Earnhardt Jr. takes No. 3 to victory at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Same name. Same number. Same ol’ story.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. utterly dominated the EAS/GNC Live Well 300 Saturday afternoon, solidifying the triumphant return of the No. 3 Chevrolet to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway and paying grand tribute to his legendary father.

“It was a good tribute,” said an elated Junior in Victory Lane. “I’ve tried to downplay everything about the No. 3, my father and everything, but winning the race, now I don’t know if I want to downplay it.”

In a replay of the aftermath of his father’s victory in the 1998 Daytona 500, Junior spun several doughnuts in Daytona’s tri-oval grass after returning on his cool-off lap. His father had won the Busch Series’ opener seven times, including five straight from 1990-94.

Junior led 62 of 120 laps in his return to the NASCAR Busch Series, adding a new chapter to the storied glory of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. This one may not have been black -- blue rather -- but the result was all too familiar.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first Busch win since 1999. Credit: Michael Romano, ASP

“That’s pretty neat,” said second-place finisher Michael Waltrip, who got a lap down early but battled back to the front, and gave Junior fits in the waning laps. “I thought about that with about 15 or 20 laps to go. Winning that 125 (mile qualifying race) was a big deal for me last Thursday. Now, for Junior to win in the 3 -- it’s been pretty good times down here for our crowd.”

Earnhardt’s father was killed on the final lap of last year’s Daytona 500, spurring a heated debate about whether or not the No. 3 car should ever grace the racetrack again. Then, last October at Phoenix International Raceway, RCR announced the return of the 3 to the Busch ranks with Junior behind the wheel.

Good idea.

“This is where it (No. 3) belongs,” said team owner Richard Childress. “These guys worked so hard (and) Dale drove his heart out today. I mean, what can you say? I’m just so proud of what this young man’s been able to do.

Michael Waltrip races Chad Little in the tri-oval. Credit: Michael Romano, ASP

“There was nothing that I wanted to see better than for him to win in a No. 3 car and my dream came true today.”

Junior was slated to enter just two Busch Series events in 2002 -- Saturday’s fruitful race and the May event at Charlotte. After winning, he said it might be time to rethink that strategy.

“I’m really looking forward to Charlotte,” he said. “Hell, we might even need to do more than that.”

For now, the No. 3 will remain in the Busch ranks. There are currently no plans to return it to competition in the Winston Cup Series, although millions of folks nationwide have voiced their hopes thereof. Some want Junior to change his number, but he has said on many occasions that he has no intentions of doing so.

Still, taking the 3 car back to Victory Lane is awfully sweet.

“I know daddy would be real happy about bringing the No. 3 back to Victory Lane, particularly at Daytona,” Junior said.

“I know Richard (Childress) must be real happy about this -- all the guys at RCR that miss my father dearly -- I’m sure this is a good time for them. One last hurrah, I guess.”