The annual NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is circled on every fan's schedule, as every driver pays their respects to legends of the past with a throwback paint scheme. This year's running means a lot more than usual, considering that it's being held during the celebration of NASCAR's 75th anniversary. There are plenty of eye-grabbing schemes this year, but one that particularly stands out is Aric Almirola's No. 10 Smithfield Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing.
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SHR gave Almriola the chance to pick which scheme he wanted to run, and he went with his favorite. Almirola sent out a tweet showing off the car, which is the perfect tribute to one of the most impactful figures of NASCAR's modern era.
The team asked me to pick my favorite paint scheme for this year’s @TooToughToTame throwback race. @DaleJr’s 2001 Daytona win in the iconic Baseball scheme was the first that came to mind. An iconic and healing moment in our sport’s history. Honored to run it next weekend! pic.twitter.com/XgsSZfqWQz
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) May 2, 2023
"The team asked me to pick my favorite paint scheme for this year's @TooToughToTame throwback race," Almirola wrote. "@DaleJr's 2001 Daytona win in the iconic Baseball scheme was the first that came to mind. An iconic and healing moment in our sport's history. Honored to run it next weekend!"
The No. 10 Smithfield Ford will bear the colors of the Dale Jr.'s iconic 2001 ride. The Budweiser Baseball scheme will live forever, as it was the car Dale Earnhardt Jr. took to victory lane on the first trip back to Daytona after his father's passing.
Dale Jr. offered his two cents on Almirola's paint scheme via a Twitter response. The consensus? He loves it!
This is awesome Aric. Beautiful job @StewartHaasRcng
I’ll be there @TooToughToTame to see it! https://t.co/SwbPErBSQ5
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 2, 2023
"This is awesome Aric," Earnhardt said. "Beautiful job @StewartHaasRcng. I'll be there at @TooToughToTame to see it!"
It was such an awesome gesture by Almirola and his team to honor Dale Jr. with the throwback scheme. Could this be one of the best throwback paint schemes of the year? The track labeled Too Tough To Tame always puts on a great show, and Throwback Weekend continues to be one of the most memorable weekends of the season every year. This year means so much more with the list of 75 greatest drivers all being honored at this year's event.
All the legends of the sport being honored and all the different paint schemes will make for an exciting race weekend at Darlington Raceway on May 14.
