The Decade's Worst NASCAR Paint Schemes

FanHouse's friends at AOL Sports are compiling a list of the worst uniforms ever. Because they're our friends and the subject matter lends itself to hilarity, we thought we'd join in the fun. We don't get too see too much of the drivers' uniforms in NASCAR, so we set our designs on their cars. Here's our look at the worst paint schemes in recent history.

Dale Earnhardt #3 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet Peter Max paint scheme
The Winston @ Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 20, 2000

I don't consider myself to be a connoisseur of fine art, but I'm down with the work of cosmic art innovator Peter Max--even have a signed print of my own that hangs behind me as I write this. But Max's rainbow hippie designs proved to be a little too psychedelic for a stock car

2007 again drove home the point that rainbow pastels should not come in contact with a race car:

David Reutimann's #99 Aaron's Dream Machine
Aaron's 312 @ Talladega Superspeedway on April 28, 2007

Then there are the not-so-pretty colors:

Jeff Gordon's #24 DuPont / Nicorette Chevrolet
UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2006

Green flames? Yeah ... ok. Looks more like seaweed--the fake kind you put in aquariums. Either way, it's not screaming "Quit smoking right now." This one is no better. Ryan Newman's #12 Alltel MyCircle Dodge and Jeff Burton's #31 Prilosec OTC schemes are worthy rivals.

2005 saw Bobby Labonte get several coats of bad paint, Greg Biffle get greedy and Robby Gordon reveal his fruity side. Also, Jesus got the shaft. And who's bright idea was this?

In 2004, Dale Jarrett went on an aesthetically challenged golf outing with Arnold Palmer.

Ken Schrader's #49 1-800-CALL-ATT Dodge Carrot Top Paint Scheme
Several spring races in 2003

Almost as frightening as the real thing.

Derrike Cope's #37 MNR / Poison Ford
Pennsylvania 500 @ Pocono Raceway on July 28, 2002

Unfortunately, that picture doesn't really do it justice. Here's another. Also, check the sim paint to fully appreciate it's hideousness. While you're at it, go ahead and throw the rest of Cope's paint schemes onto this list.

Also on the list, every last incarnation of Jeff Gordon's rainblow #24 paint schemes and Ken Schrader's #49 Schwan's. No offense to the sponsor, but like rainbows, birds just don't belong anywhere near racecars.

That's just this decade, folks, when the creativity has really picked up. There have been countless more paint casualties along the way. Please share your picks!

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-06-2007 @ 5:58AM

laura said...

What the hell where they thinking thats just it they weren't thinking the must have been high on fumes from the cars to think that looked good.

6-06-2007 @ 11:23AM

Judy B said...

You are entitled to your opinion of course ... say what you will but I would bet any driver would take the "Rainbow Warriors" paint schemes if they came attached to 78 wins & 4 championships! (ok, some came with the flames but still...) When discussing some of the schemes tho you have to keep in mind millions of sponsor dollars are paid for their logo &/or colors to appear on the car. Other sports teams have the luxury of choosing their uniforms & they haven't done any better! LOL

6-06-2007 @ 12:16PM

RockOutWithYourBrockOut9 said...

Yeah, it's a little bit girlie for someone like Dale Earnhardt. It actually looks like a Hot Wheels car my cousin would play with. I mean, it's cute enough, I guess, but that's the problem. It's a cute stock car. A cute Dale Earnhardt stock car. Seriously...

6-06-2007 @ 1:24PM

jim said...

How dare you criticize anything Dale ever did. This had to be HER fault.

6-06-2007 @ 5:19PM

Andrew said...

the number 99 was painted by a 11 year old i think, she won a contest to design the car.

6-21-2007 @ 3:44AM

Ron said...

WELL U CAN SAY WHAT U WANT ABOUT DALE SR.S CAR BUT IF U ARE A COLLECTOR, WHEN THEY CAME OUT THEY WERE ALMOST IMPOSIBLE TO GET THEN AND NOW ARE NOW ONE OF THE MOST TREASEURED,....PERSONALLY I I LIKED IT .
DONT GET ME WRONG I LOVE THE " BLACK #3" BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE PETER MAXX CAR IN MY COLLECTION ....