Should Anyone But An Earnhardt Drive the No. 3?

In a SceneDaily.com email today, it was reported that Richard Childress was considering bringing the famed No. 3 car, driven by the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., back on the track in the Nationwide Series. 

But instead of an Earnhardt behind the wheel, Childress revealed that he was thinking of putting his own grandson Austin Dillon in the driver's seat.

Dillon, a very capable up-and-coming driver, has been racing in the Camping World East series.  He began his tenure there under the tutelage of veteran driver and current team owner Andy Santerre. 

After a great start to the season, Dillon bailed out on Santerre and went with his own family's race team.   Under the Richard Childress umbrella, he has continued to thrive and be competitive.

But is Dillon ready to move into the Nationwide series after just a short time in the East league?  And even more important, is he ready to assume the glare of the spotlight that will be on him as he steps into one of the most famous numbered racecars in all of NASCAR history?

Call it nostalgia, but many of us fans will never forget the images that are seared into our minds of Dale Sr. behind the wheel of that No. 3 car.  He raced hard there, earned his moniker as the "Intimidator" in that seat, and tragically perished in that same car, doing what he absolutely loved best.

For so many races after that, we all held up our three fingers in recognition of the accomplishments of that car and in remembrance of the driver who had such an impact on the sport and on our souls.

In 2002, our hearts were restored a bit as we watched Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drive the No. 3 for two races in the Busch—now known as Nationwide—Series.  Although bittersweet, that just felt right to all of us fans and we continued to hope that someday we would all thrill to seeing Dale Jr. take the famed three out on the track in a Cup race.

But now that dream appears lost.  Young Austin seems destined to continue the Childress legend, behind the wheel of the No. 3, whose rights still belong to his grandfather.

We do wish Dillon well as he is a fine young racecar driver.  And we will all adjust—NASCAR fans always do.  But for me and for many die-hard race fans, the mystique of the No. 3 will be gone and the dream of having an Earnhardt behind the wheel will also be lost. 

And if this plan comes to fruition, for the last and final time, the magic of the No. 3 really will fade to black.