The legendary Dale Earnhardt‘s death in February 2001 was a catastrophe. Losing a driver of that prestige and aura was a huge setback for the sport. Team owner Richard Childress decided to remove the #3 from their roster as a tribute to the seven-time champion. But after a long gap of 12 years, the iconic Chevy rebranding was announced.

The successor was rather unexpected. While people kept guessing big names to handle the pressure of such a demanding seat, Childress had his own plans. Childress himself is one of the predecessors of Earnhardt in Chapter 3, and having been close to him, he knew the expectations and responsibilities of carrying the legacy forward. RCR decided to trust Austin Dillon with the reigns of one of the most wanted seats in 2013, and ever since, he has been dealing with the pressure of recreating Earnhardt’s success. Teammate Kyle Busch has a thing or two to say about that.

“It was Richard’s first”: Kyle Busch on Austin Dillon trying to match expectations in the #3

“Have you guys talked at all about him living with the pressure of driving the Dale Earnhardt No. 3 and you living with just the pressure maybe of being Kyle Busch? Have you two compared notes?” questions the eminent journalist Bob Pockrass.

When Kyle Busch switched to RCR last year, everyone expected him to take over the #3. Easily one of the best drivers in the sport, and with the aura and acumen to back up his words, Busch was one of the perfect blueprints for a driver to replace arguably the greatest-ever driver in NASCAR history. But Mr. Childress decided to maintain faith in his grandson, and Busch was given the #8.

“No, that has not come up in conversation. It’s been more all about competition-related and things like that. The conversations related to him and his grandfather’s number — obviously, yes, it was Dale’s number, but it was Richard’s first — I can kind of see all of that and how that’s gone on.” said Busch, as he reveals more about any discussion about the sensitive topic.

It must be hard for Dillon with so much criticism and expectations from the fans. But according to Busch, he’s capable of toughing it out and is looking to create his own presence in the community. Dale Earnhardt Jr took a similar approach after coming out of the worst phase of his life after his father’s death. In Junior’s words, it was ‘a weird feeling of independence‘.

“But to me, he wants to be known as Austin Dillon and wants to go out there and show the world he can do it. And I think there’s been a lot of races this year where he’s been really fast and just hasn’t come through to get the finishes they deserve.” adds Rowdy, standing behind Dillon and his pursuit of success.

“Austin Dillon is that person”: Richard Childress on bringing the iconic number back

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In December of 2013, the team officially announced Dillon’s addition. Team owner Richard Childress was key in making the decision, with his relationship with Earnhardt and past experience in the car coming into consideration. At the unveiling ceremony of the rebranded No. 3, Childress tries to recall his conversation with Dale Sr. that made him feel the need to keep the car going.

“I think this was probably 2000 in Daytona. It was raining, and Dale and I were sitting there talking about his retirement and what he was going to do. He told me, ‘I want you to keep running this car. I want you to keep running the three, and I want you to be able to win races and win championships.’ There was no option to retire it, so it needed to stay in the family.” says the 77-year-old.

On top of that, the iconic number is invaluable to NASCAR. Everyone, including the drivers and the authorities, understood the expectations one would need to face if he took up the job. Childress says the plan was to rework it all along. He also claims that the only two families that had a chance at the car were the Earnhardts and the Childress family.

“I always planned to bring it back, but it had to be at the right time and with the right person. It had to be an Earnhardt (Dale Jr.) or somebody from my family.“

He then reminisces about the same discussion with the late president of NASCAR, Bill France said:

“A few years before we lost him, Bill France Jr. said to me, ‘You know, Richard, you’ve got to bring that number back someday. If somebody challenges us on it and wants it, you might lose it.’ I told him I knew that, but I was waiting for the right time and the right person. Well, that time is now (December 2013) and Austin Dillon is that person.”

Dillon does indeed have big shoes to fill. His confidence and mental strength are commendable, but he also needs to back his claim with performances and make his own name in the history of the sport. 

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