Austin Dillon won the Daytona 500 in his number 3 car, nearly two decades after Dale Earnhardt accomplished the same thing.
No. 3 is No. 1 again!
The No. 3 Chevrolet car is already iconic because of Dale Earnhardt, but it’s connection with the Daytona 500 will always live on as legendary. Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500 in the No. 3 car back in 1998, and three years later he lost his life in a crash on the final lap of the race.
Dillon wasn’t a factor until the final lap in overtime, when the race became a thriller and he got a push to get to the leader and then gained the lead.
Austin Dillon is well aware of the pressure of driving the No. 3 car as well as the history of the Daytona 500. He’s prepared for the pressure and even got some respect from Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Congrats @austindillon3 on becoming a #Daytona500 champion. #3 in VL after 20 years. Pretty solid for @RCRracing!!
— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 18, 2018