
via Getty
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 22: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

via Getty
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 22: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Over the course of its nearly 75-year history, there have been several unusual NASCAR sponsors. However, for two consecutive years at the Richmond Raceway, the sport witnessed the most unusual ones yet. In the early 2000s, Chevrolet partnered with the Richmond Raceway for sponsorship purposes. In 2001, a select few Chevrolet drivers competed in the race with a Looney Tunes paint scheme. This included the likes of Jeff Gordon, Kenny Wallace, and many more.
Additionally, each car had a specific prism paint scheme to let the characters stand out under the lights. Around this time, NASCAR’s popularity was beginning to rise, and with the Looney Tunes tacked on, helped it even further. So the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 kicked off.

via Getty
RICHMOND, VA – MAY 04: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, walks on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Jim Stewart 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 4, 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. Jeff Gordon is wearing a Virginia Tech University hat in honor of those who lost their lives on 4-16-07. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Wallace was driving the #1 car, Terry Labonte in the #5, Gordon in the #24, and Kevin Harvick in the #29. Also joining them were Busch Series champion Jeff Green in the #30, Mike Skinner, and Bobby Hamilton in the #31 and #55, respectively. Gordon was in pole position with Bugs Bunny on his car. He got off to a great start and began to pull away, but a few cautions allowed the pack to reel him back in.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jeff Gordon was one of several participants in the races
On Lap 25, Gordon crashed out, and he was in championship contention. What made things worse was that most of his championship rivals were at the front of the field. Although he rejoined the race, he was well out of contention for a win. Things were already going downhill for Chevrolet, and the leading driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr. He himself was competing in a different challenge, but that’s another story.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As for the other Looney Tunes drivers, Jeff Green and Daffy Duck had a tire failure. Then, Terry Labonte and Wile E. Coyote brushed the wall and his tailpipe began dragging on the ground. Although it broke loose, he inherited the coyote’s bad luck and ran over that pipe, thus crashing. The next victim was Skinner and Yosemite Sam, as his tire failed. The only hope remained with Harvick and the Tasmanian Devil. With 20 laps left, Harvick got aggressive and somehow snatched the lead.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: WATCH: Dale Earnhardt’s Classic Act for Hendrick Motorsports Rival Jeff Gordon That Proved Why “The Intimidator” Was Loved by NASCAR Fans
Unfortunately, karma came back and bit him hard. In other words, Ricky Rudd exacted revenge and won the race for good measure. Harvick eventually settled for 2nd. Bobby Hamilton was 13th, Kenny Wallace 21st, Skinner 33rd, Gordon 36th, Labonte 38th, and Jeff Green in 40th.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT