By Richard Tix
It's Darlington week during Labor Day weekend again. Two years ago NASCAR brought Darlington back to it's traditional Labor Day weekend and the teams brought back the retro feel by feeding us ton's of throwback paint scheme's.
Behind the Wall followed suit and gave readers a Throwback Paint Scheme Power Rankings. So, for the third straight year lets break down the Darlington Throwback schemes. Disclaimer, this is all based on opinion (like many lists are). This year we will do a top 16. One:
1) Ryan Blaney - Motorcraft
Wood Brothers Racing have been doing throwback perfect all year long. If you don't believe me, just go check out their online merchandise, it's spot on. For Darlington this year they're throwing back to Kyle Petty's 1987 No. 21. It's a classic look with classic colors and lines, the only thing missing is Citgo as the sponsor, however throwing Motorcraft in it's place still does this trick on this scheme.
2) Danica Patrick - Ford Credit
RFR is throwing it back to 1999 and Dale Jarrett's No. 88 Ford Credit scheme. Sure, the number is different, but props to matching up the actual sponsor (and the 10 still works on this car). Part of this ranking is because that Jarrett 88 car is engraved as a classic look when I really was becoming a young fan, but either way you look at it this is a classic NASCAR look.
3) Matt DiBenedetto - Keen Parts
What is more NASCAR throwback classic than gold, white, red, and silver rims? Sure, it would have been great to have Miller High Life on this car, but Keen Parts has been a great partner/sponsor in NASCAR and has helped hit this throwback on the head. Honoring Bobby Allison's 1988 Daytona 500 win isn't a bad way to get into the top 3.
4) Aric Almirola - STP
RPM is going back to the tried and true of throwback with another STP scheme. This one is a tribute to Richard Petty's 200th win. The colors will always remain classic in NASCAR as will STP's sponsorship.
5) Brad Keselowski - Miller Genuine Draft
"Midnight" is back again. If it wasn't for the No. 2 running this scheme a few years ago already for a one off race at MIS it may have been higher (maybe even number one). However, this scheme is still a fan favorite that honors Rusty Wallace.
6) Chris Buescher - Cheerios
I actually think this scheme is underrated and was pulled off very well. It is a tribute to Patty Moise Xfinity scheme. What I really like about it is it was run as the No. 37 and she ran it at Darlington, oh, and THOSE NUMBERS! Man, those gold numbers pop on this scheme with clean lines and great colors. Cheerios was not the original sponsor, but it works well on this car and this should honestly be a season long livery for them when they sponsor.
7) Kasey Kahne - Great Clips
The colors, the old school lines over the hood to give the front and back different primary colors, and the number all scream throwback. This is a match to Geoff Bodine's No. 5 he drove back in the mid to late 80's ('84-'89) with only the sponsor being different.
8) AJ Allmendinger - Kroger
Want to do Darlington right? Have your throwback honor a two time winner at the track (Terry Labonte) and make it a good one at that. The classic colors (light blue, white, and red piping) bring this clean look together. Having a 4o number (47) really helps this scheme bring it back to its roots (44). The only thing dragging it down is sponsor obligations cluttering the rear of the car, but in 2017 we have to expect that.
9) Landon Cassill - Love's
Cracking the top ten is the No. 34 of Landon Cassill. This one is more of an original feel to the throwback than an actual replica of an old scheme. Love's brought back its old school colors of the 80's which really make this scheme work along with some classic script numbers. These colors scream the 1980's, so well done.
10) Dale Earnhardt Jr - Nationwide
I'll be honest, this would have worked better as a season long Nationwide scheme than a throwback. The AC Delco livery is one of NASCAR history, but this doesn't do it justice. However, it still has classic simple lines, great colors, and a history with Junior so it is still alright in my books.
11) Ricky Stenhouse Jr
This one, personally, could have been so much higher. However, I just can not take the complete color change from Darrell Waltrips 1997 scheme. I get why (to match sponsor colors), but that is my main reason for sliding it down so far. The numbers are and always will be awesome and are what have made this scheme stick out over the years.
12) Michael McDowell - WRL
The No. 95 team is honoring Alan Kulwicki by way of his rookie paint scheme (No. 35). It's as simple as it gets, but simple, especially with throwbacks, typically works.
13) Kevin Harvick - Busch
Like most No. 4 "throwbacks" lately, this one isn't a true throwback duplicate, but rather one inspired by old Busch Beer. I don't love it, but the simple lines on the side body and the colors, specifically the gold with blue, really help this one get an older feel to it.
14) Corey LaJoie - Dr. Pepper
This one probably deserves to be higher with so many uninspiring tries this year, but for some reason it fell flat to me. Maybe it's that I really wish it was Miller High Life (I know, I gave it a pass on the No. 32), or maybe it's that it was Davey Allisons Xfinity car? The biggest downfall of this look was they didn't include the gold rims....
15) Austin Dillon - E15
Part of this low ranking is that it's been done before, but most of this ranking is that it's being done twice by RCR in the same year (also on the No. 31). Heck, RCR as a whole dropped the ball this year as the No. 27 seems to have a normal scheme for Darlington. Past all the above, a Dale Earnhardt throwback is always a good thing and the colors will look great on track at Darlington.
16) Ty Dillon - Geico
It's been done before. It was done last year. It's the exact scheme as last years throwback weekend. Sigh. Well, saving this is how awesome it is, but all of those other things drag on me too much to list this back to back scheme higher.
