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.

"We have always been fast ... other than my McDonald's paint-outs. For some reason, I stink when I drive those McDonald's cars."

Special paint schemes may not always translate into victories for drivers, but they pay off for sponsors and industry players.

Did you know?

The first special paint scheme came in 1991 at the Daytona 500. As part of an R.J. Reynolds promotion five drivers ran paint schemes on their cars to pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces serving in Operation Desert Storm.

Jason Garrow, director of partnership management for Richard Childress Racing, said the paint schemes can present cross-promotion opportunities and drive die-cast and licensed merchandise sales.

"Sure, given the right promotional plan," he said. "Our drivers have also been promoted in the music world and that is always positive."

The RCR drivers are known for rocking big-name bands like Kiss, Bare Naked Ladies and Red Hot Chili Peppers in light of the teams' partnership with Chevy and the Chevy Rock & Roll 400.

More than that, RCR is considered to be the pioneer of special paint schemes and are responsible for setting the trend back in 1995 when Dale Earnhardt drove a silver car to pay tribute to Winston's 25th anniversary.

From that point, one-off paint schemes have become the norm. Paint schemes proved to be so popular, Garrow said, that by the end of the decade, rarely a race went by without one.

Paint schemes -- special or not -- are one of NASCAR's longest-standing traditions and with increased media coverage and popularity surrounding the sport, the practice will only continue.

"We've got some exciting things in the works," Garrow added.

Now about that new rear wing ...

Any chance of those getting painted or decaled in the near future?