Tag: Ally

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-October 11, 2025

By David G. Firestone

Kyle Larson #5 HendrickCars.com/Zac Brown Band Chevy Camaro-Two globes are a bit much, only one would be better. A-

Justin Haley #7 Fly Alliance Chevy Camaro-Good color scheme plus mediocre design scheme will earn a C.

Ty Dillon #10 Sugarlands Shine/Field and Stream Chevy Camaro-Camo is never good, but this is even worse than anything I’ve seen. Side note, am I the only one wondering why Field and Stream hasn’t been on the side of a stock car, given how many hunting and fishing companies sponsor NASCAR? F

Chris Buescher #17 Kroger/International Delight Ford Mustang-The stripes do NOT work, the car looks cluttered. Sadly, this could have been a solid A scheme, but this gets a C.

William Byron #24 Relay Payments Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same B+ grade.

Riley Herbst #35 Hungry Jack Toyota Camry-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Cole Custer #41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang-Replacing black with blue doesn’t work, as it really contrasts with the rest of the scheme. It just doesn’t work. F

John Hunter Nemechek #42 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Chevy Camaro-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

J.J. Yeley #44 Epoxy Depot Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Tyler Reddick #45 Jordan Brand Toyota Camry-Too much going on here, and the reverse flames look really weird. F

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/World Mental Health Awareness Day Chevy Camaro-Nothing really wrong here, in fact an upgrade from most Ally schemes. A

Cody Ware #51 Arby’s Steak Nuggets Ford Mustang-Good look, not really over done, and the steak nuggets look tasty. A

Ryan Preece #60 Sysco/Crumbl Ford Mustang-A smooth look with a good color scheme will always earn an A.

Josh Bilicki #66 Truan Equipment Ford Mustang-A smooth look with a good color scheme will always earn an A.

Carson Hocevar #77 Classic Collision Chevy Camaro-I’m beginning to hate neon on black, and the design is nothing to write home about, so this gets a C.

Shane van Gisbergen #88 Jockey New Zealand Camaro-I like the look, even if I don’t get what they are going for. That said, it’s a tad over designed, in my opinion, so it gets a B.

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-April 12, 2025

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Fishing Chevy Camaro-I like the fishing motif, and the car looks great! A

Austin Cindric #2 Freightliner Throwback Ford Mustang-If I had a favorite non-Goodwrench Dale Sr scheme, it would be this one. No disrespect for Wrangler, but this is so much better! Unless something better comes along, this is my pick for Throwback of the Year! A

Noah Gragson #4 Beef-a-Roo Throwback Ford Mustang-I like the look, and I think Mom ‘n’ Pops should make a NASCAR comeback. A

Kyle Larson #5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevy Camaro-I can’t really knock this scheme, but I have too much love for the 1990’s Kellogg’s scheme. This is great, so this gets an A.

Brad Keselowski #6 Castrol Seven Critical Areas Ford Mustang-As much as I like the concept, I think the oil on the posts just looks odd. I’d also love to see a car colored like fresh motor oil. This gets a B, but with work, it would get an A.

Chase Elliott #9 UniFirst Chevy Throwback Camaro-As a scheme it’s fine, but as a throwback it falls flat. It’s too different from the original. I’ll give this a C.

Ty Dillon #10 Beaver Street Fisheries Throwback Chevy Camaro-I love the look, it’s a very faithful throwback, and I love the CHEVY on the hood! A

Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Throwback Toyota Camry-A good, faithful throwback, and the look works well. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Throwback Ford Mustang-A little too different from the original scheme, in terms of colors and design. It’s not bad, but far from perfect. B

Christopher Bell #20 DeWalt Outdoors Throwback Ford Mustang-A little too different from the original scheme, in terms of colors and design. It’s not bad, but far from perfect. B

Josh Berry #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Throwback Ford Mustang-Another amazing throwback, this one an Indy 500 winner that transfers well to NASCAR. A

Joey Logano #22 Shell Pennzoil Throwback Ford Mustang-This is a scheme that doesn’t get a lot of love, but boy do I love this! A

William Byron #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro-As much as I liked the original scheme, I, like a lot of fans, felt that Jeff should have raced the original rainbow warriors scheme. Still, this is really good. A

Austin Hill #33 United Rentals Chevy Camaro-Not better, not worse, just awful. F

Todd Gilliland #34 Ruedebusch Throwback Ford Mustang-It’s obscure, but it’s faithful, and it looks good. A

Zane Smith #38 Long John Silver’s Throwback Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Cole Custer will drive the No. 41 Haas Automation Throwback Ford Mustang-I never really liked the Spencer Target schemes, they used a bit too much white for my taste. That said, it’s still a decent look, so it gets a B.

John Hunter Nemechek #42 Dollar Tree Throwback Toyota Camry-This is a scheme where the new colors work so much better than the old ones! I like the old colors, but the new colors are better. A

Erik Jones #43 Advent Health Throwback Toyota Camry-Even though I think there are better Petty STP schemes, this is a faithful replica, so this gets an A.

Tyler Reddick #45 McDonald’s Toyota Camry-The bun works so much better than the fries. The car looks better. A

Alex Bowman #48 Ally Throwback Chevy Camaro-It’s simple, but effective, and faithful, so this gets an A.

Burt Myers #50 C3 Chevy Camaro-It has the potential to be good, but there is a little too much going on. It’s not awful, but not good. C

Cody Ware #51 Jacob Construction Throwback Ford Mustang-Cat schemes can be hit or miss, but this is a hit. A

Ryan Preece #60 Kroger/Country Crock Ford Mustang-It’s simple, it’s bold, it’s unique, and it looks good. A

Casey Mears #66 HitchGo Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Michael McDowell #71 Delaware Life Chevy Camaro-Not better, not worse, just meh. C-

Daniel Suarez #99 Quaker State Chevy Camaro-Not better, not worse, just meh. C

The Driver Suit Blog-Ranking The 2025 Throwbacks Schemes So Far…

By David G. Firestone

Well, the throwback race is behind us, and, as pre the usual, I will rank the throwback schemes from best to worst. Let’s go!

1-Austin Cindric #2 Freightliner Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Dale Earnhart’s 1979 Daytona 500 Rod Osterlund Racing #2 Buick. A

If I had a favorite non-Goodwrench Dale Sr scheme, it would be this one. No disrespect for Wrangler, but this is so much better! Unless something better comes along, this is my pick for Throwback of the Year! A

2-Kyle Larson #5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2025, based on Terry Labonte’s 2001 #5 Kellogg’s Chevy. A

I can’t really knock this scheme, but I have too much love for the 1990’s Kellogg’s scheme. This is great, so this gets an A.

3-JJ Yeley #44 Wawa Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2025, based on Bill Elliot’s 1989 Coors Ford Thunderbird. A

A good look, very faithful, this gets an A.

4-Ty Dillon #10 Beaver Street Fisheries Throwback Chevy Camaro–New sponsor for 2025, based on Patty Moise’s 1989 Daytona #45 Beaver Street Foods Buick. A

I love the look, it’s a very faithful throwback, and I love the CHEVY on the hood! A

5-Noah Gragson #4 Beef-a-Roo Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, Based on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 1996 #31 Mom ‘n’ Pops Chevy. A

I like the look, and I think Mom ‘n’ Pops should make a NASCAR comeback. A

6-Joey Logano #22 Shell Pennzoil Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Cale Yarborough’s #11 Holly Farms Poultry Oldsmobile. A

This is a scheme that doesn’t get a lot of love, but boy do I love this! A

7-Josh Berry #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Jim Clark’s 1965 Indianapolis 500 winning #82 Lotus powered by Ford. A

Another amazing throwback, this one an Indy 500 winner that transfers well to NASCAR. A

8-Todd Gilliland #34 Ruedebusch Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Based on Ray Fox’s #3 Royal Dodge Dodge Charger. A

It’s obscure, but it’s faithful, and it looks good. A

9-John Hunter Nemechek #42 Dollar Tree Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2025, based on Joe Nemechek’s 1997-1998 #42 Bell South Mobility Chevy. A

This is a scheme where the new colors work so much better than the old ones! I like the old colors, but the new colors are better. A

10-Erik Jones #43 Advent Health Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2025, based on John Andretti’s 1998 STP scheme. A

Even though I think there are better Petty STP schemes, this is a faithful replica, so this gets an A.

11-William Byron #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2025, based on Jeff Gordon’s final race #24 Chevy. A

As much as I liked the original scheme, I, like a lot of fans, felt that Jeff should have raced the original rainbow warriors scheme. Still, this is really good. A

12-Cody Ware #51 Jacob Construction Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Ward Burton’s 1999-2003 Caterpillar schemes. A

Cat schemes can be hit or miss, but this is a hit. A

13-Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2025, based on Carl Edwards’ #99 Office Depot Ford. A

A good, faithful throwback, and the look works well. A

14-Alex Bowman #48 Ally Throwback Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2025, based on Jimmie Johnson’s 2012 Southern 500 winning #48 Lowe’s Chevy. A

It’s simple, but effective, and faithful, so this gets an A.

15-Zane Smith #38 Long John Silver’s Throwback Ford Mustang–No change. A

Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

16-Christopher Bell #20 DeWalt Outdoors Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Rick Ferkel’s #0 sprint car. B

A little too different from the original scheme, in terms of colors and design. It’s not bad, but far from perfect. B

17-Cole Custer will drive the No. 41 Haas Automation Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Jimmy Spencer’s 2001 #41 Target Dodge. B

I never really liked the Spencer Target schemes, they used a bit too much white for my taste. That said, it’s still a decent look, so it gets a B.

18-Ryan Blaney #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Throwback Ford Mustang–New scheme for 2025, based on Dave Blaney’s 2006 Dollar General 300 winning #32 Haas Avocados Chevy. B

A little too different from the original scheme, in terms of colors and design. It’s not bad, but far from perfect. B

19-Chase Elliott #9 UniFirst Chevy Throwback Camaro–New scheme for 2025, based on Ken Schrader’s 1994 #25 Kodiak Chevy. C

As a scheme it’s fine, but as a throwback it falls flat. It’s too different from the original. I’ll give this a C.

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-March 15, 2025

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Kubota Orange Days Sales Event Chevy Camaro-The additional black and smaller lettering really doesn’t work as well. It takes a solid B scheme down to a C+.

Austin Cindric #2 Menards/Monster Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Noah Gragson #4 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #34, same C grade.

Kyle Busch #8 zone Premium Nicotine Patches/QuikTrip Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A- grade.

Ty Dillon #10 Hybrid Light Chevy Camaro-Great color and design scheme, this gets an A.

Ryan Blaney #12 Wurth Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Chris Buescher #17 Fry’s/Thomas’/Philadelphia Ford Mustang-A great look, the new design looks great! The new orange works, and the stripes and blue look amazing! This gets an A.

Josh Berry #21 eero Ford Mustang-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Josh Berry #21 Freightliner Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #2, same D grade.

Todd Gilliland #34 Frontline Enterprises Inc. Ford Mustang-Gray and white is not a good color scheme, and the whole car is over designed. F

Zane Smith #38 Aaron’s Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #34, same C grade.

Cole Custer #41 Haas/Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang-Not bad, but a tad too over designed, and I REALLY hate the dots, they take away from the scheme. B

Tyler Reddick #45 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #23, same C grade.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Ram Self Storage Chevy Camaro-I like red and gold, but this is so over designed, it’s just horrible. D-

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Best Friends Chevy Camaro-Major downgrade from last year. I’m not too fond of orange and blue, and while I like the dogs, it can’t save this scheme. D

Cody Ware #51 Mighty Fire Breaker Ford Mustang-If this was the debut scheme, it would get an A, but when compared to last year’s scheme, this is just an A-.

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-October 5, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Ty Dillon #16 FitRx Chevy Camaro-Too many designs, the gray is pointless, and the dots just don’t work here. D-

Harrison Burton #21 Menard’s/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang-Making the colors brighter doesn’t change the fact that this is an over designed pastel mess. F

Bubba Wallace #23 Columbia Sportswear Toyota Camry-I’d like the fade and the dot designs by themselves, together this just looks odd to me. C

William Byron #24 Valvoline Chevy Camaro-It’s bold, unique, simple, and impressive. This gets an A.

Todd Gilliland #38 Rasmussen Air & Gas Energy Ford Mustang-I would like this much better if blue was the primary color, but white just isn’t working. I also hate the yellow, and it would work better without it. C

Tyler Reddick #45 Draft Kings Network Toyota Camry-Same scheme as #23, same F grade.

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Koker’s Garage Chevy Camaro-It’s a different look, but not a better look. F

Josh Bilicki #66 Arby’s Ford Mustang-Smooth look, great color scheme, not over designed, this gets an A.

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-March 16, 2024

By David G. Firestone

Austin Cindric #2 Menard’s/Duracel Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Austin Dillon #3 Morgan & Morgan Chevy Camaro-It’s a good design with a good color scheme, and that always earns an A.

Corey LaJoie #7 Group 1001 Chevy Camaro-The color scheme is awful, and the design is bad, so this gets an F.

Noah Gragson #10 SERVPRO Ford Mustang-Reversing the shades of orange would work much better. Still, this isn’t bad, so it gets a B.

Denny Hamlin #11 Mavis Brakes Plus Toyota Camry-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Ryan Blaney #12 Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang-Some changes, but this still is a solid A scheme.

Harrison Burton’s #21 Draiver Ford Mustang-Black and gold is a great color scheme, and this is a great look! A

Bubba Wallace #23 U.S. Air Force Toyota Camry-I’m beginning to think that gray is becoming more overused in recent years, but this is a good scheme, so it gets an A.

Daniel Hemric #31 Poppy Bank Chevy Camaro-Too much black, not enough orange, and the cutting edge designs are odd. C

JJ Yeley #44 Urban Youth Racing School Chevy Camaro-A smooth look with a great color scheme will always earn an A.

Tyler Reddick #45 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry-Grayscale doesn’t work on race cars in the modern era, and the red in the Mobil 1 logo is nearly invisible. This is just bad. F

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Fry’s/Coca-Cola Spice Chevy Camaro-The pink and purple dot waves take Coca-Cola red, which is one of the best shades of red out there, and make it look awful. I can’t defend this scheme at all. F

Alex Bowman 48 Ally/Best Friends Chevy Camaro-It’s still over designs, but this is a vast improvement over last year’s scheme. B

Justin Haley #51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevy Camaro-This is another example of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. No real improvement, no really bad changes. A-

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-August 12, 2023

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Mobility Science Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same A- grade.

Kyle Busch #8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevy Camaro–Good color scheme, good design scheme, good look. A

J.J. Yeley #15 Grill Blazers Ford Mustang-I like the grill motif, and the color scheme is good. A

Harrison Burton #21 Motorcraft/Ford Senior Master Technicians Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Michael McDowell #34 Martin Transportation Systems Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Tyler Reddick #45 Rocket League Toyota Camry-Too many colors and too many design schemes will always earn an F.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kroger/Minute Rice Chevy Camaro-I like the new look, not too cluttered, and the color scheme is good. A

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Detroit Pistons Chevy Camaro-I like the look, and the city motif works well. A

B.J. McLeod #78 South Dakota/FreedomWorksHere.com Chevy Camaro-I think the sides are a bit cluttered, but it is a good look. B

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-March 18, 2023

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Moose Fraternity Chevy Camaro-Nothing really wrong with these new changes, still a bold look with a great color scheme. A

Austin Cindric #2 Menards/Quaker State Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

Austin Cindric #2 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Austin Dillon #3 BetMGM Chevy Camaro-It’s amazing how getting rid of clutter makes the scheme so much better! A

Aric Almirola #10 Go Bowling Ford Mustang-No real change here. A

Denny Hamlin #11 SHINGRIX Toyota Camry-I like the color scheme, you can’t go wrong with red and white. A

Ryan Blaney #12 Dent Wizard Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same B grade.

Chris Buescher #17 Socios.com Ford Mustang-I like this look, the blue and green work really well with each other, and the design scheme is great. A

William Byron #24 Valvoline Chevy Camaro-Too many stripes, too over done, this gets a B.

Tyler Reddick #45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will ALWAYS get an A.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Thomas English Muffins and Bagels Chevy Camaro-It’s amazing how cleaning up the sides makes a car look better! A

Alex Bowman 48 Ally/Best Friends Chevy Camaro-This is not a good look, the orange stripes look forced, and this is just awful! F

Ty Gibbs #54 He Get us Toyota Camry-It’s a smooth look, with a great color scheme, and that will ALWAYS get an A.

Ty Dillon #77 Mutoh/General Formulations Chevy Camaro-The design is decent, but could be toned down more. B+

BJ McLeod #78 Circle B Diecast Chevy Camaro-Horrible color scheme combined with a terrible design scheme will ALWAYS earn an F

BJ McLeod #78 Superior Logistics Chevy Camaro-The new design is a bit more cluttered and over designed from last year. B+

Kimi Räikkönen #91 ONX Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as last year, same C grade.

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-October 22, 2022

By David G. Firestone

Ross Chastain #1 Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Chevy Camaro-Same scheme as #99, same F grade.

Corey LaJoie #7 OpTic Gaming Chevy Camaro-I like the color scheme, but the design scheme is very over done. They cancel each other out, and this gets a C

Chase Briscoe #14 Code 3 Associates Ford Mustang-I think the design is a tad over done, but it’s a great scheme. A-

Joey Hand #15 Ford BlueOval City Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #10, same A grade.

Loris Hezemans #27 Hezeberg Engineering Systems Ford Mustang-The design is over done, and I think a darker shade of orange would work better. B

Ty Dillon #42 Lucky29 Liquors Chevy Camaro-I like the color scheme, and I like the design scheme. A

Bubba Wallace #45 Root Insurance Toyota Camry-Toning down the stripes would earn this an A, but with the stripes, this gets a B.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Kona Brewing Co Big Wave Chevy Camaro-I love the look, the Hawaiian ocean motif works well, this is a great scheme. A

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Koker’s Garage Chevy Camaro-The look and color scheme is great! This is awesome! A

B.J. McLeod #78 Pala Casino Resort and Spa Ford Mustang-I didn’t think that this scheme could get any better, but they found a way. A

Daniel Suarez #99 Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Chevy Camaro-While I like the design, I thin the blue and yellow is too bright, and darkening them would improve the scheme. C

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-June 18, 2022

By David G. Firestone

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Patriotic Chevy Camaro-Looks good, nothing to complain about, great scheme. A

Brad Keselowski #6 Kohler Generators Power Reserve Ford Mustang-Getting rid of the blue fade makes this scheme work well, and it’s a great look. A

Corey LaJoie #7 Gnarly Premium Jerky Chevy Camaro-The only goof thing I can say is that this has a good color scheme. It’s over done, and the logo looks bad. D

Ryan Blaney #12 Menard’s/Knauf Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Joey Hand #15 Built Ford Proud Ford Mustang-Same scheme as #10, same B grade.

Todd Gilliland #38 Chicago Pneumatic Compressors Ford Mustang-Same scheme as last year, same A grade.

Cole Custer #41 Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang-Can’t really complain about this look, I like the added black. A

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #47 Cottonelle Chevy Camaro-Over designed seems to be the name of the game with the #47 team, and this is yet another example, and a downgraded scheme from last year. F

Alex Bowman #48 Ally/Pride Month Chevy Camaro-Nothing really wrong with this one.

Daniel Suarez #99 Onx Homes/Renu Chevy Camaro-Where to start here? The yellow clashes with the rest of the scheme. The camo elements SUCK and the red and black just doesn’t work. Normally, I would at lease give some points to the color scheme, as I do like it, but since it makes the scheme worse, I can’t. F