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 #42 Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Chevy. 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 #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 #42 car at SABCO Racing, and is currently a co-owner with Chip Ganassi on Larson’s #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 #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.(Chip Ganassi Racing), see images of the car on the #42 Team Schemes page.(8-19-2015)
