“OK, how do we differentiate Darlington from the rest of the stops on the schedule?” That was the question posed by then-Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile back in 2015. The answer? A full-blown nostalgic celebration. Thus, the ‘Darlington Throwback Weekend’ ritual was born. The first theme focused on the 1970-74 era, honoring iconic drivers like Richard Petty and David Pearson. Over time, it expanded to highlight different eras and grassroots racing origins.

Fans instantly bought in. The tradition has been going on since, making the Darlington race the spectacle that it was envisioned to be. So, when someone like Chase Elliott, one of this generation’s brightest stars and a seven-time Most Popular Driver, questions the value of a celebration so deeply rooted in NASCAR tradition, it hits a nerve.

Has Throwback Weekend run its course?

“I thought it lost (its luster) about four or five years ago. Not to be a downer, but I joked years ago if we kept going down the road, we’re going to be throwing it back to me in 2018. We’ve rode the horse to death, and we tend to do that a little bit too much,” Chase Elliott recently said, voicing what some see as a growing disconnect between tradition and relevance.

Chase Elliott’s comments follow a noticeable trend. Only 19 Cup Series teams committed to throwback paint schemes in 2025. That’s fewer than half the field! NASCAR and Darlington Raceway seem caught at a crossroads. What began as a celebration of heritage now battles creativity fatigue and commercial resistance. Chase Elliot’s sentiment was visible, as this Throwback Weekend did feature a scheme from an active driver, too!

The Xfinity Series saw William Sawalich, #18 of Joe Gibbs Racing, pay tribute to Kyle Busch’s 2016 scheme. Busch won 10 Xfinity races that year, dominating the field mercilessly. However, some fans felt this was a bit odd, as Busch is still actively racing in the Cup Series, and felt like the throwbacks were getting forced, like Elliott said. But Kyle Busch defended the honor of throwback weekend while not being in a throwback Chevrolet himself.

“Even if some of the drivers think it’s a little overblown or whatever, it’s not for us. It’s for the people in the grandstands,” Busch said, highlighting that these schemes are part of a celebration of history for the fans who have been tirelessly showing up every year. However, Elliot’s point still stands tall. How long can NASCAR keep up the tradition with teams already pulling throwbacks from as early as 2016?

Part of the issue is simple. ‘We’ve already been there, done that.’ Most of the iconic paint schemes, be it a Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, or Terry Labonte, have had their moment. Today’s teams are either repeating tributes or reaching for obscure nods that fans barely recognize. Sponsors, too, aren’t keen to trade brand identity for nostalgia anymore. As William Byron said, “It’s definitely run its course, I feel like. Between 40 cars, you cover most of the paint schemes at some point.”

Chase Elliott isn’t alone in his criticism of the tradition. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, also made an interesting point about sponsorship clashes while giving his reason for 23XI Racing not running any Throwback schemes. “When you change their logo or change their colors, it doesn’t really line up with what they want.” Meanwhile, sophomore star Carson Hocevar didn’t mince words either, saying it’s all but done because the tributes feel forced and disconnected. “Eventually, you run out of ideas,” he said. It’s a sharp contrast to the event’s once-unifying appeal.

But here’s the thing. Are teams really out of ways to honor NASCAR’s past? Or are they just getting lazy about how to do it? Here’s a look at why Chase Elliott’s take might be missing the bigger picture. And, most importantly, why the Darlington Throwback Weekend tradition still matters to true, die-hard NASCAR fans.

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Chase Elliott is missing the mark

In a recently conducted poll on social media with more than 5,000 voters, 81 percent said they wanted to see Throwback Weekend remain as-is. Fans still show up for this time-honored event. The creative throwbacks spark conversations across generations. Long-time fans relive memories. New ones learn names like Richard Petty, Davey Allison, and Cale Yarborough. That kind of engagement doesn’t happen every week! It bridges gaps between eras in a sport that desperately needs to keep both its past and future in play.

The marketing upside is massive. Retro designs sell diecasts, T-shirts, and nostalgia-fueled merch like crazy. Sponsors may be hesitant, as Hamlin pointed out earlier, but many still lean in. Creative branding tweaks can still fit retro themes while keeping their presence strong. “I understand the challenges they have with their partners on putting this together. I also think you’ve seen some really creative partners find a way to integrate into the theme,” Darlington Raceway president Josh Harris pointed out. It’s a unique opportunity for buzz and visibility that no regular NASCAR race can match.

Throwback Weekend delivers standout visuals and rich storylines, including events like parades, making it a dream for media outlets and broadcasters. Networks like FOX Sports 1 lean into the nostalgia, creating captivating segments that draw in longtime fans and curious new viewers. With streaming options like FUBO and the FOX Sports app, the event reaches a wide audience, reinforcing its value as a media-friendly spectacle on NASCAR’s calendar.

Then, some teams and drivers still care. Despite what a few may say, plenty of crews love the history lesson and value the fan sentiment. As Chase Briscoe noted, despite not running a throwback scheme in 2025, “For me, it’s something that I love about this weekend. Every time you come here, there’s that old-school feel, but then when you walk in the garage, you see paint schemes and stuff. It’s a cool part of the whole weekend.” 

And let’s not forget what it does for Darlington itself. The community thrives off the weekend. The fans, the energy, the money. Local hotels, shops, and restaurants see a massive boost. In a time when track relevance is everything, keeping Darlington’s traditions alive helps secure its spot on the NASCAR calendar for years to come. Chase Elliott might think the spark is gone, but maybe he’s just looking in the wrong mirror. What do you think? Has Throwback Weekend lost its charm? Let us know in the comments!