Gérard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen 1970 #3 Porsche 917L
Ugh! Who thought this was a good idea? Let’s take an amazing looking automobile, the Porsche 917L, give it a great shade of blue, and then paint gaudy red-yellowish flames on the sides and top. Add in one of the worst looking numbers I’ve seen on the side of a race car, and you have an awful look. I can’t give this anything more than a D-, the shade of blue keeping this car from failing.
By David G Firestone
STAR COM RACING #00
Jeffery Earnhardt #00 VRX Racing Simulators Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white with silver and blue cutting edge designs. C
Landon Cassill #00 USFRA.ORG/Starcom Fiber Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, blue with red and silver designs, and red roof. B+
CHIP GANASSI RACING #1
Jamie McMurray #1 GearWrench Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black with green stripes and roof. A
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black with blue waves on sides. A
Jamie McMurray #1 DC Solar Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, dark blue and white with diagonal stripes. B-
Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, red and black replaces blue. A
Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, red with yellow and black stripe, and yellow design on rear quarter panel bottom. A-
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/DC Solar Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, same as McDonald’s, but with black, white, and gray. A
Jamie McMurray #1 Clover Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white front, blue fade with circuit designs across sides. C-
TEAM PENSKE #2
Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, white and red Penske template. A
Brad Keselowski #2 Discount Tire Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, white with black outline. A
Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–No change. A
Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion–No Change. A
Brad Keselowski #2 Auto Trader Ford Fusion–No Change. D-
Brad Keselowski #2 Discount Tire Bruce Halle Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2018, same as discount tire but with Bruce Halle tribute on hood. A
Brad Keselowski #2 Reese/Drawtite Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, Penske Template with blue and black. A
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3
Austin Dillon#3 Dow Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black fade to red to black across whole car. A
Austin Dillon #3 AAA Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, all red, with white stripe pattern on sides. A
Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, green front, black rear, white and black waves on sides. C-
Austin Dillon #3 Dow Silastic Silicone Elastomers Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white with liquid motif on front, and yellow field motif on rear. A
Austin Dillon #3 Dow Killz Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, same as Dow but with Killz logo on sides. B+
STEWART-HAAS RACING #4
Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Ford Fusion–No change. A
Kevin Harvick #4 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion–No change. A
Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, black and white reversed. A
Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Plaid Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2018, dark blue plaid all over car, gold rear. A
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6
Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, black with grey, silver and blue stripes. A
Trevor Bayne #6 Performance Plus Motor Oil Ford Fusion–No change. B-
Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare 25th Anniversary Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2018, same as regular, but with 25th Anniversary logo on hood. A
Trevor Bayne #6 Ford EcoBoost Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, black replaces red, more toned down, with white rear. B+
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #7
Danica Patrick #7 GoDaddy/Warriors By Danica Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2018, green with white stripes and black rear. A-
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #8
Daniel Hemric #8 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, green with black stripes and black hood. C+
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #9
Chase Elliott #9 NAPA Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2017, blue with white designs on sides. B+
Chase Elliott #9 Hooters Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, orange back and white front, with Y design across sides. B-
Chase Elliott #9 Sun Energy Chevy Camaro–No change. F
Chase Elliott #9 Kelly Blue Book Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, blue with white diagonal side and cutting edge design. C
Chase Elliott #9 Mountain Dew Chevy SS–New scheme for 2018, green with small black stripes on bottom. A
STEWART-HAAS RACING #10
Aric Almirola #10 Smithfield Foods Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2018, black and white with slash patterns on sides. A
Aric Almirola #10 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, silver replaces green. A
JOE GIBBS RACING #11
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry–No change. B-
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Freight Toyota Camry–No change. B-
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry–No change. B-
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry–No change. B-
TEAM PENSKE #12
Ryan Blaney #12 Duracel/Menard’s Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2017, yellow with narrow stripes. A
Ryan Blaney #12 Dex Imaging Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2018, Penske template, white front, red rear. A
Ryan Blaney #12 PPG Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, blue front, white rear, horizontal paint drip motif across car. A
Ryan Blaney #12 Peak/Menard’s Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, new Menard’s template with Peak on hood. A
Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Pennzoil Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, yellow with silver and white wave design on sides. B-
Ryan Blaney #12 Carlisle Tools Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, Penske template with gold and white. A
Ryan Blaney #12 Body Armor Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018. white roof and hood, red sides with sublimated triangles with a black stripe near front wheel. B+
Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Libman Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, new Menard’s template with Libman on hood. A
GERMAIN RACING #13
Ty Dillon #13 Twisted Tea Chevy Camaro–No change. A
Ty Dillon #13 Geico Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, similar scheme to 2017, but some cutting edge designs replace stripe on sides. C
Ty Dillon #13 Geico Millitary Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, similar scheme t0 2017, but with some changes to the front. F
STEWART-HAAS RACING #14
Clint Bowyer #14 Rush’s Truck Stops Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, yellow front, red stripe, black rear. A
Clint Bowyer #14 Haas CNC Ford Fusion–No change. A
Clint Bowyer #14 Mobil 1 Ford Fusion–No change. A
Clint Boyer #14 CSU One Cure Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, side stripes are cleaner. A
Clint Bowyer #14 Haas Demo Days Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, same as Hass, but with Haas Demo Days on hood. A
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #15
Ross Chastain #15 Low T Center Chevy Camaro–No change. F
Ross Chastain #15 Championship Machinery Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, blue, white, and yellow brush stroke motif across car. C-
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, blue with white and black diagonal stripes across sides. A
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion–No change. B-
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Ford Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, black front, with red and black stripes across sides. F
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Sunny D Ford Fusion–No change. F
JOE GIBBS RACING #18
Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Toyota Camry–No change. A
Kyle Busch #18 Snickers Almond Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2018, red, white and blue with large stripes on sides. F
Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota Camry–No change. A
Kyle Busch #18 Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota Camry–No change. A
Kyle Busch #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry–No change. F
JOE GIBBS RACING #19
Daniel Suarez #19 Stanley Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2017, yellow with a series of gray and black cutting edge designs on sides. D-
Daniel Suarez #19 Arris Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2018, orange replaces silver on quarter panel. A
Daniel Suarez #19 Peak Toyota Camry–No change. A
Daniel Suarez #19 Arris Ruckus Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2018, solid orange with white and black numbers and letters. A
Daniel Suarez #19 Coca Cola Toyota Camry–New sponsor for 2018, red with white Coca Cola stripe across sides. A
JOE GIBBS RACING #20
Erik Jones #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry–No change. A
Erik Jones #20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2018, black with red bottom. A
Erik Jones #20 Circle K Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2018, slightly different design, with shorter stripes, and logo adjustments. A
Erik Jones #20 SportClips Toyota Camry–New sponsor for 2018, same as 2017 #11. C-
Erik Jones #20 Sirius/XM Toyota Camry–No change. B+
WOOD BROTHER RACING #21
Paul Menard #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion–No change. A
Paul Menard #21 Menard’s Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, same as #12. A
Paul Menard #21 OmniCraft Auto Parts Ford Fusion–No change. A
Paul Menard #21 Menard’s/Dutch Boy Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, new Menard’s template with Dutch Boy on the hood. A
Paul Menard #21 Menard’s/FVP Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, new Menard’s template with FVP. A
TEAM PENSKE #22
Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion–No change. D
Joey Logano #22 Auto Trader Ford Fusion–No Change. D-
Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change. A
Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change. D
Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change. A
BK RACING #23
Gray Gaulding #23 EarthWater Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2018, white replaces black, complex gray, orange, and blue designs on sides. F
Gray Gaulding #23 Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2018, white with red and black numbers. A
Gray Gaulding #23 Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2018, black sides, white hood and roof. A
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24
William Byron #24 Axalta Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2017, blue with flame motif across whole car. A
William Byron #24 Liberty University Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2017, blue with red flames on front. A
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31
Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy Camaro–No change. A
Ryan Newman #31 Caterpillar Chevy Camaro–No change. B-
Ryan Newman #31 Liberty National Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, green front, rear and roof, blue sides. F
Ryan Newman #31 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, red top, yellow stripes, black bottom. C-
Ryan Newman #31 Chevy Accessories Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, white with metal designs on sides. A
Ryan Newman #31 eBay Motors Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white front, fade to blue, wave designs on sides. A
Ryan Newman #31 Liberty National Patriotic Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, American flag motif with green numbers. A-
GO FAS RACING #32
Matt DiBenedetto #32 Keen Parts/Corvette Parts Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2017, red, with slight wave formation across sides. A
Matt DiBenedetto #32 The Hurricane Heist Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, dark blue thunderstorm motif. A
Matt DiBenedetto #32 Can Am/Wholey Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, slight design change, with Wholey logo on quarter panel. F
Matt DiBenedetto #32 Crowdfunded Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2018, white with a series on logos on the sides. A
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #34
Michael McDowell #34 Love’s Truck Stops/Speedco Ford Fusion–No change. A
Michael McDowell #34 K-Love Ford Fusion–No change. A
Michael McDowell #34 Love’s Truck Stops Ford Fusion–No change. A
Michael McDoewll #34 K-Love Ford Fusion–No change. A
Michael McDowell #34 A&W Ford Fusion–No change. A
JTG DAUGHERTY RACING #37
Chris Buescher #37 Kleenex Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, blue with silver and white cutting edge designs. C
Chris Buescher #37 Louisiana Hot Sauce Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, black with red and yellow fire design on sides. A
Chris Buescher #37 Natural Light Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, red cutting edge designs have been added. B-
Chris Buescher #37 Scott Towels Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, red sides with stripes, white front and rear. B+
Chris Buescher #37 Healthy Choice Power Bowls Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, black with sublimated leaf designs across car. A
Chris Buescher #37 Bush’s Best Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, red with white designs on sides. A
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #38
David Ragan #38 Shriner’s Children’s Hospital Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, blue with black and white stripe, and red bottom. A
David Ragan #38 FR8 Auctions Ford Fusion–No change. F
David Ragan#38 MDS Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018 all white with MDS logos on sides and hood. A
David Ragan #38 1000 Bulbs Ford Fusion–No change. D+
David Ragan #38 MDS Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, white roof, blue and orange stripe across bottom. A
STEWART-HAAS RACING #41
Kurt Busch #41 State Water Heaters Ford Fusion-No change. B+
Kurt Busch #41 Monster Ford Fusion–No Change. A
Kurt Busch #41 Haas/Monster Ford Fusion–No Change. A
Kurt Busch #41 Haas Automation Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, red fade to black. A
Kurt Busch #41 Mobil 1/Haas CNC Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, same as Mobil 1, with silver, and Haas CNC on sides. A
Kurt Busch #41 Haas Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2018, based on Kurt’s sharpie scheme from 2003. A
CHIP GANASSI RACING #42
Kyle Larson #42 Credit One Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, blue with white and lighter blue stripes. A
Kyle Larson #42 DC Solar Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, same design as #1, but with colors reversed. B-
Kyle Larson #42 DC Solar Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, blue and white with sunburst motif on sides. D-
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Click N Close Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2017, dark blue with Click N Close. A
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Air Force Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, same as 2017, but with black stripe across bottom. A
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 STP Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, red sides, blue hood and roof, with some silver designs on borders. A-
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 NASCAR Racing Experience Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, blue sides, white hood and roof. A
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white front, blue rear. A
Darrell Wallace Jr. #43 Farmer John Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018 red front and hood, dark blue rear. A
JTG DAUGHERTY RACING #47
AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, white with blue and red stripes on sides. B-
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #48
Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Pro Services Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black with gray outlines. A
RICK WARE RACING #51
Justin Marks #51 Keens Buildings Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, black with orange, gray, and white designs on sides. D+
Justin Marks #51 Harry’s Razors Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, blue, orange, and white sunbeam design. C+
Cole Custer #51 Haas CNC Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, same as #14, but white replaces black. A
Harrison Rhodes #51 Davis Roofing Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white with red and black vertical stripes. A
Timmy Hill #51 Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, red with stripes on hood and roof. A
Timmy Hill #51 Bubba Burger Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black with fire motif on sides. A
Harrison Rhodes #51 Custom Aircraft Cabinets Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, orange with white designs on sides. D+
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #55
Joey Gase #55 Nevada Donor Network Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, black with orange and blue designs on sides. A-
Reed Sorenson #55 Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, same as Nevada Donor Network, but without logos. A-
JJ Yeley #55 Adirondack Tree Surgeons/Overdose Awareness Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, green with forest motif on sides, black hood. D-
BEARD MOTORSPORTS #62
Brendan Gaughan #62 Beard Oil/South Point Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white front, yellow curve, black rear. A
MBM MOTORSPORTS #66
Mark Thompson #66 Phoenix Air Ford Fusion–No change. A
TRI STAR MOTORSPORTS #72
Corey LaJoie #72 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black replaces all white designs. C-
Mark Smith #72 Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, black with red and white stripe across bottom. A
Cole Whitt #72 So Cal Chevy Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, same as last year, but with gold stripe across bottom. A
Mark Smith #72 Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, black with white stripe across bottom. A
FURNITURE ROW RACING #78
Martin Truex Jr. #78 Bass Pro Shops/5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2018 black with orange designs on sides. C-
Martin Truex Jr. #78 5-Hour Energy/Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2018 black with red designs on sides. C-
Martin Truex Jr. #78 Auto Owner’s Insurance Toyota Camry–No change. A
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88
Alex Bowman #88 Nationwide Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2017, blue with white designs on sides. B+
Alex Bowman #88 Axalta Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black with blue,red,white,and yellow cutting edge designs across sides. F
Alex Bowman #88 Llumar Window Film Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, white with red and green designs on sides. B+
RICKY BENTON RACING #92
David Gilliland #92 Carquest/Black’s Tire Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2018, white with black and blue wave on sides, black roof. C-
LEAVINE FAMILY RACING #95
Kasey Kahne #95 Procore Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, black, white, and orange with cutting edge designs across whole car. F
Kasey Kahne #95 Procore Chevy Camaro-New scheme for 2018, same as earlier scheme, white and black reversed. F
Kasey Kahne #95 Procore/Habitat for Humanity Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, same as Procore, but with Habitat for Humanity on sides and hood. F
Kasey Kahne #95 WRL Contractors Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2018, blue is the primary color, with lighter blue patches on sides. B+
GAUNT BROS RACING #96
DJ Kennington #96 Lordco Toyota Camry–No change. C-
DJ Kennington #96 Northern Provincial Pipelines LTD Toyota Camry–No change. A
DJ Kennington #96 Gordon Brothers Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2018, blue wave pattern on sides, and blue roof, white on sides. B-
By David G. Firestone
Got a couple of things to discuss this week, but before I get to the heart of the subject, I need to discuss a slight change to the proceedings this week. Due to the fact that there is no Cup series race this week, I’m not going to grade paint schemes this week. The Tracker is ready to go, but I will resume grading schemes next week.
Now onto something that, at least to me, makes no sense. I read Uni-Watch on a regular basis, and recently saw a link to a picture of Yale lacrosse players wearing headscarves as a way to block out peripheral vision. Now, this is not a new thing, because drag racing has been doing this for some time. Jack Beckman referred to it as “the Clydesdale Effect.” These are examples of how drivers modify their helmet visors:Now in drag racing, it makes sense, because this is a picture of what you need to focus on:
That isn’t that much, since you really only need to focus on your lane. In lacrosse however, you need to be aware of everything around you. You need to know where your teammates are, as well as your opponents. You need to know where the ball is in relation to where you are, and where the goal is. Why would you cut down on peripheral vision? It doesn’t make any sense. No other sport besides drag racing needs The Clydesdale Effect, because in no other sport would ever need it. It makes even less sense when you realize that a lacrosse field has a 110 yards by 60 yards dimensions. Blocking players vision with The Clydesdale Effect could only lead to injury.
The other thing I want to discuss is Dewey Rider. For those who don’t know, Dewey Rider is Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s replacement in Mountain Dew commercials. He is supposed to be a funny character, but he is utterly humorless. He is not funny, the commercials are not good, Rider and Dale Jr. do not have good chemistry, and the ad campaign as a whole is forced. I hate Dewey Rider, and I hate Danny McBride, the actor who plays Dewey.
Dewey Rider is Mountain Dew’s version of Flo from Progressive, and the Geico Gecko. He’s a character that starts out small, but is forced on us, to the point that we all get sick of them, and the company won’t drop them. I get that Flo and the Gecko have their fan bases, but the majority of us are sick of them. I can only see Dewey ending up in the same boat.
The only character that really worked was The Most Interesting Man In The World. Dos Equis used Jonathan Goldsmith to portray The Most Interesting Man In The World. The commercials were interesting, Goldsmith played the character to perfection, the commercials seemed natural, and it worked. Plus, unlike Progressive and Geico, Dos Equis retired the character before it got too stale and over done.
The bottom line is that Dewey Rider is not a great character, people don’t like him, and I hope he goes away.
