Thursday, December 30th 'What If' Question

Nothing can grab attention and headlines faster than a driver saying they want to race the No. 3.

SInce the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the 2001 Daytona 500 the number hasn't seen the track in full-time competition. It's been raced by his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., on a few occasions and most of the time it won. But heading into the 2010 season it was announced that the number was going to be back full-time in the Camping World Truck Series.

The grandson of Richard Childress, who was the team owner of Earnhardt Sr. and the No. 3, was giving Austin Dillon a shot in the truck series. Dillon was going to not only race the No. 3 but it was going to be on a black truck with sponsor Bass Pro Shop. A black truck and a white No. 3, much like what Earnhardt Sr. used to race.

Attention getter.

Dillon went out and completed a more than successful season for a rookie. He won two races, captured seven poles and in 25 races had 16 top 10s and seven top fives. After finishing fifth in points it's safe to say that he's one to watch from this point on as as a serious championship contender.

Fans have flocked to the 20-year-old and he's been welcomed into the sport with open arms. His success makes him easier to cheer for. Everything is going right for the driver/college student, who wouldn't want to be him?

But ...

What if Austin Dillon was not driving a black truck with a white No. 3 on the side, would he still get as much attention as he does? #NASCAR

@NancyatStudioN Yes

@crutten yes. while i enjoy seeing the #3 on the track again, i don't think dillion gets attention because of it. i think he gets attention because he is a growing talent AND RC's grandson

@ronsracing88 Yes, because he is Richard Childress' grandson and he did a lot of winning. #NASCAR

@morganhargrove Yes, he is a 20 year old who won ROTY, finished 5th in points, won 2 races, and got 7 poles, that's pretty newsworthy.

@RoushGirl17 Yes, I think he would. He's shown that he has the right stuff, winning, ROTY, and finishing in the top 5, all big things

@StrokerAce90 Funny that you asked that for a #NASCAR #WhatIf question cause I often joke about how much they say his name. I would say No.