NASCAR Paint Schemes of the Week: Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway

This Sunday is the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. As we finish up this West Coast Swing, NASCAR teams are bringing their best looks to the desert.

Phoenix Raceway is going to be the place where NASCAR debuts the new short track package. So, we should learn a few things at least when it comes to how the Next Gen car will race at these tracks in 2024. Officials took a big swing this offseason, at least according to them, let’s hope it works out.

This week’s batch of paint schemes is going to make fans happy. They are bold, even the old sponsors have new looks, and it’s a solid mix of manufacturers as well. Let’s get into the top looks, and maybe one not-so-top look, for the Shriners Children’s 500.

Kyle Larson No. 5 Valvoline Chevy

Once again, Kyle Larson will have an alternate paint scheme with Valvoline. A longtime Hendrick sponsor, this is an important partnership for the organization and for Larson himself.

Every year they bring a great paint scheme. However, the Larson scheme this year really appeals to me. Not only that, it goes with his new Prime Hydration sponsorship as well. 9/10

Noah Gragson No. 10 ServPro Ford

Green and orange on a Stewart-Haas Racing car makes me immediately think of Danica Patrick. Noah Gragson had a great race at Las Vegas, finishing P6 and now he has yet another sponsor on his car.

Starting the season we thought Rush Truck Centers would be it for Gragson. Now, he’s already had a different paint scheme for each race of the season, and this one for the Shriners Children’s 500 might be my favorite so far. 8/10.

Denny Hamlin No. 11 Brakes Plus Toyota

Now, this one is a bit of a head-scratcher. However, I felt like I had to include it because there will be those out there who really dig this red scheme.

It’s really bright, has minimal design, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it feels unfinished and that really dings it overall. 6.5/10.

Ryan Blaney No. 12 Advanced Auto Parts Ford

While this design hasn’t changed a whole lot, I really love the Advanced Auto Parts paint scheme for Ryan Blaney. The No. 12 car looks better in black, yellow, and red than most other schemes.

The reigning NASCAR champion comes to Phoenix for the Shriners Children’s 500 for the first time since winning the championship. Don’t be shocked if this car ends up in Victory Lane. 8/10.

Joey Logano No. 22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford

Our first live look at the Hunt Brothers Pizza No. 22 car. This sponsorship went from Kevin Harvick and SHR to Joey Logano and Team Penske, but I’m just happy it’s still in NASCAR.

Overall, not the most eye-opening paint scheme, but solid overall. In my opinion, these HBP paint schemes almost always look better on track than in renderings and photos. 7.5/10.

Bubba Wallace No. 23 U.S. Air Force Toyota

Back together once again, Bubba Wallace is sporting the U.S. Air Force colors in 2024. 23XI Racing landed a major sponsor with this addition and the first paint scheme looks great overall.

Just a little color to make it interesting, but a car that looks like it is fast and as mean as a fighter jet. Wallace will try to improve his results at Phoenix, a track he hasn’t had a lot of success at. 8.5/10.

Tyler Reddick No. 45 Mobil 1 Toyota

Sorry, not sorry, 23XI Racing has some of the best paint schemes every week and if they belong on the list they are going to make it on this list. Tyler Reddick and his new Mobil 1 paint scheme definitely belong this week.

Toyota locking down that Mobil 1 sponsorship was major. Who doesn’t love the Pegasus logo on a race car? One of my favorite looks of the year so far. 8.75/10.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. No. 47 Fry’s/Coca-Cola Spiced Chevy

Since winning the Daytona 500 in 2023, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has had support from Coca-Cola via his Kroger sponsorship. This week he has Fry’s and Coca-Cola Spiced on the car and JTG Daugherty did a great job on the design.

Coca-Cola race cars just hit different in NASCAR. The design flows well, the 47 looks great on the car, and it’s just nice to look at. Compare it to the red of Hamlin’s car and you will see why. 8/10.

Shriners Children’s 500 gives championship preview

While the NASCAR championship is quite literally eight months away, this weekend is a big preview of sorts. Now, the finale in November will be much different than the setup we have now. Still, that doesn’t mean teams are going to be pouring over all the data from this race as soon as they can.

Kyle Larson is the odds-on favorite to win his second race in two weeks. After dominating at Las Vegas, Larson isn’t a bad pick for this Sunday. He has the best-looking car in the Shriners Children’s 500, so why not put it in Victory Lane?