Category: paint scheme grades

Paint Scheme Grades-May 18, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Throwback Chevy Camaro-Not a bad look, but the use of a more modern logo as opposed to the vintage Busch logo is a downgrade. C

Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Throwback Chevy Camaro-YES! YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES! I love a good Dale Sr throwback, and this is a great Dale SR Throwback. A

Josh Berry #4 Harrison’s Throwback Ford Mustang-The throwback look really doesn’t work with the Gen 7 car. It’s not bad, but not great. C

Kyle Larson #5 Hendrickcars.com Throwback Chevy Camaro-I love this look. The first stock car I ever saw in person was a Terry Labonte 1996 show car, so I love this look. A

Brad Keselowski #6 Castrol Throwback Ford Mustang-I like the look, it’s faithfully done, and while I would prefer a John Force look, this is good too. A

Corey LaJoie #7 Razzle Dazzle Throwback Chevy Camaro-I love the faithful look, and the door numbers work better than Spire’s current look. A

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

Chase Briscoe #14 Mahindra Tractors Throwback Ford Mustang-Simple, faithful, good. A

Kaz Grala #15 N29 Capital Partners Throwback Ford Mustang-Now this is a beauty! Vintage Trans-Am looks are always good, and this is a great scheme! A

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry-Cleaning up the sides of the car takes this from a C to an A.

Christopher Bell #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-I honestly have no idea what they were trying to do here, but it just looks odd, and doesn’t work. F

Harrison Burton #21 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Harrison Burton #21 DEX Imaging Throwback Ford Mustang-Another amazing throwback, very faithfully done, this gets an A.

William Byron #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro-Another good throwback, though I would prefer a little older, this is good. A

Michael McDowell #34 Long John Silver’s Throwback Ford Mustang-Not really a throwback, but it’s a solid look. A

Todd Gilliland #38 Gener8tor Skills Accelerator Throwback Ford Mustang-Not the best look, though it is faithful done. C

Ryan Preece #41 United Rentals Throwback Ford Mustang-Good look, well done, I like the color scheme. A

John Hunter Nemechek #42 Family Dollar Throwback Toyota Camry-I like the look, it works well, and this gets an A.

Erik Jones #43 Advent Health Throwback Toyota Camry-I like the look, it works well, and this gets an A.

Tyler Reddick #45 MoneyLion Throwback Toyota Camry-I may have to start a new category based on the most obscure throwback scheme, because this would win. It’s well done and it looks good. A

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 BallPark/Kraft Throwback Chevy Camaro-Lower grade, as I never liked that scheme to begin with, but it isn’t terrible. C

Alex Bowman #48 Ally Financial Throwback Chevy Camaro-I like the Lowe’s schemes that use as little yellow as possible, and this is a good look. A

Zane Smith #71 Focused Health Throwback Chevy Camaro-You could also argue that this is a Bobby Isaac inspired scheme, in any event it looks great! A

Daniel Suarez #99 Quaker State Throwback Chevy Camaro-I like the bold look, it’s a good look, and this gets an A.

2024 Throwback Schemes Ranked

By David G. Firestone

1-Kyle Larson #5 Hendrickcars.com Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Terry Labonte’s Kellogg’s theme. A

I love this look. The first stock car I ever saw in person was a Terry Labonte 1996 show car, so I love this look. A

2-Erik Jones #43 Family Dollar Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2024, based on Richard Petty’s 1980’s STP Pontiac. A

YES! YES! YES! This is a great throwback, done well, looks amazing! This gets an A.

3-Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1998 Bass Pro Shops Monte Carlo. A

YES! YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES! I love a good Dale Sr throwback, and this is a great Dale SR Throwback. A

4-Zane Smith #71 Focused Health Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on a Dave Marcus 1970’s ride. A

You could also argue that this is a Bobby Isaac inspired scheme, in any event it looks great! A

5-Kaz Grala #15 N29 Capital Partners Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on Parnelli Jones’ 1969 Trans-Am Mustang Boss 302. A

Now this is a beauty! Vintage Trans-Am looks are always good, and this is a great scheme! A

6-Harrison Burton #21 DEX Imaging Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on Leonard Wood’s car. A

Another amazing throwback, very faithfully done, this gets an A.

7-William Byron #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Jeff Gordon’s 2009 “Firestorm” Chevy. A

Another good throwback, though I would prefer a little older, this is good. A

8-Tyler Reddick #45 MoneyLion Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2024, based on Tim Richmond’s 1982 #29 Fast Company Ltd. Ford. A

I may have to start a new category based on the most obscure throwback scheme, because this would win. It’s well done and it looks good. A

9-Daniel Suarez #99 Quaker State Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Adrian Fernandez’ 2004 Indy 500 ride. A

I like the bold look, it’s a good look, and this gets an A.

10-Brad Keselowski #6 Castrol Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on Castrol TMD’s 1995 Toyota Supra GT. A

I like the look, it’s faithfully done, and while I would prefer a John Force look, this is good too. A

11-John Hunter Nemechek #42 Family Dollar Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2024, based on Richard Petty’s 1950’s ride. A

I like the look, it works well, and this gets an A.

12-Erik Jones #43 Advent Health Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2024, based on Richard Petty’s 1950’s ride. A

I like the look, it works well, and this gets an A.

13-Chase Elliott #9 UniFirst Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 National Guard Chevy SS. A

I like the look, it’s grown on me, and this is a good throwback. A

14-Corey LaJoie #7 Razzle Dazzle Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on the #07 Ford LaJoie won the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 with. A

I love the faithful look, and the door numbers work better than Spire’s current look. A

15-Chase Briscoe #14 Mahindra Tractors Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on the Briscoe family racing heritage. A

Simple, faithful, good. A

16-Ryan Preece #41 United Rentals Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on Preece’s 2013-2014 Modified. A

Good look, well done, I like the color scheme. A

17-Michael McDowell #34 Long John Silver’s Throwback Ford Mustang-New scheme for 2024, based on Long John Silver’s 1970’s branding. A

Not really a throwback, but it’s a solid look. A

18-Alex Bowman #48 Ally Financial Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Jimmie Johnson’s 2003 Lowe’s Chevy. A

I like the Lowe’s schemes that use as little yellow as possible, and this is a good look. A

19-Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Throwback Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2024, throwback logos. C

Not a bad look, but the use of a more modern logo as opposed to the vintage Busch logo is a downgrade. C

20-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 BallPark/Kraft Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, based on Mark Martin’s 2004 Bud Shootout scheme. C

Lower grade, as I never liked that scheme to begin with, but it isn’t terrible. C

21-Josh Berry #4 Harrison’s Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on Rodney Childers 1998 Late Model. C

The throwback look really doesn’t work with the Gen 7 car. It’s not bad, but not great. C

22-Todd Gilliland #38 Gener8tor Skills Accelerator Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2024, based on car Gilliland won in the inaugural CARS Tour Late Model Stock Tour race at Southern National Motorsports Park. C

Not the best look, though it is faithful done. C

Paint Scheme Grades-May 11, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Crocs Chevy Camaro-Too over designed, too ugly. F

Austin Cindric #2 Snap On Ford Mustang-The gray to black motif works, and the red lettering works. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Cardell Cabinetry Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Riley Herbst #15 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang-The green stripe works well, scheme looks great. A

Derek Kraus #16 ProjectWyoming.com Chevy Camaro-It’s bold, unique, and it works. A

Austin Hill #33 United Rentals Chevy Camaro-Taking a bad scheme and making it worse always leads to an F grade.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Minute Rice Chevy Camaro-Taking a great scheme and making it better always leads to an A grade.

Justin Haley #51 Children’s Mercy Hospital Ford Mustang-Pastel doesn’t work with race cars. That said, the design is decent, so this gets a B.

Zane Smith #71 Focused Health Chevy Camaro-Taking a bad scheme and making it worse always leads to an F grade.

Daniel Suárez #99 Choice Privileges Chevy Camaro-The color scheme is bad, and the design is bad, both could possibly work with other designs but this is awful. F

Paint Scheme Grades-May 4, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Austin Cindric #2 Menard’s/Quaker State Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Noah Gragson #10 MillerTech Ford Mustang-Good color scheme, awful design scheme, this gets a C

Denny Hamlin #11 Mavis Tires Toyota Camry-A good look, it isn’t over designed, and this gets an A

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

Bubba Wallace #23 U.S. Air Force Toyota Camry-The Warthog motif ALWAYS looks great! A

Michael McDowell #34 The Pete Store Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Todd Gilliland #38 A&W All American Food Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Ryan Preece #41 Morton Buildings Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Erik Jones #43 Family Dollar Throwback Toyota Camry-YES! YES! YES! This is a great throwback, done well, looks amazing! This gets an A.

Tyler Reddick #45 McDonald’s Toyota Camry-I like the color scheme, because the drip motif looks like blood, and the black on the rear looks really out of place. I’ll give it a B, since isn’t terrible.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Hungry Jack Chevy Camaro-I like red, I love pancakes, this gets an A.

Jimmie Johnson #84 Dollar Tree/Family Dollar Toyota Camry-I like the color scheme, but the stripe is over done. This gets a C.

Daniel Suárez #99 Jockey Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-April 27, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Jockey Outdoors by Luke Bryan/Bassmaster Class Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #99, same D- grade.

Austin Cindric #2 Menard’s/Richmond Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

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

Cody Ware #15 Jacob Construction Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #51, same A grade.

Shane van Gisbergen #16 Wendy’s Chevy Camaro-Blue with red flames would work better, but this is still good. A

Daniel Hemric #31 Cirkul Chevy Camaro-I like the look here, and the label motif works well. A

Erik Jones #43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry-Black is so much better with this scheme than white. A

Tyler Reddick #45 Jordan Brand Toyota Camry-Smooth, great color scheme, this gets an A!

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Boost/Thomas English Muffins and Bagels/Philadelphia Chevy Camaro-Not bad, but a downgrade from last year. A-

Justin Haley #51 Grady Health Ford Mustang-The RFK template works well with this color scheme. A

Daniel Suarez #99 Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Chevy Camaro-It’s not terrible, but it isn’t great either.

Paint Scheme Grades-April 20, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Josh Berry #4 MINER Ford Mustang-Good color scheme, awful design scheme, this gets a C.

Corey LaJoie #7 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro-Not bad, but a downgrade from last year. B

Denny Hamlin #11 Yahoo! Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

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

Chase Briscoe #14 Rush’s Truck Stops Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #10, same A grade.

Ty Dillon #16 Sea Best Seafood Chevy Camaro-It’s bold, unique, and not over done. A

Harrison Burton #21 Freightliner Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #21, same D grade.

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

Bubba Wallace #23 Columbia Sportswear Toyota Camry-Great color scheme, great design scheme, this gets an A.

Austin Hill #33 United Rentals Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Todd Gilliland #38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #34, same C grade.

John Hunter Nemechek #42 ROMCO Equipment Co. Toyota Camry-Mediocre design, I don’t like the shade of green, this gets a C.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Boost by Kroger/Blue Buffalo Chevy Camaro-Replacing dark blue with light blue really doesn’t help here. It takes a B- scheme down to a C.

Justin Haley #51 Jacob Companies Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Zane Smith #71 Ambetter Health Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Daniel Suarez #99 Kubota Chevy Camaro-The new design is overdone, and the lack of black does hinder this. C

Paint Scheme Grades-April 13, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Austin Cindric #2 Menard’s/Libman Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B grade.

Josh Berry #4 Mobil 1 50th Anniversary Ford Mustang-I love me some metallic gold, and this is a perfect scheme. A

Noah Gragson #10 Overstock.com Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Christopher Bell #20 Yahoo! Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Todd Gilliland #38 Carson-Newman University Ford Mustang-Getting rid of the white, and a different shade of blue would work much better. C-

Tyler Reddick #45 MoneyLion Toyota Camry-Much better in terms of design, and a much better look. A

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 SunnyD Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-April 6, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Noah Gragson #10 Superior Essex Ford Mustang-I like the pixel look, and the color scheme is good, so this get an A.

Denny Hamlin #11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota Camry-Still a good look, no real complaints. A

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

Ty Dillon #16 Chevrolet Accessories Chevy Camaro-Too many different designs and colors, too over designed, this gets an F.

Chris Buescher #17 Travel Centers of America Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #19 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota Camry-I like the look, but the color scheme needs something besides shades of blue. C

Daniel Hemric #31 LA Golf Chevy Camaro-My only complaint is that the second golf ball at the rear is pointless. A-

Michael McDowell #34 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Todd Gilliland #38 Farxiga Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

John Hunter Nemechek #42 Albertson’s Toyota Camry-Changing from blue to red doesn’t really help at all. D

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger/NOS Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B grade.

Daniel Suarez #99 Quaker State Chevy Camaro-The new stripe design has too many colors and is over designed. Still, it isn’t awful, so this gets a C.

Paint Scheme Grades-March 30, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Worldwide Express Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Get Bioethanol Chevy Camaro-I like the removal of the white, it cleans the scheme up very well. A

Josh Berry #4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang-I like the look, the car has a nice design and color scheme. A

Brad Keselowski #6 Castrol 125 Years Forward Ford Mustang-The stripe is so ugly and over designed, that it took an A scheme down to a C scheme.

Kyle Busch #8 Mark III Employee Benefits Chevy Camaro–No change. A

Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Chase Elliott #9 UniFirst Throwback Chevy Camaro-I like the look, it’s grown on me, and this is a good throwback. A

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

AJ Allmendinger #13 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Kaz Grala #15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang-This is a much better look, cleaner and smoother, this gets an A.

Shane van Gisbergen #16 WeatherTech Chevy Camaro-Take an A scheme and improving it will always result in an A. The straight stripes are better here!

Bubba Wallace #23 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Palmolive Chevy Camaro-Getting rid of the white would elevate this scheme to a solid A. It’s still good, but it could be better. A-

Kamui Kobayashi #50 Mobil 1 50th Anniversary Toyota Camry-It’s amazing what a couple of color changes can do. Replacing white stripes with gold, and gray with black is so much better, it takes the F to an A.

Timmy Hill #66 Amptricity Ford Mustang-The color scheme and design scheme are bad enough, but the black on the logo really adds to it, as it stands out in all the wrong ways. F

Carson Hocevar #77 Gainbridge/Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Chevy Camaro-A great color scheme, and a great design scheme give this scheme an A.

Jimmie Johnson #84 Advent Health Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #43, same A grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-March 23, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Fishing Chevy Camaro-I like the shade of white, but otherwise this is an ugly, over designed mess of a scheme. D-

Kyle Busch #8 FICO Chevy Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Denny Hamlin #11 Mavis Express Oil Change Toyota Camry-I love a good fade, and this is a good fade. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

AJ Allmendinger #16 Mountain Dew/Cheetos Chevy Camaro-It’s a tad too over designed, but it is a good scheme, so it gets an A-.

Bubba Wallace #23 Leidos Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Tyler Reddick #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Ball Park Buns & Rolls Chevy Camaro-I like the look, it isn’t over designed, and this gets an A.

Ty Gibbs #54 SiriusXM Toyota Camry-The designs are mediocre, the color scheme is OK, it’s just a meh scheme. C

Daniel Suárez #99 Jockey Outdoors by Luke Bryan/Bassmaster Class Chevy Camaro-I like the shade of blue, but otherwise this is an ugly, over designed mess of a scheme. D-