The entire motor sports world suffered a huge loss on February 18, 2001. That day and those moments are engraved in the memories of anyone with an auto racing connection. Racers can tell you where they were when they heard Dale Earnhardt has lost his life.Shock. Pain. Sadness. Anger. You name it; the emotions ran through anyone who cared. And those who cared totaled into the millions.Kevin Harvick stepped into the famous ride and the black three was renumbered 29 and painted white. This was a quick turnaround for the very next race at Rockingham, NC. Team owner Richard Childress has admitted that he considered stepping back and getting out of the sport.The unanswered questions about the immediate future of RCR popped up, well immediately. What would Childress do? What happens to that team? Would the number three run again?RCR has continued on and has gone through high points and low points since then. Some seasons have been strong and others disappointing. A title challenging organization looms in 2010. Harvick leads the point standings while teammates Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer are in Chase contention.Harvick has taken over the car and made it his own. His Atlanta win three races after Earnhardts death remains a classic feel good moment in NASCAR history.That car has remained the number 29 yet has always displayed a small 3 decal in an area below the quarter windows as a nice tribute to the man who made the car so famous. The question still pops up time to time if that iconic number and design will ever return.Dale Earnhardt, Jr. carried that number to a pair of Busch Series championships for a team owned by his father. Moving to Cup, Junior used the number eight that his grandfather Ralph used. Some fans wanted him to use the three after his dad had passed. Others wished the number would stay on the sidelines.Earnhardt, Jr. drove number three in a Nationwide Series victory at Daytona over the last Independence Day weekend. He promptly said it was his last ride carrying that number. Junior has always made efforts to be his own man after being constantly under examination because of his famous namesake, more so after his fathers death.But the number three has emerged in NASCAR with the familiar black paintjob and font. The team started quietly and has been gaining momentum as 2010 has moved along.Austin Dillon is a rookie in NASCARs Truck Series. The talented young dirt track driver has stepped up and visibly learned and improved race-to-race all year.His Truck is owned by Richard Childress Racing. The look and appearance match an RCR entry from seasons ago with Mike Skinner behind the wheel. But Dale Earnhardt made the look famous.The kicker is Dillon is Childress grandson. That fact makes bringing out the black and silver look an entirely different manner.If someone, any team, had entered a car or truck carrying the paintjob it would seem sacrilegious. Earnhardt had made the look mean so much to so many, there needed to be a meaningful connection if the design were to reappear. If Dale Jr. wanted to race the look it would be fine.He doesnt. And it is understood.Dillon is not just some guy. And he is not just with some race team. RCR is bringing a talented family member up through the ranks. Childress grandson taking up the scheme doesnt seem problematic. It seems appropriate.The black paint job with a sliver, slanted number three is a design that brings a smile to many long time race fans. Earnhardt or not, NASCAR Nation recognizes that look.If a random driver unloaded a racecar mimicking the Earnhardt appearance it simply wouldnt be well received. Never mind the copyright infringements that may be crossed.A Truck Series start is one thing, and a good thing at that. Will the black three be seen in Cup once again? Only time will tell how far up racings ladder the design will climb.For the 3 to return it would have to be right.The right driver, the right team, and the right time all have to come together. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress, and right now just may work out.RICKY BYERS UPDATECancer battler Ricky Byers will drive the Racing For A Cure entry in Saturdays ARCA Series race in Pocono. He was profiled on this site earlier this season and discussed his efforts to both fight the disease and to keep racing. Byers donates all of his prize winnings to help people with cancer.His efforts to combat cancer and ways you can help are detailed here http://www.rickybyersracing.com/ (Patrick Reynolds is a former NASCAR team mechanic who hosts Motorweek Live Thursdays at 9pm ET. Listen at www.racersreunionradio.com )