NASCAR is headed to Darlington this weekend, which means it’s time for the sport’s annual “throwback” weekend.
Since 2015, Darlington Raceway has used one of its race weekends as a throwback to pay tribute to the history of the sport, and drivers and teams use the weekend to roll out some old-school paint schemes honoring some of NASCAR’s most legendary drivers and their iconic rides.
If you’ve been a fan of NASCAR for awhile, some of these schemes are sure to evoke some serious nostalgia – and even if you haven’t, throwback weekend is a good way to learn about the history of the sport.
So with that, here are some of the best throwback paint schemes that we’ll see on the track this weekend at Darlington.
Tyler Reddick
Reddick’s #8 Cup Series car will pay tribute to country singer and NASCAR driver Marty Robbins – and with sponsorship from Quartz Hill Records, will feature Joe Nichols on the hood.
Excited to be on the @tylerreddick No. 8 hood for @tootoughtotame #nascarthrowback race honoring country music legend & @nascar driver Marty Robbins. The paint scheme was inspired by Marty’s 1972/1973 iconic pink and yellow machine. Tune-in Sunday! #Goodyear400 @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/GsSydv3Ipc
— Joe Nichols (@JoeNichols) May 6, 2021
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott‘s throwback scheme will honor Alan Kulwicki, the 1992 Cup Series champion who was voted one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. Kulwicki was tragically killed in a plane crash the year after his championship win.
This throwback scheme is awesome 🔥
Can't wait to rep the iconic throwback @HootersRacing scheme in @TooToughToTame pic.twitter.com/IUskTSU8xr
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) March 30, 2021
Ryan Blaney
Blaney will be doing a different kind of throwback this year, with a paint scheme inspired by the car he drove in the 2010 PASS Series at the age of 16 as he was working his way up to NASCAR.
This scheme brings back some memories for me and dad. Not the flashiest thing out there but that’s how I like it. @AdvanceAuto @TooToughToTame pic.twitter.com/ST6ye7yG9w
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) April 29, 2021
Chase Briscoe
It’s only appropriate for the driver of the #14 car to honor the most legendary name to ever run that number – AJ Foyt.
This number carries the weight of legends. @ChaseBriscoe_14's AJ Foyt throwback dips deep into the history of our iconic number, paying homage to the heroes that drove it before him. #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/qGUDnzrpCn
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) May 4, 2021
Bubba Wallace
NASCAR’s only black driver in its top series will pay tribute to Wendell Scott, the first black driver to ever win in what is now the Cup Series.
This Sunday, we honor Wendell Scott because progress started here. @bubbawallace @root_insurance @WendellScott_34 pic.twitter.com/v4JYdW9FxE
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) May 4, 2021
William Byron
Byron’s #24 car, already an iconic car in its own right, will sport the Valvoline colors this weekend in honor of legendary member of the “Alabama Gang,” Neil Bonnett.
What a throwback.@WilliamByron is honoring Neil Bonnett – who would have turned 75 this year – with this @Valvoline paint scheme at @TooToughToTame. #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/bigMDPexIo
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) April 27, 2021
Michael McDowell
This year’s Daytona 500 winner will sport the paint scheme of another Daytona 500-winning car: Bill Elliott’s 1984 Coors Ford.
This weekend at @TooToughToTame, @Mc_Driver, @fr8auctions and @brave_wyatt will give a nod to Bill Elliot’s 1985 #Daytona500 winning livery on the No. 34 Ford Mustang! pic.twitter.com/SeABcxepIv
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) May 3, 2021
Cole Custer
Because it’s also Mother’s Day weekend, Cole Custer’s #41 Stewart-Haas Motorsports Ford will pay tribute to Margaret Haas, mother of car owner Gene Haas.
This one's for you, Margaret Haas. pic.twitter.com/We6IMgvC74
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) May 3, 2021
Erik Jones
The driver of the iconic #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevy will be honoring John Andretti, sporting the colors on the 43 car that Andretti drove to a win at Martinsville in 1999. Andretti unfortunately passed away from colon cancer in January 2020.
A special throwback to commemorate a special win, this one's for John 💙
Here's @Erik_Jones' No. 43 @OriginalSTP Chevy for @TooToughToTame, a tribute to John Andretti's race-winning ride at Martinsville in 1999! #CheckIt4Andretti | #NASCARThrowback | #RPMotorsports pic.twitter.com/KjApHCE3yX
— Richard Petty Motorsports (@RPMotorsports) May 3, 2021
Jeffrey Earnhardt
With a name like Earnhardt, you know who this guy’s honoring for throwback weekend. The grandson of Dale Earnhardt will honor the Intimidator with his #0 Xfinity Series ride, throwing it back to the patriotic scheme that his grandfather drove in the 1996 All-Star Race to promote the Olympics in Atlanta.
'@JEarnhardt1 will honor his grandfather, Dale Earnhardt, at @TooToughToTame.
His paint scheme resembles the car Dale drove in the 1996 All-Star Race, promoting the Olympics in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/0lz39J1KW1
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) April 21, 2021
Michael Annett
Annett’s Xfinity Series car will honor Darrell Waltrip’s iconic Gatorade scheme from 1979.
Thirsty for a fresh @TooToughToTame throwback paint scheme? @gatorade and @pilotflyingj have you covered with @michaelannett’s tribute to @allwaltrip’s 1979 original. pic.twitter.com/c4bYvU06vK
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) April 27, 2021
Joe Graf, Jr.
Graf’s taking a different route with his Xfinity Series ride, driving a throwback scheme inspired by the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future.
Wait a minute, Doc. Ah… Are you telling me you built a time machine… out of a DeLorean?@Joegrafjr @buckedupsupps @TooToughToTame @NASCAR @NASCARONFOX @XfinityRacing #NASCARThrowback #Throwbackweekend
Music Credit: Back To The Future Soundtrack by Alan Silvestri pic.twitter.com/TfWMKaGIJ6
— SS Green Light Racing (@SSGLR0717) May 5, 2021
Josh Berry
Berry’s JR Motorsports Xfinity ride will honor his boss, throwing it back to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.‘s 2001-Pepsi 400 winning paint scheme. Earnhardt, Jr. won that race in his first return to Daytona after losing his father on the same track, and gave us one of the most emotional wins in NASCAR history.
NEWS: @joshberry and @tirepros to carry special @DaleJr throwback colors on the No. 8 Chevrolet @TooToughToTame. pic.twitter.com/E9DEHECRPk
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) March 23, 2021
Brandon Brown
Brandon Brown’s #68 Xfinity car will feature a throwback to Dale Jarrett’s 2002 UPS ride. I mean, it makes sense for a driver named Brown to sport the colors of a company whose slogan was “What Can Brown Do For You?” (And as a Dale Jarrett fan when I was growing up, this one may be my personal favorite of all the throwbacks).
Here it is! Your first look at @brandonbrown_68’s throwback paint scheme for @TooToughToTame that gives a nod to @DaleJarrett’s 2002 UPS livery!📦
Race Advance: https://t.co/N2pgIdgsnt#WhatCanBrandonBrownDoForYou? pic.twitter.com/5hV73n0hlq
— Brandonbilt Motorsports (@BMSRaceTeam) May 4, 2021
Riley Herbst
Herbst’s Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series ride will honor his car owner Tony Stewart, sporting the scheme that Smoke drove to win the 1999 Rookie of the Year Award during his first full season in the Cup Series.
Let's party like it's 1999. @rileyherbst is ready to throw it back to @TonyStewart's '99 rookie year classic. pic.twitter.com/nz4blVaHBU
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) April 29, 2021
