Legislation to renumber state road N.C. 3 in honor of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt has been signed into law.
"Today, we want to show Dale's family, his fans and his friends that North Carolina remembers and cares," Gov. Mike Easley said during a signing ceremony Wednesday attended by widow Teresa Earnhardt and various officials in the state Capitol.
"We want to say thank you for everything that you gave to us and show our sincere appreciation in this lasting tribute."
The 28-mile stretch of road in Iredell and Cabarrus counties is N.C. 136, but that number would be swapped with the N.C. 3 now in Currituck County.
Earnhardt, who died in a wreck on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001, drove a No. 3 Chevrolet. He lived in Cabarrus County and ran his business enterprises in Iredell County.