Classic Paint Scheme Returns for Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
Concord, N.C. (Aug. 19, 2015) – After racing on the big screen in Days of Thunder in 1990 and the NASCAR circuit for four seasons, the classic Mello Yello paint scheme is set to return to the track over Labor Day weekend for the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Kyle Larson’s No. 42 Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Chevrolet SS. The throwback paint scheme will be featured during a race weekend that is meant to highlight Darlington’s rich racing history.
The Mello Yello paint scheme was first made famous while being driven by Tom Cruise in the NASCAR-based movie Days of Thunder, and also served as the primary paint scheme on Kyle Petty’s No. 42 car from 1991 – 1994 in NASCAR’s top series. And, although Larson wasn’t alive for the release of Days of Thunder and had barely started watching racing when Petty drove the Mello Yello car, there is a connection between the 23-year-old NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) driver and the classic paint scheme – Felix Sabates. The long-time NASCAR team owner fielded Petty’s No. 42 car at SABCO Racing and is currently a co-owner with Chip Ganassi on Larson’s No. 42 Target Chevy.
Notes of Interest:
• No Stranger to Racing: The racing roots of Mello Yello date back to its 1979 launch, when it was introduced as the “World’s Fastest Soft Drink” and sponsored Frank Oglesby’s dragster. Over the years, the popular Coca-Cola beverage has remained no stranger to motorsports. In addition to being on the fictitious car driven by Cruise in Days of Thunder, and on Kyle Petty’s No. 42 car, Mello Yello has served as the title sponsor for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) since 2013.
• A Tale of Two Kyle’s: Although Kyle Petty had 20 previous starts at Darlington before he debuted the Mello Yello paint scheme in 1991, his first race in that car at the track shares something in common with Larson’s first start at the “Lady in Black.” Both drivers started those respective races in the teens and gained nine spots to finish in the top-10. Last season, Larson, in his first NSCS start at Darlington, improved nine spots from a 17th place start to finish eighth.
Quote Board:
• Bobby Oliver, Director of Citrus Brands, The Coca-Cola Company: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to put the iconic Mello Yello paint scheme back on track this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Mello Yello has been associated with motorsports for many years, and to highlight the brand at such a historic racetrack is great. We’re looking forward to having Mello Yello back on the No. 42 for the first time since 1994, and are happy to have the chance to partner with Kyle and Target Chip Ganassi Racing for this unique race.”
• Felix Sabates, Co-Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates: “Running the Mello Yello paint scheme for the throwback-themed race weekend at Darlington Raceway will be great. For me, having run this car with Kyle Petty earlier in my career, it is very special to see it on track again with Kyle Larson. I’m sure this car will help add to the excitement that’s already surrounding this year’s Southern 500.”
• Kyle Larson, Driver No. 42 Mello Yello Chevrolet SS: “This paint scheme has such a cool history between the movie and Kyle Petty having run it for Felix, so I’m really excited to drive it. Days of Thunder is definitely one of my favorite racing movies, and I know it’s a favorite for a lot of fans too. The connection with Felix is pretty cool. Even though I was too young to watch Kyle Petty driving the Mello Yello car, I know people will remember the scheme from those days, as well as his crazy hair from back then. There’s just a lot of fun stuff surrounding this car, so I’m really glad that the Target team is able to run it for Darlington’s throwback race. I think the fans are really going to like it.”
About Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 17 championships and over 160 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, six Rolex 24 At Daytonas and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com
