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Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet on Exhibit at N.C. Museum of History

On May 13 at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh, members of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame unveiled a #3 car driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr., a legendary figure in NASCAR history. The Richard Childress Racing #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet is a 2000 Monte Carlo body style. It will be on exhibit at the museum for an extended period. Admission is free.

At the N.C. Museum of History, members of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame unveiled a #3 car (right, black car) driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr. Earnhardt’s car appears near the 1963 Chevrolet Impala #3 (left, white car) that Robert “Junior” Johnson drove during the 1963 NASCAR season. Photo credit: N.C. Museum of History

Earnhardt’s car appears near the 1963 Chevrolet Impala #3 that Robert “Junior” Johnson drove during the 1963 NASCAR season. Earnhardt, Johnson and Richard Childress — and the legendary #3 Chevrolet race cars associated with their success

After Johnson’s spectacular NASCAR career, he became a successful team owner and served as a mentor to Childress, an outstanding independent driver who drove # 3 to honor Johnson and his famous #3 Chevrolet.  In 1981, Johnson advised Childress to start a team, and he recommended Earnhardt.

That year, Earnhardt began driving #3 for Childress, and the two men went on to make NASCAR history, winning 67 races and capturing six Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) championships, in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. Earnhardt also had the 1980 title to his credit for another owner. His seven Cup titles equaled the record set by Richard Petty, a mark long regarded as unbeatable. Along the way, Richard Childress Racing became one of the premier teams in motor sports.

A #3 car driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr., a legendary figure in NASCAR history, is on exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History. The Richard Childress Racing #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet is a 2000 Monte Carlo body style. Photo credit: N.C. Museum of History

At the time of Earnhardt’s death at the 2001 Daytona 500, he was sixth in NASCAR career victories, with 76; seventh in races started, with 676; and first in career earnings, with more than $41 million. He finished in the top 10 of the Cup competition a record 20 times.

Johnson, Earnhardt and Childress are inductees in the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, located at the N.C. Museum of History.
For more information, call 919-807-7900.

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