Action revs up rock 'n' roll paint schemes

The annual racin' and rockin' speedfest at Richmond International Raceway is starting out on a good note with six NASCAR stars already slated to run special musical artist-themed paint schemes during the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 weekend, September 8-10. And collectors can look forward to die-cast replicas of each car.

Headlining the hard rockin' half dozen is NASCAR's most-collected superstar, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The No. 8 Budweiser Monte Carlo will carry a graphics package promoting the rock band 3 Doors Down in the 300-mile NASCAR Nextel Cup contest.

	SUPERSTORE •   Browse Special Paint Schemes

The paint design was designed by the art department at Action Performance, the exclusive manufacturer of Dale Jr. die-cast. The color scheme features added black accents over a metallic red paint finish. The car includes official 3 Doors Down band logos as well as the Budweiser "True Music" insignia. Action will replicate the car in die-cast in a variety of scales and styles.

"Over the years, the September night race at Richmond International Raceway has become a fan favorite," said Fred Wagenhals, chairman, president and CEO of Action Performance Companies.

"This year, it will be another rockin' night in Richmond, and Dale Jr.'s No. 8 Budweiser/3 Doors Down Chevrolet surely will give fans another reason to watch and cheer. For 'True' collectors, the die-cast replica will be the next great addition to their Dale Earnhardt Jr. collections. Fans will love the music, the paint schemes and the match ups. And, they will love collecting the authentic die-cast replicas of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 cars that they cheered for on the track."

This is actually the second time the band has been affiliated with Earnhardt Jr. Two years ago, Tony Stewart raced a 3 Doors Down car fielded by Chance 2 Motorsports-the team co-owned by Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt-in a NASCAR Busch Series event at Michigan.

In addition to Earnhardt Jr., drivers Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney, Brian Vickers and Scott Riggs are also among the participants in the promotion.

An image of Grammy Award winner Gretchen Wilson, best known for the hit single "Redneck Woman," will adorn Harvick's No. 29 GM Goodwrench ride.

"I always look forward to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400," said Harvick. "We have met some really great musicians in the past and to see their excitement with what we do is really cool. This year we have Gretchen Wilson on the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. I think the fans will get a kick out of seeing a 'Redneck Woman' on the car."

Harvick's teammates, Burton and Blaney, will race paint jobs featuring Big & Rich and Drive By Truckers, repectively. Riggs' No. 10 Valvoline car will carry the colors of Nickelback, while the group Green Day will be featured on the No. 25 GMAC entry piloted by sophomore Vickers.

"Cruising around in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 with Nickelback on my car will be pretty cool," said Riggs. "Richmond International Raceway is an awesome place to be behind the wheel of a racecar and having a band that I'm already a fan of riding along with me will be fun. The only thing that could make it better would be taking the Nickelback/Valvoline Chevrolet to victory lane that week."

Additional driver and recording artist pairings that will be participating in the event will be announced later.