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It’s an unlikely place for an Earnhardt to show up to drive.
But the famed No. 3 Richard Childress Chevy with the familiar Mr. Goodwrench logos was at Goodwood in England today at the estate of Britain’s Lord Charles March for the annual Festival of Speed.
And behind the wheel was the youngest child of the late legend—daughter Taylor Earnhardt. Taylor is said to have thrilled the crowd as she drove the car on the traditional route up a steep hill. al.com
Taylor Earnhardt says it was an honor to be at England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed on Saturday and to drive the car her late father made famous.
The daughter of Dale and Teresa Earnhardt completed two runs in the first day of the 17th annual festival in the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet, the one in which Earnhardt won his 76th and final Cup race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in October 2000.
“It was a great experience driving my dad’s race car today,” said the younger Earnhardt. “There are so many great race cars and race drivers here and I was honored to be able to run with them.” ThatsRacin.com
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual event held since 1993 at the Goodwood House in West Sussex, a place of great British motorsports history. Race cars old and new will participate in both demonstration and competition runs up the nine-turn 1.16-mile hillclimb circuit. This year’s gathering will include a number of NASCAR stock cars in honor of the 50th anniversary of Daytona International Speedway.
“I was honored to be asked by Lord March to have one of legendary RCR black No. 3 Chevrolets participate in this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “This is a great opportunity to promote the legacy of Dale Earnhardt not only in the United States but throughout the world. I also think it’s great that Taylor will have the opportunity to drive the car her father made so famous.”
“It is truly an honor to have Dale Earnhardt, Inc. included in this prestigious event,” said Teresa Earnhardt. “To see this winning Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet among the legendary race cars from past and present will be remarkable. To have Taylor honor her father’s legacy behind the wheel of this special race car will make this a memorable event for our organization.”
Taylor Earnhardt seconded her mother’s emotions about the historic event.
“It’s quite an honor to be a part of an event like this and all of the history and nostalgia associated with the Goodwood Festival. It’s very, very exciting,” said Taylor Earnhardt. “I’ve already spent some time in the car getting used to it, and I’m looking forward to the demonstration run. Hopefully, the fans in the United States and around the world will enjoy seeing one of my father’s winning cars participate in this awesome event”. 4wide.com
Danny Lawrence, an engine builder with Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, and Rich Burgess, shop manager for Jeff Burton’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team, prepared their former colleague’s car for the festival.
Impressed by their old boss’ daughter behind the wheel, Lawrence said, “Taylor did a really good job… she learned pretty quickly and held her own out there.”
He added, “I was told there were about 125,000 fans here today so it had to be a little intimidating. But, she knows a thing or two about intimidation, so it didn’t seem to bother her any.”
As the daughter of “The Man In Black” and “The Intimidator,” Taylor Earnhardt may not pursue a career as a stock car driver.
But this much is certain: That famous Earnhardt glint and smile still lives on, even with Dale’s youngest one, who’s now 20 years old. Bleacher Report
