This week, yet another Mish Mosh edition from the Amtrak series.
Author: dgf2099
I'm just a normal guy who collects race-worn driver suits, helmets, sheet metal, and other race-worn items. I will use this blog to help collectors, and race fans alike understand the various aspects of driver suits and helmets, and commentate on paint schemes.
The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-March 11, 2015
By David G. Firestone
CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #1
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Beechcraft Chevy SS–No Change
Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, but with a new door design.
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/McDonald’s Chevy SS-Special dual scheme for the Daytona 500, black Cessna on the front, fade to red McDonald’s on the back.
Jamie McMurray #1 Sherwin Williams Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, Red, white and blue with a red line down the center, with the top fades blue to white on top, and white to blue on the bottom.
TEAM PENSKE #2
Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–Same basic design as 2014, but with no gold stripe, vintage Miller Crest, or hop designs on the side.
Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion–New redesign, similar in design to Joey Logano’s Shell/Pennzoil Ford, black replaces yellow as the primary color.
Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Fusion–Redesign from last season, follows the Shell/Pennzoil template.
Brad Keselowski #2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, blue Penske template on a black background
Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion–Throwback scheme that ran from 1990-1996
Brad Keselowski #2 Miller High Life Ford Fusion–Based on the design that Bobby Allison won the 1983 Sprint Cup Championship.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3
Austin Dillon #3 Cheerios Chevy SS–No change
Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy SS–No change
Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS–No Change
Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Chevy SS–No Change
STEWART-HAAS RACING #4
Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Chevy SS–No change
Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmie Johns Chevy SS–No change
Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Steakhouse–No Change
Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue, and white is the primary color scheme
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5
Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Chevy SS–No Change
Kasey Kahne #5 Time Warner Cable Chevy SS–No Change
Kasey Kahne #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy SS–Complete redesign from last year, black, and dark blue replaces light blue and silver, and the design has been completely revamped.
Kasey Kahne #5 Liftmaster Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, red and white redesign of the Time Warner scheme.
Kasey Kahne #5 Pepsi Chevy SS–No change
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6
Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion-New team, new sponsor, red, white and blue is the color scheme.
TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7
Alex Bowman #7 Nikko/Toy State Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, Red borders a blue design on the sides and hood.
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #9
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Twisted Tea Ford Fusion–No Change
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Camping World/Medallion Bank Ford Fusion-New sponsor set for 2015, a redesign of the Fresh From Florida #43 scheme.
STEWART-HAAS RACING #10
Danica Patrick #10 Aspen Dental Chevy SS–Same basic design as last year, but the blue ovals on the white are more pronounced.
Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Chevy SS–New redesign with more black and less orange.
Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy/TaxAct Chevy SS-New sponsor combo for the Sprint Unlimited, front of the car retains traditional GoDaddy design, whereas back quarter panel is TaxAct
Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-One race sponsor, will run at Martinsville in March, red, white and black scheme, with diagonal design up the doors.
JOE GIBBS RACING #11
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry–New redesign with a much simpler front and more design on the sides.
Denny Hamln #11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Freight Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 SportClips Toyota Camry–New redesign with a new door design
GERMAIN RACING #13
Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS–No Change.
STEWART-HAAS RACING #14
Tony Stewart #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy SS–Same color scheme as last year, but with a new design on the side.
Tony Stewart #14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS–Same color scheme as last year, but with a new design on the side.
Tony Stewart #14 Code 3 Associates/Mobil1 Chevy SS–No Change
MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15
Clint Bowyer #15 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry–No Change
Clint Bowyer #15 Peak Toyota Camry–No Change
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #16
Greg Biffle #16 Cheez Its Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, red with a cheese colored stripe and crackers on the side.
Greg Biffle #16 Clean Harbors Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, red white and black design
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Fire Ant Killer Ford Fusion–No change
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Home Defense Ford Fusion-New sponsor, white design with a red and yellow stripe on the bottom, with a net design on the side.
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Bug-B-Gon Ford Fusion-New sponsor, new design, red, black, and white is the primary color scheme.
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion-New primary sponsor, blue, and white is the color scheme.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion–Same color scheme as 2014, but with a new, simpler side design.
JOE GIBBS RACING #18
Kyle Busch #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry–No Change
Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Crispy Toyota Camry-New design for 2015, with a green background and more emphasis on M&M’s Crispy, as well as a new hood logo.
JOE GIBBS RACING #19
Carl Edwards #19 Stanley Toyota Camry-New team and new sponsor, yellow, black, and white is the color scheme.
Carl Edwards #19 Aaris Toyota Camry-New team and new sponsor, reddish orange with the Aaris logo used as part of the side stripe.
Carl Edwards #19 Comcast Business Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue, silver and white, with a stripe that starts on the bottom, covers the car number, and takes over the top at the back.
Carl Edwards #19 SportClips Toyota Camry-New sponsor, same design as Denny Hamlin.
Carl Edwards #19 Subway Toyota Camry–New sponsor for Joe Gibbs, much simpler design.
JOE GIBBS RACING #20
Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-New sponsor, black, green, yellow, and white is the color scheme.
Matt Kenseth #20 Dollar General Toyota Camry–Much simpler than the 2014 scheme, with fewer side designs.
WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21
Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft/Quicklane Ford Fusion–No Change
TEAM PENSKE #22
Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change
Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion–The AAA logo has been straightened up in 2015.
Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Platnum Ford Fusion–No Change
BK RACING #23
J.J. Yeley #23 Dr. Pepper/Maxim Fantasy Sports Toyota Camry-New sponsor for the Daytona 500. Black on top, white on the bottom, red stripe in between, Dr Pepper style logo on the door number.
JJ Yeley #23 Dr Pepper Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2015, car keeps the red on top, new number design, and white on bottom.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24
Jeff Gordon #24 3M Chevy SS-New design for 2015, silver, with red accents and numbers, with a white hood design that extends over the roof and deck-lid.
Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Chevy SS–No Change
Jeff Gordon #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy SS–Much simpler redesign, with new hood logo and same color scheme–
Jeff Gordon #24 Panasonic Toughbook Chevy SS–No Change
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #25
Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor and car number for 2015, blue is the primary sponsor, with a yellow design on the side.
BK RACING #26
Jeb Burton #26 Live Deals Ford Fusion-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, will have similar design as JJ Yeley, but with orange, black, and white.
Jeb Burton #26 Maxim Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, white with black lettering.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #27
Paul Menard #27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menard’s Chevy SS–No change
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Serta Chevy SS–Same basic scheme as 2014, but with more blue on the sides than last year.
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Peak Chevy SS–Some slight changes to the stripes, and roof
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Duracel Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, using a black, yellow, and gold version of the Menard’s template.
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Quaker State Chevy SS–No change
RAB RACING #29
Justin Marks #29 American Born Moonshine Toyota Camry-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, has a wood finished look, with white lettering.
TMG RACING #30
Ron Horniday #30 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevy SS-New team and sponsor for 2015. Two-tone green design with white lettering and yellow accents.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31
Ryan Newman #31 Cat Chevy SS–Same color scheme, but the car as a whole has been redesigned
Ryan Newman #31 Quicken Loans Chevy SS–No change
Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, green, red and white, with some designs on the side.
GO FAS RACING #32
Go FAS Racing #32 Keen Parts Ford Fusion–Simpler redesign and a much simpler color scheme.
Go FAS Racing #32 C&J Energy Services Ford Fusion–Same color scheme, but with a different and much more complex side design
Mike Bliss #32 Draft Demons Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, red and black diagonal stripes with a fire motif at the bottom.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #33
Ty Dillon #33 Yuengling Brewery Chevy SS-New sponsor, red, white, and blue is the primary color scheme.
Ty Dillon #33 Cheerios Chevy SS-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, based on Austin Dillon’s Cheerios scheme, but with a Kroger’s logo on the hood.
Brian Scott #33 White Tail Lodge Chevy SS–No change.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #34
David Ragan #34 KFC Ford Fusion–Redesign for 2015, all white front, KFC style stripes on the back.
David Ragan #34 CSX Ford Fusion–Same basic scheme, though the word bubble on the hood has been replaced with a CSX logo.
David Ragan #34 Southern Belle Seafood Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, blue, white, and red, follows the “Front Row Motorsports Template” with a stripe that curves above and around the door number, that separates the colors of the car.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #35
Cole Whitt #35 Speed Stick Gear Ford Fusion–No Change
Cole Whitt #35 Rinnai Filters Ford Fusion–Same scheme as 2014, different team.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #38
David Gilliland #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Fusion–No change
HILLMAN-SMITH MOTORSPORTS #40
Landon Cassill #40 Snap 24-7 Fitness Chevy SS–Slight redesign from last year, with the black quarter panel replaced with red.
Landon Cassill #40 Cars For Sale Chevy SS–No Change
STEWART-HAAS RACING #41
Stewart-Haas Racing #41 Haas CNC Chevy SS–Same color scheme, but the car has been completely redesigned.
Stewart-Haas Racing #41 Slate Water Heaters Chevy SS–No change
CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42
Kyle Larson #42 Target Chevy SS– Same basic design as 2014, but with some sponsor changes on the quarter panel.
Kyle Larson #42 White Target Chevy SS–Same basic design as 2014, but with some sponsor changes on the quarter panel.
Kyle Larson #42 Energizer Eco Advanced Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, different stripe color, fewer logos on the side.
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43
Aric Almoriola #43 Eckrich Ford Fusion–Same basic design, but with a Nathans logo on the rear.
Aric Almirola #43 Smithfield Ford Fusion–No change
Aric Almirola #43 Fresh From Florida Ford Fusion–No Change.
Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion–No Change.
TEAM XTREME RACING #44
Reed Sorenson #44 Golden Corral Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, same design as 2015 #36.
Travis Kvapil #44 Phoenix Warehouse Chevy SS–No Change
HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46
Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS-New car number and design. White is the primary color, with red and yellow accents on the sides and front.
Michael Annett #46 Cypress HQ Chevy SS–New team for Cypress in 2015, some slight stripe changes on the quarter panel, and a darker blue.
JTG DAUGHTERY RACING #47
AJ Allmendinger #47 Better Than Bullion Chevy SS-New Sponsor for 2015, all black with a gold stripe running down the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Best Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Clorox Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 House Autry Chevy SS-New primary sponsor for 2015, Red sides, with blue roof and posts.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Chilli Beans Chevy SS-New sponsor, yellow to orange to yellow fade across whole car.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Hungry Jack Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Kingsford Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Scott Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Grilling Beans Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger Chevy SS–No change
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #48
Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Chevy SS–New design, bears a resemblance to the old Kobalt tools scheme from 2009.
Jimmie Johnson #48 Kobalt Chevy SS–New design, redesigned version of the current Lowe’s scheme.
HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #51
Justin Allgaier #51 Brandt Chevy SS–Same primary design, but the door number has reversed colors.
MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #55
Brian Vickers #55 Aaron’s Toyota Camry–Same basic design as last year, the nose has been changed, the main blue is slightly darker, and the gold has been replaced with light blue
Brett Moffitt #55 Aaron’s 60th Anniversary Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, colors are reversed, new logo on the hood.
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #62
Brian Scott #62 Shore Lodge Chevy SS-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, Black with white lettering and silver designs.
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #66
Mike Wallace #66 Crazy Vapors/X8 Energy Gum Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, Hood has Crazy Vapors green stripe design, side has X8 abstract design.
FURNITURE ROW RACING #78
Martin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Chevy SS–No Change
BK RACING #83
Johnny Sauter #83 Dustless Blasting Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, green stripes up the hood and roof, white design with Dr Pepper style door numbers.
Matt Dibenedetto #83 Burger King Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2015, black takes over as primary color, Dr. Pepper design around door numbers.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–No Change
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevy SS–No major changes,except a Nationwide logo replaces the National Guard logo.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Kelly Blue Book Chevy SS–Same basic design but blue has replaced white as the primary color.
LEVINE FAMILY RACING #95
Michael McDowell #95 Thrivent Financial Ford Fusion–Redesign of last year’s scheme, another example of logo as a stripe pattern.
Michael McDowell #95 K-Love Ford Fusion–Template has been redesigned, and the city outline on the rear quarterpanel has been removed.
PHIL PARSONS RACING #98
Josh Wise #98 Phoenix Construction Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, all white with red lettering, and red and black numbers
The Driver Suit Blog-My Thoughts On The End of Winter
By David G. Firestone
Just a real quick one this week. I’ve said it before, but I hate winter. The cold can be almost unbearable, the snow gets annoying quickly. I hate waiting for buses in this weather. I’m seeing spring products in stores, and the racing seasons are starting. Spring training indicates that spring has started, but I have yet to see it. This part of winter is my least favorite part of my least favorite season. I want the weather to get warm, but it isn’t. The waiting really is the hardest part. As I write this, it is 24 degrees outside, the high is projected to be 48 degrees. Waiting for the warmth to start really sucks.
My two big indicators that spring is on the way are the beginning of the racing seasons and Spring Training in baseball. Spring Training is awesome because it’s baseball, but more relaxed. The record is irrelevant, and the final rosters haven’t been set yet. I watch a lot of Spring Training. The teams and fans are much more relaxed, they know that the best part of the year is on the way as well. I don’t have the time or resources, but some day, I want to just go to Arizona and spend 2 or 3 weeks just at Spring Training games. That would rule. Maybe someday, who knows?
From everyone living in places where it gets cold in the winter, I speak for all of us when I ask Spring to HURRY THE HELL UP!
The Driver Suit Blog-Racing Innovators and Their Eureka Moments Part 2-Don Garlitts.
By David G. Firestone
Last week, I discussed the eureka moment that lead to the new parachute design that led to the creation of Simpson Race Products. This week, I will discuss the eureka moment that helped the purchaser of the first Simpson parachute, Don Garlitts, design the current dragster design.
Don Garlitts was born in Tampa Florida in 1932. He built his first car in 1954, and instantly took to the sport. Since many of the drivers were from California, and Garlitts was from Florida, he was given several nicknames, before accepting the nickname “Swamp Rat” after the giant swamp rat, or Myocastor coypus. He adapted the Swamp Rat name for each generation of dragster he designed and built. This was not a time of multimillion dollar teams, with special development programs. This was literally a group of guy building dragsters in rented shops.
The eureka moment for Garlitts came at the 1970 AHRA Grand American Nationals. That day, he was racing Swamp Rat XIII, known as the Wynnscharger. This was a front engine rail dragster. The transmission exploded, severed the car in half, and took off part of Garlitts’ foot. Again, while you are recovering from an accident like that, you have a lot of time to think, and as Garlitts thought, he realized that he could design a safer dragster, one with the engine behind the driver. In the 1970’s, this was unheard of. Garlitts designed Swamp Rat XIV in the hospital and started racing it in 1971. Publicly, it was mocked at first, until it began to win, and prove the design effective. Since then, this has become the standard design.
One incarnation that Garlitts worked with before he settled on Swamp Rat XIV was Swamp Rat VIII. Swamp Rat VIII was built in 1964. Swamp Rat VIII was designed to use the Dodge 426 Elephant Hemi engine. The 426 was a lot harder to tune than the old 392, so Garlitts did not have a good year, though once he figured it out, it was an impressive car. The 426 Hemi was such a good design, it is still the car used by the NHRA to this day, in Top Fuel and Funny Car. Garlitts cut the car in half, and used the front half to make Swamp Rat X. In 2005, Garlitts rebuilt the car, and in 2006, took it to a few vintage races.
This is a set of spark plugs pulled from that recreated car. The set of 8 plugs comes in a Styrofoam case, which has been autographed by Garlitts. 
Each plug shows some wear, some more than others. 
I often look at it, sitting on my coffee table, and think about the legend, the greatest innovator in drag racing history picking up these plugs, one by one, putting them into the rebuilt engine, taking the car to the track, and firing it up. He takes the car for a pass, and then adjusts the engine, with the care and detail of a Swiss watchmaker crafting a timepiece. Once these plugs have finished their lifespan, they weren’t just thrown away, but kept, and sold to a collector, who sold them to me. It really is holding a piece of history in your hands.
Next Friday, we will take a closer look at Spark Plugs as memorabilia items.
DGF2099 Productions-Introduction to Sports Memorabilia-Mish Mosh Edition Part 3-Sports Edition
We have another mish mosh edition, this one features more sports memorabilia.
The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-March 4, 2015
By David G. Firestone
2015 Toyota Camry–The first Gen 6 redesign comes to the Camry for 2015. The front is sleeker, with a more aggressive nose, and grill area, the tail has been redesigned as well.
CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #1
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Beechcraft Chevy SS–No Change
Jamie McMurray #1 McDonald’s Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, but with a new door design.
Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/McDonald’s Chevy SS-Special dual scheme for the Daytona 500, black Cessna on the front, fade to red McDonald’s on the back.
Jamie McMurray #1 Sherwin Williams Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, Red, white and blue with a red line down the center, with the top fades blue to white on top, and white to blue on the bottom.
TEAM PENSKE #2
Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–Same basic design as 2014, but with no gold stripe, vintage Miller Crest, or hop designs on the side.
Brad Keselowski #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion–New redesign, similar in design to Joey Logano’s Shell/Pennzoil Ford, black replaces yellow as the primary color.
Brad Keselowski #2 Wurth Ford Fusion–Redesign from last season, follows the Shell/Pennzoil template.
Brad Keselowski #2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, blue Penske template on a black background
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3
Austin Dillon #3 Cheerios Chevy SS–No change
Austin Dillon #3 Dow Chevy SS–No change
Austin Dillon #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS–No Change
Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Chevy SS–No Change
STEWART-HAAS RACING #4
Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Chevy SS–No change
Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmie Johns Chevy SS–No change
Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Steakhouse–No Change
Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue, and white is the primary color scheme
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5
Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Chevy SS–No Change
Kasey Kahne #5 Time Warner Cable Chevy SS–No Change
Kasey Kahne #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy SS–Complete redesign from last year, black, and dark blue replaces light blue and silver, and the design has been completely revamped.
Kasey Kahne #5 Liftmaster Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, red and white redesign of the Time Warner scheme.
Kasey Kahne #5 Pepsi Chevy SS–No change
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6
Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Ford Fusion-New team, new sponsor, red, white and blue is the color scheme.
TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7
Alex Bowman #7 Nikko/Toy State Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, Red borders a blue design on the sides and hood.
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #9
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Twisted Tea Ford Fusion–No Change
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Camping World/Medallion Bank Ford Fusion-New sponsor set for 2015, a redesign of the Fresh From Florida #43 scheme.
STEWART-HAAS RACING #10
Danica Patrick #10 Aspen Dental Chevy SS–Same basic design as last year, but the blue ovals on the white are more pronounced.
Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Chevy SS–New redesign with more black and less orange.
Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy/TaxAct Chevy SS-New sponsor combo for the Sprint Unlimited, front of the car retains traditional GoDaddy design, whereas back quarter panel is TaxAct
Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-One race sponsor, will run at Martinsville in March, red, white and black scheme, with diagonal design up the doors.
JOE GIBBS RACING #11
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry–New redesign with a much simpler front and more design on the sides.
Denny Hamln #11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Freight Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry–Same redesign as FedEx Express
Denny Hamlin #11 SportClips Toyota Camry–New redesign with a new door design
GERMAIN RACING #13
Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS–No Change.
STEWART-HAAS RACING #14
Tony Stewart #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy SS–Same color scheme as last year, but with a new design on the side.
Tony Stewart #14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevy SS–Same color scheme as last year, but with a new design on the side.
Tony Stewart #14 Code 3 Associates/Mobil1 Chevy SS–No Change
MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15
Clint Bowyer #15 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry–No Change
Clint Bowyer #15 Peak Toyota Camry–No Change
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #16
Greg Biffle #16 Cheez Its Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, red with a cheese colored stripe and crackers on the side.
Greg Biffle #16 Clean Harbors Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, red white and black design
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Fire Ant Killer Ford Fusion–No change
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Home Defense Ford Fusion-New sponsor, white design with a red and yellow stripe on the bottom, with a net design on the side.
Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Bug-B-Gon Ford Fusion-New sponsor, new design, red, black, and white is the primary color scheme.
ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion-New primary sponsor, blue, and white is the color scheme.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion–Same color scheme as 2014, but with a new, simpler side design.
JOE GIBBS RACING #18
Kyle Busch #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry–No Change
Kyle Busch #18 M&M’s Crispy Toyota Camry-New design for 2015, with a green background and more emphasis on M&M’s Crispy, as well as a new hood logo.
JOE GIBBS RACING #19
Carl Edwards #19 Stanley Toyota Camry-New team and new sponsor, yellow, black, and white is the color scheme.
Carl Edwards #19 Aaris Toyota Camry-New team and new sponsor, reddish orange with the Aaris logo used as part of the side stripe.
Carl Edwards #19 Comcast Business Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue, silver and white, with a stripe that starts on the bottom, covers the car number, and takes over the top at the back.
Carl Edwards #19 SportClips Toyota Camry-New sponsor, same design as Denny Hamlin.
Carl Edwards #19 Subway Toyota Camry–New sponsor for Joe Gibbs, much simpler design.
JOE GIBBS RACING #20
Matt Kenseth #20 DeWalt Toyota Camry-New sponsor, black, green, yellow, and white is the color scheme.
Matt Kenseth #20 Dollar General Toyota Camry–Much simpler than the 2014 scheme, with fewer side designs.
WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21
Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft/Quicklane Ford Fusion–No Change
TEAM PENSKE #22
Joey Logano #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion–No change
Joey Logano #22 AAA Ford Fusion–The AAA logo has been straightened up in 2015.
Joey Logano #22 Pennzoil Platnum Ford Fusion–No Change
BK RACING #23
J.J. Yeley #23 Dr. Pepper/Maxim Fantasy Sports Toyota Camry-New sponsor for the Daytona 500. Black on top, white on the bottom, red stripe in between, Dr Pepper style logo on the door number.
JJ Yeley #23 Dr Pepper Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2015, car keeps the red on top, new number design, and white on bottom.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24
Jeff Gordon #24 3M Chevy SS-New design for 2015, silver, with red accents and numbers, with a white hood design that extends over the roof and deck-lid.
Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Chevy SS–No Change
Jeff Gordon #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy SS–Much simpler redesign, with new hood logo and same color scheme–
Jeff Gordon #24 Panasonic Toughbook Chevy SS–No Change
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #25
Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor and car number for 2015, blue is the primary sponsor, with a yellow design on the side.
BK RACING #26
Jeb Burton #26 Live Deals Ford Fusion-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, will have similar design as JJ Yeley, but with orange, black, and white.
Jeb Burton #26 Maxim Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, white with black lettering.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #27
Paul Menard #27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menard’s Chevy SS–No change
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Serta Chevy SS–Same basic scheme as 2014, but with more blue on the sides than last year.
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Peak Chevy SS–Some slight changes to the stripes, and roof
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Duracel Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, using a black, yellow, and gold version of the Menard’s template.
RAB RACING #29
Justin Marks #29 American Born Moonshine Toyota Camry-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, has a wood finished look, with white lettering.
TMG RACING #30
Ron Horniday #30 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevy SS-New team and sponsor for 2015. Two-tone green design with white lettering and yellow accents.
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31
Ryan Newman #31 Cat Chevy SS–Same color scheme, but the car as a whole has been redesigned
Ryan Newman #31 Quicken Loans Chevy SS–No change
Ryan Newman #31 Granger Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, green, red and white, with some designs on the side.
GO FAS RACING #32
Go FAS Racing #32 Keen Parts Ford Fusion–Simpler redesign and a much simpler color scheme.
Go FAS Racing #32 C&J Energy Services Ford Fusion–Same color scheme, but with a different and much more complex side design
RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #33
Ty Dillon #33 Yuengling Brewery Chevy SS-New sponsor, red, white, and blue is the primary color scheme.
Ty Dillon #33 Cheerios Chevy SS-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, based on Austin Dillon’s Cheerios scheme, but with a Kroger’s logo on the hood.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #34
David Ragan #34 KFC Ford Fusion–Redesign for 2015, all white front, KFC style stripes on the back.
David Ragan #34 CSX Ford Fusion–Same basic scheme, though the word bubble on the hood has been replaced with a CSX logo.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #35
Cole Whitt #35 Speed Stick Gear Ford Fusion–No Change
Cole Whitt #35 Rinnai Filters Ford Fusion–Same scheme as 2014, different team.
FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS #38
David Gilliland #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Fusion–No change
HILLMAN-SMITH MOTORSPORTS #40
Landon Cassill #40 Snap 24-7 Fitness Chevy SS–Slight redesign from last year, with the black quarter panel replaced with red.
Landon Cassill #40 Cars For Sale Chevy SS–No Change
STEWART-HAAS RACING #41
Stewart-Haas Racing #41 Haas CNC Chevy SS–Same color scheme, but the car has been completely redesigned.
Stewart-Haas Racing #41 Slate Water Heaters Chevy SS–No change
CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42
Kyle Larson #42 Target Chevy SS– Same basic design as 2014, but with some sponsor changes on the quarter panel.
Kyle Larson #42 White Target Chevy SS–Same basic design as 2014, but with some sponsor changes on the quarter panel.
Kyle Larson #42 Energizer Eco Advanced Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, different stripe color, fewer logos on the side.
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43
Aric Almoriola #43 Eckrich Ford Fusion–Same basic design, but with a Nathans logo on the rear.
Aric Almirola #43 Smithfield Ford Fusion–No change
Aric Almirola #43 Fresh From Florida Ford Fusion–No Change.
Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion–No Change.
TEAM XTREME RACING #44
Reed Sorenson #44 Golden Corral Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, same design as 2015 #36.
HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46
Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Chevy SS-New car number and design. White is the primary color, with red and yellow accents on the sides and front.
JTG DAUGHTERY RACING #47
AJ Allmendinger #47 Better Than Bullion Chevy SS-New Sponsor for 2015, all black with a gold stripe running down the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Best Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Clorox Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 House Autry Chevy SS-New primary sponsor for 2015, Red sides, with blue roof and posts.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Chilli Beans Chevy SS-New sponsor, yellow to orange to yellow fade across whole car.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Hungry Jack Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Kingsford Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Scott Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Bush’s Grilling Beans Chevy SS–Same basic scheme, some logos have changed on the side.
AJ Allmendinger #47 Kroger Chevy SS–No change
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #48
Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Chevy SS–New design, bears a resemblance to the old Kobalt tools scheme from 2009.
Jimmie Johnson #48 Kobalt Chevy SS–New design, redesigned version of the current Lowe’s scheme.
HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #51
Justin Allgaier #51 Brandt Chevy SS–Same primary design, but the door number has reversed colors.
MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #55
Brian Vickers #55 Aaron’s Toyota Camry–Same basic design as last year, the nose has been changed, the main blue is slightly darker, and the gold has been replaced with light blue
Brett Moffitt #55 Aaron’s 60th Anniversary Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, colors are reversed, new logo on the hood.
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #62
Brian Scott #62 Shore Lodge Chevy SS-New sponsor for the Daytona 500, Black with white lettering and silver designs.
PREMIUM MOTORSPORTS #66
Mike Wallace #66 Crazy Vapors/X8 Energy Gum Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, Hood has Crazy Vapors green stripe design, side has X8 abstract design.
FURNITURE ROW RACING #78
Martin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Chevy SS–No Change
BK RACING #83
Johnny Sauter #83 Dustless Blasting Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, green stripes up the hood and roof, white design with Dr Pepper style door numbers.
Matt Dibenedetto #83 Burger King Toyota Camry–Slight redesign for 2015, black takes over as primary color, Dr. Pepper design around door numbers.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–No Change
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevy SS–No major changes,except a Nationwide logo replaces the National Guard logo.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Kelly Blue Book Chevy SS–Same basic design but blue has replaced white as the primary color.
LEVINE FAMILY RACING #95
Michael McDowell #95 Thrivent Financial Ford Fusion–Redesign of last year’s scheme, another example of logo as a stripe pattern.
Michael McDowell #95 K-Love Ford Fusion–Template has been redesigned, and the city outline on the rear quarterpanel has been removed.
PHIL PARSONS RACING #98
Josh Wise #98 Phoenix Construction Ford Fusion-New sponsor for 2015, all white with red lettering, and red and black numbers
The Driver Suit Blog-My Thoughts On Team Xtreme and NASCAR News and Notes, March 2, 2015
By David G. Firestone
Had some great racing in NASCAR this week, but the best story didn’t come from Atlanta Motor Speedway, but rather who DIDN’T make to Atlanta, specifically Team Xtreme Racing. Specifically, they had their car stolen…their RACE CAR stolen. How did that happen?
Bad weather hit Charlotte last week, and the main hauler with pit crew and other racing equipment was sent earlier to avoid it. The car however wasn’t ready, and was transported via pickup with a trailer on the back. The trailer arrived at a hotel in Morrow Georgia, roughly 16 or so miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway. The driver met up with the team, and bunked down. During the night, thieves stole the truck, trailer and all from the hotel parking lot. The car was later found in Snellville, Georgia, roughly 36 miles, as was the pickup truck, though the trailer, which had $125,000 worth of racing equipment is, as of this writing, still missing.
It’s easy to understand why it would get stolen. Neither the truck or trailer had any team or sponsor logos printed on it, and the thieves probably thought it was construction equipment, maybe lawn equipment, and thought they could steal and fence the goods. When they realized what they stole, they dumped it on the side of the road. I even understand why the team transported the hauler and car separate from each other. What I don’t get is why Team Xtreme didn’t at least have a backup car. At the very least, you might have have to pull out if you wreck your car in practice, but at least you have SOMETHING. Team Xtreme has said they will have a backup car for Las Vegas this week…glad it took the primary car getting stolen to make that happen.
Some other news and notes from this week…
For the second time in as many races, a driver has hit an unprotected concrete wall during a race. Jeff Gordon was the unlucky driver this time. NASCAR has stated repeatedly that adding SAFR barriers is a top priority, but one has to wonder why this hasn’t been completed as of yet, especially with the safety culture being what it is.
NASCAR has implemented a new rule in the wake of the Jeff Gordon/Brad Keselowski brawl that took place at Texas last year. This new rule is specifically designed to reduce the threat of a brawl by reducing the number of crew members that can come on pit road around a car after a race.
Miller and Penske announced this week that Brad Keselowski will run a throwback scheme at some point this season. The choices are Rusty Wallace’s MGD scheme or Bobby Allison’s Miller High Life scheme. Fans can vote on which scheme they would like to see raced. I would love the gold Miller High Life scheme myself…
Landon Cassill finished both Daytona and Atlanta in last place, becoming the first driver since Glenn Dunaway in 1949 to sweep the first two races of the season in last place. Let’s see if he can pull off the hat trick at Las Vegas next week.
Kurt Busch has agreed to the terms and conditions dictated by NASCAR that he must complete to get reinstated. Busch is currently suspended from NASCAR due to the ruling by a Delaware court that he committed an act of domestic abuse. There is, as of yet, no timetable for his return, or if he will even return in 2015.
Kyle Busch was released from the hospital this week, after his crash at Daytona left him with a badly broken leg. David Ragan moved from Front Row Motorsports to fill in for Busch in his absence. The driver of the #34 CSX Ford for Las Vegas has yet to be determined.
Finally, Nickelodeon has announced that the Kansas race on May 9 will be known as the SpongeBob SquarePants 400.
The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-February 28, 2015
Brad Keselowski #2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion-Black and blue could be a great combo, but the blue here is much too light. If the blue were darker, it would earn an A+ grade. This scheme earns a C- grade.
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Camping World/Medallion Bank Ford Fusion– Green, yellow, and blue is horrible, and the design is even worse. F
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Fifth-Third Bank Ford Fusion-Much smoother look, good color scheme, A+
Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Duracel Chevy SS-Great color scheme, great simple design, A+
Cole Whitt #35 Rinnai Filters Ford Fusion-Same scheme as last year, same A+ grade.
Kyle Larson #42 Energizer Eco Advanced Chevy SS-Same scheme as last year, same D grade
Brett Moffitt #55 Aaron’s 60th Anniversary Toyota Camry– They took the A+ scheme from this year, reversed the color scheme, and added an additional logo on the hood. It works well and will keep the A+ grade.
The Driver Suit Blog-Racing Innovators and Their Eureka Moments Part 1, Bill Simpson
By David G. Firestone
Everyone has a moment that shapes the rest of our lives for the better. For me, it was joining the TV crew in my sophomore year of high school. For some people, it might seem like the worst point in their lives. Sometimes you have to hit bottom to rise to the top. It might be horrible in the short term, but great in the long run.
Bill Simpson is one of those people. His moment came in 1958. He was drag racing at age 18, and broke both his arms in a crash. When you have both arms in a crash, it gives you time to think. Simpson began to think about a design for a parachute. He came up with a cross design for a parachute, and designed the cross parachute. He tested it on a public road, and was arrested for the stunt. The chute proved effective, and when “Big Daddy” Don Garlitts called, and that’s how Simpson Performance Products was founded.
This is the design that led to the first Nomex racing suit being invented in 1964. After this design proved effective, Simpson was brought on to NASA as a parachute consultant. It was there he met Pete Conrad, Apollo astronaut, third man to walk on the moon, and Skylab visitor. Conrad was also an avid race car driver, and knew of Simpson’s devotion to racing safety, so he introduced Simpson to Nomex, a fire retardent Kevlar material. Simpson began developing racing suits with the material, and it quickly became the standard material for driver suits, which it still is, 41 years later.
The X design of drag chute is still in use today. It is so effective, that while there were some minor design changes, including size changes, the basic design hasn’t changed. This is an example used by TJ Zizzo from 2010 to 2013. 
Zizzo ran two of these chutes on the back of his dragster, and this example is 12 feet by 12 feet. It shows a decent amount of wear, with stains and holes.
There is a hole in the center that allows the chute to be deployed, and there is an inventory tag placed here as well. 
On the cables connecting the chute to the car, there is some extra protection. This is necessary because on top fuel dragsters, the engine is very close to the parachute attachment, and in the event of a fire, the chute will still be able to function. TJ’s example shows some wear on the silver layer. 
Here is video of the chute in use.
One thing that a lot of non drag racing fans don’t realize is that many drivers pack their own chutes. Race car drivers are control freaks, and so this makes sense. The logic a few drivers use is that if I mess it up, I don’t have anyone to blame for it except myself. Here is a video of Jack Beckman packing his chute,
and pro stock driver Rickie Jones explaining how he packs his own chute.
Drag racing chutes are amazing pieces of equipment, and I’m always amazed how it takes only a few people to change the sport as a whole. Next Week, I will continue this discussion with something even more awe inspiring.
DGF2099 Productions-Introduction to Sports Memorabilia-Mish Mosh Edition Part 2-General
For Season 13, the first Amtrak series, we will feature the first of four “mish-mosh” editions, this one is a general edition, this one features some sports and non sports memorabilia.
DGF2099-Main Page 
