It would have been easy for Camping World Truck Series driver Austin Dillon to say the same thing Dale Earnhardt Jr. did: no more three for me.
Dillon had driven that number on the local levels but driving with that number on a NASCAR level in a different story. A story that he could have passed up on. Had he, no one would have thought any less of him. Instead when Dillon was promoted to drive for grandfather Richard Childress in the CWTS full-time in 2010, he eagerly jumped behind the wheel of a truck with the 3 on the side.
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[/media-credit]Not just any truck, a black truck with a white No. 3. It’s a scheme made famous by Dale Earnhardt Sr., which hasn’t seen the racetrack since that fateful day in 2001.
Going into his rookie season Dillon already had a crucial element on his side: no expectations. The only thing for Dillon was to learn, he wasn’t expected to go out and win races and compete for the championship.
What’s the saying about rookies? What they don’t know they don’t know. Simply log laps and learn, learn, learn.
Dillon logged plenty of laps and he certainly learned. He was a rookie in veterans clothing. When the pressure of driving the No. 3 could have gotten to the young kid and could have been intimidating Dillon instead used it as motivation.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Dillon said after winning his first race at Iowa. “Just try each and every week to get the best finish we can with that number. I know the fans want to see it up front. That’s where I want it to be.”
Rookie of the Year honors were never a doubt. In 25 races Dillon captured seven poles, two wins, seven top fives and 16 top 10s. The championship was over early with the domination of Todd Bodine and Dillon never became a serious factor but he still wrapped up a top five finish.
Competitors have given him high praise and fans have flocked to him. Both his on track success and the number he’s driving have helped. With a full-year of competition now in his back pocket, the hardest part of Dillon’s career will come over the next few seasons.
Getting through a rookie year was hard in itself but remember there were no expectations. Dillon’s success blew a few minds while marking himself a contender from this point forward.
Heading into his sophomore season, this is where the expectations really come into play.
First thing, as with any driver who gets behind the wheel of anything with a three on it, Dillon needs to continue to tune out those pushing for someone to be the next Earnhardt. In a piece written last week it was stated that Dillon’s New Years resolution should be to remain Austin Dillon.
It may not have apparent in 2010 but the longer Dillon drives the 3 the more the more those whispers will surface. The more the comparisons to Earnhardt will surface in every accomplishment Dillon makes.
It shouldn’t be that way however.
Luckily he’s shown he has his head on straight. When talking about his future he clarified that he’s in no rush to run up the NASCAR ladder. The CWTS is where he wants to be and he’ll return for another season in 2011.
Don’t count out a few Nationwide Series races as he begins to test the waters. Dillon’s rumored to be scheduled for both Nashville races, Iowa in May and O’Reilly Raceway Park in the No. 33 for Kevin Harvick Inc.
The great thing is that he’s young and his future is bright, there’s no reason to push too fast.
The logical conclusions for some fans being that as long as Dillon moves up the ladder the No. 3 will as well. There’s a longing for that number to be back in the Sprint Cup Series where it will go back to winning races and championships again.
Right now though, Dillon is in control of his career. It’s important for it to remain that way, let him develop into his own driving style and let his career take its own course. He’s in the perfect position to finally break the belief that the No. 3 should only be driven by an Earnhardt or associated with Earnhardt, etc.
For those that don’t want him to be the next Earnhardt, there are those who want him to succeed in big ways. When a driver gets behind the wheel of that number they’re supposed to become superhuman or at least that’s the belief.
Compare it to those who believe because Dale Earnhardt Jr. is his father’s son, Earnhardt Sr. must have just spit a piece of himself out. Therefore Earnhardt Jr. is supposed to be the second coming of the Intimidator.
The same now for Dillon as he drives the Intimidators number.
“You know, it’s so awesome to see that number running well again,” said Dillon. “When you see it on top of the board when you leave the track, that was a really cool sight. That was cool for me and my grandfather … It’s a powerful number. It makes the people in the stands stand up and cheer. I love driving it. It’s a lot of fun.”
Fun. A few drivers have said in the past that the day racing isn’t fun anymore is the day a driver knows they need to move on and find something else to do. Dillon’s rookie year was a blast filled with much success. It was also marked the beginning of Dillon making the number his own as he started to etch his imprint onto the sport.
Austin Dillon, that is his name. The No. 3 is his truck, his number and his future. Together they will write their own pages in the NASCAR history books. Together they can rise to the top and be feared and famous.
But, when doing so they can only get the due they deserve if the name Earnhardt doesn’t keep appearing next to them and if the expectations of a legend don’t get into his head.
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