Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves legends Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones unveil Speedway Classic trophy
Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench and Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones unveil the Speedway Classic trophy in Bristol, Tennessee.
BRISTOL, Tenn. – For decades, the No. 3 at a NASCAR track meant one, big, badass thing: The Intimidator.
Dale Earnhardt. The seven-time champion of NASCAR’s highest level.
For 26 stock car seasons until Earnhardt’s death in a 2001 Daytona 500 crash, all eyes at every race were on that No. 3 car — a number that has resonated in NASCAR circles long afterward, with No. 3 decals emblazoning rear windows and tailgates at race track parking fields all across the South.
All of which means that one on the combined rosters of the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves occupies a symbolic, if not special, space for Saturday’s Speedway Classic in Bristol.
“I know a little bit about him, but not a lot,” said newly acquired Reds third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes – the only No. 3 from either team.
Hayes made it clear that’s not why he chose the number when offered; he used to wear 13 (Dave Concepcion’s retired Reds number), so No. 3 was close enough when he got to Cincinnati.
But now that he’s playing in the first MLB regular-season game at a NASCAR track, with race-car-style numbers on the backs of the uniforms, “It’s kind of a full-circle moment,” Hayes said.
“It’s pretty cool.”
