2017 Best Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series paint schemes

By Kathy Sheldon | Published: December 5, 2017 32

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Chase Elliott went back into the box to honor his NASCAR Hall of Fame dad, Bill Elliott, with a scheme similar to his initial powder-blue look in his first start in 1976.
Chase Elliott's No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Throwback Chevrolet at Darlington

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Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Going gold: Bass Pro Shops and Martin Truex Jr. sported a unique look at Darlington.
Martin Truex Jr.'s No. 78 Toyota at Darlington

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Barry Cantrell | NKP

Classic and bold.
Kurt Busch's basic black No. 41 Monster Energy Ford at Atlanta

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Creepy cool. Wouldn't want to see this coming up in the rearview mirror.
Erik Jones' No. 77 Prey Toyota at Richmond

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Probably the most intimidating basic black scheme on the track in 2017.
Martin Truex Jr.'s No. 78 Toyota at Pocono

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Foreshadowing? Jimmie Johnson's base scheme will be black in 2018.
Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Kobalt/Lowe's Chevrolet at Michigan

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Super heroes on the cars; super heroes driving them.
Danica Patrick's No. 10 Wonder Woman/One Cure Ford at Kansas

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John K Harrelson | NKP

The 'Justice League' brought superhero schemes to Texas, too.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Chevrolet at Texas

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John K Harrelson | NKP

Kasey Kahne's 'Justice League' paint scheme was strong, too. Super strong.
Kasey Kahne's No. 5 Chevrolet at Texas

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Cowabunga! The best of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles schemes goes to Jeffrey Earnhardt.
Jeffrey Earnhardt's No. 33 Chevrolet at Chicago

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Flames always make the best-dressed car list.
Corey LaJoie's No. 83 Bubba Burger Toyota at Auto Club Speedway

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John K Harrelson | NKP

Always flames. Even just a little bit.
Chase Elliott's No. 24 Sun Energy 1 Chevrolet at Martinsville

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Barry Cantrell | NKP

Natty Light with stars? Winner.
Chris Buescher's No. 37 Natural Light Chevrolet at Las Vegas

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Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

When your base scheme is this sharp, you're dressed for success.
Ryan Newman's No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet at the Daytona 500

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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Flashing back to childhood with this orange breath of fresh paint.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s No. 17 SunnyD Ford at Charlotte

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Rusty Jarrett | NKP

When the Tide machine rides again, it makes the best schemes of the year list.
Matt Kenseth's No. 20 Tide Pods Toyota at Phoenix

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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Saying farewell is more fun with a flashback to those halcyon rookie days for Junior.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Axalta exalted Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his final season with a paint scheme demanding the spotlight.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet at Pocono

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Like Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth's final 2017 paint scheme threw it back to his rookie days as well.
Matt Kenseth's No. 20 DeWalt Hurricane Relief Toyota at Homestead-Miami

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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Paying tribute to someone who helped you in your national series beginnings is always a strong idea as Brad Keselowski did with a 'cheers to Dale Jr.' scheme that dug back to Kes' JR Motorsports days.
Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Miller Lite Ford at Talladega

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

We love Kyle Busch's base M&M's scheme. But this Skittles scheme had it all, with the rainbow; red, white and blue; and stars and stripes.
Kyle Busch's No. 18 Red, White and Blue Toyota at Talladega

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Tilton | Getty Images

The 'Candyman' brought another special scheme for the fall Talladega race.
Kyle Busch's No. 18 Caramel M&M's Toyota at Talladega

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Is anything more appropriate than a paint scheme hearkening back to the old 'woody' side panels for the Go Bowling 500?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s No. 17 at Kansas

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Austin Dillon's All-Star Race scheme with wood and a rustic 'Old Glory' look was a hit at the Coca-Cola 600.
Austin Dillon's No. 3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevrolet at Charlotte

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Stars and stripes look good on the No. 2, as Brad Keselowski always carries the flag when he wins. A service member's name atop the windshield makes this patriotic look even better.
Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Miller Lite Ford at Charlotte

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

Austin Dillon's stars-and-stripes look is strong for July 4, as well.
Austin Dillon's No. 3 American Ethanol E15 Chevrolet at Daytona

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

The No. 13 wins for best use of camouflage.
Ty Dillon's No. 13 GEICO Military Chevrolet at Charlotte

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Nigel Kinrade Photography

This No. 4 Busch Bucks scheme is money. (Ahem, cough ...)
Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Busch Bucks Chevrolet at the Monster Energy All-Star Race at Charlotte

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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Throwing it back to an old-school Mark Martin paint scheme is always a wise choice.
Trevor Bayne's No. 6 AdvoCare Throwback Ford at Darlington

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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Honoring a soon-to-be-inducted NASCAR Hall of Fame in Robert Yates is great.
Danica Patrick's No. 10 Ford Credit Throwback Ford at Darlington

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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

A car just like this one took 'The King' to his 200th win at Daytona.
Aric Almirola's No. 43 STP Throwback Ford at Darlington

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Chris Trotman | Getty Images

Junior didn't get to drive his 'Gray Ghost' tribute in 2016 as he was sidelined, but the fans voted to have him drive it at Martinsville near the end of his final full-time season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Nationwide Insurance 'Gray Ghost' Chevrolet at Martinsville