Jeff Gordon Bringing Back Rainbow Car For Bristol
At the beginning of the year, Jeff Gordon announced that 2015 will be his last full-time season, transitioning himself into the broadcast booth. So many wondered, would this legendary racer do anything special to commemorate the final lap of his NASCAR career?
Well yesterday, he went on CBS This Morning to announce that the famous rainbow paint scheme, which became iconic in the 90s, will return for one final race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 22.
The iconic #Rainbow24 paint scheme returns! @JeffGordonWeb will drive this No. 24 @AxaltaRacing Chevy @BMSupdates. pic.twitter.com/tF2SeQ19S2
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 30, 2015
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Jeff Gordon Bringing Back Rainbow Car
The only real difference is that Axalta, and not DuPont, will be on the hood. Now for those who grew up after Gordon’s car was changed, the rainbow paint became synonymous with the driver. Eventually, him and his crew were given the nickname “Rainbow Warriors.”
It's back! The @AxaltaRacing #Rainbow24 will run under the lights! Info & photos -> https://t.co/3ypdmvk09W. #Team24 pic.twitter.com/wviy4GJFu5
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) June 30, 2015
The scheme was originally designed by NASCAR artist Sam Bass and was allegedly a representation of the DuPont’s image as a “company of color.” And Gordon raced under this design from 1992 to 2000, amassing a ton of accolades along the way. The “wonder boy” won rookie of the year, three of his four cup series championships and garnered 52 of his 92 victories under the rainbow scheme. He also had 129 top five and 166 top ten finishes in that time span, according to Hendrick Motorsports’ press release.
Simply, the design became as iconic as the future hall of fame driver. And it is only right to give that paint scheme one last ride before Gordon takes his final lap.
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