Best paint schemes for NASCAR's throwback weekend

Second-generation star Chase Elliott may have locked up "Best in Class" with this nod to his father, Bill, already the inspiration for his driving the #9 car. This new paint scheme, minus the sponsor, is identical to the one Bill Elliott drove for Evernham Motorsports in the early 2000s.

Aric Almirola

Almirola's car this weekend will honor Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s car he memorably drove in the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona, where he scored an emotional victory at the first race at the track since his father's infamous death.

Ryan Newman

It was a surprise to many when former 18-time Cup Series race winner Ryan Newman -- inactive since 2021 -- announced he would be returning for a partial schedule with Rick Ware Racing this season. It is only fitting, then, for him to run back the paint scheme which he ran as a rookie in 2002.

Riley Herbst

For Saturday's Xfinity Series action, the clear-best throwback belongs to Riley Herbst, driver of the #98 Monster Energy machine. He will be paying homage to late rally car legend Ken Block, who died in a snowmobile accident in January.

Bonus: Kevin Harvick (North Wilkesboro)

This scheme is added with the caveat that Harvick won't be running it this weekend, but actually the following one -- during the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

For his farewell season, Harvick will be honoring the iconic car he drove as a rookie in 2001 (complete with a number change), when he replaced the late Dale Earnhardt after the Daytona 500.

The full gallery of Darlington throwback schemes can be found here.