Now that the 2018 NASCAR seasons has come to an end, it’s time for us to reminisce on not only the best drivers but more importantly, the top 10 best NASCAR paint schemes. While the NASCAR fans voted on their favorite 2018 throwback paint schemes from Darlington, I chose to exclude any throwback paint schemes from my list as they arent original to the 2018 season. While there were plenty of great options in 2018, as well as some of the worst NASCAR paint schemes, here is my list of the top 10 best.
10) Kasey Kahne #95
Thorne Army Spc. Rudy Acosta paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Leavine Family Racing
Sometimes, the simplest paint scheme is the best paint scheme. The Leavine Family Racing No. 95 car showed off how simplicity can still outshine complexity at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. Kasey Kahne not only looked clean in his Thorne Chevy Camaro but also honored Army Spc. Rudy Acosta. He may not have won the race but he won over fans.
9) Daniel Suárez #19
STANLEY paint scheme
- Make: Toyota
- Model: Camry
- Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Daniel Suárez hasn’t always had the most glamorous paint schemes in the No. 19 car but there was something special about this particular STANLEY car. While the other STANLEY paint scheme in his Toyota Camry has a weird cow design and his ARRIS design is overly orange, this car had a mean look with yellow and carbon black. Although Suárez will no longer be driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, this car was his best paint scheme in 2018.
8) Ryan Blaney #12
PPG Paints paint scheme
- Make: Ford
- Model: Fusion
- Team: Penske
I’m not sure what it is about the rainbow paint scheme in NASCAR but it weirdly works. While Ryan Blaney may be more known for his neon yellow cars, this PPG Paints Ford Fusion stood out the most. Reminiscent of the classic baby blue Richard Petty car mixed with Jeff Gordon’s rainbow, Penske put Blaney in an up and coming paint scheme to fit his driving career.
7) Ty Dillon #13
GEICO Military paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Germain Racing
Although Ty Dillon might not get as much notoriety as his brother Austin, his GEICO Military paint scheme was enough to get him noticed on the track regardless of where he placed. Germain Racing has done a great job of creating good looks for the No. 13 car with their season sponsor of GEICO and they really set the bar high with this camo design. Just like flames, camouflage is always a great choice for NASCAR.
6) Bubba Wallace #43
Click n’ Close paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Richard Petty Motorsports
No matter what car Bubba Wallace is racing in any given week, his No. 43 car is always among the best paint schemes. Due to the classic Richard Petty design Richard Petty Motorsports chose to stick with in their Chevy Camaro, fans love seeing Wallace on the track. The purple design of the Click n’ Close car seemed to have an exceptionally cool look to it with the mix of the Richard Petty baby blue and white.
5) Daniel Hemric #8
Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Richard Childress Racing
Thanks to all the 2019 NASCAR driver changes, Monster Energy Cup Series fans will get to see a lot more of Daniel Hemric in the future. Obviously getting to see the No. 8 car back in the cup serious was exciting enough but RCR made sure to bring the Chevy Camaro back in style with the Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff design. Let’s just hope the team decides to keep Hemric in the No. 8 car rather than the 31 Ryan Newman is leaving.
4) Kevin Harvick #4
Busch Outdoors paint scheme
- Make: Ford
- Model: Fusion
- Team: Stewart-Haas Racing
Kevin Harvick had a hell of a 2018 season but he also managed to have some of the best paint schemes throughout the year with his Busch sponsorship. The No. 4 Ford Fusion really stood out with the Busch Outdoors paint scheme however. After nearly winning his second NASCAR championship at Homestead-Miami this year, fans are sure to see Harvick in even more great Stewart-Haas Racing cars next season.
3) Austin Dillon #3
Realtree Fishing Edge Camo paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Richard Childress Racing
Regardless of fan opinion, Austin Dillon has managed to consistently stand out in his No. 3 Chevy Camaro. Although AD might not always be a fan favorite, the No. 3 car is loved due to Dale Earnhardt’s legacy. RCR has done a great job of making sure their premier car always looks the part. Surprisingly, the decision to steer away from the classic Earnhardt No. 3 design for something extremely flashy and modern in the Realtree Fishing Edge Camo was my personal favorite. If camo wasn’t already a great car design for NASCAR, fishing camo took it a step further.
2) Chase Elliott #9
Mountain Dew paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Reminiscent of the days Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the No. 88 car, Mountain Dew delivered NASCAR fans yet another instant classic. As if Chase Elliot winning not only his first cup series race this year but his third wasn’t enough, Hendrick Motorsports made one of the coolest looking cars of the whole season in their No. 9 Chevy Camaro. Something about the glossy green made Chase Elliott’s third career win in Kansas that much more cool.
1) William Byron #24
AXALTA Gordon Flame paint scheme
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Camaro
- Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Although I said I would exclude Darlington throwback cars from this list, I said nothing about throwback look-a-like cars. It’s hard to argue NASCAR Rookie of the Year William Byron in the No. 24 flame car wasn’t the best paint scheme of 2018. The only car Byron drove that might have been cooler looking was Gordon’s throwback rainbow paint scheme, which won the Darlington paint scheme fan vote. With the two top spots on my list of 10 Best NASCAR Paint Schemes in 2018, fans can expect plenty of great designs from Hendrick Motorsports in their Chevy Camaro’s next year.
