NASCAR has always been known for distinctive paint schemes. Some have been so synonymous with a specific driver that they came to mean even more than the sponsor itself. Fans may think of Richard Petty and STP, Dale Earnhardt with GM Goodwrench and Jimmie Johnson with Lowe's—three drivers who are all tied with seven Cup series championships. But those aren't the only standout paint schemes from the 75-year history of NASCAR.
NASCAR on Fox had a little fun with the ChatGPT app, asking the AI tool which NASCAR paint schemes are the most iconic. Perhaps surprisingly, it generated quite a strong list.
We asked ChatGPT to name the 10 most iconic paint schemes in #NASCAR Cup Series history. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/6TyUQVmqwa
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 14, 2023
ChatGPT's list features plenty of colorful schemes, including the iconic rainbow colors of the Rainbow Warriors from Jeff Gordon's No.24 Dupont Chevrolet, and the famous Darrell Waltrip No. 17 Tide car. Further down the list there's a run on beer, literally, as Miller, Coors and Budweiser are all represented. And who can forget Kyle Petty's Mello Yello No. 42 car?
In addition to AI's choice of most iconic paint schemes, plenty of fans offered some input of their own. They ranged from positive and concurring posts to ones that questioned why certain schemes were not on the list, such as Davey Allison's Havoline. Some Kyle Busch fans even made a pitch for the M&M's scheme.
"I don't think you can leave an M&M's scheme off the list," @TeamKFBfan8 wrote. Several others agreed, saying that Busch's M&M's 18 should have been included.
More still wondered why the Wood Brothers' iconic scheme didn't make the cut.
"Not a terrible list but I think Mark Martin's Valvoline, the black, gold, and red Texaco scheme, and the Wood Brothers would make my list," @JustifiablyPale suggested.
The best response may have come from Twitter user @brendan370zz. When seeing the Mello Yello scheme, he could only think of Cole Trickle, the character Tom Cruise played in the movie "Days of Thunder."
Honestly I know this is terrible but when I see Mello Yello I think Coke Trickle ??
— Brendan (@brendan370zz) June 14, 2023
There have been so many iconic paint schemes that it's too hard to argue which should be among the top 10. (After all, where's the love for Tony Stewart's Home Depot cars, or any of the NAPA paint schemes? What about Terry Labonte's Kellogg's car or Harry Gant's Skoal Bandit?)
