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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

2017 Darlington Paint Scheme Power Rankings



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: because so many great schemes came out (because II did 16 last year) and Two: because the Chase Playoffs consists of 16 drivers.


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

Image result for 2017 danica patrick darlington

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

Image result for 2017 AJ Allmendinger darlington

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

Image result for 2017 corey LaJoie darlington

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.


Tuesday, August 22, 2017

2017 NASCAR Pit Road Week 24: Bristol

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race

Image result for 2017 kyle busch bristol

By Richard Tix

The Week 24 NASCAR Power Rankings after Kyle Busch's win at Bristol.


Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 24 (Week 23)
  1. Kyle Busch (LW-2)- A weekend sweep, 53 total points on Saturday, and another 6 playoff points sure are going to help come playoff time. He's getting hot at the right time.
  2. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- Truex gets a pass, heck he's run so well he can take a pass in each round of the playoffs until Homestead.
  3. Denny Hamlin (LW-5)- Michigan and IMS, two larger tracks where HP and clean air are king... Those are the only two races in the last seven that Hamlin hasn't finished 4th or better.
  4. Kyle Larson (LW-6)- Larson breaks up the Toyota theme at the top here, but not for long. A 9th place finish after a win at MIS wasn't what he wanted, but it wasn't terrible either.
  5. Matt Kenseth (LW-8)- The top four finishers on Saturday were all Toyota, Kenseth was one of those four (4th).
  6. Erik Jones (LW-9)- What a strong run. For most of the race everyone was thinking, "what if Erik wins this thing?" He's been trending up, but he will need a win to get into the playoffs and it might just happen.
  7. Kevin Harvick (LW-7)- After only a top 15 and top 20 finish the two previous weeks, Harvick got back on track with an 8th place finish on Saturday.
  8. Chase Elliott (LW-4)- The finish was a let down, but the 24 has been the fastest HMS car all year (week to week).
  9. Ryan Newman (LW-NR)- Quietly that's back to back top ten finishes for Newman. They just need to find the consistency they had back in 2014.
  10. Brad Keselowski (LW-3)- Poor qualifying effort and a poor night overall, Bristol will be forgettable.
  11. Trevor Bayne (LW-NR)- Back to back top tens are a good way to forget about all the poor finished of late.
  12. Kurt Busch (LW-NR)- Kurt now hoas two top tens in his last three races and three straight of 11th or better.
Dropped Out: Daniel Suarez (LW-10), Jamie McMurray (LW-11) and Chris Buescher (LW-12)
Just Missed: Ryan Blaney and Jimmie Johnson

Thursday, August 17, 2017

2017 NASCAR Week 24: Bristol

Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race

Bristol Motor Speedway



By Richard Tix

This week is going to be a condensed version of the weekly race preview. Let's go over some things to watch for and get ready for Bristol Baby!

What to Watch For?

PJ1 TrackBite

  • It was a year ago when NASCAR first introduced the sticky compound to be used at Bristol to try and open another lane back up for passing. For the most part it seemed to go over very well so since the night race at Bristol last year NASCAR has used it a handful of times (including Bristol again) with mostly positive reviews. It is the one year anniversary of this compound on Bristol Motor Speedway so it is only right that we keep an eye on how the racing will continue to evolve with PJ1 added to the bottom groove.

Matt Kenseth vs Joey Logano, again..

  • It's like a broken record, but it's because these two are in very similar positions. Both need a win to lock themselves into the playoffs (though Kenseth doesn't need one because he can get in on points). Both drivers have fared well here in the past as well. While MK is being chased down by Clint Bowyer in points, JoLo needs a win or his encumbered win will haunt him all the way into 2018. This weekend seems like as good as any for one of these two to get a playoff locking win.
Clint Bowyer's Points
  • Speaking of Matt Kenseth above, Clint Bowyer is the next in line for a playoff spot behind Kenseth (Bowyer is 17th in points as it pertains to the playoffs). The No. 14 has been steady and even shown glimpses of top 3 speed, but they also have had some pit falls and don't show that speed enough. Bowyer is 31 points behind Kenseth and almost in must win territory, but a strong run on Saturday, mixed with some stage points and an early MK exit, and Clint is back in the thick of things.


2017 Darlington Raceway Paint Schemes



By Richard Tix

For the third straight year Darlington Raceway is doing a throwback weekend theme which includes NASCAR teams participating in throwback paint schemes. The popularity of this weekend has went from great to amazing in the last few years and most of that is all because of this genius idea. Below you will find the 2017 Paint Schemes, but also check out the 2016 Paint Schemes and 2015 Paint Schemes from Darlington while you're at it and enjoy their glory!


**Note: As more schemes are released this page will continue to be updated


#2 Brad Keselowski


# 3 Austin Dillon



#4 Kevin Harvick



#5 Kasey Kahne



# 6 Trevor Bayne



#10 Danica Patrick

Image result for 2017 danica patrick darlington


#11 Denny Hamlin

Image result for 2017 denny hamlin darlington


#13 Ty Dillon



#14 Clint Bowyer



#17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.



#20 Matt Kenseth



#21 Ryan Blaney




#22 Joey Logano

Image result for 2017 joey logano darlington


#23 Corey LaJoie

Image result for 2017 corey LaJoie darlington

Image result for 2017 corey LaJoie darlington


#24 Chase Elliott




#31 Ryan Newman



#32 Matt DiBenedetto



#33 Jeffrey Earnhardt



#34 Landon Cassill



#37 Chris Buescher



#38 David Ragan



#43 Aric Amirola




#47 AJ Allmendinger

Image result for 2017 AJ Allmendinger darlington


#48 Jimmie Johnson

Image result for 2017 jimmie johnson darlington


#55 Derrike Cope



#77 Erik Jones



#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr



#95 Michael McDowell