[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

I voted for the #3, because there were only two options in the poll. No surprise there

In reality though, they shouldn't retire any number. Too many drivers have used the same numbers since the beginning to do that. And if you start retiring numbers, where do you draw the line for the criteria?

What you could retire though, I suppose, is the design of a number.
For example: RCR and the Earnhardt estate own the rights to various #3 logos used during Earnhardt's lifetime. RCR owns the trademark on the #3 design, which they registered on July 23rd, 1996. You could retire the #3 design (the block number 3, trimmed in red, leaning to the left) which we all now immediately recognize as Dale's number. But you'd still keep the #3 for anyone else to use with a different design, as long as it wasn't similar to the retired one.

Like that thought/cut. Keeps number in play (with which we TOTALLY agree) but preserves the distinction associated with an individual team/driver. Good stuff 3fanforever.

[oncea3fan]

number design is kind of already protected by for said trade mark,

all in all, no retirement of numbers.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

number design is kind of already protected by for said trade mark,

all in all, no retirement of numbers.

I agree but to stay true to the topic I did vote. Pretty close right now though.

[jks812]

Well since none was not an option, I went with the 43. Petty retired awhile back. He was a great driver and done alot for the sport, on and off the track. He still does alot for the sport. For soooooo long that #43 was Petty. For that reason I went with it.

[wingkey1]

'tis possible this poll/query is no better than NA$CAR. Give participants any choice but the one that may garner the popular desire.

Just possible, if provided the choice "none" would be a contender.

Oh well, welcome to the world of contrived results.

[bob101]

I would have answered none if given the choice. At some point assuming NASCAR last long enough you'll run out of numbers by retiring even the "legends".

Even if you restricted retiring numbers to those who have died while on the track the list would be too long.

BTW what makes you think even Richard Petty wants #43 retired? He made the number 43 into a brand. He has to cash in on that at some point and does that by running it out of the Petty Enterprises stable. Unless you mean retire = give the owner the right to use it or not....

[tkj24]

Austin Dillin is running the famed #3 in late model racing. It is the Dale Earnhardt 3 too. He wanted to run it because it was his Grandfather's number. His Grandfather-Richard Childress. If he ever is good enough to make it to cup I bet he will run the 3. This picture was taken at Volunteer Speedway near my home. He has been racing there some.

[3fanforever]

Pretty cool picture. I imagine the reason Richard won't retire the design is he's thinking it's gonna be used again in the future, either by Junior or by someone like Austin. So I guess it depends on who's using it. RCR sued ESPN back in 2005 for using an imitation of the 3 design, even though they were actually different (Dale's #3 was a block design italicized leaning to the left trimmed with red, ESPN's had rounded corners, leaned to the right and trimmed with white)



That was settled out of court and I don't think anybody knows the final settlement. Probably money and RCR getting their share of it from ESPN.

[Phils20]

I would vote Neither if it was an option, but I will go with the 43 for the sake of the poll. I just don't think the sport would have gotten as far, as fast without the King showing the way.

Not just on the track, but off. Marketing, being fan friendly, bringing in sponsors. He just showed the new drivers and owners how to do it, then they improved on it!

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

'tis possible this poll/query is no better than NA$CAR. Give participants any choice but the one that may garner the popular desire.

Just possible, if provided the choice "none" would be a contender.

Oh well, welcome to the world of contrived results.

Not sure of what it is you are attemping to state with your post,please explain as I will here.This was a simple poll to gauge the response for the only two 7 time champs in NASCAR cup history.Nothing contrived but I knew most if not all would say zero/none and that was not the response I was looking for.

[King43STP]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

I agree that no number should be retired but that was not my question in this poll.Also, as NASCAR controlls the numbers and lets owners use them then I would say,use it or lose it owners.Put the #3,#28 etc... back on the track,period.

Right-on Blue. I remember back on 1993 after The King retired, Petty's started running the 44STP car, and NASCAR told The King to either use the 43 or loose it. Why don't they do the same to R Childress? Only reason I can think of is that those that run NASCAR now are not of the caliber of Bill France.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by King43STP

Why don't they do the same to R Childress?

Maybe because they don't want the negative publicity backlash that would bring.
After all, NASCAR these days is all about positive publicity. Just ask Tony Stewart.

[PenelopePitStop]

What a nutty, but fun, question! Given the choice between the two options, historically and logically my first choice was 43. HOWEVER, the 43 is still on the track. TOO LATE! My emotional response was 3 for obvious reasons. 3 got my vote.

But wait a minute. Petty was the King. If 43 isn't retired, no number should be. I never want to see the 3 on the track again unless it is with an Earnhardt. Unlikely I'll see that during my lifetime. And that's okay by me.

I've seen numbers "retired" in other sports, but never after that same number was used temporarily by someone other than whom the number was famous for. So 43 is out of the question.

Bottom line: If ANY numbers should or should have been retired it is 43 and 3. Too late for 43, but not too late for 3.

[bob101]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

What a nutty, but fun, question! Given the choice between the two options, historically and logically my first choice was 43. HOWEVER, the 43 is still on the track. TOO LATE! My emotional response was 3 for obvious reasons. 3 got my vote.

But wait a minute. Petty was the King. If 43 isn't retired, no number should be. I never want to see the 3 on the track again unless it is with an Earnhardt. Unlikely I'll see that during my lifetime. And that's okay by me.

I've seen numbers "retired" in other sports, but never after that same number was used temporarily by someone other than whom the number was famous for. So 43 is out of the question.

Bottom line: If ANY numbers should or should have been retired it is 43 and 3. Too late for 43, but not too late for 3.

Baseball retired Jackie Robinson's number across all teams years/even decades after many people had wore that number. So that's not really an issue.

Again I see no use for retiring numbers.

[3fanforever]

I still think retiring the design of a number and not the number itself is the best solution.
That would suit everyone I believe, even those who are dead set against retiring any number.