Team Penske and Austin Cindric unveiled their planned throwback scheme for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR. Cindric’s No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang will don a blue and yellow design inspired by the iconic 1979 and 1980 No. 2 driven by the late Dale Earnhardt.
Cindric unveiled the scheme at the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday, joined by Governor Henry McMaster and Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris.
“There are few names in our sport more recognizable than Earnhardt. The opportunity to pay tribute to a legend, while also recognizing the incredible history of the No. 2 in NASCAR, was the goal behind this scheme,” said Cindric. “Freightliner has always been an incredible partner for us at Team Penske and played a key role in bringing this vision to life. We’ve had a lot of fun working through the details, and I hope our car stands out for fans at the track and those tuning in during Darlington Throwback Weekend.”
Driving for Rod Osterlund, Earnhardt earned NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors in 1979, including his first career Cup Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway. One year later, Earnhardt captured the first of his seven NASCAR Cup Series championships.
Earnhardt won six races in the same blue and yellow scheme that Cindric will pilot at Darlington in April. In all, car No. 2 has earned 108 NASCAR Cup Series races, with 81 of those coming under the Team Penske banner.
Along with Darlington’s rich history in the sport and home of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, it is also a significant location for Freightliner and Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA). Fort Mill, South Carolina is home to one of Daimler Truck North America’s headquarters, which houses hundreds of professionals specializing in sales, marketing, finance, and dealer operations, strategically positioned near Charlotte and many of DTNA’s manufacturing locations.
“Darlington is the perfect place to celebrate NASCAR’s heritage, and this scheme is a fantastic tribute to Dale Earnhardt and the legacy of the No. 2,” said Harris. “Throwback Weekend is all about honoring the icons who shaped the sport, and we’re thrilled to see Austin and Team Penske bring this classic look back to life for the fans.”
The Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Live coverage will air on FOX Sports 1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
–Photo credit: Team Penske
