JR Motorsports unveils Darlington throwback paint scheme honoring Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2018 Hellmann’s car

“A @DaleJr throwback is always a good one,” JR Motorsports posted on X. “Brandon Jones will pilot this special No. 9 @BaliBlinds /@Menards Camaro at Darlington in May, honoring Dale and his 2018 Hellmann’s primary.”

Perhaps the paint scheme will give Jones the boost he needs in the Xfinity Series. JR Motorsports as a whole has struggled at times, but Jones’ No. 9 is currently P12 in the point standings, but he’s had three top tens, and three DNFs. He’s still searching for his first top five of 2024.

Nothing to kick your butt into gear like rocking the boss’ old scheme. We’ll see if it works for Brandon Jones and the No. 9 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ trip to Darlington on May 11.

Alex Bowman to sport Jimmie Johnson throwback paint scheme at Darlington

Meanwhile, Brandon Jones won’t be the only wheelman with a sweet ride at Darlington. Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet for the Cup Series’ Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 12 will look quite similar to that of a car once driven by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. 

Ally Racing unveiled the throwback paint scheme on Tuesday that Bowman will use at Darlington — a nod to the iconic paint scheme Johnson used during the early stages of his career at Hendrick Motorsports.

With a championship vibe on his hood, Bowman will look to find success at a racetrack which hasn’t been kind to him thus far in his career. Bowman has just two top 10s in 12 starts at Darlington and finished P33 in last September’s race. 

Bowman, who last got to victory lane in March 2022, has been stacking quality finishes in recent weeks. He finished P4 at Bristol and at COTA, P8 at Martinsville, P5 at Talladega and P8 at Dover. Bowman sits ninth in the current points standings.

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.