In their short time on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit, Trackhouse Racing has earned a reputation of doing things the right way. We should expect no less from the team on their throwback paint schemes. On Tuesday, the team delivered in a big way!
“We wanted to do something that honors the legacy of the sport, recognizes our valued partners at Trackhouse Racing and something that fans can get behind,” said Trackhouse Founder and Owner Justin Marks.
The two car team will run dueling Coca-Cola paint schemes in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. The schemes will throwback to the 1998 NASCAR exhibition event at Twin Ring Motegi.
Here is video of the announcement:
In that race, back in 1998, Dale Earnhardt Sr. competed in a red Coca-Cola machine. It would be the first time that he would be pitted against his son Dale Earnhardt Jr., who would run a black Coca-Cola polar bear scheme.
In that race, Earnhardt Jr. actually defeated his father after laying the chrome bumper to his legendary father. Earnhardt Jr. finished sixth, while Earnhardt Sr. came home in eighth.
Following the race, Earnhardt Jr. had to dodge a shoe that Earnhardt Sr. tossed at him.
This weekend, the No. 1 Coca-Cola polar bear scheme will be run by Ross Chastain, who drives the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Cup Series in modern day NASCAR. While his teammate, Daniel Suarez, who runs the No. 99, will feature the red Coca-Cola paint scheme from Earnhardt’s 1998 Japan race.
“We think this is the right combination marrying the history of the Earnhardts who are both hall of famers, acknowledging our support from Coke and Chevrolet, plus supporting the fans excitement for Throwback Weekend in Darlington,” Marks explained.
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., seeing the two iconic paint schemes return during Throwback weekend is extremely special.
“This is such a special thing. I don’t know if you will ever have all this line up like this again,” said Earnhardt. “The No. 1 is the car. That’s the car I drove. It almost takes my breath away.”
Earnhardt says its an incredible honor for him to see these cars once again.
“This is an honor for me. I am very touched,” said Earnhardt. “It’s going to make a lot of Earnhardt fans very happy to see both cars out on the racetrack. (Trackhouse Racing) has been knocking out of the park on performance so I am sure they are going to be up front. for a lot of the fans to see on television.”
The Trackhouse Racing team has started off on a feverish pace this season, as Chastain has already amassed two victories this season — the first two wins of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Meanwhile, Suarez has had speed nearly every week as well, and currently has the No. 99 car in Playoff contention.
