Tag: jj yeley

Paint Scheme Grades-October 12, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Landon Cassill #00 Clean Origin Chevy Camaro-This is a good look, with a great color scheme, and I will give this an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Acronis Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Daniel Hemric #8 Lucas Oil Chevy Camaro-A bold look that isn’t over designed, and has a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Pink Ford Mustang-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Paul Menard #21 Menards/Cardell Cabinetry Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #12, same A grade.

Corey LaJoie #32 Drydene Ford Mustang-White and red is a great color scheme, and the design is bold and perfect. I can’t give this less than an A.

Michael McDowell #34 The Pete Store Ford Mustang-I’ll describe this as having nothing wrong, and nothing right at the same time. It’s just there. C.

Matt Tifft #36 Delaware Lottery/Surface Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #36, same B+ grade.

Chris Buescher #37 Kroger Simmer Like A Winner Chevy Camaro-The color scheme is great, and I love the bold look of the paintbrush motif. This scheme works and it gets an A.

JJ Yeley #52 Drive Smart Ford Mustang-The red really isn’t needed here, and it clutters up a decent scheme. Add it that the blue is too light, and you have a scheme that could have been an A is taken down to a B+

Matt DiBenedetto #95 Dumont Jets Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Paint Scheme Grades-September 28, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Jack Daniels Chevy Camaro-This is a great look, a great design scheme, and it gets an A.

Ryan Newman #6 Roush Performance/Wyndham Rewards Ford Mustang-Same scheme as Roush Performance, same B+ grade.

Matt Tifft #36 YANMAR America/Martin Generators Ford Mustang-I like this look. The color scheme is great, and the design works well with the color scheme. A

Bubba Wallace #43 LeithCars.com Chevy Camaro-The designs on the rear are visually distracting, over designed, and don’t look good. The front of the car looks great. I do like the color scheme, so I’ll give it a B-

JJ Yeley #52 Byrna Richmond Ford Mustang-The sublimated are over done, one orange one would have worked much better. The addition of gray logos takes this from an A to a B.

Joey Gase #66 Nevada Donor Network/Fan Memories Toyota Camry-Same scheme as Nevada Donor Network, same B- grade.

Alex Bowman #88 Cincinnati, Inc. Chevy Camaro-I like this look. The color scheme is great, and the design works well with the color scheme. A

Paint Scheme Grades-September 14, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Landon Cassill #00 Sherfick Companies Chevy Camaro-I think the black stripe is pointless, but it’s still a good look, with a good color scheme, so I’ll give it an A-.

Ross Chastain #15 Xchange of America/Busey Bank Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a good color scheme will always earn an A.

Corey LaJoie #32 Ark.io Ford Mustang-This is an ugly, over designed mess of a scheme that doesn’t look good. F

Matt Tifft #36 Southeastern Equipment & Supply/Meijer Ford Ford Mustang-The shade of yellow is good, that’s the only good thing I can say about this scheme. D-

David Ragan #38 Mannington Commercial Ford Mustang-This is an ugly, over designed mess of a scheme that doesn’t look good. F

Kyle Larson #42 McDonald’s McDelivery Chevy Camaro-The added white, and yellow elements do not look good, and they take a solid A scheme down to a B.

Garrett Smithley #52 Honest Abe Roofing Ford Mustang-Were it plain blue, I would have no problem giving this an A. The sublimated logo, and Lincoln motif are bad, and detract from this scheme. B-

JJ Yeley #54 Maximum Elevation Chevy Camaro-Too much going on here. The cutting edge designs aren’t good, and the sublimated designs are awful. F

Joey Gase #66 Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Matt DiBenedetto #95 Horizon Transport Toyota Camry-This is a bold look. It has a great color scheme, and it isn’t over done. This is a great look. A

Paint Scheme Grades-September 7, 2019

By David G. Firestone

Landon Cassill #00 StarCom Fiber Throwback Chevy Camaro-I always love metallic siver, and the Coors Light look is a great look. I also like the design as a whole. This is getting an A.

Kurt Busch #1 Chevrolet Accessories Throwback Chevy Camaro-The black Monster Energy area looks out of place. This is visually distracting and takes away. The scheme looks good, but the black takes it from an A to an A-.

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Throwback Ford Mustang-The Miller scheme had a unique look, and while I preferred the standard Miller Genuine Draft scheme, this is still a great scheme. A

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Big Buck Hunter Ford Mustang-Red looks out of place here, and it doesn’t work with this design. Still, it is a decent look, so I’ll give it a B.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Dog’s Most Wanted Ford Mustang-I’ve never seen a car with the motif of someone sitting in a car before. It’s original, but it’s not really that great. Its not over done, but it’s not awful. I’ll give it a C.

Kyle Busch #18 Snickers Throwback Toyota Camry-The white design is a unique look, and it’s a good throwback. I like this, and I’m giving it an A.

Erik Jones #20 SportClips Throwback Toyota Camry-This is a smooth, simple look, and it’s a great look. The black works, the red works, and the scheme works. A

Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Throwback Ford Mustang-I was not a fan of the Harvick Shell/Pennzoil scheme, and I’m not a fan of this throwback. There are other Shell schemes that could work, but this is just a meh scheme. I’ll give it a C.

Ryan Sieg #27 SciAps, Inc. Chevy Camaro-My only complaint here is that the green is too light, and it could be darker. A-

Corey Lajoie #32 Keen Parts/Corvette Parts Scooby Doo Ford Mustang-I never liked Scooby Doo, and I’m not a fan of this scheme. It’s not awful, but I don’t like it. I’ll give it a C.

Michael McDowell #34 Dockside Logistics Ford Mustang-This was a very unique scheme back in the day, and I like this faithgul representation. This is a good look, and I like the silver door numbers. A

Matt Tifft #36 Hilker Glass Throwback Ford Mustang-This is a bold look that isn’t over done. It’s also a faithful throwback. This is a great look, and I give it an A.

Chris Buescher #37 Kroger Fast Lane to Flavor Chevy Camaro-This is an ugly, over designed mess. The only good thing I can say is that I like the color scheme, so that saves it from an F. D-

Kyle Larson #42 Clover Throwback Chevy Camaro-I never liked the green Kodiak scheme, I always preferred the white scheme. This is a faithful replication, but it doesn’t pop as much as some of the others. I’ll give this a B.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Ally Throwback Throwback Chevy Camaro-This is so much better than his current Ally scheme, and it’s a faithful replica. This is a great scheme. A

BJ McLeod #51 Jacob Companies Throwback Chevy Camaro-An underrated NASCAR movie with a lot of great cars, this is a faithful replica of the #7 Chicken Pit/Zenon Ford Thunderbird. This is an amazing look, and I give it an A.

JJ Yeley #52 Jacob Companies Throwback Chevy Camaro-This is a good look, and I can’t say anything bad about it. A

Garrett Smithley #54 AQRE Throwback Chevy Camaro-Not the scheme I was expecting, but this is a good look, and it’s a faithful replica. I give this an A.

Reed Sorenson #77 Motor Racing Network Throwback Chevy Camaro-A fauxback, but a good one. Blue and gold works well, and the design is simple. I give this an A.

Matt DiBenedetto #95 Toyota Throwback Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look, it has a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

2019 Throwbacks Ranked!

By David G. Firestone

The throwback race is behind us. You know what that means. I’m going to rank all of the 2019 throwback schemes. As in previous years, the top ranked scheme will be the winner of the Paint Scheme for Best Throwback Scheme. Let’s get going!

1. Austin Dillon #3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevy Camaro-Black and gold works well, especially on a throwback. This is a great scheme, with a great color scheme, and I can’t give this less than an A.

2. Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Throwback Ford Mustang-The Miller scheme had a unique look, and while I preferred the standard Miller Genuine Draft scheme, this is still a great scheme. A

3. William Byron #24 City Chevrolet/Hendrick Autoguard Chevy Camaro–Cole’s City Chevrolet Lumina is my favorite car in Days Of Thunder. This is a great replica, and it looks really good. This is getting an A.

4. BJ McLeod #51 Jacob Companies Throwback Chevy Camaro-An underrated NASCAR movie with a lot of great cars, this is a faithful replica of the #7 Chicken Pit/Zenon Ford Thunderbird. This is an amazing look, and I give it an A.

5. Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Throwback Chevy Camaro-You could put all of Bill Elliott’s pre-1999 schemes in a hat, pick one out at random, and be guaranteed to pick a great scheme. 1981 was a great scheme, and this faithful throwback is an amazing representation. I love this scheme! A

6. Landon Cassill #00 StarCom Fiber Throwback Chevy Camaro-I always love metallic siver, and the Coors Light look is a great look. I also like the design as a whole. This is getting an A.

7. Alex Bowman #88 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro-The Tim Richmond Folgers scheme was a great scheme, and it’s nice that Axalta is doing a faithful throwback. This is a great look. A

8. Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Throwback Chevy Camaro-Dale’s Olympic scheme was a great scheme. This somewhat faithful replica looks really good, and I can’t really say anything bad. A

9. William Byron #24 City Chevrolet/Hendrick Autoguard Chevy Camaro–Cole’s City Chevrolet Lumina is my favorite car in Days Of Thunder. This is a great replica, and it looks really good. This is getting an A.

10. JJ Yeley #52 Jacob Companies Throwback Chevy Camaro-This is a good look, and I can’t say anything bad about it. A

11. David Ragan #38 Thanks DW Ford Mustang-Darrell’s chrome scheme was a bold look that would look just as awesome today. While I think that metallic silver isn’t chrome, I do love this look, and I think this scheme is great. A

12. Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Throwback Toyota Camry-Darrell’s 1990’s Parts America scheme was a great scheme. It looked amazing, and still holds up today! This is a great throwback scheme, and I can’t give this less than an A!

13. Ricky Stenhouse #17 Fastenal Throwback Ford Mustang-Darrell’s 1990’s Parts America scheme was a great scheme. It looked amazing, and still holds up today! This is a great throwback scheme, and I can’t give this less than an A!

14. Matt DiBenedetto #95 Procore Thanks DW Throwback Toyota Camry–Faithful 1970’s schemes always look awesome, and this is no exception. This is an amazing look, and I love everything about this scheme! A

15. Erik Jones #20 SportClips Throwback Toyota Camry-This is a smooth, simple look, and it’s a great look. The black works, the red works, and the scheme works. A

16. Garrett Smithley #54 AQRE Throwback Chevy Camaro-Not the scheme I was expecting, but this is a good look, and it’s a faithful replica. I give this an A.

17. Daniel Hemric #8 Caterpillar Throwback Chevy Camaro-This is a great scheme, not just because it looks awesome, but because I like how throwbacks are evolving in NASCAR. It used to be that throwbacks were either old schemes, or based on old schemes. Nowadays, everything from cans to trucks are being used. This example is based on an old Caterpillar tractor from the 1920’s. This looks amazing! A

18. David Ragan #38 Shriners Hospitals for Children Throwback Ford Mustang–David Pearson’s 1969 Torino Cobra is a great look, and this is a great throwback. I can’t give this less than an A.

19. Ryan Preece #47 Kroger Throwback Chevy Camaro–I love this throwback! The shade of red works, the design looks great, and the car just looks awesome. I love good throwbacks, and this is a good throwback. A

20. Michael McDowell #34 Dockside Logistics Ford Mustang-This was a very unique scheme back in the day, and I like this faithful representation. This is a good look, and I like the silver door numbers. A

21. Ryan Blaney #12 Pennzoil Throwback Ford Mustang-Mike’s old Pennzoil scheme was simple, it was attractive, and it worked. This faithful replica works well, and earns an A.

22. Jimmie Johnson #48 Ally Throwback Throwback Chevy Camaro-This is so much better than his current Ally scheme, and it’s a faithful replica. This is a great scheme. A

23. Paul Menard #21 Motorcraft Throwback Ford Mustang–Glen’s 1956 Ford Fairlane had a great look, and this faithful replica is a great look. This is an amazing look, and I can’t give this less than an A.

24. Kyle Busch #18 Snickers Throwback Toyota Camry-The white design is a unique look, and it’s a good throwback. I like this, and I’m giving it an A.

25. Corey LaJoie #32 Keen Parts/Corvette Parts Throwback Ford Mustang-Jarrett’s Nestle scheme is an interesting throwback choice, but it’s well done, very faithful, and earns an A as a result.

26. Matt Tifft #36 Hilker Glass Throwback Ford Mustang-This is a bold look that isn’t over done. It’s also a faithful throwback. This is a great look, and I give it an A.

27. Martin Truex Jr. #19 Bass Pro Shops Throwback Toyota Camry-I’m not always a fan of Bass Pro Shops throwbacks, some are better than others. That being said, this scheme is a good look, with a great color scheme. This scheme gets an A.

28. Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Victory Junction Throwback Chevy Camaro–Spree was never one of my favorite sponsors. That said, after some time, I do see what they were doing with their scheme. This is a faithful representation of the old Spree scheme, and It works very well. A

29. Daniel Suarez #41 Haas Throwback Ford Mustang-The third Tony Stewart Championship throwback scheme is based on his 2005 Home Depot scheme, which is the best of the three. It’s faithful, and it has a great look, and that will always earn an A.

30. Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Throwback Ford Mustang-For Tony Stewart’s Hall of Fame election, Stewart-Haas Racing’s cars are being painted in the colors of Tony’s Cup Championship schemes. The first from 2002, is based on Tony’s Home Depot. It’s a faithful replica, so that’s good, and I do like the Home Depot’s shade of orange. All things considered, this gets an A.

31 Clint Bowyer #14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Ford Mustang-This second Tony Stewart Throwback is based on his 2011 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevy. Like the #10, it’s a faithful replica, with correct colors. I liked the design back then, and I like this now, so this gets an A.

32. Paul Menard #21 Quaker State/Menards Steve Kinser Throwback Ford Mustang–It’s a good throwback, with a great design, and that will always earn an A.

33. Matt DiBenedetto #95 Toyota Throwback Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look, it has a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

34. Reed Sorenson #77 Motor Racing Network Throwback Chevy Camaro-A fauxback, but a good one. Blue and gold works well, and the design is simple. I give this an A.

35. Kurt Busch #1 Star Nursery Throwback Chevy Camaro-My only complaint is the forced black spot for the Monster Energy logo. Other than that, this is a really great throwback. A-

36. Kurt Busch #1 Chevrolet Accessories Throwback Chevy Camaro-The black Monster Energy area looks out of place. This is visually distracting and takes away. The scheme looks good, but the black takes it from an A to an A-.

37. Ryan Newman #6 Oscar Meyer/Velveeta Throwback Ford Mustang-Full disclosure, I loved the old Mark Martin Valvoline design. This new version with Oscar Meyer and Velveeta colors is not as great. The red, white, and blue design works well. Red, green and white doesn’t work as well. It’s still decent, so I’ll give it a B+.

38. Kyle Larson #42 Clover Throwback Chevy Camaro-I never liked the green Kodiak scheme, I always preferred the white scheme. This is a faithful replication, but it doesn’t pop as much as some of the others. I’ll give this a B.

39. Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Throwback Ford Mustang-I was not a fan of the Harvick Shell/Pennzoil scheme, and I’m not a fan of this throwback. There are other Shell schemes that could work, but this is just a meh scheme. I’ll give it a C.

Next week, I revisit an older article.

Paint Scheme Grades-October 6, 2018

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #7 Sokal Chevy Camaro-This is another one of those designs that would look better with a different color scheme.  Neither the color scheme or the design are bad by themselves, but together they just don’t work. It’s not a bad scheme, but it could be worked upon. B-

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Chevy Camaro-There are slight changes to the scheme, but they neither add or subtract from the B+ grade I gave it.

Clint Bowyer #14 Mobil 1/Advance Auto Parts Ford Fusion-My only complaint here is that the blue on the Mobil 1 aspect could be replaced with blue.  Other than that, it’s a great scheme. A-

Daniel Suarez #19 Lenox Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look with a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

JJ Yeley #23 Adirondack Tree Surgeons Toyota Camry-It’s an ugly over designed mess with a bad color scheme, and that will always earn an F.

Chris Buescher #37 Maple Cheerios Chevy Camaro-It’s a good look, I like the color scheme, and I don’t think it’s over designed. A

Timmy Hill #66 Terino Toyota Camry-A light to dark blue fade works very well, and the lack of other designs earns this scheme an A.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Auto-Owners Insurance/Sherry Strong Toyota Camry-It’s a great color, and the design works very well. A

Jeffery Earnhardt #96 Susan B Komen Toyota Camry-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Paint Scheme Grades-September 8, 2018

By David G. Firestone

Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Big Mac 50th Anniversary Throwback Chevy Camaro-Metallic gold is a great look, and while this isn’t really a throwback, it still works very well. A

Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Throwback Chevy Camaro-Well, this is my favorite throwback of 2018!  I loved the Silver Wrench back in 1995, and I love this faithful throwback.  This is the 2018 Paint Schemie for Best Throwback Scheme winner. A.

Joey Gase #23 AgriSupply/Carolina Cooker Toyota Camry-This is a great looking throwback, it’s quite accurate, and it has a great look.  I can’t give this less than an A.

Michael McDowell #34 Love’s Truck Stops Throwback Ford Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 STP Throwback Chevy Camaro-I’m still not sure as to why the last minute change was made, but this is a great looking scheme! Anything Petty ran is a good look, and this is a great look. A

BJ McLeod #51 Jacob Companies Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, based on Russ Wheeler’s #18 Hardees Chevy Lumina from Days of Thunder. A

JJ Yeley #52 Trading View Throwback Chevy Camaro-It’s a smooth look, with a great design. A

Corey LaJoie #72 BCT The Blockchain Terminal Toyota Camry-Liked theFina Oil Chevy back in the day, and I like this now.  This is a great look, and I hope it makes another appearance in 2019. A

Paint Scheme Grades-June 2, 2018

By David G. Firestone

Matt Kenseth #6 Wyndham Rewards Patriotic Ford Fusion-Decent scheme, but not enough red for a patrioitic scheme, and the middle of the car is an over desigend mess of jumbled stripes. C-

JJ Yeley #7 Steakhouse Elite Chevy Camaro-The camo gives the black a cluttered look, and the gold isn’t used enough.   The color scheme works well, but the design scheme needs improvement. B-

Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Patriotic Chevy Camaro-It’s a decent scheme, but the sides are over designed, and the yellow door number contrasts with the scheme as a whole.  It looks cluttered, and while it could be better, it isn’t awful. C

Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Patriotic Ford Fusion-The black clashes with the patriotic motif, which itself is a jumbled mess of stripes.  It has a decent color scheme, but the scheme earns a D-.

Ross Chastain #15 Internetwork Engineering Chevy Camaro-A smooth, simple look with a great color scheme that earns an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Patriotic Ford Fusion-The patriotic motif is a bit over done, but it’s not terrible, and the color scheme works well with the design scheme.  All things considered, it’s worth a B-.

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

Daniel Suarez #19 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #18, same F grade.

Erik Jones #20 Circle K Toyota Camry-It is still a decent scheme, but black replacing white isn’t an upgrade, and the changing of the stripe angle doesn’t improve it either.  Both of these changes take an A scheme down to a B+.

Gray Gaulding #23 Toyota Camry-The plain hood and roof look out of place when compared to the jumbled mess of designs on the sides.  The side is so over designs with random elements, that it makes my head hurt.  I can’t say anything good about this scheme, so I won’t. F

William Byron #24 Liberty University Patriotic Chevy Camaro-Replacing the standard text with patriotic text works well, and it looks good. A

Ryan Newman #31 Liberty National Patriotic Chevy Camaro-It’s amazing how a change of color and change of design can take a scheme that is awful to a high A scheme.  This scheme looks great, and I give it an A.

Ryan Newman #31 Kalahari Resorts Chevy SS-Same basic scheme as last year, same C-grade.

Matt DiBenedetto #32 Cosmo Motors Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same B- grade.

Michael McDowell #34 Dockside Logistics Patriotic Ford Fusion-Replacing the standard text with patriotic text works well, and it looks good. A

Chris Buescher #37 Cottonelle Chevy Camaro-The cotton and the blue would work by themselves, but together they just don’t work.  The color scheme is good, but the design scheme looks odd.  All totaled, this scheme gets a C-.

Kyle Larson #42 DC Solar Patriotic Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as their Clash scheme, same D- grade.

Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Kroger Red, White & Barbecue Chevy Camaro-There are too many different design elements.  Each one by themselves would work, but together they give the car a jumbled look that earns an F.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy Camaro-It’s amazing how a change of color and change of design can take a scheme that is awful to a high A scheme.  This scheme looks great, and I give it an A.

Jeffery Earnhardt #55 Black Rifle Coffee Chevy Camaro-The sides are a tad over designed, but its not bad.  It’s a good scheme that’s worth an A-.

Timmy Hill #66 Crash Claims R Us Toyota Camry-The blue on the front is pointless, and ugly.  They serve no purpose, and take an A scheme down to an A-.

Corey LaJoie #72 MyFreedomSmokes.com Chevy Camaro-The military motif works very well here, and the design is great, and earns an A.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 5-Hour Energy Toyota Patriotic Camry-It’s amazing how a change of color and change of design can take a scheme that is awful to a high A scheme.  This scheme looks great, and I give it an A.

Kasey Kahne #95 Throne Chevy Camaro-It’s a great shade of green, and the design works well on the sides.  It’s a great look. A

Parker Kligerman #96 Gaunt Brothers Racing Chevy Camaro-Changing the color from red to black works well, and the car still looks good. A

Paint Scheme Grades-March 31, 2018

By David G. Firestone

Landon Cassill #00 USFRA.ORG/Starcom Fiber Chevy Camaro-If the red and silver designs would be toned down a bit, it could be a better scheme, but it has a good color scheme, and the designs aren’t over done, so I’ll give it a B+.

Jamie McMurray #1 Clover Chevy Camaro-It has a good color scheme, and while I norally like fades, this looks awful. The circuit board motif doesn’t exactly help either. Toning down the various aspects could be better, but this scheme gets the C- it deserves.

Brad Keselowski #2 Reese/Drawtite Ford Fusion-Light blue works with the Penske template, and this scheme earns an A.

Daniel Hemric #8 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevy Camaro-The black roof contrasts with the rest of the car, and the stripes are bad. It does have a great color scheme, and the stripes aren’t as bad as they could be. All things considered, it’s worth a C+.

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Libman Ford Fusion-Another example of the Penske template working well, and the green works well here. A

Clint Bowyer #14 Haas Demo Days Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, same as Hass, but with Haas Demo Days on hood. A

Ross Chastain #15 Championship Machinery Chevy Camaro-Another example of a new scheme rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. They replaced the bad parts of the old scheme with different bad parts of a new design. It does have a good color scheme, but that doesn’t really help. C-

Ryan Newman #31 eBay Motors Chevy Camaro-Bold but not over designed with a great color scheme will ALWAYS earn an A.

Ryan Newman #31 Liberty National Patriotic Chevy Camaro-My only complaint here is that the green numbers would work better if replaced by red numbers. Other than that, this is a great scheme. A-

Michael McDowell #34 A&W Ford Fusion–No change. A

David Ragan #38 MDS Ford Fusion-It’s a smooth look with a great color scheme, and I can’t say anything bad about this scheme. A

Harrison Rhodes #51 Custom Aircraft Cabinets Chevy Camaro-Bad color scheme, over designed to the sake of ridiculousness, and the only thing I like here is the Camaro stripes on the hood. D+

JJ Yeley #55 Adirondack Tree Surgeons/Overdose Awareness Chevy Camaro-It’s over designed, with the hood and black front contrasting with the rest of the car. While I do like the forest motif, the neon yellow and neon green doesn’t work with the design. I’ll give it a D-.

Mark Smith #72 Chevy Camaro-Smooth look with a great color scheme! Nothing bad about this scheme! A

DJ Kennington #96 Gordon Brothers Chevy Camaro-It could be a little less cluttered, and the color could be tweaked a little bit, but it’s not terrible, and I give it a B-.

Paint Scheme Grades-August 26, 2017

By David G. Firestone.

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Outdoor Chevy SS-The slight changes did nothing to help the overall scheme. C

Trevor Bayne #6 Ford Eco-Boost Ford Fusion-The stars have been removed, and the car has a cleaner look as a result. It’s a great improvement. A-

JJ Yeley #7 Zombie Auto Chevy SS-A great scheme, it has a smooth look, and a great color scheme, and that will always earn an A.

Danica Patrick #10 Ford Throwback Ford Fusion-In honor of Robert Yates being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Danica is racing one of Ford’s best paint schemes of all time, and it should make a permanent return as a scheme. A

Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Throwback Toyota Camry– Ray Hendrick had a great look, and this great scheme looks great, and I can’t give it less than an A.

Reed Sorenson #15 Low T Center Chevy SS-Sometimes changing the primary color can help a scheme, but here, it doesn’t help at all. It’s not a good change, and it’s not a good lock at all. F

Daniel Suarez #19 Irwin Tools/Lennox Toyota Camry-The fade looks good, and the color scheme works well too. It’s a great look, and great looks earn an A.

Kyle Larson #42 Huggies Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same D+ grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Throwback Chevy SS-Basing a paint scheme on an old truck seems odd, but this scheme makes it work. The colors are great, and the design works well. I like this, and it earns an A.

BJ McLeod #51 Nex Transport/Spoonful Music Chevy SS-Nice look, and it has a great color scheme. A

Derrike Cope #55 La Colombe Draft Latte Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Bass Pro Shops/Ducks Unlimited Toyota Camry-I didn’t think that the Truex Bass Pro Shops scheme could get any worse…and then I saw this scheme. While the orange is logical with a hunting shop, replacing it with a lime green to purple fade is horrific. I wish I could give this something worse than an F, but sadly, I can’t.

Corey LaJoie #83 HMS Motorsports Toyota Camry-If the curves were toned down a lot, it could work. More stripes don’t always mean a better look. There are too many stripes, and the car just looks over designed. It’s design for the sake of design, and it gets an F.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Axalta/Ducks Unlimited Chevy SS-Camoflauge doesn’t work on the sides of race cars. The black and the design based on Front Row, which is already an iffy template do nothing to help this scheme. F

Michael McDowell #95 Race Wipes Chevy SS-If the blue was darker, only one shade was used, and the green was removed, it could be a better look. Still, it’s not bad, and I’ll give it a C-.