Category: paint scheme grades

The Final Paint Scheme Grades Of 2017-November 25, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First a 2018 Scheme…

Daniel Suarez #19 Stanley Toyota Camry-It’s an over designed mess with too many different design elements to really look good.  The only thing keeping this scheme above water is a great color scheme. D-

Now on to 2017 schemes…

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Final Race Toyota Camry-I like the idea of a driver racing their final race with the scheme they started racing in.  I especially like it when the scheme is a smooth scheme with a great look.  This is a great scheme. A

David Ragan #38 The Weather Channel Ford Fusion-The Front Row template works very well with sky blue and white. It’s a great look, and has a great color scheme, so it naturally gets an A.

Kyle Larson #42 Credit One/DC Solar Chevy SS-It’s a bit over done, though it’s not terrible.  I think this could work better if it was a fade as opposed to cutting edge designs.  It is a decent scheme, so I’ll give it a B-.

Kyle Weatherman #51 P2 Patrick Peterson Chevy SS-There is nothing bad I can say about this scheme.  It has a great look, and a great design. A

David Starr #66 Eureka Chevy SS-The design has been revamped, the car has a better look as a result.  Throw in a great color scheme, and you have a scheme worth an A.

Joey Gase #83 Premier Millwright Toyota Camry-BK Racing seems to take joy in over designing their cars.  This is one such example.  While it does have a mediocre color scheme, the side design is beyond overdone, and has a horrible look.  I hate this look, and it earns an F.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 18, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First some 2018 schemes…

William Byron #9 Hooters Chevy Camaro-Hooters has a good color scheme, and while this is a new look, it’s not an improvement.  I think it could be better if the whole car was orange, and the white was limited to numbers and logos.  Still, it’s not terrible, so I’ll give it a B-.

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Foods Ford Fusion-The black and white slash pattern is a good look, and the car has an amazing look.  I’ll give it an A.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Click N Close Ford Fusion-The shade of blue works well, and the design works well.  It’s an all around great look. A

Now on to the 2017 schemes…

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Veterans Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2017, same as regular Miller Lite scheme, but with names of deceased veterans on side. A

Austin Dillon #3 Realtree Chevy SS-White with camoflague is not a good look, and while the design would work with another color it doesn’t work with white.  I’ll give it a D-

Joey Gase #7 Eternal Fan Chevy SS-I think that the blue could be darker, but the whole car has a good look, and it works very well. A-

Clint Bowyer #14 Damnation Ford Fusion-The field motif is a bold look, but it works well.  The color and design work well.  It’s an all around great look.  A

DJ Kennington #15 Northern Provincial Pipelines LTD Chevy SS-The Canadian flag motif works very well here, the color and design scheme work well, and the scheme gets the A is deserves.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Robert Yates Tribute Ford Fusion-The 1990’s Texaco scheme works very well, and this tribute car works well, with the color and design faithful to the original.  It’s worth an A.

Corey LaJoie #23 Beardfresh/Earthwater Toyota Camry-The solid black matte look is the best that Earthwater has looked all year. A

Ryan Newman #31 Cat Minstar Chevy SS-While I’m not big on the cutting edge designs that CAT has used, the Minestar color scheme works well with the look.  It’s a great look. A

Kyle Larson #42 Refresh Chevy SS-There are two different designs in play here, either one would work well by itself, but together, the wave form and the fade creates a cluttered look. The color scheme is decent, so I’ll give it a C.

David Starr #66 Eureka Chevy SS-While this scheme would normally get an A, the vaccum design looks a lot like race damage, and it takes an A scheme down to a B-.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 11, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First some 2018 schemes…

Brad Keselowski #2 Discount Tire Ford Fusion-Discount Tire always has great looking cars, and this is no exception. It’s a smooth look, it has a great color scheme, and it earns an A.

Ryan Newman #31 Liberty National Chevy Camaro-It’s a horrible shade of green, with a decent shade of blue. The look is awful, it’s a bad design, and I can’t give it anything but an F.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger Chevy Camaro-L like the color scheme, but the design scheme, while decent, is a bit over-designed. It’s worth a B-.

Now on to the 2017 schemes.

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Olympics Chevy SS-The winter motif and new color scheme work very well here, it’s a good look. A

Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips/Justice League Chevy SS-The red and gold look is really good. The design scheme works very well too. It’s an all around great look. A

Joey Gase #7 Donate Life Chevy SS-The hood design works very well, but the side design is another story. It’s an ugly, over designed mess, with a decent color scheme. All things considered, it earns a C-.

Danica Patrick #10 Aspen Dental Patriotic Ford Fusion-Adding patriotic elements doesn’t do that much to help the scheme. It is the same F grade as the regular Aspen Dental scheme.

Clint Bowyer #14 Rush Truck Stops/Mobil Delvac Ford Fusion-Same scheme as Rush Truck Stops, same A grade.

Matt Kenseth #20 Xfinity Toyota Camry-It’s a bold look, not over designed, and has a great color scheme. It works very well. A

Ray Black Jr.#51 Scubalife Chevy SS-The whole motif works very well, and the color scheme is good. For some reason, water motifs on cars work well. Anyway, it’s worth an A.

David Starr #66 Moore Freight Service Chevy SS-A simple look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Gray Gaulding #83 The Country Network/Earthwater Toyota Camry-Same scheme as Earthwater, same F grade.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.#88 Nationwide/Justice League Chevy SS-The black Justice League motif works very well, and the scheme as a whole is a great look. I can’t give this anything less than an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-November 4, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First another 2018 scheme has been released.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota Camry–No change. A

Now on to the 2017 schemes.

Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Bomasada Chevy SS-Same scheme as Cessna, same B+ grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch NA Chevy SS-While I normally like the Busch forest motif, the red on the rear is visually distracting, and clashes with the rest of the design. It takes the design from an A scheme down to a B+.

Trevor Bayne #6 Ford Eco-Boost Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Back Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Corvette Parts Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Kurt Busch #41 State Water Heaters Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

BJ McLeod #51 Chevy SS-Same scheme as Donnie Neuenberger Foundation, same B+ grade.

Gray Gaulding #83 Autism Speaks Toyota Camry-It’s a good looking car, with a great color scheme. It works well, and earns an A.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Grey Ghost Chevy SS– Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 28, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First, we have some 2018 schemes…

Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Fusion-Red and white works well with the Penske template, and this car has a great look as a result. A

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy Camaro-It’s a much simpler, yet bolder design from the 2017 version, and it looks great! There is nothing wrong with that car at all! A

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Ford Fusion-Same scheme as 2017, same A grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion-Same scheme as 2017, same A grade.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry-Same scheme as 2017, same B- grade.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Freight Toyota Camry-Same scheme as 2017, same B- grade.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry-Same scheme as 2017, same B- grade.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Office Toyota CamrySame scheme as 2017, same B- grade.

Ty Dillon #13 Twisted Tea Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as 2017, same A grade.

Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion-Same scheme as 2017, same D grade.

Ryan Newman #31 Caterpillar Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as 2017, same B- grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Bass Pro Shops/5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry-I get what they were trying to do here, but is just isn’t working. The orange is a bit too light, and the design is mediocre. It’s not awful, but not great. All things considered, I give it a C-.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 5-Hour Energy/Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry-See above. C-

Now we focus on 2017…

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota Camry-It’s a really good scheme, that is more subtle than last year. This scheme works well, and looks good. A

Landon Cassill #34 Love’s Truck Stops/Speedco Ford Fusion-Same scheme as Love’s, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #37 Scott Towels Chevy SS-Too many stripes. It has a great color scheme, but it has too many stripes. It’s not horrible, but it’s not great. It’s worth a C-

AJ Allmendinger #47 Dillon’s Chevy SS-Same scheme as Kroger, same A grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Marshaltown Chevy SS-Same scheme as Lowe’s, same F grade.

Cole Whitt #72 Chevy SS-Good smooth look, and the door numbers work with this color scheme. It’s worth an A.

Brett Moffitt #83 Earthwater Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #23, same D- grade.

Michael McDowell #95 Jolt Eye Drops Chevy SS-The blue mountain motif works well, the color scheme works very well, and it’s just a great look all around. A

Paint Scheme Grades-October 21, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First, a couple of 2018 schemes…

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

William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy Camaro-Great shade of blue, great shade of red, great flame design, gets an A.

Now on to the 2017 schemes…

Jamie McMurray #1 Nicholas Air/Cessna Chevy SS-Same scheme as Cessna, same B+ grade.

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Navy Throwback Ford Fusion-Its a great look, with a smooth design, and one of the better throwbacks I have seen. I’m giving this an A

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Outdoors Ford Fusion-Adding more blue brings the scheme from a C to a B-.

Trevor Bayne #6 Liberty National Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Justin Marks #7 Golden Corral/Katerra Chevy SS-Another example of two different contrasting designs on one car that doesn’t look good. I’ll be nice and give it a D+ because I like the color scheme.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx/Walgreens Toyota Camry-This is the best FedEx has looked on a race car for some time. It’s a great color scheme, and the design scheme looks really good. A

Mark Thompson #15 Phoenix Air Chevy SS-Black and red is a good color scheme, and the design scheme is great too. It’s worth an A.

Daniel Suarez #19 Camping World Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Corey LaJoie #23 My Freedom Smokes Toyota Camry-I like metallic gold, and this design works well, and has a great color scheme. It’s a great look that gets an A.

Chris Buescher #37 Bush’s Chili Beans Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

BJ McLeod #51 Collin Bryan Construction Chevy SS-Same scheme as Donnie Newberger Foundation, same B+ grade.

DJ Kennington #55 Dirt and Rock Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Mountain Dew Names Chevy SS-It’s a great look, and, while names on a car can be either hit or miss, this is a hit. It’s a great scheme that earns an A.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 14, 2017

By David G. Firestone

First we have some 2018 schemes that were recently released.

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Chevy Camaro-While I like the design, I think it’s a bit over done. It’s still a decent scheme with a great color scheme, and it’s worth a B+.

Paul Menard #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

William Byron #24 Axalta Chevy Camaro-Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! The blue works, the flames work, everything works! This is a great scheme! A

Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Pro Services Chevy Camaro-The black looks great, the gray adds to it, and the whole scheme looks amazing! Nothing wrong here! A

Alex Bowman #88 Nationwide Chevy Camaro-Everything I said about the NAPA scheme applies here. I like the design, but I think it’s a bit over done. It’s still a decent scheme with a great color scheme, and it’s worth a B+.

Now on to 2017 schemes…

Kasey Kahne #5 Go90.com/Road to Raceday Chevy SS-Same basic scheme as Road to Raceway same A grade.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Schrock Chevy SS-Purple doesn’t always work, and while I normally like the Menard’s template, this doesn’t jive as well with it. I will give it a B+.

Landon Cassill #34 Love’s Truck Stops/Roller Bites Ford Fusion-Same basic scheme as Love’s Truck Stops, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #37 Gain Chevy SS-Green can be great or awful, and this green works well, and with a great car design, it earns an A.

Cole Whit #72 Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide/Chevy Truck Month Chevy SS-Same scheme as Nationwide, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 7, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Derrike Cope #00 Starcom Fiber Chevy SS-It’s a bit too ambitious, even for a good fade. It isn’t terrible, but they tried to do too much with this design. I typically like fades, but this one is too overdone. C

Danica Patrick #10 Warriors In Pink Ford Fusion-Well, Pinktober is upon us, which means pink for breast cancer. If you haven’t figured out that this whole thing is a scam, then I can’t help you. I’m going to continue my tradition of calling out this scam by giving an automatic F to any pink car in October, starting with this one.

Corey LaJoie #23 Freshbeards Toyota Camry-Plain black with white logos is a great look, which will always earn an A.

Ryan Newman #31 Childress Vineyards Chevy SS-It’s a decent design scheme, though it is a bit over done. The color scheme is good, so I’ll give it a B.

Ryan Newman #31 Wastemasters Recycling Chevy SS-See above. B+

David Ragan #38 The House.com Ford Fusion-Great color scheme, great design scheme, great look! A

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Sharkbite Plumbing Solutions Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2017, same as Lowe’s, but with Sharkbite Plumbing Solutions on sides. F

BJ McLeod #51 Donnie Neuenberger Foundation Chevy SS-I get what they are trying to do here, but the fact is that the car is just a tad over designed, The wave pattern could work if it was a bit simpler, but it’s a decent, scheme, worth a B+.

Brett Moffitt #83 Hikvision Toyota Camry-BK Racing seems to pride itself on over-designing their cars, and this design is no exception. The color scheme is good, but the car is so needlessly over designed that it can’t save the scheme from an F.

Paint Scheme Grades-September 30, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Chevy Accessories Chevy SS-Same scheme as #31, same A grade.

Reed Sorenson #15 Ol’ Hick Hickory Pellets Chevy SS-It’s a smooth look with a good color scheme, no complaints here! A

Daniel Suarez #19 Comcast Business Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same D- grade.

Matt Kenseth #20 Sirius/XM Toyota Camry-While it still needs work, it’s much better than the #77! the color scheme is better, as is the design scheme. I’ll give it a B+.

Corey LaJoe #23 Schroth Racing Toyota Camry-It’s an ugly, over designed mess, with a bad color scheme, specifically, the shades of yellow used. It’s hurting my eyes, so I’m going to give it the F it deserves.

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Brakes Chevy SS-New scheme for 2017, same as NAPA but with BRAKES on sides. A

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Ford Eco-Boost Ford Fusion-Its got a good color scheme, but in terms of design, it is over designed. I don’t like amount of stripes, and the lack of red doesn’t help. It’s still a decent scheme, and it earns a C-.

Gray Gaulding #55 Wind River Toyota Camry-This scheme would work with if the green on the front were used as the scheme OR the fade were used, but the combination of the two looks awkward and forced. It just doesn’t look good, and it earns an F.

Brett Moffitt #83 Super Donut Toyota Camry-Everything I said about the #23 applies here, but the addition of red just makes this worse. F

Paint Scheme Grades-September 23, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Univar Chevy SS-Same scheme as Dow, same A- grade.

Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Strong Against Cancer Chevy SS-It’s a great scheme, the crayon motif works, and the car has a great color scheme. Nothing bad here! A

Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota Camry-Purple can be a very iffy color, but this dark purple works very well, and the flame motif works well too! It’s a great look. A

Corey LaJoie #23 Jewel-Osco Toyota Camry-Too many different shades of red, too many cutting edge designs, and the less said about that…thing on the quarter panel, the better. F

Ryan Newman CAT D100 Chevy SS-The D100 motif actually works much better than the regular scheme. There is some room for improvement, but it’s a great look. I’ll give it a B+

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Incredible Bank/TMNT Ford Fusion-It’s an ugly, over designed mess that just looks awful! There is nothing good I can say about this! F

Jeffery Earnardt #33 HULU/TMNT Chevy SS-See above. F

Ray Black Jr. #51 Chevy SS-The water motif works very well, though it should be on both sides. It is a bold look, and it’s done well. A

Gray Gaulding #55 US First Responders Association Chevy SS-Using the Bodine throwback works well and the car has a nice look. It’s worth an A.

Timmy Hill #66 U.S. Chrome Chevy SS-Same scheme as Poker Palace, same D+ grade.

Michael McDowell #95 Devour Frozen Meals Chevy SS-Its a little overdone, and the green looks really out of place. It’s not bad, but not great. I’ll give it a C.

Michael McDowell #95 Procore Chevy SS-Black and orange is an under rated color scheme, and the hexagon motif works well. It’s a well-done scheme. A