Every 2025 NASCAR Throwback Weekend Paint Scheme (So Far)
What’s Happening? Darlington’s Spring Throwback weekend is one of the highest-regarded modern traditions in NASCAR. Once, and sometimes twice a season,…
NASCAR’s throwback weekend at Darlington is a cherished tradition, and with it one week away, teams and drivers are releasing their throwback paint schemes for 2025. While the Cup Series is NASCAR’s top level, the Xfinity Series seems to be leading the way in throwback weekend fan favorites, so what exactly is going on?
What’s Happening? Darlington’s Spring Throwback weekend is one of the highest-regarded modern traditions in NASCAR. Once, and sometimes twice a season,…
Fans usually look out for the NASCAR Cup Series throwback paint schemes in the build-up to throwback weekend. This is due to the history tied between teams, car numbers, and sponsors. For instance, a team like Joe Gibbs Racing can still run an Interstate Batteries throwback with almost exact accuracy, minus the car number.
However, this year, some teams have made rather odd choices that, while not bad, have seemingly fallen flat with the broader fan base. For example, Wood Brothers Racing is running an Indy Car-inspired scheme during their 75th anniversary season, Austin Cindric’s Dale Earnhart Osterlund Racing Throwback, and Cole Custer’s 2002 Jimmy Spencer-inspired scheme.
All of these are iconic schemes that, while they look great, aren’t moving the needle. Even those that fans have received well, such as Kyle Larson’s Terry Labonte 2003 throwback and William Byron’s 2015 Jeff Gordon car, have caused little to no stir.
In fact, Chase Elliotts is the most talked-about Cup Series scheme so far. Yet, this is for all the wrong reasons. The No. 9 scheme, inspired by Ken Schrader’s 1994 Kodiak scheme, has been maligned by NASCAR fans, who are calling it out for color differences, lack of notoriety, and general inaccuracy of its inspiration.
While fans either talk too little or too much about the Cup Series schemes, most have raved about the Xfinity Series garage.
What’s Happening? With NASCAR’s 2025 throwback weekend looming, Hendrick Motorsports unveiled Chase Elliott’s 2025 throwback scheme. This reveal has caused a…
To put it simply, fans think that the Xfinity Series is killing it this season in the throwback department. This is not to say that the Xfinity Series has not had a handful of disappointments or dull schemes this year. However, the Xfinity Series garage has gone above and beyond this season.
These three key elements are helping the Xfinity Series teams in this faux throwback weekend battle:
First, the sponsors are having fun and letting the designers take liberties to shape the car based on its original design and sponsorship. Take Sammy Smith’s TMC Transportation, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3 Doors Down-inspired car for reference.
Second, teams are being creative with the designs, going with cars that may not be the most memorable versions of iconic schemes. For reference, take Jeremy Clements’ Harrison’s sponsored 1985 Harry Gant-inspired car. Many teams have attempted the Skoal car, but typically, they go for the more recognizable versions of the car.
Third, these schemes are original. This does not refer to the two fantasy retro schemes in the garage but rather to cars that have not had a true throwback attempt. These include but are not limited to:
RSS Racing’s 1999 Dale Jarrett Reverse Retro Throwback
RSS Racing’s 2002 Ricky Rudd Havoline Throwback
Sam Hunt Racing’s 2009 Jamie McMurray Talladega Win Throwback
JGR’s 2016 Kyle Busch Xfinity Series 10-Win Season Throwback
However, one team, a usual underdog in the series, is stealing the show as of press time.
Right now, Alpha Prime Racing’s fleet of Chevrolets may sweep the podium for best in the show for not only the Xfinity Series but the entire throwback weekend.
Mason Massey will drive the team’s part-time car, the No. 45, at Darlington. He will sport a scheme inspired by Jimmy Spencer’s Winston “No Bull” car from 1999. This scheme is great but clearly in third place among APR’s three entries.
The first car revealed by APR was Parker Retzlaff’s Ernie Irvan-inspired No. 4 car. This scheme, a spin one of the most iconic in NASCAR history, fills in all the gaps for Irvan’s sponsors at the time and is equipped with the iconic Morgan–McClure Motorsports No. 4 typeface.
However, the far-and-away cream of the crop is Brennan Poole’s No. 44, which plays off Jeff Gordon’s iconic Looney Tunes/Dupont Chromalusion paint scheme from 2001. Not only does the car fill all the spaces as the original, with help from some willing sponsors, but the team announced the car on a mockup shirt directly inspired by an original of Gordon’s, with a Looney Tunes-styled cartoon of Poole taking Bugs Bunny.
This year, the Xfinity Series garage has set the standard for a fun throwback weekend. While the Cup Series has some heaters, the Xfinity teams are proving that this weekend of celebration is far from dead.
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