Austin Dillon captured NASCAR championships at most every level. Already the expectations are he'll excel as a Sprint Cup rookie this season.
No doubt his grandfather, Richard Childress, will provide him with a powerful enough car to compete in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 23. And few doubt he has the requisite skills and resiliency to race door-to-door against the likes of six-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time champion Jeff Gordon.
Perhaps the only skepticism surrounding Dillon's camp is how he'll handle the inevitable pressures of racing with the storied No. 3 covering the Chevrolet-powered machine of Richard Childress Racing — a number that had been retired since Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash 13 years ago at Daytona International Speedway.
The iconic “3” conjures up undeniable emotions among loyal, passionate fans whose unwavering support of the Intimidator was unparalleled. Richard Petty was the King, but Earnhardt ruled over the sport like no other.
The 23-year-old Dillon is in the unique, if not unenviable, position of having to live up to the larger-than-life image of a NASCAR legend.
“We have to prove ourselves, especially having that number on the side of the car,” said Dillon, who won Nationwide Series and Camping World truck titles. “We're all open about what we're facing this year.
“That number was everything. Dale was our hero.”
Earnhardt won six of his record-tying seven Cup titles after replacing Ricky Rudd in the 3 in 1984. While stock-car purists prefer the number remain retired to honor Earnhardt, Childress said stamping the 3 on his grandson's car was an easy decision.
Childress was swayed, too, by a conversation he had with the elder Earnhardt 14 years ago. The two agreed the 3 should remain active when Earnhardt retired, preferably with a member of the Earnhardt or Childress families.
“That decision was when Dale and I were talking about his retirement and what he was going to do when he retired,” Childress said during the NASCAR media tour in Charlotte, N.C. “He wanted to help me with the 3 and the team to go out and put a driver in it that could win championships.
“It was not in the plans at all to put anybody in the car until the right person was there. If Dale Jr. would have wanted to do it or (daughter) Kelley or (son) Kerry, or one of my family (members) would get in that 3 car.”
Earnhardt Jr., who piloted the No. 8 for Dale Earnhardt Inc., before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, said he understands the pressures facing Dillon.
“There are guys who will tell Austin or Richard they haven't watched a race since 2001, and now they're going to start,” said Earnhardt, the 2004 Daytona 500 winner. “There are going to be positive and negative opinions.
“Once it becomes normal, and people see Austin's personality, they'll understand he's trying to do his thing. Most people are looking forward to it and wondering what those emotions might be during Speedweeks (at Daytona International Speedway).
“I don't know what my emotions might be. It's kind of neat in a way. There's some sadness, but I'm genuinely thrilled for Austin. I can't imagine a better scenario for the number to come back.”
Gordon, easily the elder Earnhardt's greatest rival, has mixed emotions about the number's return. Yet he figures NASCAR will benefit greatly having the 3 back on the 43-car grid.
Gordon, though, said he can't allow himself to get caught up emotionally when he finds himself racing wheel-to-wheel against Dillon.
“If it was a black-and-silver Goodwrench car, No. 3, and it had ‘Earnhardt' on the door, then that would definitely bring back a lot of memories and thoughts,” Gordon said. “But to me, that's Austin Dillon. That's Richard Childress Racing.
“I'm looking at it more as a competitor, but I think it'll be great for the sport if they go to victory lane. There are a lot of core fans out there that have missed the 3 being in victory lane, and I think they want to see that.”
Dillon concedes the expectations are greater, considering he's likely to garner the support of Earnhardt's conflicted fan base. Some might want the 3 to become a permanent fixture in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, while others are excited about the return of the 3.
“I feel like it doesn't matter what number I have on the car.With my family background, there was always going to be pressure,” said Dillon, who posted some of fastest laps during last month's testing in Daytona. “The good thing about having the number is it pushes you a little.
“I realize what it means to fans. I want to be able to remember Dale, too. Mostly, we want to win.”
Ralph N. Paulk is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rpaulk@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RalphPaulk_Trib.
