Paint Scheme Grades-February 15, 2020

By David G. Firestone

Quin Houff #00 Jacob Construction Chevy Camaro-My only complaint here is that the red stripe on the front isn’t needed. Otherwise this is a great scheme.

Brad Keselowski #2 Money Lion Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Symbicort Chevy Camaro-Last year’s scheme was bad, but this is so much worse. This is an ugly over designed mess, and I give it an F.

Kevin Harvick #4 #PIT4BUSCH Ford Mustang-This is a great look. Blue and silver with white outlines work well, and the design is great. I give this an A.

Chase Elliott #9 Kelly Blue Book Chevy Camaro-The change of colors helps this scheme, only slightly though. I give this a C+.

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Pure Farmland Ford Mustang-My only complaint is that I think the green is too light, that aside, this is a great scheme, and it gets an A-.

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

Brennan Poole #15 Spartan Mosquito Chevy Camaro-I don’t like the colors used here, I think blue should be the primary color. Still, it isn’t bad, but I’ll gvie this a B+

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Sirius XM Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Erik Jones #20 SportClips Toyota Camry-This is just not a good look. It’s not awful, at least the color scheme is good, I’ll give it a C-.

Reed Sorenson #27 Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

John Hunter Nemechek #38 Fire Alarm Services Ford Mustang-I like the look here, the colors are great, and I like the design too. This gets an A.

Joey Gase #51 Page Construction/ASC Agri Services Chevy Camaro-I think that this is over designed, and the color scheme doesn’t help. This doesn’t look good, and gets an F.

Paint Scheme Grades-February 8, 2020

By David G. Firestone

Kurt Busch #1 Gear Wrench Chevy Camaro-A downgrade from last year, I think that the designs are a little over done. Still, it isn’t bad, so it gets a B.

Ryan Newman #6 Koch Industries Ford Mustang-A good color scheme with a great design scheme will always earn an A.

Chase Elliott #9 UniFirst Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Chase Elliott #9 Hooters Chevy Camaro-I love the orange on black look, and the car perfectly designed, so this gets an A.

Ty Dillon #13 Geico Chevy Camaro-It’s still not great, but it’s a lot cleaner than it was, so I’ll give it a D.

Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Dips Toyota Camry-I do not like the white added to the red. It’s still not terrible, so I’ll give it a B+.

William Byron #24 Axalta Chevy Camaro-This color does not work with this scheme at all. It does not fit well at all. This color is so bad, it takes an A scheme down to a C.

Corey LaJoie #32 RagingBull.com Ford Mustang-A good color scheme with a great design scheme will always earn an A.

Michael McDowell #34 Love’s Truck Stops Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

John Hunter Nemechek #38 Citgard Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Cole Custer #41 Haas Automotion Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Timmy Hill #66 RoofClaim.com Toyota Camry-While this design might work with another color scheme, it is a total failure here. F

Alex Bowman #88 Adam’s Polishes/Chevy Group Chevy Camaro-A good color scheme with a great design scheme will always earn an A.

Alex Bowman #88 NOCO/Group Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as Adam’s Polishes/Chevy Group, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #88 Truck Hero/Chevy Group Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as Adam’s Polishes/Chevy Group, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #88 Valvoline Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-February 1, 2020

By David G. Firestone

Kurt Busch #1 Monster Energy Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Chevy Camaro-I like the Dale Earnhardt based design, and the car as a whole looks great. I can’t give this less than an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Castrol Ford Mustang-Another example of a scheme with nothing really wrong or right with it. It’s a mediocre scheme that earns a C.

Ryan Newman #6 Oscar Meyer Ford Mustang-I don’t like this. I get what they were trying to do, but I think it’s over designed. F

John Hunter Nemechek #36 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Air Force Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 World Wide Technology Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Ally Financial Chevy Camaro-Even with the changes, this is still a great scheme. A

Chad Finchum #49 Garrison Homes/Toyota Knoxville Toyota Camry-If the curves on the rear was toned down I would give this a solid A. But I think the curves are over designed so this gets a B+

Christopher Bell #95 Procore Chevy Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-January 25, 2020

By David G. Firestone

Chase Elliott #9 Mountain Dew Zero Sugar Chevy Camaro-The color scheme works well, it isn’t over designed, and the car looks great. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Body Armor Ford Mustang-Cleaning up the side really works, and the car goes from an A- to an A.

Corey LaJoie #32 Pala Casino Ford Mustang-I love a good fade, and with a great color scheme, this is a good fade. A

Corey LaJoie #32 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang-I would normally like the addition of flames, but this design is a bit over designed. In addition, the addition of red doesn’t really help. Still, it’s not terrible, so I’ll give it a B+.

Ryan Preece #37 Cottonelle Chevy Camaro-The best way I can describe this scheme is that there’s nothing wrong with this scheme, but nothing right either. I’ll give it a C.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger Chevy Camaro-This looks like a really good scheme, I like the color scheme, and the car as a whole looks great.

Paint Scheme Grades-January 18, 2020

By David G. Firestone

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy Johns Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A- grade.

Ryan Newman #6 Oscar Meyer Ford Mustang-Good color scheme here, and I do like the side designs. The design works well, and gets an A.

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Ryan Blaney #12 Dex Imaging Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Kyle Larson #42 Advent Health Chevy Camaro-Bad color scheme, combined with a bad color scheme will ALWAYS earn an F.

Ross Chastain #77 Advent Health Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #77, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #88 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Christopher Bell #95 Rheem Toyota Camry-I think there are too many stripes here. Toning them down would be better. I do like the color scheme, so this gets a B+.

Paint Scheme Tracker-January 15, 2020

By David G. Firestone

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Discount Tire Ford MustangNo Change. A

Brad Keselowski #2 Autotrader Ford MustangNo change. C

Brad Keselowski #2 Pirtek Ford Mustang-New sponsor for 2020, dark purple with yellow Penske template. F

Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford MustangNo Change. A

Brad Keselowski #2 Wabash National Ford MustangNo Change. A

Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford MustangNo Change. A

Brad Keselowski #2 Dent Wizard Ford MustangNew sponsor for 2020, same as 2019 #12. F

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy CamaroNo Change. B+

STEWART HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford MustangNo change. A

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford MustangNo change. A

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-New scheme for 2019, silver replaces black on hood and roof. A

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Ford MustangNo change. A

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy Johns Ford MustangNo change. A-

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6

Ryan Newman #6 Oscar Meyer Ford MustangNew scheme for 2020, green with white and bacon motif. A

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #8

Tyler Reddick #8 Caterpillar Chevy CamaroNo Change. A

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #9

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Chevy CamaroNo change. B+

STEWART HAAS RACING #10

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Foods Ford MustangNo change. A

JOE GIBBS RACING #11

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota CamryNo Change. B+

TEAM PENSKE #12

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Jack Links Beef Jerky Ford MustangNew sponsor for 2020, same as 2019 #21. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang-New sponsor for 2019, reverse color scheme of Shell/Pennzoil. D

Ryan Blaney #12 Dex Imaging Ford MustangNo change. A

STEWART HAAS RACING #14

Clint Bowyer #14 Rush’s Truck Stops Ford MustangNo change. A

Clint Bowyer #14 Mobil 1 Ford MustangNo change. A

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17

Chris Buescher #17 SunnyD Ford MustangNo change. F

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Ford MustangNew scheme for 2020, side stripes have been toned down. B+

JOE GIBBS RACING #18

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Toyota CamryNo change. A

JOE GIBBS RACING #19

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota CamryNo change. C-

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota CamryNo change. B+

JOE GIBBS RACING #20

Erik Jones #20 DeWalt Toyota CamryNo change. A

Erik Jones #20 Stanley Toyota CamryNo change. C

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Menards/Maytag Ford MustangNo change. A

Matt DiBenedetto #21 Motorcraft Ford MustangNo change. A

TEAM PENSKE #22

Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford MustangNo change. D

Joey Logano #22 AAA Insurance Ford MustangNo change. D

Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford MustangNo change. A

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

William Byron #24 Hertz Chevy CamaroNo Change. A

William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy CamaroNo change. A

William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy CamaroNo change. A

William Byron #24 Axalta Chevy CamaroNo change. A

CHIP GANASSI RACING #42

Kyle Larson #42 Credit One Chevy CamaroNo Change. A

Kyle Larson #42 Advent Health Chevy CamaroNew sponsor for 2020, green, blue, pink, and silver with cutting edge design on sides. F

SPIRE MOTORSPORTS #77

Ross Chastain #77 Advent Health Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2020, same as #42. F

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Alex Bowman #88 Cincinnati, Inc. Chevy CamaroNo Change. A

Alex Bowman #88 LLumar Window Film Chevy CamaroNew scheme for 2020, vertical rectangle design. A

Alex Bowman #88 Axalta Throwback Chevy CamaroNo change. A

LEAVINE FAMILY RACING #95

Christopher Bell #95 Rheem Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2020, red, white, and black with stripes. B+

Paint Scheme Grades-January 3, 2020

By David G. Firestone

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

Brad Keselowski #2 Autotrader Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Brad Keselowski #2 Pirtek Ford Mustang-The Penske template is a finicky template, and yellow and purple doesn’t work well. A bad shade of purple doesn’t help. This is a bad scheme and it earns an A

Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Brad Keselowski #2 Wabash National Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Brad Keselowski #2 Dent Wizard Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-Silver replacing black on the hood and roof is a good look, and is an improvement.  A

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Tyler Reddick #8 Caterpillar Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Foods Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Ryan Blaney #12 Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang-Reversing the colors doesn’t help the Penske template. It’s still a D scheme.

Clint Bowyer #14 Rush’s Truck Stops Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Clint Bowyer #14 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #17 SunnyD Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #17 Fastenal Ford Mustang-The toned down stripes look much better, and the car goes from a B- to a B+.

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Erik Jones #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Erik Jones #20 Stanley Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

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

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

Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

Joey Logano #22 AAA Insurance Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

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

William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kyle Larson #42 Credit One Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #88 Cincinnati, Inc. Chevy CamaroSame scheme as last year, same A grade.

Alex Bowman #88 LLumar Window Film Chevy CamaroI like this new design. It’s much less cluttered, and the color scheme works very well with the design scheme. I give this an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 16, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Christmas Ford Mustang-I love the Christmas motif! It works very well. It’s ugly, but that’s the point. A

Daniel Hemric #8 Cat Large Dozers Chevy Camaro-This is a bold look, with a great color scheme. The track motif works very well. This is a great look. A

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Autocare Center Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as NAPA, same B+ grade.

Aric Almirola #10 Eckrich Ford Mustang-It’s a good look. The shades of green and yellow are great, and the car isn’t over done. This gets an A.

Erik Jones #20 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #18, same B+ grade.

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

Corey LaJoie #32 Bluegreen Vacations Ford Mustang-My only complaint here is that the shades of yellow and blue are too light for this scheme. A-A smooth look, with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Joey Gase #66 Fan Memories at Watkins Glen Toyota Camry-The brick motif works well, this is a great look, and it’s getting an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 9, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 RigUp/Roland Chevy Camaro-It’s a good scheme, the colors work well with each other, and it isn’t over designed. I’ll give this an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Roush Performance/Acronis Ford Mustang-Same scheme as Roush Performance, same B+ grade.

Daniel Hemric #8 Cat Dozers Chevy Camaro-I love what they did here! The dirt motif looks great, as does the bulldozer motif. This is a great scheme. A

Clint Bowyer, #14 Mobil 1/Rush Truck Centers Ford Mustang-Same scheme as Mobil 1, same A grade.

Joe Nemechek #15 Xchange of America/Southside Bank Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as Xchange of America, same A grade.

Paul Menard #21 Menard’s/Jack Links Beef Jerky Ford Mustang-This new Menard’s template works well with red. This is a great look, and it earns an A.

William Byron #24 Axalta/Service King Collision Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as Axalta, same A grade.

Ross Chastain #27 Low T Center Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #15, same F grade.

John Hunter Nemechek #36 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang-It’s a smooth look, the color scheme is great, and the flame motif works well. I like this, and it gets an A.

Chris Buescher #37 Slim Jim Chevy Camaro-Yellow and red is a great look, and the car has a really good look. I can’t say anything bad about this. A

Daniel Suarez #41 Walmart Family Mobile Ford Mustang-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Covert Auto Group Chevy Camaro-Good look, and a good color scheme is a recipe for an A.

JJ Yeley #53 Factor One Source Pharmacy Ford Mustang-This scheme is just nauseating to look at. This is making me sick, so I give this an F.

Timmy Hill #66 TEX TALK Toyota Camry-Same scheme as Page Construction, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 2, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Landon Cassill #00 Sea Deck/Units Moving and Portable Storage Chevy Camaro-I like the color scheme, and the design scheme is good. I can’t give this scheme anything less than an A.

Kurt Busch #1 Global Poker Chevy Camaro-Camo doesn’t look good on a race car. This color scheme doesn’t work with the camo. The car doesn’t look good, so I give it an F

Ryan Newman #6 Blue Bird Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Chase Elliott #9 Mountain Dew Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Ross Chastain #15 Harrah’s North Kansas City Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr #17 Fifth Third Bank Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

BJ McLeod #51 Jacob Companies Pink Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Garrett Smithley #52 RichMarFlorist.com Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

JJ Yeley #53 Gotta Kill It To Heal It Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.