Why NASCAR Needs Iconic Paint Schemes?

^{Dec 21, 2024 | Edition #113}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

The Lucky Dog's back with another 'season recap' segment. But this time, we're sleighing the game with a holiday twist! We're talking NASCAR and Christmas cheer all mixed together, like a big old plate of eggnog and cookies. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and stick around, as we may have a great gift idea for you this holiday season.

Quick Peek Into Today’s Stories:

💝 Most Loved Diecast Cars From 2024

📉 Why NASCAR Paint Schemes Have Gotten Worse?

🥊 NASCAR Fights Back in Lawsuit

🔇 NASCAR’s New Innovation

🕊️ Celebrating a Lost NASCAR Legend

⏪ Season Rewind

Top 5 Must-Have Diecasts From 2024

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." for NASCAR fans, that is! The 2024 season was a real treat, serving up some cool paint schemes. So for this edition's 'season recap', let's see which ones ended up being the fan favorite. For a tad bit more clarity, what you're about to see are the 5 most-sold die-cast cars from Lionel Racing. So if you need a gift idea for the NASCAR fan, you'll find some good stuff here.

#5 Castrol Throwback Ford Mustang Darlington Win

Brad Keselowski had a tough decision to make when it came to picking a throwback Castrol die-cast for Darlington's spring race. He had three iconic options to choose from! But he went with the Castrol Tachi Oiwa Motorsports (TOM's) Supra, and it paid off big time. Keselowski took the checkered flag, honoring the iconic car that Michael Krumm made famous in the GT500 Series back in 1997.

That Supra is a real legend! It's been featured in the series for nearly 30 years, and its iconic green, white, and red colors are instantly recognizable. Keselowski's win was the perfect tribute to this beloved car.

#4 AXALTA Chevrolet Camaro Daytona 500 Win

Winning the Daytona 500 is the ultimate dream for any NASCAR driver, and William Byron made it a reality this season. He captured the "Great American Race" in an AXALTA-themed Chevy Camaro, with fiery red and white flames that matched his drive. He started 18th but powered through the pack like a pro!

What makes this win even sweeter is that Hendrick Motorsports celebrated 40 years of racing that day. If you're a Byron fan, this die-cast would be a fantastic addition to your collection – his 11th win!

#3 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet Camaro 

Kyle Larson's tribute to NASCAR legend Terry Labonte was a real crowd-pleaser. Remember Labonte's iconic #5 Kellogg's car that he raced to a championship in 1996? Larson ran a nearly identical scheme, but with HendrickCars.com replacing Kellogg's branding. They even kept the original curvy font for that nostalgic touch!

#2 Hooters Chevrolet Camaro Texas Win

Chase Elliott and Hooters had an emotional season as they wrapped up their long-time partnership. But they went out in style when Elliott won the Texas race with the car's unmistakable orange and black colors and a hard-to-miss owl on the side panel.

This win was a big deal for Elliott, who had been on a 42-race winless streak. It was also a historic moment for Hooters, which had been waiting for a win since 1992 – 31 years and 10 months, to be exact!

#1 Budweiser Late Model Chevrolet Camaro

The top car on this list is hardly a surprise. Dale Earnhardt Jr brought back the iconic red and white Bud Chevy, and it's a real nostalgia trip. This car brings back memories of Dale Jr's first-ever Cup win in 2000 in Texas.

That moment, when a young Earnhardt Jr beat Jeff Burton, is unforgettable – especially with Dale Sr running down to celebrate his son's victory. Here is a clip of Junior reminiscing about what his dad told him after that win.

Since the number #8 car came back this year for the Late Model race, and will return to NASCAR in 2025 as well, it becomes the Perfect Christman Present for your beloveds who love NASCAR as much as you. Check it out right here.

So there you have it, folks! Lionel Racing's top 5 die-casts for 2024. While some fans might be a little miffed that Tyler Reddick's beautiful Jordan scheme didn't make the cut, this list is still a winner in our books.

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

Last Poll’s Result: We asked you, ‘Which Motorsport Discipline Suits Kyle Larson Best’ and being a loyal bunch, 91.7% of you either chose ‘NASCAR’ or ‘All of them’, which even included F1 and IndyCar.

🔮 Lucky Dog’s Perspective

Why NASCAR Lost All It’s Iconic Paint Schemes?

When Dale Jr announced the return of the iconic red #8 Budweiser Chevrolet for the late model series, NASCAR fans went absolutely bananas!

It wasn't just a car; it was a blast from the past, a symbol of an era in NASCAR when paint schemes were as beloved as the drivers themselves. And that got us thinking—what's behind the disappearance of these iconic paint schemes? To answer that, let's take a trip down memory lane.

Back in the day, certain cars had unmistakable designs that stuck with fans long after the checkered flag waved. Think about the famous #3 black car with the red number or the #43 Petty blue. These schemes weren't just paint jobs; they were brand identities. And that's something NASCAR is seriously lacking today.

So, what's behind this decline? Well... NASCAR is an expensive sport where sponsorship dollars have become harder to secure. So teams are forced to accept multiple sponsors. Meaning, over a season, the car is constantly changing its look to represent a new sponsor, making it harder for fans to connect with any single design.

Another factor is the changing nature of NASCAR itself. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, NASCAR was on top of the world. Attendance was high, and TV ratings were through the roof. But now, as NASCAR's popularity has waned, sponsors no longer feel the need to splash their logos on cars for the exposure.

But why does this matter, you ask? After all, it's just paint on a car, right? Well, nope! The paint job is a vital part of the sport's marketing. Think about your first time watching a NASCAR race. Wasn't one of the first things you noticed the colorful, bold cars speeding around the track? That's the magic of a recognizable paint scheme. It's the hook that pulls new fans in.

And once they're hooked, they'll start paying attention to the racing, the drivers, and the stories behind the cars.

So, how can NASCAR get back to those iconic schemes? One solution is for teams to find sponsors willing to commit for a longer period. Maybe NASCAR could even explore some sort of cost cap on teams to help reduce the financial strain, making it easier for teams to focus on design and identity.

If NASCAR can find a way to bring back these signature schemes, the Lucky Dog feels it could reignite that same passion and excitement among fans.

Continue Reading: How NASCAR’s Paint Schemes Changed Over the Years

🗞️ NASCAR Shorts!

NASCAR Appeals to Block Judge’s Ruling

Another week, another Lawsuit update. But this time we have a date when NASCAR is planning to appeal against a judge’s ruling. So as per the last update, 23XI and Front Row can be free to sign the charter agreements and still pursue their lawsuit.

And, even, the U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell said "NASCAR fans (and members of the public who may become fans) have an interest in watching all the teams compete with their best drivers and most competitive team.” But looks like it didn’t sit well with Jim France & Co. So, the next step? NASCAR is going to appeal on January 8. Read the Full Story.

🌪️ Cause for Controversy

NASCAR’s Bold First Step into the Future

NASCAR’s first-ever electric race car is here. And the Lucky Dog’s still unsure if it’s good news or not. Well, for one, this isn’t just another prototype or concept car. It’s a glimpse into what the future of racing might look like.

And it’s ABB and NASCAR who are bringing the “change of the century” alongside our beloved OEMs—Ford, Toyota, and GM. Here’s a closer look at the 1360 horsepower EV with Goodyear tires. [And just for context, unrestricted Cup cars produce about 750 horsepower]

Speaking of power, the car packs a 78-kWh battery with special slick tires, specially designed by Goodyear to keep the car gripped to the track.

But as you would have guessed, the car doesn’t roar like a usual V8. Instead, it hums with a high-pitched whine, as it revs to 16,000 RPM. Taking everything into consideration, “It’s been fun to drive something that’s new,” is what David Ragan said after the test drive. 

Being quite different from their ICE counterparts, the car features adjustable regenerative braking, which can be dialed up or down based on the track type and race. This could be a boon and a bane since what's the fun if everything is perfectly calibrated?

But while this car is designed to show off the capabilities of electric racing, it’s also a major part of NASCAR’s larger goal: achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. 

More so, it’s important to note that this electric NASCAR isn't trying to replace the iconic V8-powered vehicles fans love. Instead, it’s adding another layer to the sport’s evolution.

Well, it's still a work in progress, but “down the road, it’s a possibility.” While NASCAR has tested the vehicle in Chicago and Phoenix, they haven’t fully tested how fast it can go. ABB VP, Chris Shigas says they’ve tested it at 155 miles an hour. And that’s reasonably fast!

Continue Reading: When Kenny Wallace Unraveled His Frustration With NASCAR’s Electric Vehicle

🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

Bidding Adieu to NASCAR’s Legendary Fred Lorenzen

Let’s look into the journey of a mechanic who got a life-changing call on Christmas Eve.

So, when you think of NASCAR, names like Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt instantly come to mind. But there’s one name that can’t be overlooked when talking about Petty’s era: Fred Lorenzen.

Yes, he’s the "First true superstar of NASCAR," according to Jim France. But sadly, the first true legend has passed away.

Sure, Petty might have taken home 14 wins in the ’63 season, but Fred Lorenzen had the fans at his back. His mix of racing talent, charm, and good looks made him a crowd favorite. And he wasn’t just another driver – he was a symbol of the golden days of NASCAR, helping the sport grow beyond its roots.

Fans called him “The Golden Boy,” “Fast Freddie,” and “The Elmhurst Express.” And when you picture him behind the wheel of that iconic #28 car, it’s easy to see why. Did you know that he even had a Daytona 500 victory?

Not just this, the legend’s appearance in films like The Speed Lovers and Escape to Passion only added to his legendary status. And then came the most unforgettable moment for him in 1966 when he raced the “Yellow Banana” at Atlanta Motor Speedway. And, spare you, this wasn’t your typical race car.

It was this modified Ford Galaxie; the car was designed by Junior Johnson, with Holy Farm Poultry branding, and didn’t exactly follow NASCAR’s tech rules. Yes, JJ designed some crazy cars. Here’s Junior Johnson’s era from Ralph Earnhardt and Ned Jarrett.

Another big laurel for Fred is that he was the first driver in NASCAR history to make over $100,000 in a single season. His surprising success owes much to John Holman and Ralph Moody, the legendary duo behind Holman-Moody Racing. This was on a Christmas Eve in 1960 when Ralph Moody extended him a life-changing offer to drive full-time for the team—a moment Fred later described as nothing short of a “miracle.”

But it was 1964 that truly solidified his place in NASCAR history. That year, the NASCAR legend took home 8 wins, including 5 in a row, leading nearly 1,700 laps during that stretch. And we know this stat matches Kyle Larson’s 1700 laps.

So, Fred Lorenzen didn’t just race – he dominated, earning the respect of both veterans and fans alike. As Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley put it, Lorenzen was “a legend whose impact will forever be felt in the sport.” He may be gone, but his influence on NASCAR will never fade. His legacy lives on in the stories and memories of the fans who were lucky enough to watch him race.

📆 On This Day

Eight Years Ago: NASCAR ditched its old logo (1976-2016) and rolled out the current one.

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

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4. After Escaping Dad Duties, Tony Stewart Gets 5-Word Warning from Wife Leah Pruett - Full Story

5. Disrespect to Kyle Larson’s Racing Talent Enrages NASCAR Fans - Full Story

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