For the next stop in its 2021 season, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Darlington Raceway this weekend. Several teams usually debut a wide variety of Throwback paint schemes for the race, and most of these drivers honor past legends by running their paint schemes.
The Throwback weekend generally pays tribute to various Hall of Famers, legends, team owners, and valuable sponsors. The best part is that the 2021 edition is not restricted to any specific era. So, all the NASCAR drivers can go all out in their respective tributes to the racing legends.
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As such, Quin Houff unveiled a red and white paint scheme. Apparently, StarCom Racing wanted to commemorate John Andretti and his Ford Thunderbird RCA paint scheme.
— Ryan Daley – RD (@ryandaleydesign) May 5, 2021
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson decided to turn back the clock on his racing career. The Asian-American driver will sport the livery that his first-ever race car bore. As it turned out, Majik Motorsports was Larson‘s family racing team, so this is a brilliant way for him to re-visit his racing roots.
Back to his racing roots.#NASCARThrowback | @TooToughToTame pic.twitter.com/WOTCerx9C8
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) April 29, 2021
Meanwhile, teammate Chase Elliott is paying tribute to NASCAR legend, Alan Kulwicki. He will run the same livery that Kulwicki sported when he won the 1992 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
What are the various NASCAR Cup Series liveries?
My graphics guy is on vacation and I need a tune in for Darlington. It’s got to be @HootersRacing throwback themed. Drop your best graphic below before Friday and I’ll use my favorite one! pic.twitter.com/Z1AHvsfoY5
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) May 4, 2021
Next on the list is Aric Almirola, who will pay tribute to former NASCAR driver Mark Martin. The latter raced sported this livery on many occasions in the Xfinity Series. Out of 13 Xfinity races, the former driver finished in the Top 5 in 12 of them, and sixth in his 13th.
A scheme right out of 2000. @Aric_Almirola and the @SmithfieldBrand No. 10 will be bringing the heat in a way that will make Mark Martin proud. pic.twitter.com/KeIwBfasYz
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) April 28, 2021
Apparently, red and white seems to be a common theme, as Denny Hamlin is going to run a similar paint scheme. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver is paying tribute to Julius “Slick” Johnson.
You voted and we listened! Take a look at @dennyhamlin’s @SportClips throwback paint scheme for @TooToughToTame. The red-and-white design honors the late Julius “Slick” Johnson, a South Carolina native that competed in the #NASCAR Cup series during the 1980s. #sportclipsthrowback pic.twitter.com/NwLxCNMUGE
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) April 26, 2021
Ryan Blaney, however, is following a similar path to Kyle Larson. To be precise, he is acknowledging his racing roots and paying tribute to his Late Model racing career.
This scheme brings back some memories for me and dad. Not the flashiest thing out there but that’s how I like it. @AdvanceAuto @TooToughToTame pic.twitter.com/ST6ye7yG9w
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) April 29, 2021
Which other drivers have unveiled new liveries?
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Cup Series rookie Chase Briscoe is running AJ Foyt’s 1986 Copenhagen paint scheme. That was the year Foyt competed in five NASCAR Cup Series races and took a season-best 17th-place finish at Atlanta.
This number carries the weight of legends. @ChaseBriscoe_14's AJ Foyt throwback dips deep into the history of our iconic number, paying homage to the heroes that drove it before him. #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/qGUDnzrpCn
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) May 4, 2021
As an Australian, James Davison wanted to hail the efforts of Dick Johnson. This particular livery featured in the 1989 and 1990 seasons and highlighted Johnson’s V8 Supercars career.
As a fellow Australian, I am proud to bring back Dick Johnson’s NASCAR scheme from 1989-‘90 at Darlington.
I grew up watching Dick racing his iconic #17 car during his illustrious career in V8 Supercars. Today my cousin, @will_davison, races the #17 car for Dick Johnson Racing. pic.twitter.com/azwvSaVTE6
— James Davison (@JD33Davison) April 30, 2021
Kyle Busch is the next driver with a special livery. However, in his case, the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing driver is celebrating M&M’s 80th anniversary, so this warrants a special livery.
🚨 THROWBACK UNVEIL 🚨
Check out @KyleBusch's @mmschocolate throwback design for @TooToughToTame, which celebrates M&M’S 80th anniversary. The design includes an old-school Yellow and Red, alongside the iconic M&M’S lentils and a special 80th anniversary message. pic.twitter.com/P8ewTcUW51
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) April 20, 2021
Martin Truex Jr will be the next to unveil a special livery, and he is following Larson’s example as well. As it turns out, he wants to pay tribute to his Furniture Row Racing days.
A lot of guys on our team and I have some great memories with matte black cars, so we’re taking that and putting an @AutoOwnersIns spin on it for @TooToughToTame this year. #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/wtdAxZbn3v
— Martin Truex Jr. (@MartinTruex_Jr) April 27, 2021
Just like Quin Houff, Joey Logano is also immortalizing the Andretti family. The only difference is that he is focusing on the legendary Mario Andretti with his Shell-inspired livery.
Who else is pumped for #NASCARThrowback weekend at @TooToughToTame?!
Honored to run this @MarioAndretti inspired @shellracingus @Pennzoil #FordMustang on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/JEg2KxEOuH
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) May 4, 2021
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Meanwhile, 23XI Racing‘s Bubba Wallace will pay tribute to fellow African-American driver, Wendell Scott. Scott is regarded as a trailblazer for African-Americans as he was the first full-time driver in the sport. He also boasts of one race win to his name.
Bold change starts with those who came first. Learn more about @wendellscott_34 ’s legacy here: https://t.co/R9dRmumsH7 pic.twitter.com/8kGWGO3QZu
— Root Insurance (@root_insurance) May 4, 2021
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Other drivers include William Byron, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece, Anthony Alfredo, Ross Chastain, and Erik Jones. Even Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Alex Bowman, Josh Bilicki, Justin Haley, and BJ McLeod unveiled new liveries.
Read More: Where and What Time to Watch the NASCAR Cup Series 2021 Goodyear 400 Darlington Throwback Race?