get you a win you will lap the field. God bless you.

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Rick on


Dale Jr. has driven the #3 Nationwide car several times since his Daddy passed, he won 2 of those times, so there is no doubt in my mind that he has a great chance of winning Friday night @ Daytona! May all the stars align & pull Jr. to victory lane!!

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Rick Castle on


I would like to see jr drive the number 3 permanently. Who else could drive the car with Sr.number but his son! As a fan , don’t bury the #3 let it live on people!

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instig8tor88 on


while I agree with everyone about Jr being a GREAT person and driver, and that Dale Sr was the best driver ever, the talk about retiring the #3 is not going to happen, thats because Nascar OWNS the # while Richard leases it from them. So basically Richard has no say about retiring it, even if it would be the ultimate tribute to his friend and partner. While I don’t mind Richards grandson driving a #3 truck, I wouldnt like anyone but an Earnhardt driving the Black #3 So on that note GOOOOOOOO JR!!!!!

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Marie on


Re Dave Bowles’ “Tribute to Dale” and that is exactly what his comment is, a tribute to the greatest ever, I felt that chill he mentioned go up my spine just reading his words. What a wonderful tribute your words are! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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Dale Earnhardt: A tribute | RacingWin on


[...] Bowles posted this fine tribute to Dale Earnhardt in response to the article about Dale Jr driving the No. 3 car Friday Night at [...]

Amish Al on


I don’t have a problem with Austin Dillon getting seat time in the black #3, I think it would be a cool ride for Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of Dale….

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PATTY FITTRO on


i WOULD LOVE TO SEE DALE, JR DRIVE THE #3 CAR. I THINK IT WOULD

BE GOOD FOR HIM.

LOVE YOU JR.

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SHEILA on


If anyone is to drive that number 3 again it should be Junior. But it should be RETIRED. There ain’t nobody that will fill that numbers shoes like Big D. There was and always will be only 1 #3. At the very least thats a number you need to EARN. It’s like one of the CROWNS of NASCAR. I must also say it is very cool that Harvick drives a #3 on his door every week. ) The number didn’t make the man, the man made the number!!!

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Donna on


Jr. fan forever ..

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AZomah on


I know this is not to the subject, but up above I said it would be special for Pop’s to be Jr’s crew chief. But just a little while ago I found out that Tony Jr. is his crew chief and that is really great. I did not honestly think that would ever happen again after the way Tony Jr. was treated. But I am so happy for him. He knows and understands Jr. better than anyone else does. They have always worked well together. Yes, they have had their disagreements, but their accomplishments far outweigh bickering between brothers. Tony Jr. is one of the top cc’s in NASCAR. I am happy to see him with Jr. for this very special race. I hope that soon they can work together again.

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charlotte on


i was setting on the edge of my seat waiting on that WIN!!! congratulations to dale jr, and all that made it possible for him to race that # 3 car. best race that i’ve seen in a long time. we knew he could do it! good luck sat. night to junebug!
earnhardt racing is the best racing ever! dale would have been so proud of his son.

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