On the anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s birth 59 years ago it was announced that an homage to the famous #3 Wrangler Chevrolet, he drove 30 years ago, will be driven in the July 3rd Nationwide Race, at Daytona International Speedway, by his son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
"This was an idea that came up as a way to pay tribute to my dad, and it's pretty cool that it's a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (DEI)," Earnhardt Jr. said. "The Wrangler car is definitely in the top 10 of coolest cars that have ever been on the race track. A lot of people identify with it, and I can't think of a better way to honor my dad and celebrate his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame than to bring the Wrangler colors back with the No. 3 on the side, similar to the 'Wrangler Jean Machine' scheme of the 80s. I think it will be worth seeing, and I'm looking forward to driving it at Daytona."
It was the first public appearance of Earnhardt’s widow Teresa, and her stepson Dale Jr. who left DEI to race for Hendrick Motorsports in an acrimonious split. Dale Sr. left DEI, the company to Teresa with no equity to his son.
“I’m not going to go into personal feelings,” Teresa Earnhardt said of her late husband. “I’m just happy that we can celebrate and honor [him]. It’s a very emotional event. That’s why the achievements Dale made were so strong because he had that emotional connection with people. When they see the 3, they immediately think of Dale.”
Childress who was the late Earnhardt’s car owner for most of his championship career said "bringing this group of people and these organizations together is the best way I can think of to honor Dale Earnhardt's induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame," Childress said. "Dale means so much to all of us, as well as his fans across the country and throughout the world. We created a special piece of history together in 2002 and, with Wrangler back on board the No. 3 Chevrolet at Daytona; we look to make some more history in July. I know the fans will love it and much as we all will."
Earnhardt drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to victory in the February 2002 Nationwide Series race at Daytona. He also drove the #3 in Charlotte Nationwide race.
Could this lead to a rapprochement between the feuding stepmother and stepson or arrangement with Childress?
“Let’s get through this one,” Teresa said. “We’re really here to enjoy this program and Dale’s birthday.”
"This was an idea that came up as a way to pay tribute to my dad, and it's pretty cool that it's a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (DEI)," Earnhardt Jr. said. "The Wrangler car is definitely in the top 10 of coolest cars that have ever been on the race track. A lot of people identify with it, and I can't think of a better way to honor my dad and celebrate his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame than to bring the Wrangler colors back with the No. 3 on the side, similar to the 'Wrangler Jean Machine' scheme of the 80s. I think it will be worth seeing, and I'm looking forward to driving it at Daytona."
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| The Earnhardt family reunited (Photo: Mike Davis) |
It was the first public appearance of Earnhardt’s widow Teresa, and her stepson Dale Jr. who left DEI to race for Hendrick Motorsports in an acrimonious split. Dale Sr. left DEI, the company to Teresa with no equity to his son.
“I’m not going to go into personal feelings,” Teresa Earnhardt said of her late husband. “I’m just happy that we can celebrate and honor [him]. It’s a very emotional event. That’s why the achievements Dale made were so strong because he had that emotional connection with people. When they see the 3, they immediately think of Dale.”
Childress who was the late Earnhardt’s car owner for most of his championship career said "bringing this group of people and these organizations together is the best way I can think of to honor Dale Earnhardt's induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame," Childress said. "Dale means so much to all of us, as well as his fans across the country and throughout the world. We created a special piece of history together in 2002 and, with Wrangler back on board the No. 3 Chevrolet at Daytona; we look to make some more history in July. I know the fans will love it and much as we all will."
Earnhardt drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to victory in the February 2002 Nationwide Series race at Daytona. He also drove the #3 in Charlotte Nationwide race.
Could this lead to a rapprochement between the feuding stepmother and stepson or arrangement with Childress?
“Let’s get through this one,” Teresa said. “We’re really here to enjoy this program and Dale’s birthday.”