When someone makes a large impact on a sport, his or her contributions should never be forgotten. Some sports do this by retiring the athlete’s jersey number, such as in baseball or football.
In light of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, NASCAR is an industry that should start doing something similar to this. Although the drivers don’t necessarily wear jerseys, the number of their car can become something just as personal. While the number technically belongs to the driver’s sponsor, it’s the driver who makes a name for each number. Without a driver, the number has no meaning.
At the same time, the industry would run out of numbers too quickly so it’s understandable why numbers aren’t retired. Unlike football, where every team gets 100 numbers, NASCAR has only 99 numbers to be split up among over 45 teams. However, there can come a time where exceptions should be made and numbers should be retired.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life in the 2001 Daytona 500.
On his last lap of the race, Earnhardt ended up in a fatal crash. His car slid up the track and hit the wall head on. His son Dale Earnhardt Jr. avoided the crash and finished in second after Michael Waltrip. Earnhardt Sr. was removed from his car immediately after the crash and taken to the Halifax Medical Center with Earnhardt Jr. right by his side.
Earnhardt Sr. never regained consciousness.
His No. 3 Chevy was not used again in a race until 2013. Austin Dillon was the driver to bring it back for the Sprint Cup Series.
At the time, some argued it was a good thing the No. 3 car was going to make its appearance again, that it would be the best possible tribute to see the No. 3 car back in Victory Lane. But at the same time – Victory Lane or not – that car will forever be associated with Earnhardt Sr.
It’s circumstances like this when NASCAR should retire a number. Yes, that is one less number available, but it’s a matter of respect. For fans and family, regardless of what they say to the public, it seems impossible to see the No. 3 again and not have memories come racing back.
