Each year, NASCAR drivers, race teams, and fans flock to one of the sport’s most iconic venues for a beloved tradition – Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway. This annual event celebrates NASCAR’s rich history by honoring the legendary drivers, iconic paint schemes, and unique traditions that shape the sport.
As part of this year’s festivities, NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet will pay tribute to two-time NASCAR Champion Terry Labonte by running another of his iconic No. 5 paint schemes during the Darlington throwback race.
The design will mirror Labonte’s 2003 No. 5 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Chevrolet, featuring neon yellow-shaded numbers and orange and black tiger stripes. Modern touches include the current HendrickCars.com logo on the hood, while stylized logos will appear on the left rear quarter panel and rear TV panel. Completing the look is a twist on the famous “Got Milk?” slogan replaced with “Got Cars?”
Larson shared his thoughts on the paint scheme, saying, “I didn’t know how we were going to be able to top last year, but this is a super fun scheme to do it! I’ve always been a big fan of Terry, and we had so much fun last year, having him at the track and everything, so that makes it even more special to add to that and do another one of his famous schemes. Plus, the tiger stripes and neon are super nostalgic. I think everyone will enjoy seeing this on track. It has technically already won at Darlington, so hopefully that’s good luck for us and we can put it in Victory Lane!”
Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports officially announced the paint scheme during a live unveiling at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday, March 26. Larson and Labonte stood together in admiration as a show car wrapped in the updated scheme sat next to the original car that Labonte drove to his final career Cup Series win in 2003, which ironically took place at Darlington Raceway.
Following the unveiling, the ’03 car moved to the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum, where it will remain for the remainder of the season to help commemorate the track’s 75th anniversary.
“Hendrick has had a lot of success at Darlington, and so have I,” shared Labonte. “Some of my most meaningful wins were at this track, so to be here and have my car be part of their 75th anniversary celebrations is really special. And to have Kyle Larson drive ANOTHER one of my schemes is awesome. It’s going to be so fun to watch this car hit the track again.”
Both Larson and Labonte have found success at the track commonly known as, “The Lady in Black.” This will be Larson’s 15th Cup Series start at Darlington. In his previous 14 races, he secured nine top-10 finishes, including a victory in the 2023 Southern 500. He most recently finished fourth in the 2024 regular season finale.
For Labonte, Darlington is a track that holds great importance to his career. It’s where he made his Cup Series debut in 1978 and captured his first (1980) and final (2003) Cup Series victories, winning Southern 500s 23 years apart.
The 1980 and 2003 victories at Darlington were bookends to an illustrious career for Labonte. The two-time Cup Series Champion (1984 and 1996) scored 22 victories, 27 poles, and 361 top 10s in NASCAR’s upper division. He drove for Hendrick Motorsports from 1994-2006, and his 12 Cup Series victories are good for sixth most in team history. In 2016, he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Labonte’s Hendrick relationship extends beyond the racetrack. He is also a long-standing partner with Hendrick Automotive Group in operating Terry Labonte Chevrolet in Greensboro, N.C.
The 2025 Goodyear 400 will run during “The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR” on April 6 at 3 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Don’t forget! Fans can decide which throwback paint scheme they think is best. Larson’s No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet won last year’s fan vote for Best Throwback Paint Scheme in the Cup Series. Help us repeat by visiting the Darlington Raceway website to vote starting Monday, March 31!
AdChoices