Corey LaJoie has ignited a wave of severe nostalgia with his 2024 “hard card” photo. Sporting a helmet reminiscent of the great Dale Earnhardt‘s iconic black and silver GM Goodwrench #3 paint scheme, the Spire Motorsports #7 recently posted on Twitter.

Nevertheless, as a solemn reminder, Earnhardt’s choice of helmet has been hotly debated, especially following his untimely death at Daytona in 2001. Critics contend that, despite the legendary seven-time Cup Series champion’s reservations, his survival may have depended on the innovative new HANS safety device, which was already being adopted by his fellow racers at the time. 

Cory LaJoie’s Nod to “The Intimidator”

LaJoie received a deluge of responses to his tweet that he captioned, “Hard card turned out ok,” garnering lots of comments and reactions from fans as well as experts. Displaying his “2024 Annual Credential” on his personal Twitter handle, fans couldn’t help but ask, “Is that a real Dale Earnhardt helmet?”

The online banter went beyond basic curiosity, with admirers demanding Earnhardt’s iconic “bubble goggles” to complete the “Man in Black” look. Moreover, Racing America’s official Twitter account joined in the fun as well, commenting “Do it for Dale” accompanied by a string of laughing emojis.

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Kyle Weatherman from the ARCA series also pitched in with his views on LaJoie’s tweet. He replied, “This is great lol”. However, one common theme seemingly stands out amidst all the fleeting emotions on social media: Dale Earnhardt and his immortal #3 helmet.

A Helmet Etched in History

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Earnhardt’s legacy stretches beyond the confines of NASCAR. Inspired by Earnhardt’s lone participation in the Rolex 24 in 2001, Jordan Taylor wore a similar helmet for the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Furthermore, at the US Grand Prix in 2021, Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, a self-proclaimed Earnhardt admirer, wore a black and silver helmet bearing the number three, reminiscent of the iconic helmet.

LaJoie’s clever nod brings the NASCAR community together once more to celebrate the enduring legacy of “The Intimidator.” As fans and drivers reflect on Earnhardt’s accomplishments, LaJoie’s homage serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how one driver can influence a whole generation of racing fans.

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Nevertheless, as Spire Motorsports themselves declared on Twitter, LaJoie has already established himself as an “Early contender for the Hard Card Photo of the Year award.” So, will Corey LaJoie “Do it for Dale” and bring home the hardware this year? Only time will tell.