Photo Courtesy of Wood Brothers Racing
Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing, and Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing unveiled their throwback paint scheme for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 today at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.
The scheme pays homage to David Pearson and the 1976 Mercury Montego he drove to win NASCAR’s unofficial triple crown four decades ago.
Pearson won the Daytona 500, Southern 500, and World 600 en route to 10 victories that season with HOF crew chief Leonard Wood calling the shots.
“We are so excited that we were able to work with Motorcraft, Quick Lane and Ford Performance to make this paint scheme happen,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of the Wood Brothers Racing Team. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since all that happened.”
The scheme features Pearson’s name on the door honoring the winningest driver in the Wood Brothers’ 66 year history in NASCAR.
“David Pearson is such an important part of our history, getting 43 of our 98 wins over seven years, that we’re proud to put his name on this race car,” said team co-owner Len Wood, who along with his brother oversaw the execution of the design down to the smallest detail. “We had to incorporate our current sponsor Motorcraft/Quick Lane into this design yet stay true to the original, right down to the blue stripes across the hood and down the side panels and the silver wheels.”
The idea for the paint scheme came from a 14-year-old fan in Tennessee named Skyler Fox.
“I really enjoy old racing,” Fox said. “The throwback race brings back lots of things I never was able to see. This scheme always stood out to me because it was one of the Daytona 500-winning schemes. It also is one of the cleanest, fastest-looking schemes ever.”
Ryan Blaney will also wear a fire suit pattered after the one Pearson wore in 1976.
“When I first started driving for the Wood Brothers last season, I knew it was going to be a special experience,” Blaney said. “But being able to drive the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Fusion with a paint scheme that really highlights the team’s great history is truly an honor.”
