THE NO. 3 IS BACK IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

By Ron Lemasters Jr.

CONCORD, N.C. – When Speedweeks rolls around in February, the No. 3 will adorn a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing machine for the first time since Feb. 18, 2001.

Richard Childress unveiled the new No. 3 Chevrolets that will be driven by his grandson, Austin Dillon, this year in NASCAR’s top division, along with new sponsor Dow Chemical and General Mills’ Cheerios brand.

“I know that Dale is looking down on us right now and smiling,” Childress said of the return of the iconic number made famous by Dale Earnhardt. “We had talked about how he wanted the number to go on when he retired, and I think he’s all right with it.”

Childress, who owned the number, said he had kept paying for it every year to keep it handy for when it was ready to return. “I always said it was only going to be with an Earnhardt or one of our family in there,” Childress said of when that would be. “With Austin in it, he’s family.”

That said, the last time the car was on the track in a real live NASCAR race, Earnhardt died in a last-lap crash. There’s a lot of pressure associated with the number, and a certain amount of pain is involved in its return.

“I’ve watched the No. 3 in the Truck Series and again in the Nationwide Series,” Childress said. “I kind of got used to seeing it on the track, and I know Dale Sr. has a big smile on his face right now.”

Dillon will make his full-time Sprint Cup debut at Daytona this February with Gil Martin on the pit box, his grandfather on the radio and Dow on the hood. The sponsorship from a Fortune 100 company is a welcome addition to the RCR stable.

It makes sense, too, according to Dow’s Joe Harlan, executive VP. The program between RCR and Dow is driven by several Dow businesses that are directly involved in R&D projects and strategic business and relationship opportunities unique to the NASCAR community.

 "We see this as a great opportunity to partner with a historic team like Richard Childress Racing that is synonymous with success, integrity and championships, and a championship driver in Austin Dillon," said Harlan. "Austin's winning passion is representative of Dow. Our employees and customers were very supportive of our debut into our partnership with RCR during 2013 and they are looking forward to continued involvement with Austin next year. Dow's technology-focused, market-driven, customer-centric organization aligns perfectly with the performance-driven values of RCR and NASCAR. We look forward to being a part of Austin's rookie NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and continued success in NASCAR."

General Mills is entering its 17th year in NASCAR and its sixth year with RCR. They began their association with Dillon last year when the Minneapolis, MN.-based company used its Honey Nut Cheerios brand to help Dillon make his inaugural Daytona 500 start. Today, Cheerios launched the @CheerThe3 communities on Facebook and Twitter so fans can access exclusive content and share their excitement around Austin and the No. 3 race team.

"With Austin Dillon's success in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, we're proud to continue our support of Austin, a proven winner and passionate driver," said Gregg Dorazio, manager of shopper marketing and motorsports for General Mills. "He shares many of the same values as the Cheerios brand and has a bright future in the sport. We're excited to join him in this next step in his career. We're also proud to continue our partnership with RCR and continue our heritage in the sport."

 In addition to Dow and Cheerios, several long-time partners associated with RCR and Dillon will join him as he moves to full-time competition in the Sprint Cup Series including Realtree Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, American Ethanol and the University of Northwestern Ohio.