They’re back! After the success of the throwback schemes last year at Darlington Raceway, the track has announced that they will return the tradition for the second straight year. Since then, teams have been trying to be creative in what they come up with.
Following Regan Smith’s Alan Kuwicki throwback announcement, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. announced that he will be carry the Darrell Waltrip’s first win scheme.
“Darrell Waltrip is one of the icons in our sport and has helped build NASCAR into the sport it is today,” Stenhouse said. “It is a huge honor to be able to run the 1975 throwback paint scheme of Darrell’s at Darlington. Darrell’s last win was at Darlington so only seems fitting that we get his throwback paint scheme in victory lane on Labor Day weekend and have Darrell celebrate with us.”
In 1975, Waltrip put the field two laps down en route to driving the No. 17 to victory lane at Nashville Speedway. Waltrip went on to win three championships, while winning 83 more races.
“It’s an honor to have this car run in the Southern 500,” Waltrip said. “I got my first win at Nashville with that paint scheme but I got my last win in Darlington so it will be a special race weekend for me. I missed the throwback weekend in Darlington last year and regretted it. You can bet I won’t miss this one and I’ll be rooting for the 17!”
Fastenal will be sponsoring, and their CEO Dan Florness stated that they were excited about the idea as soon as Stenhouse made the suggestion.
“NASCAR fans of all ages know Darrell Waltrip, and what better way to honor that legacy than with a tribute to his first win,” he added. “We’re proud to have the Fastenal logo on the hood.”
