The 3 is Back…And on the Pole

Let the talking and controversy begin.  Love it or hate it (and let’s be honest, everybody either loves it or hates it), the number three is back in NASCAR’s highest series.  And it isn’t just back; it’s on the pole for the Daytona 500.

Austin Dillon was the only driver to eclipse the 196mph mark as he bested outside pole sitter Martin Truex Jr. by four one hundredths of a second Sunday in pole qualifying.  Dillon will lead the field to the green flag of the Daytona 500 marking the first time the number three has raced in the Cup series since the crash that took Dale Earnhardt’s life back in 2001.

Austin Dillon celebrates after winning the 2013 Nationwide Series Championship.

Reading blog comments and listening to NASCAR satellite radio the past two days has proven that there are A LOT of conspiracy theorists out there.  If you’re a fan of Richard Childress, Austin Dillon, or just the three car being back in general, then you’re a happy camper.  If you’re not, then suddenly NASCAR rigged the whole thing because there’s no way a rookie is going to go out and get the pole in his first attempt, and this is just what NASCAR wanted.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist.  Yes, we really walked on the moon.  No, 9/11 was not an inside job, and like it or not, Austin Dillon and the number three really earned the pole.

That being said, I do believe NASCAR got what it wanted.  It’s a great story.  It’s making headlines.  People who might not have made a big deal about qualifying are now talking about it because it has been plastered everywhere—which is clearly what NASCAR wants.  The more people talking about their sport leading into the season, the better.

But just because it is what NASCAR wanted, that doesn’t mean NASCAR rigged the whole thing.  It isn’t like Dillon beat everyone by half a second.  Truex came within four one hundredths of a second.  Half a blink of an eye was the difference of Dillon making it.  And to those who question whether the timing was rigged—give me a break.  You can watch it back and run a stopwatch yourself if you really think that was the issue.

Whether it’s for the right reasons or not, NASCAR is in the headlines again.  This year’s Daytona 500 has gotten as much attention as any in the last six to eight years.

Is it Sunday yet?

That’s my take.  I welcome yours in the comments below.