Category: paint scheme grades

Paint Scheme Grades-January 8, 2022

By David G. Firestone

Austin Cindric #2 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang–Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Austin Cindric #2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Gear Wrench Ford Mustang-It’s a smooth design, it isn’t over done, and it has a great color scheme. A

Brad Keselowski #6 Fastenal Ford Mustang-The fade looks great, the honeycomb works well, and the car looks amazing. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Menarads/Libman Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B grade.

Chase Briscoe #14 Mahindra Ag North America Ford Mustang-It’s got a good color scheme, but boy oh boy, is the design scheme way over done. There is too much going on here for it to be good. The two cancel each other out, and this gets a C.

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Ford Mustang-*The fade looks great, the honeycomb works well, and the car looks amazing. A

Kyle Busch #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same C- grade.

Christopher Bell #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-Cleaning up the sides gives this car a much better look. A

Harrison Burton #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Joey Logano #22 AAA Insurance Ford Mustang-Cleaning up the sides gives this car a much better look. A

Joey Logano #22 AAA Southern California Ford Mustang-Cleaning up the sides gives this car a much better look. A

William Byron #24 Axalta Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

Erik Jones #43 FOCUSfactor Chevy Camaro-The color scheme is bad, and the design scheme is bad, so this isn’t a good scheme. The only good thing I can say is that the light blue stripes look good. D-

Kurt Busch #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #48 Ally Financial Chevy Camaro-Changing the color and cleaning up the sides gives this car a much better look. A

Daniel Suarez #99 Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Chevy Camaro-Adding these new elements, stripes, and designs takes a decent scheme to an awful scheme. F

The Final Paint Scheme Grades of 2021-November 13, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Creek Enterprises Inc. Chevy Camaro-Nothing really improved here, nothing made worse, it gets a B.

Austin Dillon #3 Behr Dynasty Chevy Camaro-I love the new motif, the splatter works, this looks awesome, and this gets an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Castrol GTX Full Synthetic Ford Mustang-I think the design is over done. I think the gray is pointless. It’s got a decent color scheme. I’ll give this a D.

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Jack Links Beef Jerky Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

David Starr #13 Bob Menery Ripper Magoo/Club Scottsdale Toyota Camry-A smooth look, and a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Garrett Smithley #15 Carpets of Arizona Chevy Camaro-The black isn’t needed, the yellow stripes are a bit over done, but it’s a decent scheme so it gets a B.

Anthony Alfredo #38 Boot Barn Ford Mustang–It’s a very well done patriotic motif, the scheme looks great, this gets an A.

Erik Jones #43 Rellevate Chevy Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. #47 Honey Nut Cheerios Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Cody Ware #51 Nurtec ODT/80th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Justin Haley #77 Peacock Chevy Camaro-There is nothing really wrong with this scheme, but nothing really right either, so I’ll give this a C.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 6, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Sim Seats Chevy Camaro-An awful design scheme, with a great color scheme will earn a C.

Austin Dillon #3 The Cowboy Channel Chevy Camaro-I like a good fade, and I like the holidays, so this is a great scheme! A

Ryan Newman #6 Kohler Generators Halloween Ford Mustang-This is a unique Halloween look. It’s got a great color scheme, and it looks great. A

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield/iHop Ford Mustang-The light blue rear doesn’t do the car any favors, and the designs look odd as a result. It’s a mediocre scheme that gets a C.

Chris Buescher #17 Fifth-Third Bank Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Ryan Preece #37 Thomas English Muffins and Bagels/Kroger Chevy Camaro-The new white is visually distracting, and it takes away from the smooth look. I’ll give this an A-

Anthony Alfredo #38 Dude Wipes Halloween Ford Mustang-This is a great look! The colors work, and the design is awesome. A

Cole Custer #41 Dixie Vodka Peach Cocktail Ford Mustang-Peach colors don’t work as well as other colors, and the scheme suffers as a result. It’s not bad, so I’ll give it a B.

Erik Jones #43 Goody’s Cool Orange Chevy Camaro-My only complaint here is that the blue isn’t needed. Other than that, this is a great scheme. A-

Josh Bilicki #52 Insurance King Ford Mustang-This works as a scheme! The mummy motif works, and the car looks great. A

Joey Gase #53 Adkins Construction Chevy Camaro-I like the motif here, and the color scheme is great, so this gets an A.

Justin Haley #77 Spire+ Chevy Camaro-It’s a decent scheme, nothing really wrong, so it gets an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 30, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Chariton Valley and Creek Enterprise Chevy Camaro-The only good thing I can say here is that I like the white. Everything else about this scheme sucks! D-

Ryan Newman #6 Violet Defense Ford Mustang-The yellow door numbers don’t work here, it clashes with the rest of the scheme, and takes a B scheme down to a B-

Tyler Reddick #8 Cat Dealer Tech Chevy Camaro-I like this scheme, the colors are great, and it isn’t over designed. This gets an A.

Aric Almirola #10 Farmland Ford Mustang-The green really isn’t needed here, the car would look cleaner without it. Also, the FARMLAND logos near the front take away from the scheme. I’ll give this a B.

Timmy Hill #13 CrashClaimsR.us Toyota Camry-NSame scheme as #66 Boathouse Bar and Grill, same B grade.

David Starr #13 Brown & Brown Dealer Services/Steelylumber Ford Mustang-The black is an upgrade, and takes the B- scheme up to a B.

Chase Briscoe #14 DeKalb Ford Mustang-I like the corn motif, and the car looks unique and bold, without being over designed. A

Garrett Smithley #15 Trophy Tractor Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #13, same F grade.

Ryan Ellis #15 Arrowhead Brass Chevy Camaro-Metallic gold always looks good on a race car, and when you add in some good white and red elements, you get an A scheme.

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota Camry-The changes are minor, and they don’t really affect the scheme, so it gets an A.

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Menard’s/Monster Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

William Byron #24 RAPTOR Chevy Camaro-I like the stone motif, and the green works quite well on the dark background. This is a great scheme, and it gets an A.

Ryan Preece #37 Louisiana Hot Sauce/Southeastern Mills Chevy Camaro-The Southeastern Mills area of the car clashes with the rest of the scheme. It looks so out of place, that it took an A- scheme down to a B+.

Josh Bilicki #52 RBR Aviation Ford Mustang-A great color scheme with a great design scheme will ALWAYS earn an A.

Joey Gase #53 Donor Network Chevy Camaro-There’s nothing really wrong here, but nothing really right either. It’s just meh, and it gets a C.

Justin Haley #77 Circle B Diecast Throwback Chevy Camaro-I like the two Stroker Ace throwbacks on the track, and this is a faithful replica, so this gets an A.

B.J. McLeod #78 Pala Casino Resort and Spa Ford Mustang-I love a good fade, and this is a good fade. A

Parker Kligerman #96 Fast Checkout Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 23, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Flannel Chevy Camaro-I think this would be perfect with the flannel motif across the whole car, but this is still great. A

Tyler Reddick #8 CC Ready Mix/Clark Pipeline Service Chevy Camaro-Any scheme that reminds me of the old Dale Earnhardt Sr. Goodwrench Monte Carlo is great! A

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield/Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux Ford Mustang-Normally, I like when when a car is cleaned up, but this is a rare downgrade. The cleaned up sides look odd. It’s not awful, so I’ll give it a B+.

Denny Hamlin #11 Craftsman Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #20, same C grade.

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Menard’s/Atlas Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Bubba Wallace #23 Columbia Omni-Heat Infinity Toyota Camry-I like this look, it’s bold, and has a great color scheme. A

Ryan Preece #37 Little Hug Fruit Barrels Chevy Camaro-The blue on the rear is pointless, and it takes away from the scheme as a whole. Other than that, this is a great scheme. A-

Ross Chastain #42 Chevrolet Accessories Chevy Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Josh Bilicki #52 Junction Fuels Ford Mustang-This is a great look, very well designed, and a great color scheme. A

Joey Gase #53 Branson’s Nantucket Chevy Camaro-This is a great look, and the car isn’t over designed. A

David Starr #66 Conectus/Kyocera Ford Mustang-The car is a tad too over designed, and the green, red, and black are pointless. All things considered, this gets a B-

Justin Haley #77 Shavelogic Chevy Camaro-A major downgrade from the amazing Shavelogic scheme from earlier this year. Good color scheme, but way too over designed. C

Daniel Suarez #99 Freeway Insurance Chevy Camaro-Good color scheme here, but the curved stripes are way too over designed. I’ll give this a C.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 16, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Bos Klein/North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Chevy Camaro-Nothing wrong with this scheme, it’s great. A

Austin Dillon #3 Whelen Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-The black and silver stripes do pop more, but they are very visually distracting. The Mobil 1 on the rear looks forced. The color scheme is good. All things considered, this gets a B-

Ryan Newman #6 Castrol Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Tyler Reddick #8 Lenovo Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Aric Almirola #10 Ford Warriors in Pink Ford Mustang-Even if this wasn’t a pinkwashing scheme, it’s so badly designed, it would get an F anyway.

Garrett Smithley #15 Boom Mobile Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #15, same A grade.

Josh Bilicki #15 Insurance King Ford Mustang-I like the look here, and the color scheme is great, so this gets an A.

Justin Haley #16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy Camaro-I’d like this scheme more if the water motif was across the car. I don’t like the black on the rear, it jumbles up the scheme. B

AJ Allmendinger #16 Jackpot Party Chevy Camaro-It’s a very well-done scheme, and it looks great. A

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Menard’s/Duracel Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

William Byron #24 Valvoline Chevy Camaro-The white on the sides is really odd looking, and really isn’t needed. I might like it more if it was around the whole car. Still, it isn’t awful, so it gets a B+

Anthony Alfredo #38 Citgard Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Erik Jones #43 Power to the Patients Chevy Camaro-A smooth look, a great color scheme, and an A grade does this scheme make.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger/Cottonelle Chevy Camaro-If you take a bad front, and add a mediocre rear, you get an F scheme.

Joey Hand #52 Boom Mobile Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #15, same A grade.

Garrett Smithley #53 Sparks Ford Mustang-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Garrett Smithley #53 Kendall Motor Oil Chevy Camaro-The cutting edge motif works well here, and the car is well designed, so this gets an A.

BJ McLeod #78 CorvetteParts.net/Keen Parts Halloween Ford Mustang-I would normally say this is over designed, but with the Halloween motif, it works. This really does work. A

Paint Scheme Grades-October 9, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light #Hunt4Busch Ford Mustang-The branded camo is awful, the orange is awful, they don’t work well together, so this gets an F.

Ryan Newman #6 Kohler Generators Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Maytag Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Ryan Preece #37 Kroger/Velveeta Chevy Camaro-This is just awful. Two different clashing styles that don’t look good on their own does not a good scheme make. F

Erik Jones #43 U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Chevy Camaro-It’s a great look, it has a great color scheme, and the car as a whole is amazing! A

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Charlotte FC Chevy Camaro-I like the checkerboard motif. It’s a unique look, that isn’t over done. Add in a great color scheme, and you have earned an A.

Josh Bilicki #52 Byrna.com Ford Mustang-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Josh Bilicki #52 Junction Fuels Ford Mustang-You really can’t go wrong with this throwback. It’s great, and it earns an A.

Garrett Smithley #53 Victory Lane Oil/Red Line Oil/Boom MOBILE Chevy Camaro-It’s horribly done, it’s ugly, and it just doesn’t work. F

James Davison #66 Rich Mar Florist/Hawaiian Hibiscus Ford Mustang-This is a great look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Justin Allgaier #77 Brandt Chevy Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Justin Haley #77 Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Bon Secours St. Francis Health Systems Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

B.J. McLeod #78 NASCAR Ignition Ford Mustang-The rainbow stripes work well on the black background, and the car as a whole looks amazing. A

Paint Scheme Grades-October 2, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quinn Houff #00 Eagle Rock Wealth Management Chevy Camaro-I think the light green isn’t needed, other than that, this works. A-

Kyle Larson #5 Tarlton & Son Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Violet Defense Ford Mustang-The fade is great, the stripes aren’t. This gets a B.

Tyler Reddick #8 Cat Trial 11: Hot Wheels Chevy Camaro-A good color scheme and an awful design scheme will always earn a C.

Chris Buescher #17 Violet Defense Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #6, same B grade.

Bubba Wallace #23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry-This is a great scheme, with a smooth and simple look, which earns an A.

Ryan Preece #37 Natural Light Vodka Chevy Camaro-This is ugly, the stripes are horrid, and the pink and yellow color scheme just makes it worse. F

Anthony Alfredo #38 Dockside Logistics Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Cole Custer #41 Dixie Vodka Ford Mustang-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger/Healthy Choice Power Bowls Chevy Camaro-Bad front plus good rear equals a C.

Paint Scheme Grades-September 25, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Boss Hoss Cycles Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Subway Delivery Ford Mustang-The car is much too over designed, the black isn’t needed, and the green and yellow don’t work with the sublimated designs. F

Tyler Reddick #8 Food City/Childress Vineyards Chevy Camaro-Another instance of two different design schemes on one car, and while there isn’t anything wrong, there isn’t anything right either. C

Tyler Reddick #8 Realtree Chevy Camaro-Camo does NOT look good on a race car, and the white doesn’t help at all. F

James Davison #15 Greatest Generations Foundation Chevy Camaro-It’s a very well designed car. It isn’t over designed, and the color scheme is great. A

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Bass Pro Shops/SherryStrong.org Toyota Camry-This is a great scheme, with a great color scheme. Also, since Sherry Pollex has battled ovarian cancer, I won’t come down like I do most pinkwashing, since she has a real reason to use the color. This will apply for all drivers. If you run pink to support someone you know, you will get a pass. A

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Reese/Drawtite Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Bubba Wallace #23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry-This is another scheme where nothing is really wrong, but nothing is really right either. It’s just meh. C

Ryan Preece #37 Viva Chevy Camaro-It’s a great look, that isn’t over designed, and that will earn an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger Chevy Camaro-I like the new Kroger template better than the old one, but this one, with the four logos just looks awful. I can’t say anything good here. F

Garrett Smithley #53 Boom Mobile Chevy Camaro-It’s a great look, that isn’t over designed, and that will earn an A.

David Starr #66 Whataburger Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

BJ McLeod #78 International Materials Ford Mustang-I like the white front and stripe, the blue and red rear works, and this scheme is great. A

BJ McLeod #78 Honor And Remember Ford Mustang-Camo does NOT look good on a race car, and even the black roof can’t save this. F

Daniel Suarez #99 Coca-Cola Hispanic Heritage Month Chevy Camaro-I get what they were trying to do, but it’s not great. It looks jumbled, and forced, and it doesn’t work. Still, it isn’t horrible, so I’ll give it a C.

Paint Scheme Grades-September 18, 2021

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Trucker Appreciation Chevy Camaro-It’s not that I don’t like the stripes, I just think they’re over done. B+

Austin Dillon #3 Roland Chevy Camaro-The front is awful, the rear is great, they both cancel each other out, and this gets a C.

Kyle Larson #5 Hendrickcars.com Patriotic Chevy Camaro-I really like the stars in the blank white space, I think they look great, and they get an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Oscar Meyer Bacon Ford Mustang-It’s a great look, the bacon motif works, and the color scheme is great. A

Corey LaJoie #7 Shavelogic Chevy Camaro-This is a great look, smooth, simple, and has a great color scheme. A

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield/Tuesday’s Children Ford Mustang-The front is awful, the rear is great, they both cancel each other out, and this gets a C.

Chase Briscoe #14 Cummins/Rush Truck Centers/Thank a Trucker Ford Mustang-It’s a great look, the color scheme is great, and I can’t say anything bad about it.

Joey Gase #15 Donate Life VA Chevy Camaro-I don’t like the swirls, or the yellow. Plain blue with some slight designs would work better. Still, this isn’t awful, so it gets an F.

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Patriotic Ford Mustang-I hate the wave on the side of this car. It’s not terrible, but it doesn’t look good. B

Christopher Bell #20 DEWALT Salute First Responders Toyota Camry-This…just doesn’t work. There are too many contrasting designs, and too many designs. This is just awful. F

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Ford Mustang-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Ryan Preece #37 Kroger/Crest Chevy Camaro-Another smooth look, and it has a great color scheme, so this gets an A.

Erik Jones #43 Petty’s Garage Never Forget 9-11 Chevy Camaro-It’s got a great look, and it isn’t over designed, so this gets an A.

Garrett Smithley #51 Nurtec ODT/Nine Line Apparel/9/11 Tribute Chevy Camaro-A great tribute scheme can be done without a lot of bells and whistles. This is a perfect example of one. Nothing but what needs to be said. A

Josh Bilicki #52 Chesterfield Auto Parts Firetruck Ford Mustang-This is, by far, my favorite 9-11 tribute scheme. This looks great, I love the design, and I can’t say anything bad. A

Justin Haley #77 Shavelogic Chevy Camaro-This is a great look, smooth, simple, and has a great color scheme. A