Category: paint scheme grades

Paint Scheme Grades-March 25, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Dow/World Water Day Chevy SS-New scheme for 2017, black front, water motif with a curve in front of the door number.D-

Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Toyota Camry–No change.A

Gray Gaulding #23 SunFrog.com Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2017, green front, black and green middle to rear.C+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/FVP Chevy SS–New scheme for 2017 Menard’s template with FVP colors, black replaces silver.A

Landon Cassill #34 Starkey Hearing Foundation Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2017, Front Row template has been revamped, with blue and white color scheme.A

Cole Whitt #72 Standard Plumbing Supply Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2017, black with white and red letters and logos.B+

Corey LaJoie #83 BK Racing Graphics Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2017, black with red and silver stripes across sides.B-

Paint Scheme Grades-March 18, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Jamie McMurray #1 Credit One/Cessna Chevy SS-The color change works well, and the design looks good.  I give it an A.

Austin Dillon #3 Lucas Oil Chevy SS-The curve stripe doesn’t look good on the middle of the car.  Had it been on the bottom, it would be better.  It’s still not a bad scheme, and it’s worth a B+.

Matt Kenseth #20 PEAK Antifreeze Toyota Camry-Peak always has great schemes, and this is another example,  The more pronounced spikes make the car look good, and it’s a great A scheme.

Matt Kenseth #20 Blue Def Toyota Camry-For some schemes, reversing the colors can be a disaster, this scheme is great!  It works quite well, and has a great look.  A

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Valvoline Chevy SS-The new Menard’s template works very well, and the Valvoline scheme is a great look.  It works very well with the template, and the scheme is an A scheme.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Keen Parts Ford Fusion-Keen Parts has had some awful schemes up until recently.  This is an example of how well they have advanced as a sponsor with their schemes.  This is a great scheme with a great color scheme.  It works well, and it looks good.  A

Chris Buescher #37 Natural Light Chevy SS-This is something that annoys me to no end, if you are going to do patriotic schemes, USE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, Dark blue, light blue, and white, doesn’t work as a patriotic scheme.  That said, dumb color scheme aside, the car does have a good look, and the color scheme, while not patriotic, is still good, so I’ll give it a B+.

David Ragan #38 Juice Battery Ford Fusion-This is the worst color scheme I’ve seen in a while, and the car is so over designed, it just looks awful.  I’m going to be generous, and give this scheme an F.

Timmy Hill #51 Dashub Chevy SS-The cutting edge design can work, but with the odd color scheme, it looks off.  It doesn’t look bad, but it looks odd.  It’s a good color scheme, and a good design scheme, but they don’t work together.  It’s a B- scheme.

Derrike Cope #55 Chevy SS-Great color and a smooth design scheme will always earn an A.

Corey LaJoie #83 JAS Trucking Toyota Camry-The police motif doesn’t work here, and the stripes don’t work.  I thought when I first saw this scheme that it was a police sponsor, but it’s a trucking sponsor.  The color scheme is decent, but the design scheme doesn’t work as a scheme.  I’ll give it a D-.

Paint Scheme Grades-March 11, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Clint Bowyer #14 Haas Automotion Ford Fusion-Gray is out, red is in! The new color scheme works well, and I do like the white stripes at the bottom. It’s an A scheme!

Reed Sorenson #15 Chevy SS-Black with white numbers is always a good look, and this scheme is a good look. I can’t say anything bad about it, and I give it an A.

Reed Sorenson #15 The Maids Chevy SS-This is a unique situation, let me explain. Sorenson was expected to race the black with white numbers above. However, on Saturday, The Maids agreed to sponsor the team for one race, and the car was re-decaled overnight. It’s a good color scheme, a great shade of yellow, and a good shade of blue, and a smooth look, and it’s worth an A.

Kyle Busch #18 Snickers Crispier Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Cosmo Motors Ford Fusion-That stupid door design has been removed, and the car has gone from a C- to a B-. The look has improved, and the car has a smoother look as a result.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Can Am/Kappa Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Jeffery Earnhardt #33 Chevy SS-Same scheme as Starter, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #37 Bush’s Baked Beans Chevy SS–Same scheme as 2016 #47, same B+ grade.

Cody Ware #51 Spoonful Music Foundation Chevy SS-Reversing the color scheme can be hit or miss. In this case, it’s a hit. The black design works very well, and the design scheme works well too. This scheme gets the A it deserves.

Derrike Cope #55 Wade Tractor/adrenalinpwr.com Chevy SS-It’s a simple, smooth look, with a good color scheme, and it earns an A.

Cole Whitt #72 Rinnai Chevy SS-This would normally be an A scheme, but there is an issue that I almost never discuss when grading paint schemes. The door numbers do not look good with this color scheme. The 72 looks awful here, and the car loses as a result. If the door numbers were just one color, I would give it an A. But the three color design doesn’t work on the white background. If it were plain black or red, I’d be able to work with it. But it’s not horrible, aside from the numbers, so I give it a B+.

Erik Jone #77 Sirius/XM Toyota Camry-It’s a needlessly over designed mess. Too much is going on, and the car looks awful as a direct result. I’m giving this scheme the F it deserves.

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, NASCAR,Chevy, SS, Chevy SS, Ford Fusion, Ford, Fusion, Toyota Camry, Toyota, Camry, Snickers Crispier, Reed Sorenson, The Maids, Cosmo Motors, Can Am, Kappa, Bush’s Baked Beans, Wade Tractor, arenalinpwr.com, Derrike Cope, Cody Ware, Rinnai, Sirius/XM, WRL Contractors,Clint Bowyer, Haas Automation, Kyle Busch, Matt DiBenedetto, Jeffery Earnhardt, Chris Buescher, Cole Whitt, Erik Jones, Michael McDowell

 

Paint Scheme Grades-March 4, 2017

By David G. Firestone

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

Elliott Sadler #7 Golden Corral Chevy SS-Same scheme as 2017, same A grade.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Chevy SS-Same scheme as 2017, same A grade.

Brendan Gaughan #75 Beard Oil Chevy SS-It’s a smooth simple clean look, with a great color scheme. I give it an A.,

 

Paint Scheme Grades-February 18, 2017

By David G. Firestone

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

Brad Keselowski #2 SKF Ford Fusion–Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Ty Dillon #13 Twisted Tea Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Fusion–It’s the same basic scheme from last year, with some light changes in the white stripes. It still looks good, and I give it an A.

Joey Gase #23 Schluter Systems Toyota Camry-The basic scheme, which is horrible, returns, but the new stripes add nothing, and the car is still a D- scheme.

Joey Gase #23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry– The new side stripes don’t look good at all, and they take an A scheme down to a B+.

Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy SS-Red as a primary color works, and the black stripe on the bottom works well. It’s a great scheme, and earns an A.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 EJ Wade Foundation Ford Fusion-It’s not a great color scheme, and the ribbon design doesn’t look good. It’s a true F scheme.

Chris Buescher #37 Kroger Checklist Chevy SS-Same scheme as Kroger same B+ grade.

Kurt Busch #41 Mobil 1 Annual Protection Chevy SS-Same scheme as other SHR Mobil 1 schemes, but with gold trim, same A grade.

Cole Whitt #72 Florida Lottery Ford Fusion-The black doesn’t work at all with the orange and teal color scheme, and the scheme looks forced. The only thing I like about this scheme is the door numbers. I’ll give it a D-.

Corey LaJoie #83 Dustless Blasting Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-February 4, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Chase Elliott #24 Hooters Chevy SS-I get that the yellow door numbers are a thing with the #24, but that said, they look totally out of place here. Seriously, couldn’t they have used orange door numbers? Not only would it look more in place, but the car would look better. Also, the roof number being changed to white would work well too. It could be an A scheme but the horrible number choices take it down to a C-

Chris Buescher #37 Cottonelle Chevy SS-The color scheme is really good, and the design scheme is simple, yet bold, and it looks really good. It’s an A scheme for sure.

Aric Almirola #43 Fresh From Florida Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry-It’s an upgrade from that orange disaster last year, but it’s still not great. Camouflage doesn’t look good on race cars, and the design scheme is a bit over designed. Still, it’s worth a C-

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Axalta Chevy SS-Great color scheme, but sadly, the design scheme is horrific! Way over designed, badly executed, and an awful look that not event a great color scheme can save. This is an F scheme, and I’m being kind!

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, NASCAR,Chevy, SS, Chevy SS, Ford Fusion, Ford, Fusion, Toyota Camry, Toyota, Camry, Hooters, Cottonelle, Fresh From Florida, Bass Pro Shop, Chris Buescher, Axalta, Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Paint Scheme Grades-January 28, 2017

By David G. Firestone

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

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion-The white looks good, and the multi-colored checks look decent as well. All in all, I give it an A.

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Toyota Camry-The lighter blue as a background is decent, but the paintbrush design doesn’t work as well. It’s not horrible, but it’s not great. I’ll give it a B-.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Daniel Suarez #19 Stanley Toyota Camry-Same basic scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt/Flexwolt Toyota Camry–The stripes up the sides and hood works very well. It’s bold, but not overdone. Add in a good color scheme, and you have an A scheme.

Joey Logano #22 AAA of Southern California Ford Fusion–Same basic scheme as last year, same D grade.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Peak Chevy SS-While colors can affect how a template looks, the Peak blue works well here, and the scheme looks good. A

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

Kyle Larson #42 Credit One Chevy SS-Same basic scheme as last year, same F grade.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Stouffers/Cheez It’s Chevy SS-The curved stripes around the door number are a definite downgrade from last year. They are ugly, and overdone. Still the car as a whole is decent, and the scheme gets a B+.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota Camry-Same basic scheme as last year, same A grade.

Michael McDowell #95 K-LOVE Chevy SS-The shorter stripes work very well, and the car as a whole has a great look. Add in a good color scheme, and you have an A scheme.

DJ Kennington #96 Lordco Toyota Camry-The color scheme could work, or the design scheme could work. The color and design schems together don’t work that well. Change one or the other, and the scheme might be higher than a C-.

Paint Scheme Grades-January 21, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Trevor Bayne #6 Performance Plus Motor Oil Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Ty Dillon #13 Geico Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Daniel Suarez #19 Arris Toyota Camry-Same basic scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Kyle Larson #42 Target Chevy SS-The color scheme is good, but the design scheme is terrible. If you are going to do a logo montage, do it on the whole car, not just the area around the driver compartment. Not that would have been an improvement. Still, the color scheme is good enough to earn a D-.

Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same C- grade.

Erik Jones #77 5-Hour Energy Extra Stength Toyota Camry-Same basic scheme as 5-Hour Energy, same C- grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-January 14, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Kasey Kahne #5 UniFrst Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Trevor Bayne #6 Liberty National Ford Fusion-The color scheme is a good choice, but I don’t like the dual stripes, and the cut out around the numbers looks odd. It’s still not a bad scheme, and all things considered, I give it a B-.

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Ford Fusion-The same basic scheme as last year, which is a good scheme to begin with, has been improved by removing the black stripe across the bottom. I give it an A.

Danica Patrick #10 Code 3 Associates Ford Fusion-The color scheme is good, and I like the basic design. It’s simple, and looks good. I give it an A.

Clint Bowyer #14 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion-I like the new Mobil 1 scheme, it has a good color scheme, and the design scheme looks great. It earns an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Sunny D Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Rickey Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion-Reversing the color scheme can be hit or miss, and this new Fastenal scheme is a hit. The scheme looks good, and it earns an A.

Joey Gase #23 Best Furnishing Toyota Camry-It’s a decent color scheme, but an over done, needlessly bad design scheme kills it. It just doesn’t look good. If the blue were a little darker, I could give it a D-, but with the light blue, it earns an F.

Chase Elliott #24 Sun Energy Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Kurt Busch #41 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion-The Mobil 1 scheme looks good this year, and while I’m not a fan of the green, it still is a solid A scheme.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, NASCAR,Chevy, SS, Chevy SS, Ford Fusion, Ford, Fusion, Toyota Camry, Toyota, Camry, UniFirst, Trevor Bayne, Liberty National, Danica Patrick, Nature’s Bakery, Code 3 Associates, Clint Bowyer, Mobil 1, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Sunny D, Fastenal, Sun Energy,

Paint Scheme Grades-January 7, 2017

By David G. Firestone

Jamie McMurray #1 GearWrench Chevy SS-The black background works very well, and the stripes work very well too. Add in a great color scheme, and you have an A scheme.

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

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

Brad Keselowski #2 Auto Trader Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same D- grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy SS-Overall, it’s a great scheme, with a great design. My one complaint is those designs in the red just in front of the door number. They are ugly, and they take an A scheme down to an A-.

Austin Dillon #3 AAA Chevy SS-It’s an over designed, ugly mess of a car. There are too many designs, and not enough thought put into the design. The color scheme is the only good thing, and earns a D+.

Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Chevy SS-The side stripes being removed gives the car a great look. The color scheme is good too. It earns an A.

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Ford Fusion-The blue scheme works well, and I like the detail in the mountains. Its a great looking scheme, and I give it an A.

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Kasey Kahne #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same D+ grade.

Kasey Kahne #5 Liftmaster Chevy SS-It’s a much cleaner scheme. It’s a much simpler scheme. It’s an A scheme.

Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same D+ grade.

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

Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion–Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

Joey Logano #22 Auto Trader Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same D- grade.

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy SS-I like the yellow accents added to the sides, roof, and front fender. The car still has a great look, and it earns an A.

Chase Elliott #24 Kelly Blue Book Chevy SS-It’s a much simpler design, and it has a great color scheme. An upgrade from last year that earns an A.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Richmond Chevy SS-The new Menard’s template works well…if this is a template. The front can work, and the lack of side stripes works well too. It earns an A.

Ryan Newman #31 CAT Chevy SS-I love the hood and roof design, but I don’t like the side design between the wheel wells. It doesn’t match, and just look awkward. Still, even taking this in to consideration, it’s still a B- scheme.

Aric Almirola #43 Smithfield Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Aric Almiroa #43 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion-What’s cooler than lightning…more lightning! That’s what this new scheme has. It looks great, and it’s still an A scheme.

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

Kurt Busch #41 Haas Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same D grade.

Erik Jones #77 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry-I get what they were trying to do, but the scheme as a whole just doesn’t look good. The lightning stripes look bad. It just doesn’t work. The color scheme works well though, so I’ll give the scheme is a C-.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS-The loss of silver works with this scheme. The design works well, and I like the stripes up the sides. I give it an A.