NASCAR is back at Darlington Raceway, and that can only mean one thing.
Well, OK, multiple things. Including throwbacks!
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and XFINITY Series take to the track this weekend at Darlington, and many of the teams entered will sport paint schemes that recall bygone eras of NASCAR. Some of those are recent; Jimmie Johnson, for instance, is tricking out his No. 48 in honor of his 2012 Southern 500 victory. Others go back to the earliest days of the sport.
Not everyone gets into the festivities — and some only field retro-themed throwbacks rather than ones specifically tied to something — but for those who are in 2018, we’ve got you covered with the rundown of Cup and XFINITY series throwbacks this year, with brief explanations of what’s being thrown back to. If they’re not listed here, a team is either not running a throwback scheme or hasn’t announced one at press time.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Honored as a fan, to have the opportunity to share the unveil for @jamiemcmurray's @McDonalds throwback paint scheme for @TooToughToTame. Fast forward from 50th Anniversary of @NASCAR (1998) to 50 Years of Big Mac #BigMac50 pic.twitter.com/DJL498PYi3
— Lucas Revert (@Lucas_Revert) August 23, 2018
Throwback: Bill Elliott‘s No. 94 McDonald’s ride from 1998, when NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary. The team is using the paint scheme to denote the 50th birthday of the Big Mac.
Excited to C this awesome throwback ripping around @TooToughToTame w @keselowski behind the wheel next weekend pic.twitter.com/EFkN7iS5Lg
— Paul Coleman (@Paulcowboysbama) August 24, 2018
Throwback: Rusty Wallace’s Miller Genuine Draft-sponsored No. 2.
Throwback: Not yet announced but reportedly coming before the race.
Step right up and get your commemorative Stewart-Haas Racing #NASCARThrowback trading cards right here, folks! ? Who wishes they'd had these in their collection back in the day?
Bring on the #BojanglesSo500! We can't wait! ? pic.twitter.com/ikziq9aCX9
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 24, 2018
Throwback: Busch Beer throwback
.@mattkenseth looks to 'haul buns' @TooToughToTame! https://t.co/2yQLAn7ogv pic.twitter.com/CIPTDmWb64
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) August 21, 2018
Throwback: Oscar Mayer scheme celebrating the brand’s previous sponsorship of Roush Fenway Racing in the early 2000s
PREVIEW: Chase Elliott 2018 NAPA Darlington Throwback! pic.twitter.com/4zoVq92Kfz
— NASCAR DIECAST FANS (@DiecastFans) August 22, 2018
Throwback: Casey Elliott’s 1993 NASCAR scheme
This good lookin' Ford Fusion will look great out on track at @TooToughToTame! ? BUT it would look even better in victory lane… don't you agree, #SHRFans? ? #SmithfieldRacing pic.twitter.com/qUMnmfDha9
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 26, 2018
Throwback: Retro-themed Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes scheme
Darlington this year for me is all about family. I’m going to share some stories each day leading up to #NASCARThrowback race weekend @TooToughToTame. The first is about buying and racing the Mini Stock. pic.twitter.com/ikxZUrLh8K
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) August 27, 2018
Throwback: Hamlin’s first racecar in 1997
Got a question for @Blaney as he gets ready for #NASCARThrowback weekend at @TooToughToTame?
Tweet them to us and he could answer them live later today on Twitter at 2 PM ET! pic.twitter.com/ZASo1KD3GW
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Dave Blaney’s 2003 Cup Series paint scheme, No. 77.
NEWS: Germain Racing to honor 10 seasons of MENCS partnership with @GEICO during #NASCARThrowback weekend. @TyDillon will run the 2009 @GEICORacing paint scheme @TooToughToTame! pic.twitter.com/YjecIrIq1D
— Germain Racing (@GermainRacing) August 21, 2018
Throwback: GEICO and Germain Racing’s 2009 Cup paint scheme
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you love @ClintBowyer's #NASCARThrowback scheme this year, #SHRFans?#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/AqlkRrFKuL
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 26, 2018
Throwback: Ned Jarrett’s 1965 Southern 500-winning car
Who else can’t wait to see this beauty hit the track @TooToughToTame? ? https://t.co/284jPRltPs
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Chad Little’s 1998 John Deere-sponsored No. 97
Got some really cool news for you…..? pic.twitter.com/B7wlqMQ0d6
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) July 24, 2018
Throwback: Ernie Irvan’s 1998 Skittles No. 36
Throwing it back with my @SportClips #Camry to the #HighPlainsDrifter, @RickCarelli at Darlington Raceway. It’ll be cool to have Rick spotting a scheme that he once drove and meant so much to his career. pic.twitter.com/PprYGiOSo0
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) August 8, 2018
Throwback: Rick Carelli’s No. 6 in the Camping World Truck Series
Double race week! We're going racing Labor Day weekend with both @woodbrothers21 & @Tasca3. It's a Cale Yarborough throwback in #NASCAR, but looks like we have a surprise coming for #NHRA as well ? pic.twitter.com/iBkeyReZuE
— Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing (@MQL_Racing) August 27, 2018
Throwback: Cale Yarborough, 1968 Southern 500
Found some of my old hero cards that match up with the throwbacks this weekend. Check out the Steve Park Pennzoil one run by Joey Logano. #TBT pic.twitter.com/IDux3dkxvD
— Clark Ruhland (@Hokie20) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Steve Park’s No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet, 1998
I'm excited to announce that I'll be pulling double duty again this weekend at @TooToughToTame!
I can't thank @SparksEnergyInc, @AgriSupply, and @1eternalfan enough for coming on board for both our XFINITY and our Cup rides this weekend!!
?https://t.co/T2iWxDMEDS pic.twitter.com/WwLoTQcRkc
— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Bob Gase’s modified, 2003
We’re getting colorful this week for #WallpaperWednesday!
Save, set, screenshot and show us those screens. ? pic.twitter.com/oH255l2aFo
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet
We're throwing it back to 1993 for this weekend's #NASCARThrowback! @RyanJNewman & the @RCRracing team are honoring former No. 31 driver Neil Bonnett: https://t.co/qLOnl5usWh #CatRacing #NASCAR #DarlingtonRaceway
— CaterpillarInc (@CaterpillarInc) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Neil Bonnett’s No. 31 for RCR, 1993
One of the most special race weekends of my career coming up this week getting to run my childhood favorite driver @JeffBurton’s Exide Batteries scheme for throwback weekend at @TooToughToTame! So thankful to @keenparts and my team for allowing me to do this! pic.twitter.com/erLBBNwLdM
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Jeff Burton’s Exide Batteries No. 99
"Darlington is such a cool racetrack. When you go there, it just feels like you take a step back in time … Love's Travel Stops gets into it, too, with their throwback scheme going back to the look of their first travel stop.“
–@Mc_Driver pic.twitter.com/bQgpu1EUSJ— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Retro scheme for Love’s first truck stop location in Texas
NEWS: @Chris_Buescher's #37 BUSH'S Best Since 1908 Camaro ZL1 to honor @BushsBeans 110-year anniversary with 1930s logo and can design paint scheme at @TooToughToTame for #NASCARThrowback weekend.
➡️ https://t.co/X7lft5j3qR pic.twitter.com/Zb0dCDW9bg
— JTG Daugherty Racing (@JTGRacing) August 14, 2018
Throwback: Retro-themed scheme celebrating 110 years of Bush’s Beans
.@DavidRagan’s #NASCARThrowback paint scheme honoring @DaleJarrett is going to look sweet at @TooToughToTame! pic.twitter.com/tAMqenm4Df
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 24, 2018
Throwback: Dale Jarrett, 1993
Well… isn't that one sharp lookin' Ford Fusion? ? Tap the ❤️ if you think this #NASCARThrowback scheme would look great in victory lane.#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/J78T5bcgTD
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 27, 2018
Throwback: Busch’s 2003 Southern 500 No. 97
Hey @Blake_42, does this look familiar?
Really cool submission for my @DCSolar throwback scheme for @TooToughToTame. Can't wait to honor @NASCARHall inductee, Davey Allison on-track in the #BojanglesSo500! pic.twitter.com/KDjczEt1KQ
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) August 16, 2018
Throwback: Davey Allison’s No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford
TUNE-IN: @BubbaWallace joins @ClaireBLang on @SiriusXMNASCAR at 8:30 p.m. ET TONIGHT to chat about the @OriginalSTP throwback scheme pic.twitter.com/rJzRgiaF2G
— Richard Petty Motorsports (@RPMotorsports) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Original STP NASCAR scheme, 1972
Nice #NASCARThrowback throwback, @AJDinger!
Anyone remember this scheme run by Robert Presley and Stacy Compton? pic.twitter.com/odYszwfrKK
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 23, 2018
Throwback: Robert Pressley and Stacy Compton’s ST Motorsports No. 59 in the XFINITY Series
Jimmie Johnson
3D RENDER PREVIEW: Jimmie Johnson 2018 Lowe’s Darlington Throwback! pic.twitter.com/oamJ1x1e41
— NASCAR DIECAST FANS (@DiecastFans) August 25, 2018
Throwback: Johnson’s 2012 Southern 500-winning scheme
Our Darrell Waltrip throwback for Sunday’s #Southern500 finally has it’s colors! A huge thanks to @Rewardsdotcom for being so willing to make this happen! @AllWaltrip pic.twitter.com/NZQAtsSdic
— Timmy Hill (@TimmyHillRacer) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Darrell Waltrip’s No. 66, 2000
HERE. WE. GO. ???
It’s Big Rand’s bday so I figured we should pull the pin tonight. My first racetrack memories as a kid were when Dad was wheeling this hot rod. I can not wait to wheel this thing @TooToughToTame . pic.twitter.com/aZJnLPqEYF
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Randy LaJoie’s XFINITY Series No. 74, late 1990s
Our No.95 @DumontJets throwback beauty for this weekend @TooToughToTame is ready to be loaded up and head south. It’s been fun to bring back @kaseykahne’s “flying 9” aboard our Camaro ZL1 for the second time this season. #Team95 #ThrowbackWeekend pic.twitter.com/yavwQJxPJM
— LeavineFamilyRacing (@LFR95) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Kahne’s No. 9 for Evernham Motorsports, 2006
.@JEarnhardt1's @Xtreme_Concepts, @NineLineApparel, @iK9_Global Toyota Camry is almost ready for Sunday's #BojanglesSo500 @TooToughToTame.
Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 6:20 pm/et live on @NBCSN. @ToyotaRacing | #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/EItc1YW7ak
— Gaunt Bros Racing (@GauntBrosRacing) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Dale Earnhardt’s Cup No. 96, 1978
ITS OFFICIALLY THROWBACK WEEK!
We are on the final round of voting!
Vote the @Bojangles1977 #99 best in show! https://t.co/blr0ZaH8vA pic.twitter.com/FWS5ZyIQCJ
— Derrike Cope (@DCopeRacing) August 27, 2018
Throwback: Cope’s Bojangle’s-sponsored Cup No. 98
https://twitter.com/CheckeredNation/status/1029052653819572224
Throwback: Bobby Allison’s Miller High Life car
XFINITY Series
Excited to reveal the No. 2 @RCRacing #NASCARThrowback Chevrolet will be honoring longtime friend of RCR and Dale Sr., Dave Marcis! @NASCAR may not let us race in wingtip shoes anymore like he did, but I hope to make him proud at Darlington Raceway this weekend! pic.twitter.com/mXboVNRYLc
— Matt Tifft (@matt_tifft) August 28, 2018
Throwback: Dave Marcis’ No. 2, 1976
Ty Dillon
@tydillon and the Daniel Defense No. 3 Chevy are back this weekend at Darlington Raceway! Tune in on Saturday, September 1 at 3:30 p.m. EST as we hit the asphalt one more time with @RCRracing! pic.twitter.com/dt52KJRAkX
— Daniel Defense (@DanielDefense) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Dillon’s ARCA Racing Series championship-winning No. 41, 2011
Ready to rock the 4 car this weekend at @TooToughToTame. Little bit different but looking forward to one of my favorite and coolest tracks on the schedule! Gotta thank @sclottery for the support, and honored to be able to run a James Hylton throwback number. #NotNuthinBut4 pic.twitter.com/afK1DEtzax
— Garrett Smithley (@GarrettSmithley) August 29, 2018
Throwback: James Hylton’s No. 4 number font
Special @PilotFlyingJ paint scheme for @MichaelAnnett this weekend @TooToughToTame.
Full Story ➡️ https://t.co/kAk5lzNEq9 pic.twitter.com/cUoCJB1Xt6
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Retro-themed Pilot paint scheme
.@TylerReddick honors Tim Richmond with @OldMilwaukee sponsorship at Darlington. #NASCAR https://t.co/FXiMEVKAST
— NASCARTalk (@NASCARTalkNBC) August 27, 2018
Throwback: Tim Richmond’s Old Milwaukee-sponsored No. 27, mid-1980s
We're keeping it in the family for our @TooToughToTame throwback ?@Ryan_Truex's @LeafFilter Chevy will pay tribute to @MartinTruex_Jr's 2004 Darlington scheme where he clinched the @NASCAR_Xfinity Series Championship ?#goryan | @XfinityRacing pic.twitter.com/Vyv9oO55zw
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) August 28, 2018
Throwback: Martin Truex Jr.‘s 2004 Darlington scheme in the XFINITY Series
BJ McLeod
Throwback: Michael Waltrip’s No. 15, not yet revealed
??????@driverRyanReed | https://t.co/LpNoxbX7nE pic.twitter.com/MHYnR5JM0x
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Greg Biffle’s Darlington-winning No. 16, 2005
Here is a look at our @AllWaltrip throwback paint scheme for @TooToughToTame It looks like Darrell's No. 11 car. It's our No. 19 @Hope4Warriors Toyota. I can't wait to see it on the track! @jayski @JoeGibbsRacing @ToyotaRacing #nascar @Xfinity pic.twitter.com/itaIe5tjpm
— Chillin' with Randy (@RandyFuller_) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Darrell Waltrip’s No. 11, 1983
Our @rheem @ToyotaRacing #Camry looks good for this weekend! Can’t wait to get to @TooToughToTame! pic.twitter.com/7Ci3JAiqwV
— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Original Rheem logo and lettering font style created in 1925.
.@DanielHemric is bringing the ? with his @TooToughToTame throwback scheme! pic.twitter.com/FFWuxHq3Yw
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 6, 2018
Throwback: Walker Evans’ No. 21 truck
Chase Elliott
For those of you that have asked what scheme @chaseelliott will be running for us this weekend ??
In honor of Davey Allison’s 1985 No. 23 Miller American Buick pic.twitter.com/E4XdfgdyH2
— GMS Racing (@GMSRacingLLC) August 28, 2018
Throwback: Davey Allison, No. 23 Miller Buick, 1985
Joey Gase
Cue the drum roll!?
Here’s our @TooToughToTame @NASCAR Throwback weekend scheme honoring my dad!
I cannot wait to get out on the track this weekend & show this baby off in the @XfinityRacing Sports Clips Haircuts VFW 200! @AgriSupply @sparksenergyinc @1eternalfan pic.twitter.com/HHUmrZkQJP
— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Bob Gase’s modified, 2003
Here’s @AlexLabbe36 #NASCARThowback for @TooToughToTame to honor owner @MarioGosselin pic.twitter.com/3B81Qra3Pw
— DGM Racing (@dgm_racing_) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Owner Mario Gosselin’s No. 10
We are really excited to participate in throwback weekend again this year at Darlington. Big thanks to @ion_community @ionomics for making it possible. @TooToughToTame @XfinityRacing @Bobby_Labonte @NASCARonNBC @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/aegj1Z9Ja0
— Ryan Sieg Racing (@RyanSiegRacing) August 28, 2018
Throwback: Bobby Labonte’s Folgers-sponsored No. 22, 1993
Jeremy Clements' Darlington throwback to honor Rex White and Louis Clements https://t.co/crArXDs1ea
— Jayski.com (@jayski) July 25, 2018
Throwback: Rex White
Love how this beast turned out! Here's our #NASCARThrowback for @TooToughToTame!! Neat piece of @FordPerformance and Roush Racing history. And don't forget to checkout https://t.co/JYV7AcWogX pic.twitter.com/K7faizIkB4
— Austin Cindric (@AustinCindric) August 28, 2018
Throwback: The first front-engine Ford Mustang GTP, 1983
Timmy Hill
Just going to put this right here.. pic.twitter.com/L7RkLdj2ol
— MBM Motorsports (@MBMMotorsports) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Benny Parsons’ No. 72
– @SpencerBoyd No. 76 @GruntStyle Chevrolet Camaro Race Preview – @TooToughToTame https://t.co/jhj6Kpvir5 pic.twitter.com/DJNzIjR1kY
— SS Green Light Racing (@SSGLR0717) August 30, 2018
Throwback: Bob Dotter’s ARCA No. 76, 1980s
What happens when you combine our colors with the design scheme Dick Trickle used to capture 1989 NASCAR rookie of the year honors?
THIS.
@BrandonBrownRac will race in style this Saturday at @TooToughToTame in the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200. #XfinitySeries #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/0Yqg3tLjoc
— Coastal Carolina U. (@CCUChanticleers) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Dick Trickle, No. 90, 1989
Kevin Harvick
Those are some good lookin' Fords! ?Which is your favorite #NASCARThrowback scheme, #SHRFans? Let us know by replying to this tweet with the emoji of your favorite SHR throwback car. ? pic.twitter.com/7tiRCEcgET
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 29, 2018
Throwback: Harvick’s No. 75 truck, 1998
Throwback: The car will feature the name of short track driver Charlie Blanton, who ran three Cup races in the 1970s. Not yet revealed.
#TBT ?
Got some sick trading cards with the Mullet and Stache ? pic.twitter.com/JXjwOl88LV
— Cole Custer (@ColeCuster) August 23, 2018
Throwback: AJ Foyt’s No. 00 Vel’s Ford Galaxie, q965
Landon Cassill
Throwback: Cassill’s No. 01 when he once drove full-time for JD Motorsports in the mid-2010s. Not yet revealed.
About the author
Rutherford is the managing editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2015 after serving on the editing staff for two years. At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
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