NASCAR keeps Earnhardt legacy alive with recent announcement

NASCAR lost Dale Earnhardt in a tragic accident more than two decades ago. But his legacy will live on following a recent announcement.

The world of NASCAR came to an abrupt halt when Dale Earnhardt was killed in a tragic accident on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

While Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) drivers Michael Waltrip and son Dale Jr. finished in first and second place, Earnhardt Sr. suffered a basilar skull ring fracture, and triumph had turned to tragedy.

Fans and drivers mourned the loss of the seven-time Cup Series champion, and many argue to this day that the day the driver of the #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet died is the day NASCAR died.

But the sport lived on, and the third DEI driver, Steve Park, won the next scheduled race at Rockingham Speedway. Later, a young Kevin Harvick, who replaced the Kannapolis, North Carolina native in a rebranded #29 Chevrolet, beat out Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon, a huge Earnhardt rival.

His legacy lived on.

Dale Jr. had a successful career in NASCAR and showed glimpses of his father in becoming one of the best superspeedway racers the sport has seen.

The number 3, which had been retired from his father’s death, was brought back to life when Richard Childress elected to give it to his grandson Austin Dillon.

But a recent announcement from Richard Childress Racing will honor the Earnhardt legacy even further.

Last week, Richard Childress Racing announced that Dale Sr.’s grandson, Jeffery Earnhardt, will run the famous number 3 in this Saturday afternoon’s Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway,

This will be the first time an Earnhardt drives a car with the number 3 in any NASCAR series since Dale Jr. drove the #3 Chevrolet to victory lane in the Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway back in July 2010.

Additionally, Larry McReynolds is set to serve as the crew chief for Jeffrey and the #3 team. McReynolds served as Dale Sr.’s crew chief for his lone Daytona 500 win in 1998.

With an Earnhardt driving a #3 Chevrolet and McReynolds serving as the crew chief for a superspeedway race, the Earnhardt legacy continues to live on, and fans may have a chance to see “The Intimidator” further live on in victory lane as well.

Saturday’s race, the Ag-Pro 300, is set to be broadcast live on Fox from Talladega Superspeedway beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. FuboTV is currently offering free trials to all new customers, so don’t miss your chance to sign up!