09/06/2015

Old School Meets New School at Darlington

This Sunday, the Southern 500 makes its Labor Day return to Darlington Raceway in terrific fashion. To commemorate the event and as a part of the track’s ‘Tradition Returns’ program, several teams are bringing special throwback paint schemes to the track that is known as “Too Tough To Tame.” Roush Fenway Racing drivers Greg Biffle, Trevor Bayne, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will take part by showing up in full retro form.

Stenhouse Jr. was the first of the Roush Fenway drivers to reveal his car, and he did so with a reveal at Darlington itself. Stenhouse’s paint scheme throws back to a famous No. 17 that raced the tracks back in the late 60’s and early ‘70s. The car sports David Pearson’s old colors.

“From the time I thought this paint scheme might be a possibility, I have been counting the days to get that car on the track at Darlington.” said Stenhouse.  “I only hope I do it justice.”

Pearson is the winningest driver in NASCAR history at Darlington, so for Stenhouse the opportunity to race the iconic blue and gold car is exciting. His teammate, and veteran driver, Greg Biffle was next to debut his throwback scheme. Biffle’s throwback gives a nod to his sponsor Ortho and was based around the start of the company in 1907. Greg revealed this paint scheme in a progressive way, through a live stream on Periscope. When Ortho was founded they delivered their product in red convertible trucks, and the car pays homage to that with the red color the car is decked out in.

“I love this paint scheme.” said Biffle. “And I can’t wait to drive it.”

Like Biffle’s, Bayne’s car was revealed in a cutting edge way with the use of a drone. Footage was taken of the car and made public through Roush Fenway’s social media and also though the Twitter account of the man whose paint scheme Trevor’s car pays tribute to, Mark Martin. The No. 6 Advocare Ford will race in Martin’s 1998 car design.

“It’s a huge honor to run this paint scheme in Darlington,” said Bayne. “This scheme was so successful in the late 90’s with Mark (Martin) driving it and it’s really cool to see it back on the track and on No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford again.”

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With the cars sporting incredible throwback paint schemes, Roush Fenway Racing hopes that the history of NASCAR will bring good luck and positive finishes for the team at Darlington.