The throwback paint schemes for the NASCAR Darlington Throwback weekend have started to roll out. Last week, reigning Cup champ Chase Elliott unveiled a paint scheme honoring Alan Kulwicki. Now, Joey Logano has unveiled another iconic paint scheme for the May race.
The Team Penske star will honor a motorsports legend in Mario Andretti with a throwback paint scheme at Darlington. Andretti is one of the very few drivers in history to win races in NASCAR, IndyCar, as well as Formula One.
Logano’s paint scheme at Darlington will take a walk down memory lane, remembering Andretti’s first career win in F1, back in 1971. The American, in his first race for the iconic Ferrari, won the 1971 South African Grand Prix.
Joey Logano pays tribute to the legendary Mario Andretti
Logano’s no. 22 Ford Mustang will sport the red and white colors, bearing a similar look to Andretti’s F1 car from that race. Team Penske made the announcement on Thursday and Logano is pumped to honor the legendary driver.
“Talk about a complete surprise tonight on #NASCAR #RaceHub! Pumped to run this @MarioAndretti inspired @shellracingus Mustang at @TooToughToTame on May 9th!” tweeted the Team Penske driver.
Andretti replied after learning of the great honor, sending good wishes to Logano. This is the second time Logano is running a Mario Andretti throwback scheme at Darlington. He ran a 1988 Le Mans scheme back in the 2015 Southern 500.
Andretti himself helped Logano and Team Penske reveal the paint scheme on FOX Sports’ show.
Andretti’s incredible achievements in the world of motorsports
Some of Andretti’s achievements in the world of motorsports are second to none. He remains the only driver ever to win the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the F1 World Championship.
He won the iconic NASCAR Daytona 500 back in 1967, and the F1 title in 1978. Andretti competed in 14 NASCAR Cup Series races back then, driving for Holman Moody for a major part of his stint, which was one of the most successful teams in that era of NASCAR.
Logano will now have additional support for the May 9 race at ‘Too Tough to Tame’. The throwback race at Darlington is one of the most anticipated races of the NASCAR season, with such unique paint schemes.
Logano is high on confidence currently. He won the Bristol dirt race a few days ago, which was NASCAR’s first-ever Cup dirt race in over 50 years.
The no. 22 driver will now aim for a second consecutive win on Saturday at Martinsville.