Roger Penske’s Tribute to NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt: An Honor or a Risk?

Ever since Roger Penske’s teams found themselves embroiled in a series of controversies in 2024, his endeavours have been viewed by fans with a hint of skepticism. Despite the approval of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Penske’s latest venture, a tribute to the legendary NASCAR racer, Dale Earnhardt, is no exception to the scrutiny.

Known as the Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt is arguably the most revered figure in NASCAR’s illustrious history. Although it has been nearly a quarter-century since his untimely demise in the tragic 2001 Daytona 500 crash, his legacy continues to echo in the hearts of fans. Consequently, Penske’s tribute, intended for an upcoming race, is under the intense scrutiny of the fans, despite the supporting nod from Earnhardt’s son, Dale Jr.

The tribute revolves around the No. 2 logo, a symbol that boasts of 102 Cup Series victories, six of which are credited to Earnhardt from the beginning of his career. The seven-time Cup Series champion drove the No. 2 car in the 1979 and 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. During this tenure, under the ownership of Rod Osterlund, Earnhardt clinched his first victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, following which he bagged the 1979 Rookie of the Year title and his first championship in 1980.

In honour of this monumental legacy, Austin Cindric, Penske’s current No. 2 driver, will don the same colours as Earnhardt’s entry. The tribute was unveiled at South Carolina Governor’s Mansion, where it was announced that Penske’s No. 2 Freightliner Ford would sport the same blue and yellow shades that adorned Earnhardt’s No. 2 Chevrolet. However, before finalising the tribute, Cindric sought the approval of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who expressed his family’s honour in seeing his father’s legacy celebrated during the Darlington throwback weekend.

Despite carrying the honourable intentions of paying homage to Earnhardt’s legacy, Cindric, who has 81 victories under his belt, is one of the four drivers to have driven the No. 2 car post-Earnhardt. The others include Rusty Wallace, Kurt Busch, and Brad Keselowski. Yet, as Cindric himself admitted, no one holds a candle to Earnhardt’s stature in the sport.

While the NASCAR community has expressed mixed reactions to this tribute, the majority seem to be in favour. Fans fondly remember Earnhardt’s 76 Cup Series race victories that are peppered with narratives of aggressive rivalries and dominance in restrictor-plate racing. Hence, Cindric’s tribute to the early years of the legend has resonated with most fans, some of whom have wished him luck for Darlington.

However, there has been criticism as well. Some fans have expressed disappointment over the switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the No. 2 car, claiming that it doesn’t align with their sentiments. Others voiced concerns over the huge shoes that Cindric has to fill, given Earnhardt’s towering achievements.

Furthermore, Cindric’s recent controversy, where he delivered a right-rear hook to Ty Dillon’s car in the initial laps of the Circuit of the Americas race, has not gone unnoticed. Although NASCAR did not penalise Cindric for his aggression, fans are wary and have offered stern warnings to the Ford driver.

In April, the Earnhardt-inspired No. 2 Ford will compete in the Goodyear 400 race. Fans and critics alike are eager to see if Austin Cindric can indeed do justice to the Intimidator’s legacy.