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NASCAR: Top Stories of the Week Heading to Dover

By Trevor Grasso

Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith (left) talks with car owner Richard Petty (right) during the practice for the AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Regan Smith back behind the wheel of the No. 43

With Aric Almirola still sidelined, Richard Petty Motorsports continue to have to fill their No. 43 ride with an interim driver in Dover. For the third straight week, Regan Smith will fill that role. Smith has already filled in for All-Star weekend and the Coca-Cola 600, both in Charlotte.

So far, Smith has failed to qualify for the All-Star Race by way of the Monster Energy Open. That seemed like a tall task on a short week where Almirola’s status was unknown. Last weekend, Smith finished 22nd, which was three spots better than his initial qualifying position of 25th.

This week at Dover, fans shouldn’t expect too much from the No. 43. Smith has a track average of 27.2 in 12 starts at the Monster Mile. Of course, don’t tell the team that expectations are low. We all understand the reality of the ride, but Smith will go out there and try to compete like any other driver would.

Richard Petty Motorsports has not yet announced replacement plans for anything after Dover. Expect them to continue to announce on a weekly basis, but it looks like Smith will drive in most, if not all of the races that Almirola misses.

May 28, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) crew celebrate the surprise victory during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Austin Dillon wins the event. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Concord, NC, USA; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) crew celebrate the surprise victory during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Austin Dillon wins the event. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

The No. 3 made it back to Victory Lane for the first time since 2000

It was a surreal sight early Monday morning. Austin Dillon drove the No. 3 car to victory for the first time since Dale Earnhardt last did it in 2000. The car number, owned by Richard Childress, was not used since Earnhardt’s passing in 2001.

Childress decided to bring the number back in 2014. The driver he brought it back for was his own grandson, Dillon. Since that time, Dillon was not having such a great start to his young career. But that all changed with one call by a new crew chief.

Dillon led only two laps in the Coca-Cola 600 last week. Those two laps were the final laps of the race. A fuel mileage strategy allowed Dillon to make it to the end before Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. could catch back up to him.

Next: Kyle Busch is Winning

It was a great moment for NASCAR. An iconic number winning a race with a young star behind the wheel. Whether you support the decision to bring back the No. 3 or not, there is no denying that seeing it win a race brought back some fantastic memories as well as flashed a glimpse of what could be in Dillon’s future.

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