SHOP: 2018 Hendrick Motorsports gear
Team owner Rick Hendrick says that he still has plenty of goals for his racing organization to accomplish with seven races left this season. But there was palpable anticipation in getting a jump on 2018’s season of transition Thursday night, with a glitzy introduction to the Hendrick Motorsports paint schemes and drivers.
The twinkle of spotlights and dramatic unveilings against the backdrop of pulsing music were the story Thursday evening in the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom, where all four Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race cars took the stage for the first time. The new Camaro models, the two new drivers and four all-new looks signaled the next chapter in Hendrick Motorsports’ story.
“The more we talked about it, we’re changing the numbers and bringing in new drivers and there’s so much change, we thought this would be really cool,” Hendrick said, giving due credit to his marketing staff to go full-force with a four-car reveal. “We had to get the cars ready for the sponsors’ pictures and all that, so I thought it was a great idea. Now I think it’s an even better idea.”
RELATED: See all the new looks for the 2018 season
The 2018 driver lineup has been known for some time, with veteran Jimmie Johnson and youngsters Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman and William Byron forming the Hendrick roster for next year. The only thing missing was that new car smell from the four car unveils, which borrowed from NASCAR history in some instances and pushed the paint schemes forward with sleek, clean designs in others.
The design prompting perhaps the loudest reaction from the sold-out fan section was the reimagined No. 24 for Byron, whose eyes grew big as it was revealed. The rookie was accompanied on the stage by four-time series champion Jeff Gordon, who made the bright flames a next-gen trademark after his debut with the iconic Rainbow Warrior schemes.
“This is really the first time I’ve seen the paint scheme,” Byron said of the splashy colors against a deep blue. “I’d seen parts of it, I’ve seen a rough draft and things like that, but it was a shock to me how it looks in person. It really made me light up, and really all four cars look amazing. It’s exciting and can’t wait for it.”
RELATED: How Byron reminds Gordon of himself
For Gordon, the flames on the 2018 No. 24 brought back fond memories. He told the story about working with sponsor Axalta and artist Sam Bass to bring the original scheme to life, paying homage to a black racing helmet with orange and yellow flames from his youth. Next season, a new take on those flames will ride again in NASCAR’s premier series.
“The car started, when I started in ’93 with this base of blue. This blue is even more beautiful than that and I think it’s going to allow those flames to pop really nice,” Gordon said. “It’s cool to see. I think the 24 car should have flames on it because that’s the way I always envisioned it.”
Elliott returns for 2018, but his new spin is a change to the No. 9 that his father, Bill, campaigned for years — a move that “feels like home to me,” he said. Elliott said he contributed to the design process, looking through NAPA-sponsored cars through the years and making a nod toward the company’s delivery vehicles.
“I really was big pusher of that because I wanted with this number change and the things going on next year and changing to the Camaro,” Elliott said, “I saw it as an opportunity to do something different and really knock a paint scheme out of the park to change the look of what has been the norm for the NAPA colors over the years, and I think we did that.”
RELATED: Bowman plays role in designing No. 88 | Elliott right at home in the No. 9
Bowman steps back into the No. 88 that he drove for 10 races in 2016 as Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovered from concussion-related symptoms. This time, the classic blue-and-white look will have Bowman’s name over the driver’s door, something that hit home for Earnhardt on Thursday night.
“It’s a new feeling for sure,” Earnhardt said. “A little sad, but super-excited for Alex. I’m reminded of that excitement when we do things like this. As much as it’s a little sad for me, it reminds me about what’s great to look forward to.”
Johnson’s No. 48 for next season marks a departure from the predominantly blue schemes from years past. The neon yellow numerals remain, but against a black base with sponsorship from Lowes For Pros.
Though he’s still battling for a championship this season, Johnson said he had little reservations — at least for now — for the organization’s jump-start to 2018.
“This is different. This is early,” Johnson said. “From a superstitious standpoint, we’ll reserve our opinion until next year and see what happens.”