Category: throwback thursday

By David G. Firestone

Our classic scheme for the week is this Kenny Schrader scheme from 1985

This is a really good shade of blue. The white lettering looks good on the sides. The Ultra Seal logo is placed quite well, with none of the logo lost to the curves of the car. The front has an interesting red and white design, over the Ford Thunderbird grille and headlights. It looks like it would extend to the back of the car, but it doesn’t. It’s an odd quirk, but it doesn’t look bad at all.

The diagonal logo on the hood is a tad hard to make out, but it is a unique look that isn’t used anymore. The window net also looks so flimsy compared to modern window nest. I’m also wondering how much extra weight the grille and headlights add to the overall weight of the car. The large door numbers look good, much better than the smaller ones used today.

By David G. Firestone

This is a Buddy Arrington example from 1985

This scheme was only used for the 1985 Pepsi Firecracker 400 on July 4, and interestingly, despite obviously being a Ford, is sponsored by Jim Peacock Dodge. The patriotic red, white, and blue scheme works very well. The vintage blue and white numbers stand out on the red background, and the vintage lettering looks really good. The design is great too, with the red on the side running under the windows, and the blue over the windows.

The vintage wheels look good in the blue paint, the white letter tires work well on them, and I’m amazed at how high off the ground the car is. This is a really good look.

By David G. Firestone

I canceled Throwback Thursday last year. This was because of the format I was doing, listing all the throwback schemes for 2015, was too time consuming, and I would often forget to upload it if I was too busy. I didn’t want to do it, but circumstances forced me to. I also hated that it took place on the same day that my videos were uploaded.

As I began to think about this, it dawned on me that this isn’t how it should work. I don’t want to do modern interpretations of classic paint schemes. As I thought about this, I realized that I should do a true Throwback Thursday. As such, from here on out, every Thursday, I will upload a classic paint scheme, and describe it based on my current standard of paint scheme grading. This way, I can do Throwback Thursday, and have it work the way I want it to.

Our first example, is this Dale Earnhardt Sr. 1982-1983 Wrangler Jeans Ford Thunderbird

The scheme has a good color scheme, the yellow isn’t too bright, and the blue contrasts with it just enough, The design scheme works well too. The yellow running up the side, ending just after the door, with an indentation that matches the #1 is a good touch, and the yellow running up the roof to the rear window. I also like the JEANS MACHINE on the back bumper.

One thing I find that’s odd is that the contingency decals in the photo, there are two separate STP logos. I also love the old-school wheel rims with white letter GOODYEAR lettering on them. I also didn’t notice until just now that the roof number is upside down, making it look like it is 51. It’s still a good scheme, and the box-like design of the car works well here.

2015 THROWBACK SCHEMES

THROWBACK

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller High Life Ford Fusion–Based on the design that Bobby Allison won the 1983 Sprint Cup Championship. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion–Throwback scheme that ran from 1990-1996 A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 1998 Throwback Ford Fusion–Based on the 1998 Rusty Wallace scheme, but with some subtle differences. Different logo on hood and sides, and a layers stripe on the stripes. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 2007 Gold Throwback Ford Fusion–Based loosely on the 2007 gold scheme raced at the Sprint Unlimited and All-Star Race, new hood logo and designs, door and hood numbers covered by blue. B-

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 2010 Throwback Ford Fusion–Based on the Miller Lite scheme from 2010, with some changes to accommodate the Gen 6 car. B-

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Make It Home Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, all red with white lettering. A+

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Mark Martin Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on Mark Martin’s Valvoline scheme from 1998-1999. A+

TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7

Alex Bowman #7 “Tiger” Tom Baldwin Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, pays tribute to “Tiger” Tom Baldwin’s modified car Has image of air filter on hood, and roll bars on sides. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #9

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Winn Dixie Throwback Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2015, based on Mark Martin’s 1999 Winn Dixie scheme with modern logos. B-

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15

Clint Bowyer #15 Buddy Baker Throwback Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, hand painted throwback to Buddy Baker’s 1974 scheme. A++

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #16

Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, red with white hood, vintage numbers, logos, and consistency decals. A+

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Cargil David Pearson Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on David Pearson’s 1969 Ford Torino Cobra. A+

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

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

TEAM PENSKE #22

Joey Logano #22 Shell Pennzoil Mario Andretti Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, based on Mario Andretti’s 1988 24 Hours of LeMans Porsche. A+

BK RACING #23

Jeb Burton #23 Estes Cat Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2015, Based on Ward Burton’s 2002 Daytona 500 Winning scheme. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy SS–Based on the scheme Jeff Gordon raced from 1993-2000. A+

RICHARD CHILDRES RACING #27

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, rainbow stripe pattern with vintage Menard’s logo and door numbers. A+

GO FAS RACING #32

Boris Said Genesee Beer Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2015,based on old school AMC Matador schemes A+

Josh Wise #32 Beer Frost/Corvetteparts.com Tide Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on the “Tide Ride” used by the #32 team from 2000-2006. A+

CIRCLE SPORT RACING #33

Mike Bliss #33 Harry Gant Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, based on the Skoal Bandit scheme run by Harry Gant. A+

HILLMAN-SMITH MOTORSPORTS #40

Landon Cassill #40 Proud to be an American Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, based on Sterling Marlin’s patriotic car from the Protection One 400. A+

CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42

Kyle Larson #42 Mello Yello Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2015, throwback to Kyle Petty’s Mello Yello Pontiac. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43

Aric Almirola #43 STP 1972 Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on Richard Petty’s 1972 STP Dodge. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43

Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, black with yellow stripes, and vintage Pilot and modern Flying J logos. C+

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #55

David Ragan #55 Aaron’s Ken Ragan Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2015, throwback to David’s father Ken’s 1990’s car. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Valvoline Buddy Baker Throwback Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2015, classic Valvoline scheme from 1984. A+

FAUXBACK

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–Same basic design as 2014, but with no gold stripe, vintage Miller Crest, or hop designs on the side. A+

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3

Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015. throwback design based on a Richard Childress scheme from the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Red top and bottom, white stripes on roof and sides. B-

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, yellow with red and black stripes on bottom, sublimated yellow stripes on side. A

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5

Kasey Kahne #5 Hendrick Ride Along Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, red stripes across top and bottom, white separating both, which meet at front, vintage designed numbers and logos. A+

JOE GIBBS RACING #11

Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Throwback Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, white top and hood, black stripe across sides, vintage number design, and red bottom. C

STEWART-HAAS RACING #14

Tony Stewart #14 Bass Pro Shop Throwback/Mobil 1 Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, silver on top, red stripes across car, bottom is black, vintage Bass Pro Shops log on hood. C+

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15

Clint Bowyer #15 Maxwell House Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue with orange and white wave designs on bottom. A

BK RACING #23

JJ Yeley #23 Beds For Kids Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue with silver stripe running up the side, white bottom, Dr Pepper design has been removed, vintage-style logos on sides and hood. B-

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #25

Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Fauxback Chevy SS–To be raced at Darlington, based on the 1985 Coors Ford design, but with NAPA colors and logos. C-

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31

Ryan Newman #31 Caterpillar Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, Yellow with black stripes up the center and vintage logos. A+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #51

Justin Allgaier #51 Brandt Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, vintage numbers replace current design, EST 1953 has been added as well. A+

NON THROWBACK SCHEMES FOR DARLINGTON

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Black Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, reversal of the current scheme with black on top, green on bottom. C+

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

Ryan Blaney #21 Snap On Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, same as Snap On, but photos of Snap On distributors replace white. B-

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, same basic scheme, but teal replaces orange. A+