paint scheme grades – Page 43 – The Driver Suit Blog

2015 Paint Scheme Leaderboard Part 2-Ford

By David G. Firestone

The Executive Paint Scheme Ranking Committee has met for a second time. Alejandro decided to sleep through the proceedings, since he has to sleep for 18 hours a day. Anyway, this week the Committee has voted on Ford’s rankings for 2015, and here they are.

1-FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #35-Rank Last Year:8^th of 17-Front Row’s new team started their existence with a slew of great schemes. All of them are smooth, simple and great.

2-WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21-Rank Last Year:1^st of 17-I thought that the Snap On memories scheme wasn’t as good as it could be,but other than that, The Wood Brothers had a great season.

3-PHIL PARSONS RACING/PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #98-Rank Last Year:10^th of 17-Due to the midseason switch, the #98 will be ranked in Chevy, Ford AND Toyota. Ran a lot of good schemes, except the Xyience scheme, and the modified scheme with sponsors.

4-TEAM PENSKE #2-Rank Last Year:2^nd of 17-Detroit Gasket drags down what could easily have been the top pick for 2015. Other than that, no complaints.

5-PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #62-Rank Last Year:N/A-Due to the midseason switch, the #98 will be ranked in Chevy, and Ford-A lot of solid schemes, though Vydrox and Low T Central were a bit too much.

6-FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #38-Rank Last Year:11^th of 17-While there weren’t a lot of new schemes, the new ones, as well as the camo schemes were not great.

7-LEVINE FAMILY RACING #95-Rank Last Year:5^th of 17-Another top contender ruined by one scheme, this one Larry the Lobster. Other than Larry, the schemes are great.

8-FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #34-Rank Last Year:6^th of 17-Front Row uses a template that usually works well, but modifying for Bully Hill didn’t work, and no escape was a disaster.

9-RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43-Rank Last Year:4^th of 17-The Nathan’s color scheme does not work well with the Petty color scheme, and the Fresh From Florida scheme is awful. The majority of schemes are good though.

10-ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #16-Rank Last Year:17^th of 17-3M leaving was the best thing that happened to Greg Biffle, especially on this list, though Pinkwashing, Safety Kleen, and Jardiance do drag it down.

11-ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17-Rank Last Year:12^th of 17-Zest and EcoBoost are awful, and dragged Ricky out of a top spot.

12-ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6-Rank Last Year:N/A-Camo and Pinkwashing kill a great rank, including one of my favorite throwbacks outside of Jeff Gordon’s.

13-GO GREEN RACING #32-Rank Last Year:16^th of 17-The most different paint schemes of any team in 2015, they ranged from amazing, a great throwback, to vomit inducing.

14-RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #9-Rank Last Year:13^th of 17-Like Go Green, the #9 ran a lot of paint schemes, some were great, but many were awful. I really hope whoever drives the #9 next year helps tone it down.

15-TEAM PENSKE #22-Rank Last Year:14^th of 17-The Mario Andretti throwback, and the Helio Castroneves mockup were great, but sadly, those were the only highlights of the season for the 22 crew.

Next week, The Toyota Leaderboard! See you soon!

2015 Paint Scheme Leaderboard Part 1-Chevy

By David G. Firestone

It’s that time of year, so, here we are again, ranking the Chevy paint schemes. The Executive Paint Scheme Ranking Committee, consisting of myself and my cat Alejandro have ranked all 24 of Chevy’s paint schemes. Alejandro was of little use, having found a catnip toy. Anyway, with no further ado, the Chevy Paint Scheme Leaderboard for 2015

1-FURNITURE ROW RACING #78-Rank Last Year:5^th of 25-Black matte with orange numbers works. The ovarian cancer theme is very justifiable, as Truex’s wife is dealing with ovarian cancer. The #78 has earned the top spot.

2-JTG DAUGHTERY RACING #47-Rank Last Year: 10^th of 25-A lot of great looks, but Bush’s kept them out of the top spot in Chevy.

3-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24-Rank Last Year: 11th of 25-Jeff’s last season in NASCAR was one of his best looking. The Penn State Scheme kept Jeff from taking the top spot, but a solid season nonetheless.

4-STEWART-HAAS RACING #4-Rank Last Year:2^nd of 25-Kevin had a great season, though the disaster that is Hunt Brothers Pizza dragged his ranking from 2^nd, possibly first to Fourth in the Chevy Leaderboard.

5-PHIL PARSONS RACING/PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #98-Rank Last Year: N/A-Due to the midseason switch, the #98 will be ranked in Chevy, Ford AND Toyota. Ran a lot of good schemes, except the Xyience scheme, and the modified scheme with sponsors.

6-PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #62-Rank Last Year:N/A-Due to the midseason switch, the #98 will be ranked in Chevy, and Ford-A lot of solid schemes, though Vydrox and Low T Central were a bit too much.

7-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #25-Rank Last Year: N/A-Chase Elliott, who is taking over for Jeff Gordon in 2016, used the #25 to get some Cup experience. The NAPA scheme by itself is not bad, but the fauxback Bill Elliott scheme is a disaster.

8-CIRCLE SPORT RACING #33-Rank Last Year:16th of 25-Science Logic and Pinkwashing derailed what was otherwise a great looking year for Circle Sport.

9-HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #51-Rank Last Year:5^th of 25-If the car is running a Brandt scheme it looks good, anything else looks terrible.

10-HILLMAN-SMITH MOTORSPORTS #40-Rank Last Year:14^th of 25-The schemes were all over the place this year, but this team has had a lot of good looks.

11-CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42-Rank Last Year:8^th of 25-The plaid, Energizer, camo and Clorox sank them this season, otherwise they looked really good.

12-RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #27-Rank Last Year:15^th of 25-Part of the problem of using a template is that it can backfire on you, and that is exactly what has happened here. The Menard’s template works well with some color schemes, but terribly with others. The Pittsburgh Paints scheme is horrible by itself.

13-RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #33-Rank Last Year:16^th of 25-White Tail Lodge, Spongebob, and Kraft dragged down an otherwise great season.

14-HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46-Rank Last Year:N/A-A lot of good schemes and a lot of bad schemes is the story of the #46 season.

15-RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3-Rank Last Year:21^st of 25- Some great schemes, but the bad schemes dragged down the final grade.

16-CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #1-Rank Last Year:5^th of 25-McDonalds was either great or awful. Add a pinkwashing scheme, Bass Pro Shops, and Bad Boy Buggies, and they are ranked much lower than they should be.

17-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5-Rank Last Year:23^rd of 25-When Kasey has a good scheme, it is still mediocre, and he didn’t have a great scheme all year.

18-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #48-Rank Last Year:1^st of 25-Completely changing their look dragged down Jimmie’s grade. On a separate note, I do think the yellow tribute numbers should stay, since they look better than the white numbers.

19-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88-Rank Last Year:7^th of 25-With the exception of Dewshine, everything that Mountain Dew ran was average to awful. Nationwide is decent, but Halo was awful.

20-STEWART-HAAS RACING #14-Rank Last Year:19^th of 25-Not much change in terms of sponsors. In terms of car design, there were a lot of changes this year. But with the exception of Rush’s, they were all mediocre to awful.

21-TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7-Rank Last Year: 20^th of 25-The car looks so much better without a sponsor on average, it isn’t even funny.

22-TEAM XTREME RACING #44-Rank Last Year:25^th of 25-Not even the addition of Golden Corral could save Team Xtreme Racing. I’m glad I don’t have to see that Phoenix Warehouse scheme anymore!

23-STEWART-HAAS RACING #10-Rank Last Year: 24^th of 25-Hideous design, awful color choices, and pinkwashing…need I say more?

24-PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #66-Rank Last Year:N/A-Another example of when a car looks so much better without a sponsor on average, it isn’t even funny.

25-GERMAIN RACING #13-Rank Last Year:22^nd of 25- No redeeming schemes at all here.

26-STEWART-HAAS RACING #41-Rank Last Year:3^rd of 25-Due to the driver’s actions toward his then girlfriend at Dover, the #41 has earned the bottom ranking.

Next Week, We do The Ford Leaderboard… See you then!

Paint Scheme Grades-November 28, 2015

By David G. Firestone

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plain Chevy SS-I really hope the plaid thing is done with, because these cars are brutal to look at. D-

Ryan Preece #98 Mowhawk/East West Marine Chevy SS-The sponsorship destroys an otherwise solid scheme, taking it from an A to a B+.

With that, my winter sabbatical begins. I will occasionally update the tracker and grades, but for the most part, I’m going to decompress, and enjoy the holiday season. The paint scheme leaderboard will go ahead as planned. I want to thank you for another successful year, and see you in 2016!

The 3rd Annual Paint Scheme Awards!

By David G. Firestone

For the end of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season, the Paint Schemies have returned! The Schemies will reveal the best,and worst paint schemes of 2015. I’ve eliminated the exhibition and improved categories for 2015, with exhibition replaced by throwback paint scheme.This was done using the Driver Suit Blog executive committee for paint scheme analysis and consists of me and Driver Suit Blog assistant, my cat Alejandro, and uses the following standards:

Color Scheme:How the colors look, and how they work with each other.

Overall Design:How good the design itself looks, is there too much, or not enough.

Primary Sponsor Logos: How the primary sponsor logos look on the car

Originality: How original is the scheme.

All of the above can work for or against a scheme, and all will be taken into consideration.

Let’s get the bad paint scheme awards out of the way.

First, the Paint Schemie Award for Worst Regular Season Single Paint Scheme .

The nominees are:

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Lyons Financial Ford Fusion

Matt DiBenedetto #83 Voodoo Grills Toyota Camry

The Schemie Award for Worst Regular Season Single Paint Scheme goes to…

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Lyons Financial Ford Fusion

The next award is for Worst Paint Scheme Set, meaning the team that is running consistently bad schemes all year. The nominees are:

GERMAIN RACING #13 CHEVY SS

TEAM PENSKE #22 FORD FUSION

BK RACING #26 TOYOTA CAMRY

PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #66

The The winner of the Award For Worst Scheme Set of 2015 goes to…

GERMAIN RACING #13 CHEVY SS

The next Paint Schemie Award is for Throwback Paint Schemes. This category is a little different, as the Schemies will go to the best and worst throwback. For 2015, the nominees for Worst Throwback Paint Scheme are…

Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Fauxback Chevy SS

Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Throwback Toyota Camry

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Winn Dixie Throwback Ford Fusion

The Schemie for Worst Throwback Paint Scheme of 2015 goes to…

Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Fauxback Chevy SS

Now after talking about the bad, we discuss the good. Here are the winners in the best category…

First, the Paint Schemie Award for Best Regular Season Single Paint Scheme.

Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/McDonald’s Chevy SS

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion

Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry

Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Toyota Camry

Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry

Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft/Quicklane Ford Fusion

Jeff Gordon #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy SS

David Ragan #34 CSX Ford Fusion

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Windows 10 Chevy SS

And the winner of the Paint Schemie Award for Best Regular Season Single Paint Scheme is…

Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft/Quicklane Ford Fusion

The next category is best throwback, and it should come as no surprise that the competition was strong this year.

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Mark Martin Throwback Ford Fusion

Clint Bowyer #15 Buddy Baker Throwback Toyota Camry

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Cargil David Pearson Throwback Ford Fusion

Jeb Burton #23 Estes Cat Throwback Toyota Camry

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy SS

Josh Wise #32 Beer Frost/Corvetteparts.com Tide Throwback Ford Fusion

Mike Bliss #33 Harry Gant Throwback Chevy SS

Kyle Larson #42 Mello Yello Chevy SS

Aric Almirola #43 STP 1972 Throwback Ford Fusion

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Valvoline Buddy Baker Throwback Chevy SS

The Schemie for Best Throwback of 2015 goes to…

Clint Bowyer #15 Buddy Baker Throwback Toyota Camry

The final award of 2014 is the Paint Schemie for Best Paint Scheme Set of 2015. The nominees are:

TEAM PENSKE #2 FORD FUSION

JOE GIBBS RACING #11 TOYOTA CAMRY

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15 TOYOTA CAMRY

JOE GIBBS RACING #20 TOYOTA CAMRY

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21 FORD FUSION

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24 CHEVY SS

RAB RACING #29 TOYOTA CAMRY

FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #35 FORD FUSION

JTG DAUGHTERY RACING #47 CHEVY SS

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78 CHEVY SS

PHIL PARSONS RACING/PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #98

The Schemie goes to…

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78 CHEVY SS

Now for my annual top 10 list, this year, we are looking at the 10 worst paint schemes of all time…

10. Tony Stewart 2011 #14 El Monterey/Office Depot Chevy Impala-Dark red, Petty blue, and gold do not work as a color scheme.

9.Jimmie Johnson 2013 #48 Yellow Lowe’s Chevy SS-As awful as this scheme is, at least he didn’t wear a yellow uniform, or he would look like a peep, though I do like the chrome helmet.

8. AJ Allmendinger 2003 #51 Neil Bonnett Tribute Chevy SS-This scheme worked in 1994, and really should have stayed there. Also, you couldn’t have used throwback door numbers?

7. Marty Robbins 1978 #42 Marty Robbins Dodge-As deomnstrated above, pink and yellow is NOT a good color scheme.

6. Any paint scheme run by Travis Pastrana in NASCAR-This is just a representation, but anything Travis Pastrana has driven in NASCAR is awful.

5. Brian Keselowsk 2014 #52 Support Millitary Toyota Camry-There is a reason this scheme won the Worst Single Scheme Schemie for two years in a row.

4. Jeff Green 2003 #43 Yu-Gi-Oh Cheerios Dodge Avenger-”Hey! NASCAR fans really like Yu-Gi-Oh, so we should advertise to them” said no one ever.

3. Various Teams 2007 57 Chevy Monte Carlo-To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the 1957 Chevy, one of the most beautiful cars ever made, Chevy convinced NASCAR to run one of the ugliest paint schemes ever run.

2. Kenny Irwin 1997 #27 Tonka/Winner’s Circle Ford Thunderbird-I really think, given the sponsor, a 9 year old helped design this car.

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2000 #3 Peter Max Chevy Monte Carlo-I was a die hard Dale Earnhardt Sr. fan since watching my first race, the 1990 Twin 125’s. I loved that black #3 with the silver stripe on the bottom. For what would be his last race, Dale raced this car, which looks like a clown threw up all over it. I have yet to find a Dale Sr. fan who will defend this scheme. At least he didn’t wear a matching driver suit.
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Paint Scheme Grades-November 14, 2015

We have a 2016 paint scheme…

Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-This is a good look, I like the large X behind the door numbers, and the color scheme is really good too. A+

Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS-Much improved design from 2015, much smoother and simpler look. I give it an A+.

Casey Mears #13 Geico Millitary Chevy SS-While I support the troops, I grade tribute schemes on the same scale as any other scheme. In this case, this does not look good. It’s the Geico design, but with a black and camo motif. It looks forced, and awkward. F

Now on to the 2015 schemes…

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Plastic Additives Chevy SS-I like the design here. The plastic particle design does look good, and combined with a great color scheme earns an A+.

Austin Dillon #3 Bad Boy Buggies Chevy SS– Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Tribute Chevy SS-It’s a decent tribute, but a tribute based on an F scheme.

Greg Biffle #16 Jardiance Ford Fusion-Yellow, white, and teal doesn’t work, and the design is over done. As a result, it earns an F.

JJ Yeley #23 Overture Toyota Camry-I HATE ORANGE AND BLUE! I will scream that from the mountains! The design might work if it were a fade, then I could give it a C, but the zigzag design is horrible, and I can’t give it better than an F.

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta/Service King Chevy SS-Same as Axalta, same A+ grade.

Ryan Newman #31 CAT Command Chevy SS-This is one of the few designs that works perfectly. I love the look, it’s unique, and the circular design on the rear wheel is great. I give it an A+.

Kyle Fowler #32 Corvette Parts Pink Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F. Thank God October is over!

Joey Gase #32 Zak Ford Fusion-Great color and design schemes will always earn an A.+

Joey Gase #32 R Factor 2 Ford Fusion-Not even a great color scheme can save this over designed mess of a paint scheme from a passing grade. F

Brett Moffitt #34 Visit Dallas Ford Fusion-Great color and design schemes will always earn an A.

Cole Whitt #35 Moen Ford Fusion-One of the few schemes where it has a great color scheme and a great design scheme, but for some reason, they don’t work together. Still, I will give it a B+.

Landon Cassill #40 Fiberlock Chevy SS-Too many contrasting shades of green, the shamrock motif is awful, and the whole car is overdone. I can’t give this scheme anything but an F.

Landon Cassill #40 Chevy SS-The color scheme is good, but the side design is a bit overdone. I’ll give it a B+.

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

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowes Patriotic Chevy SS-A tad overdone, but a really good patriotic scheme. B+

Justin Allgaier #51 Texas Lottery Chevy SS-This was a bit of a bold attempt, and it worked quite well. I like the stripe design on the sides, it’s bold, and the color scheme works well too. I give it an A+

Michael McDowell #95 TWD Ford Fusion–The design is bit overdone, nothing really bad, and the color scheme works well too. I give it a B+.

Ryan Preece #98 Xyience Energy Ford Fusion-Green, silver, and orange don’t work as a color scheme, and the car is so over designed, it is just hideous. F

Ryan Preece #98 Vydrox Plus Ford Fusion-Same scheme as #62, same A grade.z

Paint Scheme Grades-October 31, 2015

By David G. Firestone

First we have 2016 paint scheme…

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-It’s a smooth look, very good color scheme, and it looks great! It earns an. A+

Now on to 2015 paint schemes…

Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Bad Boy Buggies Pink Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F

Greg Biffle #16 Ford Performance Ford Fusion-It’s a simple design with a great color scheme, and I love the spray design on the door numbers. A+

Carl Edwards #19 Xfinifty Toyota Camry-Let’s be honest, it’s a slightly better redesign of the Great Clips scheme, and even then, it’s only B- level. Too many dark-on-dark designs.

JJ Yeley #26 Adirondack Tree Surgeons Toyota Camry-The mediocre color scheme and insanely overdone design scheme combine to earn an F. There is no part of this scheme I can defend.

Paul Menard #27 Menards/Tarkett Chevy SS-With the Menard’s template, or any template for that matter, some color schemes work, other color schemes don’t. The purple isn’t great, but it isn’t awful. I’ll give it a B+.

Bobby Labonte #32 C&J Energy Services Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Ryan Ellis #33 Science Logic Chevy SS-A great color scheme and an awful design scheme combine for a D+ grade.

Travis Kvapil #33 Chevy SS-A timeless look with a great color scheme will earn an A+ ever single time.

David Gilliland #38 Jerry Cook Tribute Ford Fusion-Great looking throwbacks will ALWAYS deserve an A+.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-If you paint your car with a houndstooth design and it ends up looking like a picnic table cover, you deserve to get a D-.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-Plaid doesn’t look good on clothes, and it looks even worse on race cars. The only thing saving this scheme is a good color scheme. D-

Michael Annett #46 Flying J/PJ Fresh Chevy SS-Good color scheme, and I LOVE the tomato sauce and pepperoni motif! It looks great and earns an A+.

Timmy Hill #62 Royal Teak Ford Fusion-Royal Teak has had a lot of great color schemes this year, and this is another one. Great color scheme, great design, no complaints. A+

Michael Waltrip #98 Maxwell House Toyota Camry-Same as Clint Bowyer’s Maxwell House Toyota, same A+ grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 17, 2015

By David G. Firestone

First we start with some 2016 paint schemes…

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Chevy SS-As much as I like the color scheme, the new mountain design looks kinda forced, and the face that it eminates from the brake duct doesn’t do it any favors. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS-A brand new design, the old Amp Energy scheme but with Nationwide colors, and I have to say…it works very well. I can’t say anything bad about this scheme. A+

Now on to the 2015 schemes..

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s All Day Breakfast Chevy SS-Black doesn’t work with McDonald’s, red or yellow would work. The design doesn’t remind of McDonald’s either. Nothing works, so I’ll give it an F.

Jamie McMurray #1 HALO 5 Chevy SS-Calling this car over designed would be an understatement. The color scheme doesn’t really fit the design. It earns an F.

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Great Stuff Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Alex Bowman #7 Pink Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Alex Bowman #7 Accell Pink Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Sonic Ford Fusion-Another case of design elements on the side, all of which would work by themselves, but look horrible together. The color scheme is good, but the design kills the color scheme, and earns an F.

Tony Stewart #14 Rush Truck Stops/Arctic Cat Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, same as Rush’s but with Artic Cat on quarter panels. A+

Alex Kennedy #33 Little Joe’s Auto Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Cole Whitt #35 Rich Logistics Ford Fusion-Overall, I like the design, but the grid pattern looks forced. Get rid of that, and it would be a solid A scheme with a great color scheme. The grid takes it down to a B+

David Gilliland #38 Love’s/Tire Pass Ford Fusion-Same as Love’s, same A grade.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Dark Plaid Chevy SS-The dark plaid design works very well, and the black and red color scheme fits the design perfectly. A+

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-It reminds me of an old Cincinatti Red uniform, and while the Reds uniform looked great, this looks…the word “meh” comes to mind. The stripes are way too thin to look good. Still the color scheme is good, and I’ll give it a C-.

Michael Annett #46 TMC Transportation Chevy SS-The Dale Jr. Style lettering works well in yellow, and the black background works well too. I give it an A+

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

Timmy Hill #62 Becker Autos Chevy SS-Simple design, great color scheme, no complaints, A+.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 HALO 5 Chevy SS-Calling this car over designed would be an understatement. While the color scheme does fit the design, the color scheme can’t save the scheme. It earns an F.

Reed Sorenson #98 VIP Racing Experience Ford Fusion-Simple design, great color scheme, no complaints, A+.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 10, 2015

By David G. Firestone

First we have four new 2016 schemes…

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Chevy SS-A mainstay of NASCAR sponsorship, Busch makes its return in 2016, along with Busch Light as the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick’s car. This design, based on a throwback can is great, and I can’t say anything bad about it. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Chevy SS-Based on a Busch Light can, everything I like about Busch also applies here. A+

Marin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry–N o change A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 TaxSlayer Chevy SS-The colors scheme is really good, and the design works well. I like the gold designs and door numbers too. A+

Now on to the 2015 schemes…

Jamie McMurray #1 Naturemade Gummies Chevy SS-No. Redeeming. Features. At. All. F

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Pink Ford Fusion-In keeping with Driver Suit Blog policy, all pinkwashing schemes earn an automatic F.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Walmart/SlimFast Ford Fusion-Same as Walmart scheme, same B- grade.

Greg Biffle #16 Roush Performance Parts Pink Ford Fusion-In keeping with Driver Suit Blog policy, all pinkwashing schemes earn an automatic F.

Kyle Busch #18 Halloween M&M’s Toyota Camry-M&M’s always has top notch M&M’s Halloween schemes, and this scheme is no exception. The color and design work very well, and earn an A+.

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Pink Toyota Camry-In keeping with Driver Suit Blog policy, all pinkwashing schemes earn an automatic F.

Ryan Blaney #21 PPG Automotive Finishes Ford Fusion-Great color scheme, the blue works well, and the paint streaks to the white rear looks really good. A+

Jeb Burton #23 Dr. Pepper Pink Toyota Camry-In keeping with Driver Suit Blog policy, all pinkwashing schemes earn an automatic F.

Brett Moffitt #34 Dockside Logistics Ford Fusion-Great color scheme and great design scheme earns an A+.

Landon Cassill #40 Cars For Sale Pink Chevy SS-In keeping with Driver Suit Blog policy, all pinkwashing schemes earn an automatic F.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-Plaid does not look good on race cars, no matter what. D-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Red Vest Chevy SS-When I first heard about this scheme I thought the red would improve the scheme, but it actually takes a B- scheme down to a C-.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.#88 Nationwide/Plenti Chevy SS-I’m not sure if the Plenti designs are meant to be confetti, butterflies, birds, or what, but they take a B+ scheme down to a C+.

Michael McDowell #95 Thrivent Financial/Habitat For Humanity Ford Fusion-The use of gray can be a minefield, but this works well, and the overall design looks good too. A+

Paint Scheme Grades-September 26, 2015

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevy SS-Same as Daytona scheme, but reversed, same A+ grade.

Jamie McMurray #1 FlirMPX Chevy SS-Bit of a stretch with the color scheme, however, the great design scheme works well, and the scheme as a whole is great. A+

Alex Bowman #7 Road Rippers Chevy SS-Same as Toy State scheme, same D- grade.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Lowes Foods Ford Fusion-I’m not a fan of most shades of green used on race cars these days, but the darker the better. This is a shade of green that works quite well, and the scheme is good too, so it earns an A+

Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Pink Chevy SS-It’s that time of year again, pinkwashing time. The whole idea of putting pink on everything during the month of October has run its course, so I will continue to fail any scheme that follows, like this scheme. F

Jeff Gordon #24 Ride With Jeff Chevy SS-557 people paid $124 to have their name put on the hood of Jeff’s car and this solid A+ scheme is the result.

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Final Race Chevy SS-I’m glad Axalta decided to do something unique for Jeff Gordon’s final full-time race at Homestead. Originally, it was going to be the same Axalta scheme he ran all season, but this one works well too. I have to give it an A+

Josh Wise #32 Beer Frost/Skuttle Tight Ford Fusion-This is a nod to the Tide Ride throwback, and I hope they don’t change it! That is a great shade of orange, the numbers look great, and the scheme earns an A+.

Cole Whitt #35 Taco Bell Ford Fusion-The Taco Bell scheme worked well on the #34 last year, and it works well on the #35 this year. A+

Kyle Larson #42 Linksys Plaid Chevy SS-Target is going all in on plaid this year, since apparently, it’s the next big thing in fashion. That said, this car needs work. The tan plaid is too light, and the design is mediocre at best. I like the color scheme, so I’ll give it a B-.

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

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowes/Hitachi Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, same as Lowe’s. B-

David Ragan #55 Aaron’s Partners Of The Year Toyota Camry-Same scheme as Aaron’s, but with their partners of the year on the hood. A+

Ryan Preece #98 Chevy SS-Now if I really have to explain why this is a great scheme, you probably haven’t been paying attention. This is as perfect a throwback as can be! A+

Paint Scheme Grades-September 19, 2015

Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Make It Home Chevy SS-I’m considering this a throwback, since it reminds me of Kenny Schrader’s scheme from his Hendrick days. It looks great, and earns an A+.

Alex Bowman #7 Jewel-Osco Chevy SS-The color scheme is good, the design is good, but those stripes on the door number kill an A+ scheme. They serve no purpose, and are not part of Jewel-Osco’s color scheme, and take the scheme down to a B-.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Go Bowling/Draft Kings Ford Fusion-Same as Medallion Bank, same B+ grade.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Walmart Ford Fusion-Not a bad scheme, color is great, but the design needs some work, as it looks forced, and doesn’t work. B-

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Cargil Ford Fusion-See Walmart Above. B+

Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s/American Hertiage Toyota Camry-Same as M&M’s Crispy same B- grade.

Jeffery Earnhardt #32 Beer Frost/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion-Same as Corvette Parts, same F grade.

Mike Bliss #33 Harry Gant Throwback Chevy SS– Based on Harry Gant’s Skoal Bandit scheme he raced through much of his career, I couldn’t say anything bad about this scheme with a gun to my head. A+

David Gilliland #38 Love’s Truck Stops/Children’s Miracle Network Ford Fusion-Same as Love’s Truck Stops, same A grade.

Aric Almirola #43 Waffle House Ford Fusion– Same scheme as last year, same B- grade,

Timmy Hill #62 Champion Machinery Chevy SS-The plain scheme with Champion Machienry decasl looks good, and earns an A+.

Michael McDowell #95 WRL Contractors Ford Fusion– It’s amazing how much better this scheme looks without the Larry the Lobster crap on it. It takes the scheme up to an A+.