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via Imago

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In NASCAR, a paint scheme isn’t just a coat of color. It’s a rolling billboard, a piece of history, and a fan statement all in one. Think of Dale Earnhardt’s iconic black No. 3, Jeff Gordon’s rainbow No. 24, or even Tony Stewart’s fiery orange Home Depot car. These schemes aren’t just remembered, they’re worshipped.

Fans collect diecasts, jackets, and posters, immortalizing the art that flies by at 190 mph. Which is why when a new look leaks early, it’s a big deal. That’s exactly what happened this week at Richard Childress Racing, as Kyle Busch’s upcoming paint scheme slipped through the cracks before its official reveal, leaving the team scrambling to manage the fallout.

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Kyle Busch’s new 7-Eleven scheme leaks before official unveil

Kyle Busch is no stranger to making headlines both on and off the track. This week, however, it wasn’t a daring pass or post-race drama. Instead, it was his brand-new 7-Eleven paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing that surfaced online before its planned debut. NASCAR Twitter caught fire within minutes.

The leaked image, first shared by the Instagram account NASCARRumorNostalgia, made its way to social media late Tuesday night. Fans were quick to share, comment, and debate the new look. The scheme, bold in green, black, and white, instantly reminded longtime fans of past 7-Eleven partnerships in racing. Its sharp, clean design stood out, sparking nostalgia and excitement ahead of its expected race day appearance.

Fan reactions to Kyle Busch’s new paint scheme have ranged from surprise to amusement. Some have even drawn comparisons to past sponsor swaps in the sport, such as RCR’s previous move from Jimmy John’s to Subway. However, the leak came at an unfortunate time for Richard Childress Racing. Teams typically guard new sponsor schemes like state secrets. They’re tightly controlled, with timed social posts, diecast launches, and press releases ready to go. An early leak disrupts that rhythm and can undercut carefully planned marketing campaigns. Still, fans seem thrilled with what they’ve seen.

The 7-Eleven paint scheme has a notable history in NASCAR and is not new to the sport. The 7-Eleven brand first appeared as a primary sponsor in the 1980s, most famously with Kyle Petty. Petty drove cars featuring the iconic green, orange, and white 7-Eleven livery for Petty Enterprises and later with the Wood Brothers team. These schemes were seen in several seasons, including 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986, making the 7-Eleven branding a memorable part of NASCAR’s visual history.

What’s your perspective on:

Will the leaked 7-Eleven scheme become as iconic as Dale Earnhardt's black No. 3?

Have an interesting take?

This current episode highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping NASCAR’s narrative, as well as the passion of its fan base for all things paint scheme-related. Whether the 7-Eleven design becomes a staple or a one-off, it’s already made a memorable entrance into the 2025 season’s storylines. It will, now, be interesting to see when the paint scheme makes its official debut and how.

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Busch’s future at Richard Childress Racing

I wouldn’t say there are any glaring reasons to think about what my future’s going to be right now, Kyle Busch stated at Bristol Motor Speedway, addressing speculation about his tenure with Richard Childress Racing (RCR). After a challenging 2024 season, Busch’s 2025 performance has shown notable improvement. He has managed to secure four top-10 finishes in the first eight races.​

Busch’s 2024 season was his first winless year in the NASCAR Cup Series, ending a 19-year streak of at least one victory per season. This downturn led to questions about his future with RCR. However, the team’s offseason changes, including new technical leadership, have contributed to better performance in 2025.

Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Busch pointed to limited practice time as a persistent obstacle. The practice time being so limited and the adjustments that you’re able to make being so limited, you don’t have those tools at your disposal to be able to work with, he said. It’s a change that’s dramatically impacted his performance.

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Teammate Austin Dillon hopes Kyle Busch sticks around till his retirement. He believes Busch enjoys being at RCR and hopes the veteran finishes his career with the team. For us at RCR, we just have to put maximum effort in every week to deliver the best product, and that’s the best we can do, Dillon remarked. The hope is that Busch will remain with Richard Childress Racing through the end of his full-time racing career. However, this will depend on the team’s ability to convert their efforts into points and, ultimately, victories.

Continued progress in the 2025 season will be key to achieving this goal.

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Will the leaked 7-Eleven scheme become as iconic as Dale Earnhardt's black No. 3?

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