Reutimann hit the wall with a G-Force equal to 17000 lbs. This information was from the seat manufacturer, sorry can't remember his name, on one of the Sirius channel reporters. Would have killed anyone without the equipment they run today. Dale Sr.'s unfortunate death has undoubtedly saved many lives in not only NASCAR but other forms of racing as well.
Now to the original question, ony time will tell just how good Jr. is. So far he has proven to be a high caliber driver but without equipment to keep him going he can not progress. Maye he does need to leave DEI and either go his own way or join up with Childress.
Could there be a "3" on the track again?
1. Richard Childress stated that the ONLY way he would allow the 3 car to be raced as a "3" would be with an Earnhardt driving it.
2. Jr. last year stated he would love to run the "3", BUT only after he had already won a championship elsewhere.
3. Robin Pemberton when asked stated that yes, the "3" number was the property of NASCAR and "could" be reassigned but that NASCAR officials had discussed this possibility, the "3" would NOT be retired, but not reissued to another team, RCR will be allowed to keep the number and use if if and when they feel like it.
SO ---- Maybe not next year but we may see Jr. in a 3 before long. Probably running around in the back with Kenny Schrader and Michael Waltrip