NASCAR's throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway back in 2020 was chock-full of incredible paint schemes honoring past NASCAR legends. Denny Hamlin sported Cale Yarborough's 1973 paint scheme, while Austin Dillon's scheme was an homage to Junior Johnson and Erik Jones' was a throwback to Tony Stewart. Yet all eyes were on Jimmie Johnson, because even though the seven-time Cup Series champ had missed the playoff cut, he was wrapping up his last season as a full-time driver. With that in mind, the longtime Hendrick Motorsports driver not only rocked an awesome paint scheme on his No. 48 Chevy for his final throwback weekend, but also dressed up like he was about to go trick-or-treating in the ultimate NASCAR neighborhood.
For the perfect hat tip to the only other drivers to win seven titles, Johnson donned Richard "The King" Petty's famous feathered hat and Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s badass Gargoyle shades. How awesome is that?!
Let?s roll.#NASCARthrowback #TheKing #DaleEarnhardt pic.twitter.com/riyZTGrwTf
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) September 6, 2020
During an episode of The Dale Jr. Download podcast a couple weeks before the Darlington race, Johnson had actually teased his throwback paint scheme, which included using the same font and colors of Petty's No. 43 at the top of the car while also using the font and color scheme from Earnhardt's No. 3 on the sides. Needless to say, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was pumped about the tribute.
"This is next level what you are doing this year," Earnhardt said. "I don't know why it's not been done before, but I think it may make people really reconsider how they approach the throwback weekend. I may be overstating it because Dad is involved but it's not been done quite like this. You are going to honor both Richard Petty and my father with your paint scheme."
Now, Johnson kept the hat and shades look a surprise, but you have to believe that Junior also approved. That's because the iconic items Johnson rocked weren't some cheap knockoffs. They were the real deal, as Jimmie got legit Gargoyles shades from Dale Sr.'s sister Cathy and the signed hat from Petty himself. Add on the fact that his teammates Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman honored him with their own paint schemes, and it's safe to say that Jimmie Johnson stole the show that weekend at Darlington before he even stepped foot inside his stock car.
