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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
With the 2022 NASCAR Cup season officially wrapped up, an era ended. To be exact, Kyle Busch ended a long-time partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing and will race for Richard Childress Racing. Earlier, the 2-time Cup Series champion made his first appearance in RCR colors. Although he is racing in the #8 car in 2023, Busch got his first taste of the iconic #3 car at the Circuit of The Americas.
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This is pretty momentous because this was the same number that the late great Dale Earnhardt drove. Naturally, seeing the driver run with the iconic number thrilled several fans. Of course, the drivers were not in official NASCAR Cup cars but were driving in an old EuroNASCAR Series car.
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How did NASCAR fans react to Kyle Busch in RCR overalls?
Of course, so many fans were excited to see Kyle Busch behind the wheel of a car carrying the iconic number. Even if it was not the actual #3 NASCAR Cup car, it was the principle of the matter that counts. This led to a few fans calling him ‘Rowdy Earnhardt’, a play on his moniker ‘Rowdy’, attached to the Earnhardt name. Other fans said, “Rowdy in the 3 that crazy” and “Rowdy in the 3 is the greatest moment of my life”. Some people also confessed, “Loving the look already. Man in black and testing around in the #3 car.”
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 16, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) before the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Admittedly, there were some who were confused and unused to seeing a Busch name next to the #3 instead of Earnhardt. A fan said, “Why is he running a #3? sorry I am a Dale Sr. fan”. Others simply stated, “Kyle Busch driving the 3. How about that”, and “Ridin in the 3 car like it’s nothin”.
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Most people’s confusion most likely stemmed from the fact that Busch will drive the #8 car. Austin Dillon is usually the one piloting the #3 car. Maybe Kyle Busch was trying to fulfill a bucket list item, because where else will you get a chance to drive with such an iconic number?
