'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liveries and paint schemes can be defining aspects in NASCAR especially if they have a special memory with the driver. However, there have been instances such as the one with Brandon Brown when teams were not allowed to run a specific paint scheme for an array of reasons.
Some paint schemes turn into memorable ones and can reflect the drivers' personalities. A lot of times, these liveries get their iconic colors from sponsorships, and although the sole purpose of such branding is to increase the marketing for the brand and for the team to get an inflow of cash, these paint schemes sometimes carry a deeper meaning for the driver and for the fans.
While NASCAR is usually extremely strict with its regulations, there seems to be no particular harshness when it comes to the paint schemes. Other than a few rules such as clear visibility of the driver decal and the Goodyear logo, the sport seems to be rather relaxed with the liveries.
Trending
However, that has not always been the case. There have been moments in the sport's long history when drivers were simply not allowed to race with a particular paint scheme, either because of the sponsorships, or even political reasons. So, here are three defining moments when drivers were not allowed to run a paint scheme in NASCAR.
#1 Brandon Brown: "Let's Go, Brandon" (NASCAR Xfinity 2022)
In late December of 2021, Brandon Brown announced his partnership with the LGBCoin cryptocurrency. He revealed that the company was set to sponsor him for the entirety of the season and revealed the car's livery, featuring the colors of the US National Flag.
However, NASCAR intervened shortly after the announcement and the partnership had to be called off for political reasons. LGBCoin stood for "Let's Go Brandon Coin," a 'chant' that was associated with politics by the US Republicans at the time. Brandon Brown then had to drop his partnership with the cryptocurrency partner and raced with a different livery.
#2 Terry Labonte: Talladega 2014
Labonte raced his final Cup Series race in the 2014 season. To mark the end of a legacy, his team Go Fas Racing's #32 Ford had a combination of paint schemes. To honor his legacy in racing, his car was painted asymmetrically, featuring red and yellow on one side and light blue on the other. While this car would have turned out to be a fan favorite, NASCAR did not allow it citing the need for teams to have symmetrical paintjobs on both sides. The car was then modified before the race.
#3 Kyle Busch: 3CHI (2024)
Busch has been racing with Richard Childress Racing for the past two seasons. 3CHI, a brand selling hemp-based products has sponsored him since 2023. It recently revealed that it had planned to run a special livery for the season-ending race at Phoenix. The livery featured cannabis-based imagery which was disallowed by NASCAR.
