The history of the number 3 goes way back in history, all the way back to the 1980's. It all started when Mr. Childress put Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the 3 in 1981. This would begin such a legendary trend that woulld carry on until 2001 when Dale Sr. was killed in the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. The number 3 wouldn't be drove again until Dale Sr.'s son, Dale Jr. drove the number 3 in the Subway Jalapeno 250, Nationwide Race, in 2010. In 2011, Austin Dillon would drive the 3, in the Camping World Truck series, to a championship. From there he would then move on to the Nationwide Series, taking the 3 with him and then, his younger brother, Ty Dillon, would soon drive the 3 in the Truck Series just like his brother did before him. Rumors are around saying that when Austin moves up to the Sprint Cup series that Childress will allow him to drive the 3. This would be the first time in 13 years that the 3 has been driven in the Cup Series.