Over the years, NASCAR has provided fans with some of the best paint schemes in the racing world. Many have become the symbols of drivers’ careers. Some of these include Bobby Allison’s Miller High Life car and Jeff Gordon’s “Rainbow Warrior” Chevrolet. These paint schemes have greatly impacted the sport. Here are five of the most unforgettable paint schemes.
5. Bobby Allison’s 1988 Miller High Life Car
Bobby Allison’s 1988 Miller High Life car was unique thanks to the gold and white coloring, designed to resemble a Miller High Life beer can. Allison won the 1988 Daytona 500 driving this No.12 Buick and made history by beating his son Davey for a father-and-son, one-two finish.
Its paintwork, which included a large Miller High Life logo on the hood and on the sides of the car, became famous not only for the striking design, but also because Allison won NASCAR’s biggest race at the age of 50 in it. This was the final win of his career. Unfortunately, he crashed at Pocono later in the year and retired after that. It’s still one of the most famous cars in NASCAR history.
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4. Richard Petty’s STP (No. 43 Plymouth/Pontiac)
One of the most iconic paint schemes in NASCAR is Richard Petty’s STP No. 43 car. A compromise resulted between Petty and STP president Andy Granatelli in 1972 when their distinctive combination of Petty Blue and Day-Glo Red came to be. Initially, Petty wanted to keep the car blue, his signature color, but Granatelli wanted the car to be completely STP red.
It resulted in a striking two-colored combination that would forever be linked to Petty’s legacy and his seven championships. Aside from Petty’s career, the car paint also ushered in a new era for NASCAR sponsorships and how national brands would be associated with the sport.
3. Jeff Gordon’s Rainbow Warrior (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
Jeff Gordon’s “Rainbow Warrior” No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet is one of the most popular paint schemes in NASCAR. In 1992, Sam Bass designed the rainbow pattern to celebrate DuPont’s variety of automotive finishes. The bright neon red, green, blue, and yellow stripes running across the car body were the trademark of Gordon’s early races, helping him stand out on and off the track. It’s the winningest paint scheme in NASCAR history. Gordon drove this car to 52 wins and three out of the four titles he clinched.
Beyond how visually striking the race car was, the design was very difficult to paint. Each color had to be laid down with great attention. Gordon’s success, coupled with this vibrant scheme, cemented his legacy in NASCAR.
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2. Kyle Petty’s Mello Yello (No. 42 Pontiac)
Another great design was Kyle Petty’s Mello Yello car in the early 1990s. A black body with bright green and yellow colors, the race car was easily distinguishable while on the track. Appearing on the track in 1991, the scheme became a fan-favorite almost immediately and its popularity grew even more after it appeared in the “Days of Thunder” movie. The Mello Yello car was a key part of Petty’s early 1990s era, and he drove it to five victories.
It was also a successful branding campaign for Mello Yello in NASCAR, which, in turn, helped put the soda on the map and give it shine in a market already filled with competitors like Mountain Dew. Petty’s rebellious racing talent and personality perfectly matched the bold, eye-catching design. It created one of the greatest car-driver duos in NASCAR history.
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1. Dale Earnhardt’s Black No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet
Of all paint schemes in NASCAR history, Dale Earnhardt’s black No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet became one of the most iconic. GM Goodwrench became the team’s primary sponsor in 1988, replacing the former Wrangler blue-and-yellow colors. The all-black, sleek, aggressive, and beautifully detailed red and silver trim perfectly represented Earnhardt’s tough and aggressive driving style, hence the nickname “The Man In Black.”
Earnhardt won four of his seven Winston Cup championships with the black No. 3 in 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994. He also won many races, including the legendary 1998 Daytona 500.
Richard Childress Racing retired the No. 3 race car following Earnhardt’s tragic death during the 2001 Daytona 500. It was revived by Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson, at the 2014 Daytona 500.