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



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.

2016 Darlington Paint Scheme Power Rankings

By Richard Tix


It's Darlington week during Labor Day weekend again. Last year 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 second 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 and Two: because the Chase consists of 16 drivers and it's the best way to fit in all my favorites.


1) Greg Biffle - Hooters

When this paint scheme first dropped I had already started this list (head starts are nice when you're busy with a real life job, not just a blog...). When the Hooters scheme dropped I immediately had to think about where it landed because I knew I held it highly. I originally had it two or three, but then it was announced that the famed "Underbird: would be added to the front it edged out Tony Stewart's throwback. Everything about this scheme is perfect including Hooters coming back for a one off race. Nice work RFR and Hooters, NBTW approves.


2) Tony Stewart - Coca-Cola



When this car was reviled it automatically shot up the list I was keeping in my head. Everything about it screams perfect throwback. SHR/Tony Stewart/Coca-Cola made the old school look first run by Bobby Allison from 1970-73 work perfect on the Gen-6 (Inclduing 1971 and 1972 Southern 500 wins). The simple lines work perfect and when I think old school NASCAR I think of colors like this. The number font is great (but the 12 looks better in the stylized font) and Coca-Cola is a great sponsor (plus the original). Oh, and man the engine CC on the hood, its a thing of beauty. - NASCAR.com story on the revile and car


3) Kevin Harvick - Busch



A throwback scheme to the 1979 Daytona 500 run by NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough, count me in as a fan. The Busch scheme gets extra points for the gold number/rim combo. Plus, it's always nice when a team can use the same old school sponsor that was originally on the car. SHR takes the top two spots in this ranking after underwhelming on the No. 41 and No. 10. - More on the 1979 Cale Yarborough look on NASCAR.com


4) Dale Earnhardt Jr/Jeff Gordon - Nationwide



The "Gray Ghost" is back again. Dale Junior hinted at this being his scheme for awhile before officially releasing it in mid April. It's a classic NASCAR look from Buddy Baker and his scheme from 1980 when he won the Daytona 500. I am a huge fan of this scheme (I even have a shirt of it I picked up while at the All Star Race). It would have landed a bit higher is he hadn't already used a Gray Ghost look a few years back. - More on Gray Ghost on DaleJr.com


5) Kyle Busch - Interstate Battery



What is more 90's NASCAR then Dale Jarrett and Interstate Batteries? Sure, you could make a case for Bobby Labonte and Interstate Batteries after Dale, but play along here. This is biased of me (but what rankings isn't?). The 90's look on Jarrett and Labonte's Interstate Battery cars are some of my favorite. Mostly because it was an iconic look in the time frame I started watching as a young kid. Past that, the colors pop while the black gives it an intimidating look. The Interstate logo at the time was perfectly overlaid on the scheme which is an added bonus. - More on the Dale Jarrett scheme on NASCAR.com


6) Casey Mears - Geico



Black, Gold, with a small pop of red. Everything about Mears throwback for Darlington says NASCAR roots. So, with no surprise the scheme is a tribute to Smokey Yunick who was one of the most innovative crew chief's in NASCAR history. The car just seems to pop and stick out with the black and gold combo that was used on Smokeys cars including for Curtis Turner in 1977 who won the pole for the Daytona 500. Between the ingenuity of the man behind the car and the way he pulled it off, this is a top 6 throwback. I will say, the silver "bumper" is a cool idea, but I don't think they pulled it off on the Gen 6. Without it, I may have moved the Smokey Tribute car a bit higher. - More on the Smokey car on NASCAR.com


7) Matt Kenseth - Tide

JGR, Kenseth, and Tide came in strong to screw up my rankings. I figured I wouldn't have to make a ton of changes to the top 10 so I started my rankings two weeks before Darlington, then this happened. Tide makes a one race return which is enough to get this car into the top 10 (props to Tide and JGR). On top of that, this is one of the classic NASCAR looks of all time. I did doc it a bit because GoFast Racing already ran this one last year (Ricky Craven with a correct number) and the yellow stripe is curved wrong. Seriously, its curved wrong.... Three different versions have seen this livery and they changed the yellow stripe curve? Weird miss, but it won't get in my top five for those two reason's. Still, huge props to get Tide back for a race. Top 10 is impressive in such a stout year for throwbacks let alone 6th overall.


8) Carl Edwards - Arris



We have perfect throwback colors in a car/s above. We have perfect early childhood NASCAR memories in a car above. Now we have perfect timing on a throwback in a car. What a better time for JGR to bring back a Tony Stewart throwback then in his last season and last trip to Darlington. The other part of this scheme keeping it higher is the fact that they very successfully used current sponsor Arris on the hood and almost made you think it was Home Depot. Seriously, that part of the car was very well done and might get overlooked. It's JGR 25th anniversary year and showing off Smokes 1999 rookie year scheme at the Southern 500 was a home run. If it wasn't for the "perfect" storm (timing with Stewart's retirement) this scheme would have fallen a few extra spots. - More on the Stewart tribute on NASCAR.com


9) Jeffery Earnhardt - CorvetteParts.com/Keen Parts



Jr Nation may come after me for having this one so low (that's because most of Jr Nation was first Dale Sr fans). However, the 1981 Dale Earnhardt throwback is still easily a top 10 scheme for Darlington weekend and one of the better throwback scheme's one could have. Its also an added bonus to keep the scheme in the family. The colors will always be an amazing combo and the stripe fade is a great touch. What bring's it down a touch? Dale Junior running the exact throwback in Xfinity a few years back (then Nationwide) and the fact that they could have done more with the numbers (match the old three better stylistically). Overall, nice job GoFast Racing/Keen Parts. - More on the Earnhardt throwback on NASCAR.com


10) Trevor Bayne - Advocare



My first thought when this was the scheme chosen by RFR? "Hey, that was one of my first 1:24 scale NASCAR die-cast's!" My early collection consisted of a bunch of Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty cars, this Mark Martin Valvoline run in 1996 and 1997, and a Bill Elliott car. My 1:64 was a bit more well rounded, but for the bigger versions this was one of my favorites. Over time the scheme has aged well. RFR and Advocare brought it back which marks back to back years of Mark Martin throwbacks and back to back years Trevor Bayne made this Power Rankings. Well done RFR, now if you could just turn the on track finishes around. - Another look of the Mark Martin throwback on NASCAR.com


11) Jamie McMurray - Mac Tonight (McDonalds)



Speaking of die-casts of my youth, add in this McDonalds scheme to the Mark Martin one above. This "Mac Tonight" scheme run by Bill Elliott in 1997 is a classic for how off the wall it was. Nothing brings me back to childhood more then NASCAR, McDonalds, and Die-Casts. Let's also note J-Mac running a Mac Tonight scheme, perfect! - More on NASCAR.com


12) Matt DiBenedetto - Orange Crush



This is secretly one of my favorite scheme's of the weekend that may not get the credit it should. So, secret is out! Unlike all of the above, this scheme isn't actually based on a car from a past era, but rather a whole "new" scheme where the sponsor is throwing it back. The lines are fairly simple which was a staple of older schemes. Meanwhile Orange Crush really gave it an old school feel with old script and throwback logo's. The perfect numbers are what puts this one over the top (as well as my love for Orange and Blue). - More about Orange Crush and the throwback scheme on NASCAR.com


13) Ryan Blaney - Quick Lane



We are at No. 13 and have yet to hit a weak point in the list, that's pretty amazing. If you add in fire suits to the equation then Blaney and his ride would gain a few spots. Wood Brothers really can do no wrong when it comes to throwing a car's paint scheme back in time, heck every week they run a classic! This time the Wood Brothers chose to go with the 1976 Mercury Montego that David Pearson made famous by winning 10 races in 1976 including the Southern 500. I will say the red by the headlights doesn't work like it did on the Mercury which held it back a bit (like the bumper on the No. 13), but I do appreciate the attempt to replicate what was on Pearson's ride. - More on the David Person throwback on NASCAR.com


14) Denny Hamlin - Sport Clips



This years Denny Hamlin throwback is better then what Sport Clips gave us last year for the Southern 500. It's tough to go wrong with Red, White, and Blue. The gold numbers on the side are a fantastic and I can dig the clean lines. Overall its a nice classic feel which points out the fact that clean lines are king (in my opinion) when throwing it back. - More on NASCAR.com


15) Aric Almirola - STP



Look, I love the King. My brother who loves NASCAR and got me into it as a young kid is much older then me and was a Richard Petty fan, so I followed suit. But, I think if the throwbacks weren't Petty STP car's every year I would find myself putting them higher. The colors are classic and iconic in NASCAR. Not many times does a color become iconic in sport, but STP and Petty did just that. The 1979 throwback is still fantastic, hence why it made the list, but I downgraded it because it feels like we have seen it before. The slight paint scheme changes back when car bodies changed more often are more noticeable then on the Gen 6 every year. - More on NASCAR.com


16) Brad Keselowski - Miller Lite



Team Penske/Miller Lite came up with a fresh "new" old school look. Personally, I love this scheme, but in a class of so many good one's this slipped a bit. It's original yet has a classic feel. The lines are simple and flowing and work with the Gen 6 (because it isn't based off an old scheme). When it comes to original throwbacks, this one is up there with the "Orange Crush." Miller Lite did well with the stylistic font and the baby blue, white, and accent gold that resemble their 1972 designs. Trust me, this will look good under the Darlington lights. - More on NASCAR.com


Extra Credit: AJ Allmendinger - Kroger



Considering this scheme came off of a 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo it works pretty well. Once again, I absolutely love the colors. Any time you can use red, blue, or white (or all of them) and add in gold, well it's pure throwback gold. JTG went back and will honor 1975 rookie of the year Bruce Hill. IN the end, its the gold number on the side that gets this care on the list for me, 100% love them. - More on jtgdaughertyracing.com com

Extra Credit Two: Jimmie Johnson - Lowes



Another look at a Dale Earnhardt throwback this season. This time to his first season which also included David Pearson subbing for him. The colors and lines are simple which really works. The style and numbers are nice and everything looks good. For me, it's just not amazing compared to how much I love the others. Still, nicely done. - More on NASCAR.com

Extra Credit Three: Michael McDowell - Thrivent



The No. 95 will be throwing it back Darlington weekend to a 1973 scheme driven by Richard Childress. What I love: how simple the scheme is. The silver numbers. The font on the quarter panels that match the old "Kansas Jack" style. What I wish they added/changed: The Thrivent logo is too large for my taste. You can barely tell a racing strip continues to the hood. I also which they would have added in some of the blue that was normally run by Childress that season. Thrivent said the red worked better with them, but I think some blue accent would have worked nice. - More on NASCAR.com


Just Missed: Chase Elliott, Regan Smith, Austin Dillon, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr (See them here)
Totally Missed the Mark: Danica Patrick, Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr, and David Ragan

2015 Darlington Paint Scheme's Power Rankings

By Richard Tix

This weekend NASCAR heads to Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500 (Bojangles' Southern 500). Finally, NASCAR is back at Darlington for Labor Day weekend. NASCAR brought back the Labor Day tradition and teams are bring back some retro looks to there cars.

So, why not create another Power Rankings (or list), because everyone loves lists! Disclaimer, this is all based on opinion (like many lists are). So, lets dig into my top 10 paint schemes for this weekend (Make note: I still have not seen the #22 fully reviled and this was released 8/31/15. More scheme's might be coming).

Full list of 2015 Darlington Retro Paint Schemes

1) Brad Keselowski- Miller High Life

Every since BK, Penske, and Miller released this paint scheme (and "Midnight") to start the season in Vegas I was in love. It's true, I am a #2 fan so some may find bias, but this 1980's scheme that was used by Bobby Allison is simple and clean.


2) Dale Earnhardt Jr- Valvoline 



Jr and HMS didn't release there throwback scheme as early as many teams but it was worth the wait. Jr and Valvoline brought back the classic look that Valvoline and Neil Bonnett used. Again, simple, clean, and great colors.


3) Ricky Stenhouse Jr- Cargill

Stenhouse Jr's Darlington car will be the best thing to happen to the #17 all year. On a serious note, that last statement was serious. The David Pearson look is a fantastic throwback with great 70's colors. You will find a theme here, simple, clean, great colors, and the numbers look fantastic.


4) Clint Bowyer- Peak

Buddy Baker Clint Bowyers look for Darlington is a nod to the late Buddy Baker. It not only finds itself high on the list because of who it was for, but also because this simple design was hand painted, yes hand painted.


5) Kyle Larson- Mellow Yello

Hopefully Larson doesn't hit everything but the pace car at Darlington. The old Mello Yello look just make you long for the days of cars actually being made in underfunded shops like some of Cole Trickles in Days of Thunder. This is almost a throwback of a throwback (Cole Trickle in Days of Thunder and then Kyle Petty). The colors still pop and bring you right back to racing in the 80's and early 90's.


6) Aric Almirola- STP

As a Richard "King" Petty fan, its hard for me to think I just put a retro King car out of the top 5, but that is how many great scheme's there are. RPM has done a classic look at Martinsville, but they always seem to be the late 80's STP look and not back to Petty's hay day. This one goes back to 1972 and the first time STP was dawned on the #43 and paired with Petty Blue.


7) Trevor Bayne- Advocare

This one was popular while I was in my early stages of NASCAR. Born in 1987, the 90's are where I fell in love with the sport and this 1998 Mark Martin throwback sticks out. This is one of the first on the list that isn't based on clean lines and classic old school colors, but it all works because the colors pop and Martin made it a classic in the late 90's.


8) Kevin Harvick- Budweiser



All of the above were derived from an old classic NASCAR scheme, Harvicks is the first on the list that just has the retro look. This one is based on an old Budweiser can, logo, and colors. The old script and eagle logo are what does it for me, add in the gold color and it is top of the line when it comes to "new," old school looks.


9) Chase Elliott- Napa

The colors and sponsor are different, but Chase Elliott gets the "Awesome" honor in running one of his fathers classic schemes. Bill Elliot ran the Coors Scheme to win the 1985 "Winston Million" at Darlington. That alone gets him on the top 10 then add to it that it is clean, simple, and his dad drove it? No brainer.


10) Greg Biffle- Ortho



Add the Biff as the second car on this list not actually done directly after and older scheme. Biffle, RFR, and Ortho bring the old school feel with a simple old logo (Ortho), some classic colors, and a cool number script. I think this original retro look isn't getting enough love as people tend to look at the throwbacks first.


11) Landon Cassill- Snap Fitness

I want to start by saying I love the Snap Fitness red, white, and blue look they currently have, it is awesome. But, most American themed schemes can't live up to the glory that this one has. In 2001 Sterling Marlin ran this 9/11 inspired theme at Kansas just a few weeks after 9/11. This one is for the USA and is still a classic look pulled off by this team.


12) Jimmie Johnson- Lowes



Rounding out the list in the #12 spot is JJ and his retro Lowes look. Again, this one gets some points on originality as it isn't based on an old scheme. The old colors, logo, and company slogan really round it out nicely.