NASCAR’s throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway is in May this year instead of late-summer or early fall, and that means fans are getting teasers for celebrated, old-school paint schemes several months earlier.
One of the latest drivers to reveal this year’s throwback paint scheme is Jeffrey Earnhardt, whose No. 0 JD Motorsports Chevrolet will honor his late grandfather, Dale Earnhardt Sr., in the Xfinity Series race on May 8.
For the 1996 All-Star Race, Earnhardt Sr.’s iconic No. 3 Chevrolet ran an Olympic-themed paint scheme ahead of the Games in Atlanta that year. So for Darlington’s throwback weekend this season in an unusual Olympics year, Jeffrey’s car will run a similar look.
This @ForeverLawn paint scheme has strong family ties for @JEarnhardt1. It looked great 25 years ago, and will look great at @TooToughToTame in 2 weeks! pic.twitter.com/sQLQewYfFW
— JD Motorsports w/ Gary Keller (@JDMotorsports01) April 21, 2021
Really excited for our @TooToughToTame throwback scheme. Rockin my grandpaws 1996 Atlanta Olympics scheme with a @ForeverLawn twist. Our @JDMotorsports01 team are looking for the Gold metal!!! #NASCARthrowback https://t.co/SgE7AU88iF
— Jeffrey Earnhardt (@JEarnhardt1) April 21, 2021
The second-tier Xfinity Series’ Steakhouse Elite 200 is Saturday, May 8 and followed by the premier Cup Series’ Goodyear 400 that Sunday.
In a statement about the paint scheme reveal from JD Motorsports on Wednesday, Jeffrey Earnhardt said:
“Man, this ForeverLawn Chevrolet is beautiful. Any time I get the chance to honor my family’s history in the sport, I jump at the opportunity. I remember seeing this car that my grandfather drove as a kid, and I loved it. Throwback Weekend is always something I look forward to each year, and I’m so happy that we get to be a part of it once again.”
Here’s a closer look at Earnhardt’s No. 0 car for the Darlington weekend — they are digital mockups of the car — and how the two paint schemes compare.
