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| Retiring Numbers by Hank "The Tank" |
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| Rip #3 |
The 2014 season will see one of the
most iconic numbers return on the circuit for the first time in13 years. In
fact, 13 years to the race since the last time the #3 was driven in a NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series race. In fact, since this number was raced, there have been
two different name changes to this level of racing, as well as seven different
champions. We have seen everything from the shortest margin of victory (twice),
and the rise of a dynasty (Jimmie Johnson). But when news hit of the return of
the #3 on the track, many people were in an uproar. “It’s disrespectful!” “It
should be retired!” Wait, did he just say retired?
I get that Dale Earnhardt was one of
the best NASCAR drivers to ever race in the sport. But retire his number? He
may have made that number iconic, but he isn’t the only driver to use that
number. One very notable driver to use the #3? How about the name Junior
Johnson. Nobody retired the number when he decided to become a car owner
instead of a driver, or even when he finally stopped being a car owner. So why
would you retire that number?
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| Austin Dillon - The Future of #3 |
If, for some strange reason, the #3
would get retired, there would be a lot of numbers that would have to go with
it! Biggest one to come to mind, that famous number 43! The King. Seven
championships and 200 wins. But we don’t hear anything about his number getting
retired! So why the #3? No disrespect to the Intimidator, but retiring a number
for any reason would cause more problems than solve any.
If someone were to start retiring
numbers in NASCAR, they would run out of numbers!
Since it is the top racing
league in the United States, they try to stay in between the number 1 and 99.
With 43 cars starting every race (and not to mention extras who don’t make
races), they would run out of numbers to use in between those limits. Let’s
think of a few they would already HAVE to retire if the #3 would to go. Of
course the #43, but then you would have to send the numbers: 21 (David
Pearson), 42 (Lee Petty), 28 (Cale Yarborough), 48 (once Jimmie retires), 24
(once Jeff retires) and the list goes on and on! In fact, since Earnhardt Sr’s
will get retired, might as well add on the #8 for his son!
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| The King #43 |
To retire a number in this sport is
absolutely stupid. He may be one of the best drivers to race, but keep his name
in the hall of fame, and the number that many people have driven on the track!
I actually hope that Austin Dillon is successful with that number and I hope to
see the #3 back in Victory Lane next season!
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