Tag: chevy

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-November 21, 2015

Kasey Kahne #5 Great Clips Tribute Chevy SS-It’s amazing how changing the door number makes this scheme look much better. The yellow door number works with this scheme and it looks better, and earns a C+

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Go Bowling/Gigablast Ford Fusion-Same as Medallion Bank, same B+ grade.

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Cheney Brothers Ford Fusion-The curve around the door number is unnessicary, and it looks awful. Adding part of the paint scheme around it makes it look even worse. I can’t give this scheme a passing grade if my life depended on it. F

Greg Biffle #16 Bleacher Report Ford Fusion-It’s a solid design, though the color scheme could use some work. Still, it’s work a B+.

JJ Yeley #26 Overture Toyota Camry-Same as #23 Overture, same F grade.

Brett Moffitt #34 Fr8 Auctions Ford Fusion-The color scheme is great, can’t find fault with it, and the design is great as well, I like the flames. All in all, I give it an A+.

Cole Whitt #35 Speed Stick Ford Fusion-The color scheme works well with the design, which is simple and smooth. I like this scheme. A+

Cole Whitt #35 Ferguson Enterprises Ford Fusion-Simple design with a great color scheme will always earn an A+.

Landon Cassill #40 Interstate Moving/Precon Chevy SS-Get rid of those spikes at the bottom, and this would be a solid A scheme, but those ugly spikes take it down to a B+.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s Tribute Chevy SS-It’s amazing how changing the door number makes this scheme look much better. The yellow door number works with this scheme and it looks better, and earns a B-

Brendan Gaughn #62 Prairie Auto Credit Chevy SS-Nothing wrong with this scheme! A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Tribute Chevy SS-If this was Diet Mountain Dew, the yellow numbers would work quite well, but with Nationwide, it clashes, and takes it down to a C+.

The Driver Suit Blog-2016 Paint Scheme Tracker-November 18, 2015

By David G. Firestone

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch throwback can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch Light can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Chevy SS–No change. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, mountain design starts near brake duct, instead of at front of car. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS–No change. A+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue with white lettering on sides, white and black stripe across hood and roof. A+

Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, white front, red TaxAct X logo, gray back. A+

GERMAIN RACING #13

Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, much more subdued version of the 2015 scheme. A+

Casey Mears #13 Geico Millitary Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, black with camo motif across car. F

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue with white stripes across side which start at brake duct. A+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #41

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Energy Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with yellow and white numbers and lettering. A+

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Marin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry–Other than the switch from Chevy to Toyota, there are no major changes. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 TaxSlayer Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, red top and front, white bottom and back, gold designs separate the two. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, reminiscent of old Mountain Dew/Amp Energy scheme. A+

 

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-November 14, 2015

We have a 2016 paint scheme…

Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-This is a good look, I like the large X behind the door numbers, and the color scheme is really good too. A+

Casey Mears #13 Geico Chevy SS-Much improved design from 2015, much smoother and simpler look. I give it an A+.

Casey Mears #13 Geico Millitary Chevy SS-While I support the troops, I grade tribute schemes on the same scale as any other scheme. In this case, this does not look good. It’s the Geico design, but with a black and camo motif. It looks forced, and awkward. F

Now on to the 2015 schemes…

Austin Dillon #3 Dow Plastic Additives Chevy SS-I like the design here. The plastic particle design does look good, and combined with a great color scheme earns an A+.

Austin Dillon #3 Bad Boy Buggies Chevy SS– Same scheme as last year, same F grade.

Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Tribute Chevy SS-It’s a decent tribute, but a tribute based on an F scheme.

Greg Biffle #16 Jardiance Ford Fusion-Yellow, white, and teal doesn’t work, and the design is over done. As a result, it earns an F.

JJ Yeley #23 Overture Toyota Camry-I HATE ORANGE AND BLUE! I will scream that from the mountains! The design might work if it were a fade, then I could give it a C, but the zigzag design is horrible, and I can’t give it better than an F.

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta/Service King Chevy SS-Same as Axalta, same A+ grade.

Ryan Newman #31 CAT Command Chevy SS-This is one of the few designs that works perfectly. I love the look, it’s unique, and the circular design on the rear wheel is great. I give it an A+.

Kyle Fowler #32 Corvette Parts Pink Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F. Thank God October is over!

Joey Gase #32 Zak Ford Fusion-Great color and design schemes will always earn an A.+

Joey Gase #32 R Factor 2 Ford Fusion-Not even a great color scheme can save this over designed mess of a paint scheme from a passing grade. F

Brett Moffitt #34 Visit Dallas Ford Fusion-Great color and design schemes will always earn an A.

Cole Whitt #35 Moen Ford Fusion-One of the few schemes where it has a great color scheme and a great design scheme, but for some reason, they don’t work together. Still, I will give it a B+.

Landon Cassill #40 Fiberlock Chevy SS-Too many contrasting shades of green, the shamrock motif is awful, and the whole car is overdone. I can’t give this scheme anything but an F.

Landon Cassill #40 Chevy SS-The color scheme is good, but the side design is a bit overdone. I’ll give it a B+.

AJ Allmendinger #47 Fry’s Chevy SS-Same scheme as Kroger, same A+ grade.

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowes Patriotic Chevy SS-A tad overdone, but a really good patriotic scheme. B+

Justin Allgaier #51 Texas Lottery Chevy SS-This was a bit of a bold attempt, and it worked quite well. I like the stripe design on the sides, it’s bold, and the color scheme works well too. I give it an A+

Michael McDowell #95 TWD Ford Fusion–The design is bit overdone, nothing really bad, and the color scheme works well too. I give it a B+.

Ryan Preece #98 Xyience Energy Ford Fusion-Green, silver, and orange don’t work as a color scheme, and the car is so over designed, it is just hideous. F

Ryan Preece #98 Vydrox Plus Ford Fusion-Same scheme as #62, same A grade.

The Driver Suit Blog-2016 Paint Scheme Tracker-November 4, 2015

By David G. Firestone

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch throwback can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch Light can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Chevy SS–No change. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, mountain design starts near brake duct, instead of at front of car. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS–No change. A+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue with white lettering on sides, white and black stripe across hood and roof. A+

Danica Patrick #10 TaxAct Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, white front, red TaxAct X logo, gray back. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue with white stripes across side which start at brake duct. A+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #41

Kurt Busch #41 Monster Energy Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, black with yellow and white numbers and lettering. A+

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Marin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry–Other than the switch from Chevy to Toyota, there are no major changes. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 TaxSlayer Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, red top and front, white bottom and back, gold designs separate the two. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, reminiscent of old Mountain Dew/Amp Energy scheme. A+

 

 

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-October 31, 2015

By David G. Firestone

First we have 2016 paint scheme…

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-It’s a smooth look, very good color scheme, and it looks great! It earns an. A+

Now on to 2015 paint schemes…

Jamie McMurray #1 Cessna/Bad Boy Buggies Pink Chevy SS-Pinkwashing is an automatic F

Greg Biffle #16 Ford Performance Ford Fusion-It’s a simple design with a great color scheme, and I love the spray design on the door numbers. A+

Carl Edwards #19 Xfinifty Toyota Camry-Let’s be honest, it’s a slightly better redesign of the Great Clips scheme, and even then, it’s only B- level. Too many dark-on-dark designs.

JJ Yeley #26 Adirondack Tree Surgeons Toyota Camry-The mediocre color scheme and insanely overdone design scheme combine to earn an F. There is no part of this scheme I can defend.

Paul Menard #27 Menards/Tarkett Chevy SS-With the Menard’s template, or any template for that matter, some color schemes work, other color schemes don’t. The purple isn’t great, but it isn’t awful. I’ll give it a B+.

Bobby Labonte #32 C&J Energy Services Ford Fusion-Pinkwashing is an automatic F.

Ryan Ellis #33 Science Logic Chevy SS-A great color scheme and an awful design scheme combine for a D+ grade.

Travis Kvapil #33 Chevy SS-A timeless look with a great color scheme will earn an A+ ever single time.

David Gilliland #38 Jerry Cook Tribute Ford Fusion-Great looking throwbacks will ALWAYS deserve an A+.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-If you paint your car with a houndstooth design and it ends up looking like a picnic table cover, you deserve to get a D-.

Kyle Larson #42 Target Plaid Chevy SS-Plaid doesn’t look good on clothes, and it looks even worse on race cars. The only thing saving this scheme is a good color scheme. D-

Michael Annett #46 Flying J/PJ Fresh Chevy SS-Good color scheme, and I LOVE the tomato sauce and pepperoni motif! It looks great and earns an A+.

Timmy Hill #62 Royal Teak Ford Fusion-Royal Teak has had a lot of great color schemes this year, and this is another one. Great color scheme, great design, no complaints. A+

Michael Waltrip #98 Maxwell House Toyota Camry-Same as Clint Bowyer’s Maxwell House Toyota, same A+ grade.

The Driver Suit Blog-2016 Paint Scheme Tracker-October 21, 2015

By David G. Firestone

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch throwback can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Busch Light Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, designed around a Busch Light can. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Jimmy John’s Chevy SS–No change. A+

Kevin Harvick #4 Outback Chevy SS–New scheme for 2016, mountain design starts near brake duct, instead of at front of car. B+

Kevin Harvick #4 Ditech Chevy SS–No change. A+

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 Nature’s Bakery Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, blue with white lettering on sides, white and black stripe across hood and roof. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Chase Elliott #24 NAPA Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2015, blue with white stripes across side which start at brake duct. A+

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Marin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry–Other than the switch from Chevy to Toyota, there are no major changes. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 TaxSlayer Chevy SS-New sponsor for 2016, red top and front, white bottom and back, gold designs separate the two. A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Nationwide Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, reminiscent of old Mountain Dew/Amp Energy scheme. A+

 

 

 

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-March 21, 2015

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Medallion Bank Ford Fusion– Green, yellow, and blue is horrible, and the design is even worse. F

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Medallion Bank/Mercury Marine Ford Fusion-The design is bad, but the color scheme is amazing, and it brings the scheme up to a B-

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 NOS Ford Fusion-Good color scheme, but I think the car as a whole is over designed, so I’ll give it a B-

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Zest Ford Fusion-Terrible color scheme, awful design, F

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/FVP Chevy SS– I like the Menard’s template, and the color scheme works very well, so I’ll give it an A+

Landon Cassill #40 CRC 1-Tank Renew Chevy SS–Decent color scheme, but the design is a bit overdone. If it didn’t have the yellow stripes on the back I would like it more, but this is a decent scheme, worth a B-

Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowes Pro Services Chevy SS–This appears to be inspired by the 2010 paint scheme, but that was horrible. It is over designed, and it just looks bad, C-, and I cant’ help but say how disappointed I am for this scheme. C-

Brian Vickers #55 Janssen Toyota Camry-Great scheme and great design earns an A+

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Mountain Dew Dewshine Chevy SS– Great scheme and great design earns an A+A+

Josh Wise #98 Mike Curb 200th Start Ford Fusion– A+

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Grades-March 14, 2015

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion-An amazing, drool inducing throwback with a great color scheme! A+!

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller High Life Ford Fusion– An amazing, drool inducing throwback with a great color scheme! A+!

David Ragan #18 Snickers Xtreme Toyota Camry-I don’t like the door number color, the design is bland, the color scheme is good, so I’ll give it a D+

Carl Edwards #19 Comcast Business Toyota Camry– Good color scheme, but I don’t like the general design. Flipping the design doesn’t work. D-

JJ Yeley #23 Dr Pepper Toyota Camry– Good color scheme, good design, but I hate the Dr. Pepper logo on the door numbers, and I’ll give it a B-.

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta/Fix Auto Chevy SS-This is a great looking car, with great color and design schemes. A+

Jeb Burton #26 Maxim Toyota Camry-Great design with a great color scheme. A+

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s/Quaker State Chevy SS– Quaker State has a great shade of green, and it should be the dominant color of the car. The yellow base with green accents looks awkward. I’ll give it a C

Mike Bliss #32 Draft Demons Ford Fusion– The pitchfork and fire design looks really good, and the color scheme is good too, so I’ll give it an A.

Mike Bliss #32 King Taco Ford Fusion-I like the vintage logo, the design is decent, and the color scheme is good, so I’ll give it a B+

Brian Scott #33 White Tail Lodge Chevy SS– Awful design with a decent color scheme earns a D-

David Ragan #34 Southern Belle Seafood Ford Fusion-I like the Front Row template, and the color scheme looks really good. A+

Cole Whit #35 Sprouts Farmer’s Market Ford Fusion-It’s a reverse Front Row Motorsports template, which by itself would look good, but the fruit motif adds to it. Factor in a good color scheme and you have an A+ grade.

David Gilliland #38 MDS Ford Fusion-Great simple design, decent color scheme earns an A-

Travis Kvapil #44 Phoenix Warehouse Chevy SS– My first thought when I saw this scheme was it looked like the color scheme from the 1994-1995 NBA All-Star Game jerseys which is a decent color scheme. But to say the car is over designed is an understatement. This scheme is awful. Not even a great color scheme can help this car pass. F

Michael Annett #46 Cypress HQ Chevy SS– Over designed and has a goofy color scheme earns an F every time.

Matt Dibenedetto #83 BurgerKing Toyota Camry– Good color scheme, good design, but I hate the Dr. Pepper logo on the door numbers, and I’ll give it a B-.

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-John Force Racing Announces a New Deal!

By David G. Firestone

I’ve just got a quick one based on some news that broke on Thursday. I’d been wondering what John Force Racing would be running this year. Ford left John Force Racing and the NHRA at the end of the season. There was some debate on who John Force would sign with, and that answer came late last week, with the announcement that John Force Racing would be running Chevy Camaros in 2015. I thought that it was going to be Chevy, and I was right

What I found interesting was that the NBC article I read stated “With no other Chevrolet-branded Nitro Funny Cars in the sport, John Force Racing will essentially have the Chevy brand exclusively all to itself.” Really? What about Bob Tasca’s team? What about Tim Wilkerson? I don’t think that Chevy is going to commit itself to this kind of racing program without multiple full time teams. I think that Wilkerson is going to join Chevy, but as for Tasca, I just don’t know. Bob Tasca Sr. was a long time Ford dealer, and Bob has run Ford his entire career, as well as having Motorcraft as a sponsor.

What has kind of amazed me is that Chevy took as long as they did to come back to the NHRA. Chevy’s return to IndyCar was a smashing success, and I thought they had something in the pipeline for the NHRA. I guess they couldn’t get a full time team at that point, so they had to wait. I’m looking forward to seeing how the team does this year.

The car looks pretty good, and the new Peak scheme looks really good on the car as well. The Peak scheme works much better on the funny car than it does on Clint Bowyer’s car. Peak has a very good shade of blue, and it works well on the car. I’ll be interested to see how Courtney Force’s and Robert Hight’s cars will look, and if there will be any changes to the paint scheme.