September 30, 2004
04:02 PM EDT (20:02 GMT)
Think there'll come a day when we see more special paint schemes in a given race than regular paint jobs? Hey, don't laugh. It could happen. The July 4th weekend Pepsi 400 at Daytona hosted no fewer than 20 special paint jobs. That's nearly half of the 43-car field. Races at Michigan and California had 15 or more special editions, and the upcoming UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway will see over a dozen cars take the green wearing special graphics packages. You've read about many of the special programs in our feature stories and spotlights. But there are plenty more. Reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year Jamie McMurray will pilot on of the most popular new paint jobs this weekend at Talladega. He'll sport a "Rising Star" retro look on the No. 42 Havoline Dodge reminiscent of the color scheme raced by Davey Allison in 1990. "It's cool that Texaco/Havoline is going back and paying tribute to the history they have in NASCAR," said McMurray. "We got to run a special tribute paint scheme last year at Talladega to honor Davey Allison and it's neat we're running another special one this year to honor Texaco/Havoline's heritage in the sport. I think it's a nice way to give longtime fans something to remember the past by. I can't think of a better place to run the car than Talladega given the history of the Texaco/Havoline car at that track."  |  | SUPERSTORE | |
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Here's a look at a few more special paint jobs: Action Performance (Many Action paint schemes are sold at the mass retail level through Action's Winner's Circle brand) No. 8 Martin Truex Jr. Wrangler Chevrolet (Busch): A popular sponsor from the 1980s teamed up with a blue chipper at Pike's Peak in July. They'll be back together at Darlington in November.No. 9 Bill Elliott Milestones Dodge: This is a fantasy car (will not be raced) that documents some of the more memorable milestones from Elliott's stellar career.No. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal IROC Firebird: Kenseth won at Richmond in this car.No. 29 Kevin Harvick Realtree Chevrolet: Harvick's Realtree entry was anything but camouflaged in August at Bristol.No. 29 Kevin Harvick Powerade Chevrolet (Busch): This car will hit the track at Atlanta on October 30.No. 42 Jamie McMurray Havoline Rising Star: A retro paint scheme from the days of Davey Allison will be a big hit with Alabama fans at Talladega in a few weeks.No. 47 Tony Stewart Axiom/Sara Evans Chevrolet Silverado (Craftsman Truck Series): Stewart ran third at Richmond in the second Morgan-Dollar truck.No. 92 Tony Stewart McDonald's Chevrolet (Busch): Stewart will run this paint scheme in the Busch Series event at Atlanta on October 30.No. 99 Michael Waltrip Domino's Pizza Chevrolet (Busch): Mikey is set to run this car at Memphis in October. The car will also feature St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Team Caliber No. 43 Jeff Green Lucky Charms Dodge: Green had Lucky Charms in Vegas. Die-cast now available from Team Caliber.Racing Champions No. 22 Scott Wimmer CAT Dealers Dodge: Arguably the best-looking Caterpilar car of all time hit the track in the Pop Secret 500 at California. No. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Tool World Centers Chevrolet: JJ piloted this special graphics package at California on Labor Day weekend. | 
