Firecracker (1981)

Yes, Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a driving car # 96 in four races (a Charlotte, Daytona 2 2 2 Darlington and Talladega) for Will Cronkite in 1978. Below is a link to a photo of Dale in the # 96 in 1978 during the 400 firecracker.

According to Racing-reference.info, the nine numbers led to Dale Winston Cup Racing were the following:

# 2: 1979-1981
# 3: 1981, 1984-2000
# 8: 1975
# 15: 1982-1983
No. 19: 1977
# 30: 1976
# 77: 1976
# 96: 1978
# 98: 1978

From 1975-1981, he led the # 8. In 1982 he went to the # 15 and in 1984 he moved to his No. 3.

No, he led the 8.