When the deal was announced, Junior was asked whether he thought the No. 3 made famous by his father should be retired. "I don't think so," he said. "I don't think it's fair to Richard Petty. They didn't retire the No. 43 and if there is a number to be retired, that's probably the one."
Any chance the No. 3 could eventually go to Junior's Winston Cup ride?
"My father really did a lot for the No. 3, but to him and to me as well, the No. 8 has more significance to us," Junior said. "My grandfather ran the number and my father ran the number for several, several years."
One Hit Wonders
Not all drivers who won just a single Winston Cup race in their career are a household name. See if you recognize any of these:
Art Watts
Shorty Rollins
Earl Balmer
Royce Hagerty
Sam McQuagg
Dick Passwater
Buddy Shuman
Tommy Thompson
Marvin Burke
June Cleveland