Special paint schemes Cup's fashionable trend

Much like fashion week in New York, stock cars are making best-dressed lists everywhere.

And if Paris Hilton saw Tony Stewart's gear debuting at the Texas Motor Speedway or the flames on Jeff Gordon's Chevrolet, surely she'd say, "That's hot."

Special paint schemes, dating back to the 1991 Daytona 500, are increasingly becoming teams' track couture and forms of self expression for drivers.

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Therefore it make sense that Stewart, arguably the sport's most charitable driver, will fashion a first-time NASCAR Day paint scheme for the Samsung 500 in Texas.

"I've won a couple and I've crashed a couple," said Stewart of his past special paint schemes. "I think I'm back on the upswing of being ready to win with a couple of them. I think we started off really good with some, and then we went really bad for a while. I think it's time to go back to good again."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is notorious for tugging at the heart strings of NASCAR fans with his tribute schemes. On Father's Day in 2006, Junior ran a throwback Budweiser scheme giving a nod to grandfather Ralph Earnhardt. The same year at Talladega, he ran the all-black, intimidator-themed scheme to celebrate his father's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Typically, NASCAR racing can resemble somewhat of a grocery store conveyor belt. Little Debbie snack cakes followed by M&M's trailing Kellogg's stacked up behind Red Bull and Budweiser, all of which are primary sponsors in the Nextel Cup Series.

But when cars sport a special paint scheme, sponsors give up prime real estate to devote to a unique initiative or partnership. Over the years, the schemes have catered to professional sports teams, product launches, charities, cartoon characters, album releases and even movie debuts.

"The paint schemes are a way for us to switch things up a bit. I think they look good and I know the fans take notice," said Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports.

Last season Kahne's celebrity status was elevated when he ran a special paint scheme for Hollywood star Adam Sandler. The driver promoted Sandler's movie Click on the hood of his car, a car he took to Victory Lane at the Michigan International Speedway in June. (Continued)