Menu
Obviously, drivers are the stars of NASCAR, but the cars they drive become equally as iconic. When you think of Dale Earnhardt, you think of the Goodwrench Chevrolet, and when you think of Richard Petty, you think of the STP Dodge. Nowadays, there is far more variability when it comes to paint schemes, but NASCAR has had its fair share of dominant paint schemes. Which are the most dominant?
From 2006 until 2010, Jimmie Johnson ran this scheme or a variation of it. He happened to win five Championships in the Lowe’s 48 car, and he won 35 races during that five year span as well. He averaged seven wins per season between 2006 and 2010.
I mean, multiple championships in a row is tough to top.
Or if you were me and a Jeff Gordon fan in 2007, then I felt the same fear.
In 1988, Dale Earnhardt introduced the new, black Goodwrench Chevrolet, and it became synonymous with his new moniker, “The Intimidator.” Of his seven championships, four of them happened while driving this car. He also won 45 races with this scheme between 1988 and 2000.
There truly is nothing like that black 3 car.
Before the STP Dodge, there was the Petty Blue 43 Plymouth. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Petty and the V8 Hemi Engine tore up NASCAR competition. This included setting the record for the most wins in a NASCAR season regardless of era with 27 wins in the 1967 season. The iconic “Petty Blue” look was popular with fans, and became a part of the Petty brand.
Hard to argue 611_hornet
After STP jumped on board to sponsor Richard Petty in 1972, Petty continued tearing up the track. He won 50 races this scheme and his final three Cup Series championships. Iconic moment after iconic moment happened carrying this very paint scheme.
Jeff Gordon stormed onto the scene in the 1990s with a flashy rainbow paint scheme. The car ran as good as it looked, with Gordon winning 52 races and three championships between 1994 and 2000. There was nothing quite like Jeff Gordon’s “Rainbow Warriors.”
Dale Earnhardt’s Wrangler 3 Car: Between 1984 and 1987, Dale Earnhardt ran the iconic Wrangler number 3 car and won two championships, plus one of his most iconic moments, the “Pass in the Grass”
Darrell Waltrip’s Mountain Dew 11 Car: This car had a brief, but glorious moment in the sun as Waltrip won 24 races and two championships in 1981 and 1982.
Now, these paint schemes may not have had much to do with the performance on the race track, but they are as synonymous to the success as the driver. There is nothing quite like a great paint scheme on an iconic car.
