Legendary sports personalities tend to be identified by their jersey numbers. The jersey number becomes a part of their identity, a part of their legacy. Iconic athletes often block off their number from being used by another person. In NASCAR, that comes from the car number. Dale Earnhardt Jr knows all about it.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is a legend in his own right, having raced in the Cup Series for over 19 years and having set several tracks on fire with his brilliant racing. Junior was the guy that many drivers grew up idolizing and hoping to replicate someday in the future.

But Dale Jr’s idol was none other than his father, Dale Earnhardt. Dale Sr was a force to reckon with in his time in NASCAR, which was unfortunately cut short by an accident. But before he died, he set so multiple records – many that still are yet to be broken. He won a record-tying 7 Cup Series; a feat achieved only by him, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson.

The greatest #3 in the sporting world

Dale Sr rode the #3 car for Richard Childress Racing in his Championship-winning seasons. The iconic car donned a black livery with a Goodwrench sponsorship. That car has etched itself in the minds of all fans of the sport since those days of glory.

And his son is his biggest fan. Dale Jr recently replied to a question posted on Twitter by NBC that said “Greatest Athlete to Wear this Number? 3” In a nonchalant manner, Junior posted a picture of Dale Sr. as his answer.

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It’s hard to argue against the man who would most definitely feature on the top 3 drivers list of all time for any fan.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is trying to revive a dying trade

Dale Jr has been a crucial part of NASCAR despite retiring from full-time professional racing in 2017. While the tracks haven’t been the same for his fans since then, he has still successfully remained connected to the sport.

Largely, that connection has come in the form of his famous podcast, Dale Jr Download, and other off-track commitments. He has regularly been part of analyst panels and commentary panels, calling races and providing his expert insights.

But he has now diversified and increased his involvement in the sport. Recently, he took part in the South Carolina 400 held at Florence. The local asphalt track has been holding the race for a few years since they moved away it from Myrtle Beach.

Dale Jr has a very close connection to the race and the track, having raced there in the 1990s – much before he was the legend. Through this, he provided the track with some much-needed revenue from fans. His involvement was intended to create excitement and generate footfall.

Dale Jr plans to continue this manner of promoting local tracks by racing on asphalt tracks in the region over the next year.

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NASCAR has already seen how these moves can be helpful in reviving what Kyle Larson did for dirt racing. Can Dale Jr. pull this one off?