I worked for GM Performance Parts when Kevin Harvick was coming up. Everybody at GM felt Harvick was the guy to be the next Dale Earnhardt. He didn't quite get there, but neither did anybody else. Dale was one of a kind and a great strategic driver.
I admit that I was a little pissed to see the 3 being used in the Cup Series by anyone. But let’s face it, no one could ever live up to the standard that Dale had set in the Black #3. Which is the main reason it should have been retired forever, or given to Junior. That way if anyone got to use it, it would be an Earnhardt. But then I realized that it didn’t matter who got behind the wheel of a #3 car. They were not ever going to live up to the standard set by Dale. So to me it should have been retired forever.
Glad to see the 3 back out.befor you hate, look at it this way, Richard Petty won and made his name in the 43, and they still run it. Every time I see it, I remember him. If you retire the 3, you have to be told about what it was and what it meant, and if you don't exactly grow up around the sport, that is the case. But seeing it reminds you. Dale got what he want, Kevin racing in his place. But what he wanted more was for Richard to race, since he took Richards spot in 1984. And to see his grandson out there, would make Dale proud. RIP Dale.3⃣
I've always wondered why the #3 wasn't retired after Dale Sr. passed. But now that I've read your article I understand. You make a very good point sir and I appreciate it.
@@Deuce1076 I read somewhere that Dale's mother stated that she didn't want to see a black #3 in a Nascar race ever again. Perhaps RCR is honoring her request out of respect.
Hard to believe still ! I dont watch NASCAR anymore nobody fills those shoes. And if ya dont like what I'm saying dont read it. HE WAS THE MAN Nascar will never be same . Working man's champion. GOD BLESS to all
I don't Like Where Nascar Has Gone And Only Reason I Watch It Is Because Of The 3 Car Only Watch The Bristol Daytona Talladega Atlanta Races Only Rest I Don't Care For
Says a ton for kevin Harvick, because there was never a time when he helped or bought into Mike skinner or robby Gordon as a teammate. Mof i have a friend that has worked as a fabricator for rcr since 1997 told me when they had a team meeting and Richard announced the 2nd team and said the teams would work together and share all information. He said dale stood up and said anybody that worked on his car that shared anything to any other car that made that car out run him would never work on or be in his team again. Mike(friend) said the room went silent and the meeting was over. Dale never shared information with nobody. He would help a few younger drivers somewhat but he was a little different. God broke the mold when he made dale as far as is competitive side to win, even as a 7x champion, he just raced every race like he was putting food in the table with that purse money. He dam sure wasn't sharing information to make his competitors go faster.
Wow, well I now how a newfound respect for Jeff Burton. If Dale thought that highly of him that says a lot about him imo. I mean everyone thought he was nuts for thinking Michael Waltrip could be a winner if he had good equipment. But it only took one race for Dale to be proven right. Would have been interesting to see what Michael and Junior could have accomplished had we not lost Dale on that fateful February day.
A lot of people don’t know this but when #3 Dale Earnhardt Sr. passed away & they put Kevin Harvick in it with the #29 & painted the car white & they chose #29 because it was the closest to the #3 & the theory behind that is they felt if they looked at it as “2.9” then it would be special & that only “RCR Employees” back in the shop & at the race track(s) on Saturday & Sunday’s 🏁
… I meant to type at the end of my comment up above here that only “RCR Employees” back at the shop & at the track on weekends would know about that secret with “2.9” in which overtime word would get out about that little secret with “2.9” but i think that’s a cool story that i think should be in the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” & i’m not sure if the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” has the #29 white Goodwrench car driven by Kevin Harvick & that first win for Harvick & first for “RCR” after #3 Dale Earnhardt passed away🏁
… I meant to type at the end of my comment up above here that only “RCR Employees” back at the shop & at the track on weekends would know about that secret with “2.9” in which overtime word would get out about that little secret with “2.9” but i think that’s a cool story that i think should be in the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” & i’m not sure if the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” has the #29 white Goodwrench car driven by Kevin Harvick & that first win for Harvick & first for “RCR” after #3 Dale Earnhardt passed away🏁
… I meant to type at the end of my comment up above here that only “RCR Employees” back at the shop & at the track on weekends would know about that secret with “2.9” in which overtime word would get out about that little secret with “2.9” but i think that’s a cool story that i think should be in the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” & i’m not sure if the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” has the #29 white Goodwrench car driven by Kevin Harvick & that first win for Harvick & first for “RCR” after #3 Dale Earnhardt passed away🏁
… I meant to type at the end of my comment up above here that only “RCR Employees” back at the shop & at the track on weekends would know about that secret with “2.9” in which overtime word would get out about that little secret with “2.9” but i think that’s a cool story that i think should be in the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” & i’m not sure if the “Nascar Hall Of Fame” has the #29 white Goodwrench car driven by Kevin Harvick & that first win for Harvick & first for “RCR” after #3 Dale Earnhardt passed away🏁
What mountain were you on that great day it sound like you were around red river new Mexico lv climb that mountain and road motorcycle up there that's goose mountain bad dill when there snow l.d.k.
I SAW A GUY AND ON HIS TAILGATE WAS PRINTED - GOD TOOK DALE SR CUZ HE NEEDED A DRIVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neither of them should be retired, especially the 43. The 43 because Richard Petty didn't die in it, but the 3 should only be used at the permission of Richard Childress and the permission of Dale Jr
Before Dales death I always thought of RCR and Richard Childress as one of the best teams/owner. Nothing but respect, even when you had headcase Robbie Gordon in the 31... After Dales death, when Harvick took over driving the 3/29 car. Richard became quite a prick. Harvick would give feedback on what his car was doing/needed and ole Rich would say shit like "You just get paid to drive the car, so drive it!" If RC would have listened to half of what Harvick was saying he would have (A) Not quit RCR and (B) RCR and Harvickwould have won quite a few more races. Being the owner of a race team does not qualify you (Richard Childress) as an expert by any means on what a car needs or doesn't need during a race to be competitive. If you were any kind of expert in knowing you wouldn't have given up your own winless driving cup career...
He wasn't any better then the men of yesteryear. He had great equipment and was allowed to race to win.run into you,over you or take you out.of course he was extremely talented...guys like Tim Richmond and Jeff Gordon where able to race very well with him.Bill Elliott and many others took wins away from him.
