Dale Earnhardt is one of the most intimidating drivers NASCAR has seen. With his capability to drive any car beyond its limits while sporting a charismatic personality, there were a bunch of reasons why the #3 driver was so popular among the media and fans. And to be honest, there isn’t anyone else who can quite replicate his talent or popularity.
However, fans feel that a current NASCAR driver is on an unsuccessful mission to emulate Dale Earnhardt. And this attempt has upset them. Riding the #3 for Richard Childress Racing in the upcoming 2023 Cup Series season, Austin Dillon has made a few tweaks to his appearance.
3️⃣ this time by.#DAYTONA pic.twitter.com/WIobCiLPeo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 29, 2023
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From using the same stylized font as Dale Earnhardt to growing a mustache like him, there is a lot that fans noticed in the latest NASCAR post. Mocking the 2011 Camping World Truck Series driver for trying too hard, many Twitter users shared their views in the comment section.
He was my favourite driver… until he came up with that facial hair…
Once he takes it off though, he'll be my favourite again.
(Also, shame i can only watch highlights+radioactive. I need to go to a race soon)
— Craig (@Craigc6060) January 29, 2023
Bro thinks he’s Dale Earnhardt 💀
— MotorsportsGod#83 (@nascar_king) January 29, 2023
Get that off his lip. Who we trying to be here?
— Kyle Baugh (@KyleBaugh66) January 29, 2023
The talent ain’t in the ‘stache Hoss 🤦🏻♂️
— J.D. English (@JohnnyDaleEngl2) January 30, 2023
— Joseph Castillo (@JMCast17) January 30, 2023
If it wasn’t bad enough he uses #3 in the same stylized font as Dale, now he went and grew the ‘stache LOL.
— Jackson Reynolds (@reyno010) January 29, 2023
Dale Earnhardt and the #3
Famous for driving the #3 Chevrolet for the majority of his career, Dale Earnhardt registered 67 wins with his #3 Chevy. An icon in itself, the #3 has its own historical significance. And Richard Childress Racing has tried its best to preserve the dignity and heritage of Earnhardt’s #3.
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Last driven by Earnhardt at the 2001 Daytona 500 where he lost his life in a last-lap accident, there are a lot of emotions attached to the car. Owing to this, Richard Childress Racing pulled out the #3 from its NASCAR team for more than a decade, until 2014.
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NASCAR does not allow teams to scrap numbers. Hence, for almost 13 years, RCR simply paid NASCAR to keep the #3 in reserve. And in 2014, the team brought back the #3 for Richard Childress‘s grandson Austin Dillon’s rookie year. However, before introducing it in the Cup series, Earnhardt’s son Dale Earnhardt Jr too rode the #3 Wrangler Chevrolet to victory at the 2010 Subway Jalapeno 250.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Like Your Dad” – Ex-NASCAR CEO Tells Dale Earnhardt Jr. The “Big Deal” Missing in Modern-Day Drivers