Category: paint scheme grades

Paint Scheme Tracker-April 27, 2016

By David G. Firestone

CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #1

Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Beechcraft Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, blue top, reverse wave formation across sides, white bottom, with silver accents. B+

Jamie McMurray #1 Sherwin Williams Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, main design has been moved slightly to the rear. 150’th anniversary logo added to hood.B+

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, red and yellow front with a spike transition to rear. A+

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonalds/Cessna Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, red and blue amalgamation of McDonald’s and Cessna. B-

Jamie McMurray #1 Credit One Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue, purple and white, with a series of designs across whole car. F

Jamie McMurray #1 Bad Boy/Beechcraft Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, same as Beechcraft, but with Bad Boy on the hood. B+

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–Same basic scheme as 2015, but Miller has been removed from hood, similar 2014. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Auto Trader Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2016, same as #22 Auto Trader. D-

Brad Keselowski #2 SKF Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, similar to 2015 scheme, but fits to Penske Template. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Thomas Build Buses Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, Penske Template, red front, black back. A+

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, but the hood logo is slightly larger. B+

Austin Dillon #3 Cheerios Chevy SS–No change. A+

Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Chevy SS–No change. A-

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Intellifresh Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2016, same as Dow Energy and Water. B-

Austin Dillon #3 AAA Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2016, similar to Robert Hight’s funny car, but with colors rearranged. D+

Austin Dillon #3 Dow FlexoLyt Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, same as Intellifresh B-

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Ranger Boats Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with camo and orange diagonal triangle on side. B+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch throwback can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch Light can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Chevy SS–No change. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, mountain design starts near brake duct, instead of at front of car. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS–No change. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, white background, with the Pegasus wing starting at the side of the front, extending to the door numbers. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Throwback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, based on Cale Yarborough’s 1979 Daytona 500 Scheme. A

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5

Kasey Kahne #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy SS–No Change. C+

Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Chevy SS–No Change. D+

Kasey Kahne #5 Liftmaster Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, geometrical designs on side changed. C

Kasey Kahne #5 Panasonic Toughbook Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue fade to black, with a couple of wave stripes, and some fade designs on side. A+

Kasey Kahne #5 Quicken Loans Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, red with hockey stick designs on sides, as well as geometrical designs on front and back. C+

Kasey Kahne #5 Mountain Dew Pitch Black Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with blue trident inspired design on sides, oval design on roof, and Vortex design on hood. D-

Kasey Kahne #5 Drive to End Hunger Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2016, dark red with light red stripes and white letters on sides. A+

ROUSH-FEWNAY RACING #6

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, white with blue line and checkered flag on bottom. A+

TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7

Alex Bowman #7 Road Rippers Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, shark motif on front, fades to fire motif and logo on back. F

Regan Smith #7 Golden Corral/Niko Toy State Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, amalgamation of Golden Corral and Niko Toy State. F

Regan Smith #7 Nikko Street Bratz Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue and white with a series of designs across sides. F

Regan Smith #7 Chevy SS-Black with white and blue numbers and stripe across bottom. A+

Regan Smith #7 APC Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with white and blue numbers and stripe across bottom, APC logo on hood. A+

Regan Smith #7 AIPAC Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with white and blue numbers and stripe across bottom, AIPAC logo on hood. A+

Regan Smith #7 Fire Alarm Services Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with yellow hood, and orange city motif on sides. A+

Regan Smith #7 Nikko/Road Rippers Alan Kulwicki Throwback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, based on the “Underbird” design used by Kulwicki in 1992. C+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue with white lettering on sides, white and black stripe across hood and roof. A+

Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, white front, red TaxAct X logo, gray back. A+

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Pride Pumpkin Spice Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, same basic scheme as Nature’s Pride, but with orange and red color scheme, and some slight redesigns on the side. A+

Danica Patrick #10 Mobil 1 Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, Bass Pro Shops has left, so the Mobil 1 scheme features a white background, with the Pegasus wing starting at the side of the front, extending to the door numbers. A+

Danica Patrick #10 Aspen Dental Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, similar to Clint Bowyer’s template, but with a Post-It esque design. F

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Brownies Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, blue, white and brown scheme, stripes start on hood, and extend to the rear of the side.  B-

JOE GIBBS RACING #11

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, hood logo moved slightly to the right, side stripes wider. A+

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Freight Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, hood logo moved slightly to the right, side stripes wider. A+

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, hood logo moved slightly to the right, side stripes wider. A+

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, hood logo moved slightly to the right, side stripes wider. A+

Denny Hamlin #11 SportClips Toyota Camry–No Change. C-

GERMAIN RACING #13

Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, much more subdued version of the 2015 scheme. A+

Casey Mears #13 Geico Millitary Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, black with camo motif across car. F

STEWART-HAAS RACING #14

Tony Stewart #14 Mobil 1 Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, the Mobil 1 scheme features a white background, with the Pegasus wing starting at the side of the front, extending to the door numbers. A+

Tony Stewart #14 Code 3 Associates/Mobil 1 Chevy SS–Slight redesign, removal of Bass Pro Shops logo, cleaner rear end of the car. A+

Tony Stewart #14 Rush Truck Stops/Mobil 1 Chevy SS–Slight redesign, removal of Bass Pro Shops logo, cleaner rear end of the car. A+

Tony Stewart #14 Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS–No Change. C+

Brian Vickers #14 Janssen Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, simple curve replaces the wave pattern from 2015. A+

Brian Vickers #14 TaxAct Millitary Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, similar to TaxAct but with camouflage motif. C+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #15

Clint Bowyer #15 Five-Hour Energy Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, the front stripe has been moved up to the top of the side, and the roof matches with the design. A+

Clint Bowyer #15 Peak Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, Blue with white geometrical designs on side. A+

Clint Bowyer #15 Visine Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, same as 5-Hour Energy, but with black, white, and blue color scheme. B+

Clint Bowyer #15 Aaron’s Chevy SS–No Change. A+

ROUSH-FEWNAY RACING #16

Greg Bffle #16 Cheez-its Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, stripe has been extended down tot he bottom of the car, some slight rearangment of the crackers on the side of the car. A+

Greg Biffle #16 KFC Nashville Hot Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2016, all red with fire designs on quarter panel, and KFC stripes on roof. A+

Greg Biffle #16 Kleen Performance Products Ford Fusion–No Change. B+

Greg Biffle #16 Roush Performance Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, black with red and white check pattern design on side. A+

ROUSH-FEWNAY RACING #17

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion–No Change. A

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Ford Eco-Boost Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, much simpler design, with red added on top. B+

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Sunny D Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, orange front, rainbow sunburst pattern across sides, blue hood, roof, and decklid. F

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Zest Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, much simper design, with soap motif. C+

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, based on Darrell Waltrip’s 1975 scheme. A+

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

JOE GIBBS RACING #18

Kyle Busch #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy SS–Slight redesign for 2015, stripes are wider, black stripe on bottom gone. F

Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Toyota Camry–No Change. A+

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2016, similar to 2014 scheme, but with vintage characters to celebrate M&M’s 75th anniversary. A+

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Throwback Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2016, vintage look with vintage characters, yellow, with brown letters. A+

Kyle Busch #18 Banfield Pet Hospital Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, blue with diagonal logo on hood, EKG motif on sides, injured cute pet pictures on quarter panel. A+

Kyle Busch #18 Pedigree Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2016, green is brighter, side and hood logos are larger, and blue stripe on bottom has been removed. A+

JOE GIBBS RACING #19

Carl Edwards #19 Stanley Toyota Camry–No Change. B+

Carl Edwards #19 Stanley Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, logos are bigger, outlines are bolder. A

Carl Edwards #19 Subway Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2016, green replaces black, box motif replaces stripe motif. B+

Carl Edwards #19 Comcast Business Toyota Camry–No Change. D-

Carl Edwards #19 Xfinity Toyota Camry–No Change. B-

JOE GIBBS RACING #20

Matt Kenseth #20 Dollar General Toytota Camry–Slight redesign for 2016, black stripe across bottom now gone. A+

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt USA Toyota Camry–No Change. A+

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry–No Change. A+

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

TEAM PENSKE #22

Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change D

Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion–No Change. D

Joey Logano #22 Auto Trader Ford Fusion–No Change. D-

Joey Logano #22 AAA of Southern California Ford Fusion–No Change. D

Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, all yellow, with some lighter yellow geometrical designs across car. A+

BK RACING #23

David Ragan #23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2016, white hood, different designs on sides. B+

David Ragan #23 Sweet Frog Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, green and pink stripes across sides, white hood with Sweet Frog logo. F

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue with white stripes across side which start at brake duct. A+

Chase Elliott #24 3M Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, black and white replaces silver, extra geometrical designs on sides. B+

Chase Elliott #24 Kelly Blue Book Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, same basic color scheme but gold has been removed. Scheme has been redesigned into a more haphazardly designed stripe pattern. C+

Chase Elliot #24 Sun Energy Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black background with solar flare inspired design fades to blue towards wheel well, and finishes with red gradient on back. F

Chase Elliott #24 Dewcision Mountain Dew Baja Blast Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with blue trident inspired design on sides, oval design on roof, and Vortex design on hood. D-

BK RACING #26

Robert Richardson #26 Stalk It Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, black with large blue and white stripe across sides, and Stalk It logos on hood and sides. A+

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #27

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Moen Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, black front, extending into Menard’s template, yellow rear. B-

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Peak Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, redesigned to match Clint Bowyer’s Peak Chevy. A+

Paul Menard #27 Valvoline/Menard’s Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, follows new Menard’s template, white Valvoline front, yellow Menard’s rear. F

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Dutch Boy Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, Menard’s template, with peeling blue and white paint design. F

Paul Menard #27 Richmond/Menard’s Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, same basic color scheme with new Menard’s template. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/FVP Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, New Menard’s template with FVP colors. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Libman Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, Menard’s 2016 template with green Libman motif on front, Menard’s on back. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Rockstar Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, Menard’s template with black Rockstar front. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Tarkett Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, Menard’s template with blue front for Tarkett. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Duracel Chevy SS–No Change. A+

THE MOTORSPORTS GROUP #30

Josh Wise #30 Toyota Camry-Plain white with blue, black, and white numbers. A+

Josh Wise #30 Toyota Camry-Plain black with blue, black, and white numbers. A+

Josh Wise #30 Crawfest/City of New Braunfels Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, same as all black with Crawfest/City of New Braunfels logo on hood. A+

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31

Ryan Newman #31 Cat Chevy SS–Slight redesign for 2016, yellow stripes are narrower, and hood logo is slightly larger. A+

Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy SS–No change. B +

Ryan Newman #31 Wix Filters Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, one large multi-colored stripe replaces the multi-stripe on the sides, design extends to hood. F

GO FAS RACING #32

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Can-Am/Kappa Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, black, green, and yellow, with a series of geometrical designs across whole car. F

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Keen Parts/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2016, black, white, and yellow, with a series of geometrical designs across whole car. F

Bobby Labonte #32 C&J Energy Services Ford Fusion–No Change. F

Joey Gase #32 JT Concrete Inc Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, white with blue and white lettering. A+

Joey Gase #32 Donate Life Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, all white with Donate Life logo on hood, and Allo-Source logo on quarter panels. A+

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Visone/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, same as Corvette Parts. F

FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #34

Chris Buescher #34 Love’s Truck Stops Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, Front Row Template has been reversed, red replaces back as secondary color. A+

Chris Buescher #34 Dockside Logistics Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, all white with Dockside Logistics logos on sides and hood. A+

Chris Buescher #34 CSX Play it Safe Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

Chris Buescher #34 A&W Ford Fusion–No Change.  A+

FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #35

David Gilliland #35 Ford Fusion-White with black and red letters. A+

FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #38

Landon Cassill #38 Florida Lottery Ford Fusion–No Change. C+

Landon Cassill #38 FR8 Auctions Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

Landon Cassill #38 MDS Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, all white with MDS logos on sides and hood. A+

Landon Cassill #38 Snap Fitnaess Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, all red with Snap Fitness logos on sides and hood. A+

HILLMAN RACING #40

Reed Sorenson #40 CRC Brakleen Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, black replaces red as primary color. D-

STEWART-HAAS RACING #41

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Energy Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with yellow and white numbers and lettering. A+

Kurt Busch #41 Haas Automation Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, red front, fades to black rear end. A+

Kurt Busch #41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, red front, fades to black rear end. A+

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as Monster Energy, but with Haas on rear. A+

Kurt Busch #41 State Water Heaters Chevy SS–No Change. B+

Kurt Bush #41 Hass VF1/Monster Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, similar in design to Danica’s Brownie scheme, with Haas VF1 on hood, with stripes fading to black and Monster rear. B+

CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42

Kyle Larson #42 Target Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, vertical fade from red to white replaces side fade from 2015. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43

Aric Almirola #43 Smithfield Ford Fusion–Slight redesign for 2016, roof numbers turn from yellow to red. B+

Aric Almiroa #43 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, same basic scheme, but with more lightning. A+

Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2014, STP colors with stripes that correspond to the door logos. B-

Aric Almirola #43 Waffle House Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, yellow replaces patriotic motif. D-

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #44

Brian Scott #44 Twisted Tea Ford Fusion–Aside from the number change, no significant changes for 2016. A

Brian Scott #44 Albertsons’s Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, all blue with white hood. A+

Brian Scott #44 Vonn’s Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, same as Albertson’s, but with Vonn’s on the hood.. A+

Brian Scott #44 Goody’s Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, blue with a honeycomb pattern, with yellow stripes on bottom and front. B+

Brian Scott #44 Go Bowling Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, bowling ball motif returns, blue sides, and white lettering. A+

Brian Scott #44 Albertson’s/Tom Thumb Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2016, Tom Thumb debuts on sides, other than that, same as Albertson’s. A+

Brian Scott #44 Shore Lodge Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, same as 2015 scheme, but with side stripe removed, and Petty door design on sides. C+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS–No Change. A+

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, all red with white front. A+

Michal Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J/Battle of Bristol Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as white design, but with Battle of Bristol on hood. A+

JTG DAUGHERTY RACING #47

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Stoffer’s/Lean Cuisine Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, same as Kroger/Scott, minus the stars. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Scott Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as Kroger/Scott, minus the stars. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Food For Less Chevy SS–No Change. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Louisiana Hot Sauce Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, dark red, with flames on sides. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Coffee Mate/Butterfinger Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as Kroger, but with Coffee Mate and Butterfinger logos on sides and hood. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Baked Beans Chevy SS–No Change. B+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #48

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Chevy SS–Slight redesign for 2016, stripes are narrower, and hood logo is slightly forward. C-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Chevy SS–Slight redesign for 2016, stripes are narrower, and hood logo is slightly forward. C-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Pro Services–Slight redesign for 2016, stripes are narrower, and hood logo is slightly forward. C-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Superman Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, designed to look like Superman’s suit. A+

Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Red Vest Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, Jimmie Johnson Foundation logo replaces the Lowe’s Template. D-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Chevy SS– New scheme for 2016, same as basic scheme, yellow numbers replace white. B+

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy SS–No Change.  B+

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Pro Services Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as basic scheme, but with yellow door numbers. A+

PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #55

Reed Sorenson #55 Chevy SS-All black with white and blue numbers. A+

CIRCLE SPORT/LEAVINE FAMILY RACING #59

Michael McDowell #59 Thrivent Financial Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, same as #95, with door numbers reversed. B+

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Marin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry–Other than the switch from Chevy to Toyota, there are no major changes. A+

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Auto Owner’s Insurance Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, vertical fade from bottom to top, light blue fades up to dark blue. A+

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, orange with trace amounts of black and camo. F

BK RACING #83

Michael Waltrip #83 Maxwell House Toyota Camry–No Change. A+

Matt DiBendetto #83 Sewanee University Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, blue with white and gold logos on quarter panels, gold stripe on bottom, blue designs on side. B+

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Cosmo Motors Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2016, all black with Cosmo Motors logos on sides and hood. A+

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Schluter Systems Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, cream top, with stripes, and a waffle design on the bottom. D-

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Cosmo Motors Toyota Camry–No Change. C-

Matt DiBenedetto #83 RMC Events Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, black top, white zig-zag line separating black top from red bottom. B-

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 TaxSlayer Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, red top and front, white bottom and back, gold designs separate the two. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, reminiscent of old Mountain Dew/Amp Energy scheme. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Axalta Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, red top, fade to yellow bottom, across whole car. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide/Batman Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, designed to look like Batman’s armor. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Grey Ghost Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, based on the Grey Ghost that Buddy Baker used to win the 1980 Daytona 500. A+

Dale Earnhardt #88 Axalta/CarStar Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, same as Axalta, but CarStar is on quarter panel. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Dewcision Chevy SS-New scheme for 2016, black with yellow trident inspired design on sides, oval design on roof, and Vortex design on hood. D-

BK RACING #93

Matt DiBenedetto #93 Dustless Blasting Toyota Camry–No Change. B–

Ryan Ellis #93 Science Logic Toyota Camry–No Change. D+

CIRCLE SPORT/LEAVINE FAMILY RACING #95

Ty Dillon #95 Cheerios Chevy SS–New sponsor and manufacturer for 2016 for Leavine Family Racing, after having merged with Circle Sport, and aligned with RCR. Aside from the new number, and a larger Kroger’s logo, no change. A+

Michael McDowell #95 Thrivent Financial Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, looks similar in design to the 2014, with a black, red, and white color scheme. B+

Michael McDowell #95 K-Love Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, simpler template. A+

Michael McDowell #95 Monte Carlo Casino Chevy SS-New Scheme for 2016, same as WRL Contractors from 2014. A+

Ty Dillon #95 Nexium 24 Chevy SS–Aside from new team, no change. A-

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors/MastiClean Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2016, same as WRL, but with MastiClean leaf motif on quarter panels. B-

PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #98

Cole Whitt #98 Premium Motorsports RTIC Coolers Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, black with RTIC Coolers logo on sides and hood. A+

Cole Whitt #98 Tweaker Energy Chevy SS–No Change. A+

Cole Whitt #98 Speed Stick Chevy SS–No Change. A+

Cole Whitt #98 Rinnai Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2016, all black with Rinnai logos on sides and hood. A+

Cole Whitt #98 Chevy SS-All black with white and blue numbers. A+

Cole Whitt #98 RTIC Coolers Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2016, black with RTIC Coolers logo on sides and hood, with a new hood design. A+

Paint Scheme Grades-April 23, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Kasey Kahne #5 Dewcision Mountain Dew Pitch Black Chevy SS-So Mountain Dew is giving fans the opportunity to bring back one of two flavors, Pitch Black or Baja Blast in a competition called “Dewcision.” They are running three paint schemes to promote it, and all of them are exactly the same except for colors. The color schemes themselves are good, but the design is horrible, and they just look bad, so I give them all a D-.

Kasey Kahne #5 Drive to End Hunger Chevy SS-This is the best Kasey has looked all year! Great design, great color scheme, and a great look. I give it an A+

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Kyle Busch #18 Pedigree Toyota Camry-This was a great scheme last year, and this year, they have improved on it. I didn’t think it could get better, but it has. The removal of the blue stripe, and the color change looks really good, and earns an A+.

Carl Edwards #19 Xfinity Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Chase Elliott #24 Dewcision Mountain Dew Baja Blast Chevy SS-So Mountain Dew is giving fans the opportunity to bring back one of two flavors, Pitch Black or Baja Blast in a competition called “Dewcision.” They are running three paint schemes to promote it, and all of them are exactly the same except for colors. The color schemes themselves are good, but the design is horrible, and they just look bad, so I give them all a D-.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Duracel Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Chris Buescher #34 A&W Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J/Battle of Bristol Chevy SS-Same scheme as white Pilot/Flying J, same A+ grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Pro Services Chevy SS-Proving once again that the yellow door numbers make a difference, the minor change takes a C- scheme up to a B+ scheme.

Matt DiBenedetto #83 RMC Events Toyota Camry-The color scheme is good, but I do not like the zig-zag design. It doesn’t look good. The scheme would look better if the stripe was straight or diagonal. This just looks like a mess. The color scheme gives it a B-.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Dewcision Chevy SS-So Mountain Dew is giving fans the opportunity to bring back one of two flavors, Pitch Black or Baja Blast in a competition called “Dewcision.” They are running three paint schemes to promote it, and all of them are exactly the same except for colors. The color schemes themselves are good, but the design is horrible, and they just look bad, so I give them all a D-.

Ryan Ellis #93 Science Logic Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same D+ grade.

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors/MastiClean Ford Fusion-I HATE the leaf motif on the sides. It’s ugly, contrasts will the color scheme, and just doesn’t look good. The car as a whole looks good, but the quarter panels are awful. B-

Paint Scheme Grades-April 16, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Brad Keselowski #2 Thomas Build Buses Ford Fusion-The Penske Template works very well with red and black. It’s a very solid look, and I have to give it an A+.

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Ranger Boats Chevy SS-Not as bad as I was expecting, though I could do without the orange. The camo actually doesn’t look that bad here. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Throwback Chevy SS– My one complaint about this throwback is that the door numbers don’t extend past the bottom of the blue. The original scheme has the door numbers below the blue, to the point that the blue bottom is the halfway point of the door numbers. Still, I can’t say it’s a horrible look, it is a great throwback. A

Regan Smith #7 Nikko/Road Rippers Alan Kulwicki Throwback Chevy SS-It would be a better throwback if the number was correct, and logos were color coordinated. I’ll be generous and give it a C+.

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Brownies Chevy SS-This is a case of a good design not working well with a color scheme. The brown, blue, and white color scheme is good, the design scheme is good, but they don’t work that well with each other. B-

Brian Vickers #14 TaxAct Millitary Chevy SS-The camo motif doesn’t look good in place of the green, which does look good, and this scheme earns a C+.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Throwback Ford Fusion-The orange looks good, and the overall design is very faithful to the original. It looks really good. A+

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

David Ragan #23 Sweet Frog Toyota Camry-Neon green and hot pink was NEVER a good look, nor will it ever be a good look. I also have to give Sweet Frog credit for finding a shade of green almost as bad as the Seattle Seahawks did. Any other color scheme, and I mean ANY OTHER color scheme would earn this scheme a passing grade, but this deserves an F.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Tarkett Chevy SS-Blue works a lot better with the Menard’s template than I would have thought, and here is a perfect example. The shade of blue contrasts perfectly with the yellow, and earns an A+.

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Visone/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion-Same scheme as Corvette Parts but with a different hood logo. It still looks awful and earns an F

Kurt Bush #41 Hass VF1/Monster Chevy SS-It’s the same basic scheme as Danica’s, but the color scheme is MUCH BETTER! The Haas VF1 logo looks good here too, and the stripe fade to the Monster rear looks good too. I do think that this scheme makes the car look cluttered. I’ll give it a B+.

Brian Scott #44 Go Bowling Ford Fusion-I LOVE the bowling ball motif, and the rest of the scheme looks really good, with a smooth look and a simple design. A+

Brian Scott #44 Albertson’s/Tom Thumb Ford Fusion-Same basic scheme as Albertson’s, same A+ grade.

Brian Scott #44 Shore Lodge Ford Fusion-If the Petty blue was removed, the scheme would work. The contrast of the black with the baby blue door number and door design looks out of place, and takes what could have easily been an A+ down to a C+.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Baked Beans Chevy SS–Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Grey Ghost Chevy SS-One of the more unique designs in the history of NASCAR is faitfully represented here. Earnhardt’s Buddy Baker Throwbacks are good, and I hope the driver suit matches. I will give this the A+ it deserves.

Dale Earnhardt #88 Axalta/CarStar Chevy SS-Same scheme as Axalta, same A+ grade.

Cole Whitt #98 RTIC Coolers Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a really good color scheme will always earn an A+.

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Paint Scheme Grades-April 9, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Jamie McMurray #1 Bad Boy/Beechcraft Chevy SS-Same scheme as Beechcraft, same B+ grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Dow FlexoLyt Chevy SS-Same scheme as Intellifresh, same B- grade.

Regan Smith #7 Fire Alarm Services Chevy SS-Orange on black is a bold design, and the city motif looks really good. It’s subtle and bold at the same time, and that’s hard to do. A+

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Zest Ford Fusion-The simpler design works well, and the bubble motif works with the sponsor, but the color scheme still sucks, and the best I can give it is a C+.

Kyle Busch #18 Banfield Pet Hospital Toyota Camry-While I’m not a fan of the sick pets, the car as a whole is good, with a great color scheme, and a great design scheme. I give it an A+.

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Rockstar Chevy SS-Based on what I’ve seen so far, the new Menard’s template seems to work well with every color, and this scheme is no exception, with the black front working with the yellow as a whole. A+

Josh Wise #30 Crawfest/City of New Braunfels Chevy SS-It’s a simple design, and the hood logo looks really good. A+

Joey Gase #32 Donate Life Ford Fusion-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and a HUGE improvement on last year’s scheme. A+

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

Aric Almirola #43 Waffle House Ford Fusion-The bright yellow and Petty blue just don’t work with each other. They would work independently, but together, they look awful. D-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Chevy SS-I hope the yellow logos stay, because this scheme looks so much better with yellow door numbers than white ones. B+

Reed Sorenson #55 Chevy SS-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and you can’t go wrong with that!. A+

Ty Dillon #95 Nexium 24 Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same grade. A-

Cole Whitt #98 Chevy SS-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and you can’t go wrong with that!. A+

Paint Scheme Grades-April 2, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Regan Smith #7 APC Chevy SS-It’s a good scheme with a smooth look, and a great color scheme. A+

Regan Smith #7 AIPAC Chevy SS-See above. A+

Chase Elliot #24 Sun Energy Chevy SS-Think they overdid this scheme just a bit? Wow! Like most J.J. Abrams films, it has too much flare. F

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Libman Chevy SS-I’ve said that Menard’s templates can be everything from great to awful depending on what color the hood sponsor has. In this case, the template looks good, because the green works very well. A+

Josh Wise #30 Toyota Camry-Not a bad look at all. A+

Brian Scott #44 Von’s Ford Fusion-Same scheme as Albertson’s, same A+ grade.

Brian Scott #44 Goody’s Ford Fusion-Get rid of the yellow scheme B+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Louisiana Hot Sauce Chevy SS-The shade of red really looks good, and the fame motif works well with a hot sauce brand. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Coffee Mate/Butterfinger Chevy SS-Same as Kroger, same A+ grade.

Cole Whitt #98 Rinnai Ford Fusion-It’s a good scheme with a smooth look, and a great color scheme. A+

Paint Scheme Grades-March 19, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Denny Hamlin #11 SportClips Toyota Camry–Same scheme as last year, same C- grade.

Brian Vickers #14 Janssen Chevy SS-I didn’t think this scheme could get any better…but it has! A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/FVP Chevy SS-Another instance of the Menard’s template working very well with a color scheme. A+

Ryan Newman #31 Wix Filters Chevy SS–I didn’t think this scheme could get any worse…but it has! F

Joey Gase #32 JT Concrete Inc Ford Fusion-Great color scheme, and a great design scheme will always earn an A+.

Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion– A downgrade from last year’s great throwback scheme, the pointless door design becomes part of the paint scheme. I don’t think it looks great, but it isn’t awful. B-

AJ Allmendinger #47 Food For Less Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year,A+ same grade.

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Cosmo Motors Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same C- grade.

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Paint Scheme Grades-March 12, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 AAA Chevy SS-Simiar in design to Robert Hight’s funny car, which looks great, but with needless extra designs, and rearranged colors takes a B+ scheme down to a D+.

Regan Smith #7 Chevy SS-A smooth look and a great color scheme, no complaints here! A+

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Paul Menard #27 Richmond/Menard’s Chevy SS-The new Menard’s template can be temperamental, but this color scheme works very well. Black works well with Menard’s and the scheme earns an A+.

Chris Buescher #34 Dockside Logistics Ford Fusion-A smooth look and a great color scheme, no complaints here! A+

Chris Buescher #34 CSX Play it Safe Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Landon Cassill #38 Snap Fitnaess Ford Fusion-Great color scheme with a smooth design will always earn an A+.

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS-The shade of red works well, and the overall design looks great, and earns an A+.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Fry’s Chevy SS-Same basic scheme as last year same A+ grade.

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Cosmo Motors Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look with a great color scheme, and a HUGE improvement over last year. A+

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Schluter Systems Toyota Camry-The look is an odd one. The two designs clash a little with each other, and the stripes are dizzying. The color scheme is decent, but that can’t save it from a D-.

Cole Whitt #98 Speed Stick Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-March 5, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Intellifresh Chevy SS-Same scheme as Dow Energy and Water, same B- grade.

Regan Smith #7 Nikko Street Bratz Chevy SS-Much too over designed, and with a mediocre paint scheme to boot. F

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Ford Eco-Boost Ford Fusion-The red on top is an amazing improvement, the car just looks better than it did in 2015. Still, the design is a little overdone, but I’ll give it a B+.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Sunny D Ford Fusion-Hmm…let’s see how many different colors and design schemes we can put into car until it will make you motion sick while you are standing still. This car is beyond over designed, and it looks AWFUL! F

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Dutch Boy Chevy SS-What better way to promote the quality of your paint than by running a scheme showing it chipping off the side of the car. I’m giving it an F just for that!

Landon Cassill #38 MDS Ford Fusion– It’s a simple, smooth and great scheme with a great color scheme. A+

Aric Almiroa #43 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion-It’s the same basic scheme from 2015, with lightning added, which is a great look too. A+

Michael McDowell #95 Monte Carlo Casino Chevy SS-Same scheme as WRL Contractors, same A+ grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-February 27, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Danica Patrick #10 Aspen Dental Chevy SS-The scheme has gone from somewhat ugly to really ugly in a hurry. The designs are all wrong, the colors don’t work, and the whole car looks as though it was designed by second grades. F

Clint Bowyer #15 Aaron’s Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Greg Biffle #16 Roush Performance Ford Fusion-This new scheme keeps the great color scheme of last years’ but with a brand new design that is as bold, but nowhere near as bad. The design and color scheme work very well, and earn an A+.

Paul Menard #27 Valvoline/Menard’s Chevy SS-Another instance where the color scheme and template just don’t work. The old Menard’s Template with the hood design carrying the front sponsor was quite good, but with Valvoline, the car just looks bad, and it just doesn’t work. F

Landon Cassill #38 FR8 Auctions Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Matt DiBendetto #83 Sewanee University Toyota Camry-The color scheme is great, but the blue designs on the side are pointless, and make the car look cluttered. If those designs were removed, I would give it an A, but the best I can give this design is a B+.

Cole Whitt #98 Tweaker Energy Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-February 13, 2016

By David G. Firestone

Jamie McMurray #1 Sherwin Williams Chevy SS-The scheme from last year has had some slight changes, but it’s still a solid B+ scheme. I do like the 150th anniversary logo on the hood.

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Chevy SS-Much better looking scheme than last year, looks very good. Love the new design scheme. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 SKF Ford Fusion-A great look. The Penske template works quite well with this color scheme. No complaints at all. A+

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion-A new scheme that works very well. The color scheme is really good, and the subtle checkered flag motif works well. A+

Clint Bowyer #15 Visine Chevy SS-This is a case where the design scheme doesn’t work with the color scheme. It’s not a horrible look, but it’s not great. B+

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Throwback Toyota Camry-Great look, great color scheme, great design, A+

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

Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Fusion-What a difference a year makes. Pennzoil had a horrible scheme last year, and they redeem themselves with this great scheme. Pennzoil has a great shade of yellow, and the design scheme looks really good too. A+

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Can-Am/Kappa Ford Fusion-We have a new leader in the
“ Worst Template” category. Go FAS always over-designs their cars, and they’ve gone above and beyond with their new template. The color scheme is horrible, and the deigns scheme is even worse. I wish I could go lower than an F, but I can’t.

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Keen Parts/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion-See above. F

Reed Sorenson #40 CRC Brakleen Chevy SS-It’s amazing how changing the primary color from red to black can take an A scheme down to a D-.

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Chevy SS-Same scheme as Monster Energy, same A+ grade.

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS–Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Scott Chevy SS-Taking away the stars from last year makes a great scheme even better. A+

AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger/Stoffer’s/Lean Cuisine Chevy SS-See above. A+

Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Red Vest Chevy SS-The amalgamation of Red Vest and Jimmie Johnson foundation does NOT look good. The shade of red is the only thing giving it a passing grade, though in this case, a D-.

Michael McDowell #95 K-Love Chevy SS– A+