Jeff Gordon for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 22 will see the "return of the rainbow-painted No. 24," as Axalta will revive the paint scheme Gordon has long been associated with during his career, according to CBS' Norah O'Donnell. Gordon, who is retiring at the end of the season, unveiled the paint scheme on today's episode of "CBS This Morning." He said, "It's such an iconic paint scheme. It’s what I got introduced to NASCAR with.” Gordon noted DuPont, which was bought by Axalta Coating Systems bought in '13, originally "came out with this bright-colored paint scheme, and the fans loved it, especially young fans." Gordon: "They were attracted to this car because it was so bright. It always stood out." He noted one reason Axalta is bringing back the paint scheme is that fans on social media, specifically Twitter and Facebook, "want this car out on the track" (“CBS This Morning,” 6/30). NBCSPORTS.com's Dustin Long notes the rainbow paint scheme "has been a part of some of Gordon’s greatest moments in the sport from 1992-2000 when he won three of his four championships and 52 of his 92 career series victories" (NBCSPORTS.com, 6/30).
AMERICAN MADE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. also hit the morning shows today to show off a new paint job, announcing the No. 88 Nationwide car he will drive Sunday night during the Cup race at Daytona Int'l Speedway will feature a "stars-and-stripes paint scheme." Earnhardt said, "It’s a bit of a tribute to all of our active, and retired, veterans in our armed forces. We kind of do this every July 4th weekend in Daytona. Everybody brings out their patriotic paint schemes. This is Nationwide’s idea, and I had a bit of an influence on the paint scheme myself, so we’re really happy with it” (“Today,” NBC, 6/30). Earnhardt made an appearance on CNBC and talked about sponsor interaction during a race weekend. He said, "You're thinking about the business side of it every minute you're out of the car because that's a big part of it. I'm an owner as well in the Xfinity Series, so I understand what my car owner in the Cup Series is going through, what he's trying to do with his company and the moving parts, pieces that are in play there. That's part of it every day. That's always in the back of your mind. ... You have to do everything in a budget and you have to represent your sponsors and make sure that they're happy and that you're doing a good job there. There are so many moving parts and pieces aside from just getting in the car and strapping on the helmet” ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 6/30).
