Junior thinks time is right to drive No. 3

Fox Sports ^ | April 30, 2010 | Staff

[Pete-R-Bilt]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows some fans are upset about his plan to drive a replica of his father's famous No. 3 car at Daytona in July, but thinks it is a fitting way to honor the seven-time champion's NASCAR Hall of Fame induction.

"I think everybody knows I'm pretty careful about all that kind of stuff,'' he said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. "It just seems like a reasonable opportunity and it seemed like if there is a time to ever do it, this is one of those times.''

Earnhardt announced his plan Thursday to drive the Wrangler car in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona. The announcement came on what would have been his father's 59th birthday. Dale Earnhardt died in a crash in the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2001.

[vox_freedom]

I do agree with you ST. If Jr had control of it, my guess is that is exactly what he would do. The #3 should be retired with the glory that is associated with Earnhardt's driving skills and tenacity and what he accomplished for the sport. Let's hope that NASCAR does the right thing to make it happen.

In the meantime, here's another pic.