Hate him or love him, the ''#3 ''was a hero to a lot folks and still is. I was lucky enough to watch Dale drive before he was the big shot driver in NASCAR. I don't remember much about him driving the dirt tracks of the carolina's but i do remember seeing him drive..Dale didn't stand out for me cause i already had my favorite drivers i pulled for and there was many..Back in them days it was hard racing..No power steering,no cool helmet,no slot car tires..ect.. Most drivers were also their own mechanic and built their own cars.Look back at some the pictures on this site at the ole days and drivers are just as dirty as a coal mine worker..Dale J.R. did something the other week that made big news.HE WORKED ON HIS RACE CAR WOW !!!! That was big news ???How funny,lol. By the way he got that part from his Dad and Grandad..I knew Dale's hard fought life he went through to get to the top.He became one of my hero's with that hard fight,,he wanted it and it showed..

Now day's they put a kid in a top ride that no one has ever heard of.How can a 18 year old kid have the fire that Dale had ? Here son is you're million dollar race car if you wreck it we have 4 more for you.Would Dale had been so great if it was that easy for him ? I think NOT !!! We can relate to Dale and many more's fight to get to the top,,that is why he is still my hero.

NASCAR needs some hero's like Dale. to be what it was years ago.I don't know what the average age of drivers are now, but i would bet it is lower then ever. Nascar needs some hero's that has earned it..