The #3

[Tim Packman]

First, NASCAR doesn't own any numbers. Team owners register a number when they start a team, and NASCAR either approves/denies their request for that number. For instance, nobody can run a three digit number in any NASCAR Series. So, you are left with 00 to 99 as your choices.

Second, each year, RCR registers the No. 3 number in Sprint Cup Series. But, since they never enter it in a race, it never shows up on the Owner's Points

Third, or should I say No. 3 and hold up three fingers while doing so, IF RCR chooses to bring back the No. 3 to Sprint Cup Series action, they would need to submit the paint scheme and number to NASCAR for approval. IF they they choose to use the same No. 3 driven to fame by Dale Sr., then that is up to them as they are the registered owners of that TEAM, not the number.

Other random points -
* To repeat what Dale Jr. said, "There are 10 and 11-year old kids out there that have no idea who Dale Earnhardt is. If Richard wants to run that number, I don't have a problem with him doing that."
* Let's say RCR does run a No. 3 in Sprint Cup, it would be a great way to introduce Dale Earnhardt to all those young kids who have only seen Austin and Ty Dillon running that digit. Thus, it would be a nice bridge between the past and present. Who knows, maybe one of those kids would Tweet about it...
* It's a number, it's being kept in the RCR family and utilized by the team who made it most famous. Not some random team who just wants the number to garner attention and exposure - good and bad.
* IF it's to be brought back into competition, who better than a family member of RC himself?

Just my thoughts, but I don't much about this NASCAR stuff.... 

[raceannouncer]

Tim:  NASCAR does indeed "own" the numbers: (and this is no reflection or comment on your knowledge). They have the rights to them and get to assign the numbers! Sounds like "ownership" to me!

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2916723

But what do I know: I was just a lowly announcer while you actually worked for a team!:

[Casper60]

How NASCAR allocates car numbers

NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers and licenses them to teams on an annual basis. Teams do not own the numbers. Teams submit to NASCAR requests for a car number.

Depending upon availability, that number is issued via an owner’s license, which is good for a year. However, one team may allow another team to use the number with NASCAR’s approval. For administrative purposes, the official car number may be a three-digit number, however on the car only two digits are displayed (a 100 and 200 would both display as 00). If there is a conflict at any given time, by general procedure, the team submitting an entry form last would have to pick an alternate display number.

Generally, if a team has been using a number that number is re-issued to the same team. If a team relinquishes a number, it reverts back to NASCAR.

[raceannouncer]

For illustrative purposes:

This is WAY different:

than this:

Who's the first one??? Ever hear of David Pearson?

Retire the design, NOT the number!  Other people should be free to make their own history with that number!!!

[Tigerpaw333]

I know different sports but if NASCAR cares such much about saving the legacy of Dale Earnhardt, maybe they should do what the NHL did and retire the number . There can never be another 99 in NHL, and i believe that is how it should be in NASCAR should never be another 3 in Sprint Car series.

[raceannouncer]

If NASCAR had retired the "3" for any reason before Childress got it, this whole Dale Sr. "retire the #"discussion would be about another number. So, I my stance is the same as many other up here; it's ONLY a number...preserve and honor his memory, YES, the number, NO!

Chilsress has, in effect" retired it anyway as he leases it before anyone else and thus prevents it's use; By the same token, he alone can decide to use it anyway he likes--and if that means if he decides his grand kids can use it, nothing can be done about it...I cant speak for him but my guess is that the Intimidator would have agreed with his boss and easily could have been racing with a different number in the latter stages of his career.  And, I believe that Dale would have done anything for RC, including changing his number...but then that whole NASCAR "money-grubbing" condemnation would have reared it's ugly head, too!

"UM": As far as the whole "knowledgeable race fan thing, that also depends on the year as well...when I first became a NASCAR fan, the #28 was definitely Fred Lorezen's number, then Cale Yarborough; For those younger than I, it was attached to Davy Allison, then Ernie Irvan; The no. 12 was always Bobby Allison's; later on it became Jeremy Mayfield's (who cares) then it was Ryan Newman's. For me, this whole retire the #3 has been overblown due to the emotions created by Dale's death, which incidentally, became the catalyst for the myriad of improved safety innovations since that dark day!  For my money, that, along with his racing accomplishments should be his legacy, NOT some damn number!!!

[Ratzso]

This festuche could be resolved very easily. 

I propose that NA$CAR do away with all numbers and each car will be referred to by the drivers name, nickname, car make, sponsor or combination thereof.

Here are some examples.  Feel free to add to this list:

Cursin' Kurt Furniture Row Chebby
Jumpin' Jimmie Champ Lowes Chebby
Danica Go Daddy Got Up and Went Chebby
Back Row Joe
Flash Gordon
Five Hour Clint
Rowdy Busch Candymobile

[raceannouncer]

Isn't that pretty much happening now, anyway???

[uticamike]

"UM": As far as the whole "knowledgeable race fan thing, that also depends on the year as well...when I first became a NASCAR fan, the #28 was definitely Fred Lorezen's number, then Cale Yarborough; For those younger than I, it was attached to Davy Allison, then Ernie Irvan; The no. 12 was always Bobby Allison's; later on it became Jeremy Mayfield's (who cares) then it was Ryan Newman's. For me, this whole retire the #3 has been overblown due to the emotions created by Dale's death, which incidentally, became the catalyst for the myriad of improved safety innovations since that dark day!  For my money, that, along with his racing accomplishments should be his legacy, NOT some damn number!!!
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Paz by accident you "lowered" Dale sr to the level of this fine group of racers you list here. That is my point really. Again ask that same group of half knowlegable

fans what (or who even) Fred Lorezen's number was. Or Bobby Allison (who drove different cars) and Ernie Irvan?   Sorry, not on the same plane as Dale sr.

How many baseball fans today ever saw Babe Ruth play? How many know what is number is?  ( I'm thinking nearly all baseball fans know)  The year is moot

in my mind.  The act of retiring a number is an honor of the highest degree.  It should be reserved for those that "played" at the very highest level of their

game. So called impact players...game changers if you will.  In the NASCAR world the #3 that we all know (and some love) is just such a "player".

( yes the 43 could be in the mix too)

[kt]

Just an FYI: Richard Petty is on the record as saying that he never wants the number 43 to be retired........

[Beersy26]

Ditto what Mike said.      I also was not a fan.     But if you think the 61 was a good thing to retire why not the 3.   Those two drivers made the greatest impact of any driver ever on their respective divisions, and were most associated with those numbers than any other driver.   Also in case anyone forgot, Richie and Dale lost there lives while driving. What better way to honor a deserving driver.    I also think the 43 might be deserving some day, but last I knew Richard was still ALIVE! and at least (arguably) somewhat active in racing.

[TidTow]

To clarify what uticamike said about Babe Ruth and his number 3 being retired.  MLB did not retire his number, the NY Yankees did along with 15 others starting with Lou Gehrig's #4.
Jackie Robinson's #42 is the only number retired by MLB.  Apparently symbolism trumps baseball talent.

[TidTow]

Oh, and FWIW I never saw Babe Ruth play.

[mod68]

The number doesnt make the man..............

Who gives a f&*k let him run it!!!!

[Openwheeler]

Once again I refer to the case, if NASCAR announced tomorrow that they will not allow retired numbers and Ted Christopher decided to run a car with billy naz as the crew cheif and the number 61 you would all flip out (as would I) richie and Earnhardt fall in the same category of changing the sport forever and paying the ultimate price doing so.