Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports fans received an early Christmas gift with the reveal of updates to the No. 9 team’s race car. While most of the design remains unchanged, subtle tweaks to the NAPA Auto Parts paint scheme for the 2025 season have sparked conversation. Hendrick Motorsports unveiled the new look on social media, capturing the attention of fans with its fresh yet familiar aesthetic.
Although Chase Elliott is typically reserved on social media, this year has been an exception. He not only revealed the UniFirst paint scheme for 2025 but also engaged with Denny Hamlin’s viral post, delighting his fans. However, the updated NAPA scheme has led to a mix of praise and criticism, as fans dissect the design’s improvements and perceived flaws.
Key Changes to the 2025 NAPA Paint Scheme
The updated paint scheme retains its classic essence but incorporates notable refinements:
- Side Skirt Redesign: The white outline around the side skirts has been removed, making way for a cleaner look.
- Yellow Highlights: The triangle surrounding the NAPA logo now features only a yellow outline, emphasizing the Navy Blue as the dominant color.
- Striking Yellow Stripes: The white stripes have been replaced by yellow across the car, a change that many fans praised for its vibrancy.
One fan on Reddit remarked, “Yeah, like I said in the other thread, those yellow stripes make a huge difference. They definitely pop a lot more than the white ones.”
Chevrolet Branding Replaces Camaro
Perhaps the most significant alteration lies in the branding. With General Motors halting production of the ZL1 Camaro, the rear bumper now prominently features Chevrolet branding instead of “Camaro.” Fans had varied reactions to this shift. One noted, “Some little changes here and there. Most notably, the white pinstripes become yellow. While not a scheme change, all Chevrolets now no longer say Camaro on the rear bumper but instead say Chevrolet.”
Nostalgia vs. Change
The passionate debate over paint schemes highlights their importance in NASCAR history. Iconic designs like Richard Petty’s blue car, Jeff Gordon’s rainbow Dupont scheme, and Dale Earnhardt’s black #3 car have left lasting legacies. Fans feel that updates to a scheme can alter a driver’s visual identity.
However, some fans remain divided. While many welcomed the bold yellow stripes, others lamented the removal of white accents. One fan critiqued, “It looks worse IMO. The white around the bottom and the yellow line between the number and ‘NAPA’ really tied the scheme together. It’s too blue now.”
Others longed for a return to predominantly white designs: “I really miss the predominantly white NAPA schemes. All navy looks too bland IMO.”
The Balancing Act
Hendrick Motorsports faces the challenge of honoring tradition while embracing evolution. As one fan humorously summed up, “Fans: We need continuous schemes to help build legacies!!! Also Fans: No!!! How dare they!!”
Regardless of mixed opinions, the refreshed 2025 NAPA Auto Parts scheme continues to capture the spirit of the No. 9 team, ready to make an impression on the track.