Chase Elliott’s Proving Grounds Tug at Fans’ Core Memories Amidst Honoring NASCAR’s Famed Tradition

As the highly anticipated NASCAR throwback weekend is fast approaching, it seems everybody is dipping a toe in the trend. While Darlington will pay homage to drivers with yesteryear paint schemes, there were some that took the #throwback craze too literally. To add to fans’ excitement, even Chase Elliot’s proving ground Sonoma Raceway chose its moment to shine, evoking that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling among fans. 

Fans were caught off guard by a throwback post by Sonoma Raceway

Through the years, the iconic Sonoma Raceway has had a lot of name changes. Robert Marshall Jr. and Jim Coleman originally developed this classic road course, set in Northern California’s wine country. The track itself came together swiftly and, in fact, they even held the first event the very first year in December. However, there was a lot of turbulence henceforth because of ownership changes, and no significant development until major race events, including NASCAR, started coming to the venue starting in 1989.

And then, fast forward to the year 2000 when massive changes came about. A plan to spend a whopping $100 million was decided to bring the track up to speed with the modern standards. To fulfill this, they formed a fruitful partnership with Infineon Technologies. After this, the track got a new name Infineon Raceway in 2002. But after the decade-long deal with the company ended, they renamed it Sonoma Raceway. 

Recently, Sonoma Raceway took a trip down this memory lane when they uploaded a new profile picture. Evidently surprising fans all over, the image featured the iconic logo of Sears Point Raceway. For those uninitiated, Sonoma Raceway was also previously known as Sears Point Raceway from 1993-2001, as an ode to Franklin Sears, the original landowner of the California-based track’s land. This unveiling sparked an out-pour of love by NASCAR fans from all over.

Some wanted the same name back, while others couldn’t help but be reminded of their past days watching the race. Additionally, some fans opined how the previous name ROCKED!

That is the thing about NASCAR. It is not just a sport–it’s an emotion. People watch it with their friends, family, and loved ones. So it’s no surprise that this post evoked some kind of nostalgic element that pulled on the heartstrings of fans.

One fan said, “Am I the only one who thinks this should be the name forever? I think Sonoma is kinda boring but Sears Point rolls off the tongue better.” Another fan couldn’t stop reminiscing and said, “Brooooooo! My childhood.” On the other hand, one fan mentioned how they never stopped calling it the old way.

Another fan painted a lovely picture. He said, “Reminds me of the days when I was a kid sitting on the hills watching the race. Meanwhile, a fan even pleaded with the Sonoma Raceway, asking them to bring the old name back. He said, “YES BRING IT BACK PLEASE !!!!

This throwback moment just stirred up some core memories of the sports’ lovers and is exactly the essence of Throwback Weekend. But that is not all the nostalgia that’s just waiting for fans, as the new line-up of cars that teams have readied will leave them gawking wide-eyed as well!

Top 5 standout Darlington paint schemes of 2024

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Teams and drivers gave it their all to ensure their cars are the best ones on track when they go to pay a tribute in Darlington. There are various eye-catching schemes this year, but here are our favorite five.

1. Harrison Burton pays tribute to racing legend Leonard Wood 

Burton’s performance on track has been lukewarm this season but the same cannot be said about the throwback scheme they have come up with. He and the Wood Brothers are ready with a throwback scheme that goes back to seven decades ago, and it’s safe to say that they completely nailed it! NASCAR’s oldest team, founded in 1950, will be honoring their co-founder, Leonard Wood.  

1. Jack Wood Honors Racing Icon Tim Flock 

Wood is paying homage to one of the legends of stock-car racing Tim Flock. Flock is a Hall of Famer and drove his 1952 Hudson Hornet to the NASCAR Strickly Stock championship. While we don’t know where Wood would be standing at the Darlington race, this car will surely stand apart!

     3. Chase Elliot will pay tribute to Earnhardt Jr.

Chase Elliot is NASCAR’s most popular driver at the moment and it only seems fitting that he pays tribute to the previous crown owner. Dale Earnhardt Jr won the 2014 Daytona 500 race in a stellar car covered in red, white, and gold. Elliot’s car this weekend will mimic the iconic Earnhardt’s car with which he won the 2014 race. 

1. Ryan Ellis pays homage to Cole Trickle

This scheme was just a hairsbreadth away from making it to the No.1 spot. It didn’t make it because it is not an actual piece of racing history but a scheme from a racing movie Trickle. But we are sure fans would appreciate this scheme. But of course, if Tom Cruise who played Trickle in the 1990 film, were to come to the track this weekend—this would take the top spot!

1. Kyle Larson honoring Terry Labonte’s 

Larson, who just made headlines by beating Buescher in the closest-ever finish in NASCAR history, is all geared to make headlines again at Darlington. He is going to honor none other than Terry Labonte. Terry had driven the red and green car from 1994 to 1999, winning the 1996 Cup Series championship with Kellogg’s. The cars look very similar, with the only expectation of the sponsor logos. Many opine that Larson has a huge chance of winning this weekend, too. 

It seems NASCAR is all about embracing nostalgia this upcoming weekend! Are you ready for it?