With the Bojangles Southern 500 just around the corner, it’s time to rank the best throwback paint schemes. Although there are plenty of great options, this list is excluded to paint schemes based on actual cars used in the past – yes, that also includes movies as well. It’s also just rankings Monster Energy Cup Series cars, not Xfinity cars. So, let’s breakdown my ranking of the top 6 Darlington throwback paint schemes of 2019
Top 6 Darlington Throwback Paint Schemes
Austin Dillon
Is it any surprise to find Austin Dillon in the No. 3 Chevy Camaro at the top of a Darlington throwback paint scheme ranking? Driving the most iconic number in NASCAR gives you plenty of options. Rather than driving one of the many infamous Dale Earnhardt paint schemes however, AD will be honoring his grandfather and team owner, Richard Childress, in the Southern 500 this year in his American Ethanol Black Gold paint scheme.
Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman will be honoring Mark Martin’s 1993 win at the Southern 500, scoring Jack Roush’s first victory. Rather than using the iconic red, white and blue Valvoline paint scheme that Mark Martin became famous for, Newman will be sporting his Oscar Mayer Wienermobile layout. Although it’s not the exact paint scheme, the reason this ranks so high is because it actually followed the rules of celebrating the early ’90s.
“I think the scheme looks great,” said Ryan Newman, “Darlington is my favorite track on the circuit and the Southern 500 is one of the best events on our schedule. I can’t wait to come back here in September and see if we can put this No. 6 back in Victory Lane.”
William Byron
Rather than honoring a past NASCAR Cup Series champion like most other drivers, William Byron will be running as Tom Cruise from the film, Days of Thunder. In one of the best paint scheme reveals ever conducted, Byron and his crew chief Chad Knaus reenacted the intro scene from Days of Thunder in a hilarious fashion.
"Loose is fast and on the edge of out of control"
RT if you're as excited for @TooToughToTame as we are 🤘#NASCARThrowback #DaysofThunder pic.twitter.com/neCSZ1DX7b
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) August 1, 2019
Alex Bowman
After failing to use the paint scheme last year, Alex Bowman finally got the approval to honor the late Tim Richmond at Darlington this year. In a car almost as iconic as his glorious mustache, Tim Richmond completed 37 races for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 25 red and gold Chevy. Although it appears unlikely Bowman will attempt to replicate Richmond’s look for the race after his prior questionable mustache experience, Bowman can at least try to replicate Richmond’s driving ability.
“If I grew a mustache out … I tried for the All-Star (Race) and it didn’t work out so well and I got made fun of a lot,” Bowman said. “Mr. H (Rick Hendrick) walked up to me and just stared at me for a second before he would talk to me, so I think that was shave the damn mustache off your face, so I did. Yeah, that probably won’t happen.”
Denny Hamlin
At Darlington, Denny Hamlin will be honoring the recently retired FOX booth broadcaster, three-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer – Darrell Waltrip. DW has been one of the most successful and influential drivers in NASCAR, on and off the track. Even though Hamlin grew up cheering for Bill Elliott to beat Darrell Waltrip every weekend, this is a great gesture by the veteran driver who is tearing up victory lane this season.
“We had some pretty good days with this car and of course, I guess my favorite number – even though it’s 17 – I always loved car No. 11,” said Darrell Waltrip. “You may or may not know this, but that is the winningest number in NASCAR … Things like this mean more to me than anything. To see this car on the race track and think that it might end up in Victory Circle, that’s a pretty big deal.”
Bubba Wallace
This colorful orange, green, purple and yellow paint scheme will be honoring the late Adam Petty’s ARCA No. 45 Pontiac from his 1998 victory at Charlotte. Son of retired NASCAR driver, Kyle Petty, Adam fatally lost his life on May 12, 2000 during a practice session in New Hampshire going into turn three. Driving the team owner’s late grandson’s winning paint scheme is truly an honor for Bubba Wallace. As if fans needed any more reason to root for the fan-favorite, Bubba Wallace earning his fist Cup Series victory in this paint scheme would be remarkable.
Can’t wait to see @BubbaWallace on the track with this car at @TooToughToTame! Brought back a lot of special memories for me… pic.twitter.com/ILdDh9EbXP
— Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) August 6, 2019
