Connor Zilisch, still nursing his collarbone injury, was recently asked some quick-fire questions on Chat Us Up. He discussed his recovery in detail and also tackled a question rarely asked: Which NASCAR paint scheme is the most underrated?
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The 19-year-old Trackhouse Racing-bound driver didn’t hesitate to point to the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy of Kyle Larson. “I think Larson’s. Honestly, the HendrickCars.com Larson scheme,” said Zilisch.
“I feel like it’s so cool that they run it almost everywhere. If Larson keeps doing what he’s doing, I think it’ll end up being kind of like the Goodwrench #3 [Dale Earnhardt Sr. at Richard Childress Racing],” he said, before giving the reason for this comparison.
“Just ’cause how iconic it is and how many races it has won. I think people underrate how cool it is to have a paint scheme for almost a whole season,” added Zilisch.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove several memorable cars in his career, but none came close to the fame enjoyed by The Intimidator’s sleek, black Goodwrench machine. He drove the car from 1988 until his final race, the 2001 Daytona 500.
That legendary paint scheme etched his other enduring moniker into NASCAR lore, the Man in Black. And now Zilisch believes Larson’s paint scheme might get that same fame.
Last year, fans voted Larson’s No. 5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet Camaro as the winner of the Best in Class Throwback Paint Scheme in the Cup Series. The reveal took place at Darlington, the crown jewel of NASCAR’s throwback weekend.
The scheme honored Terry Labonte’s legendary Kellogg’s design. Labonte drove the No. 5 to the 1996 Cup title with that paint scheme, marking Hendrick Motorsports’ second championship at NASCAR’s highest tier.
Labonte, suited up in his old firesuit, joined Larson on stage during driver introductions to celebrate the tribute. It marked the third consecutive year Hendrick Motorsports claimed a Best in Show award for its paint schemes.
Larson’s resume suggests there are plenty more wins, iconic paint schemes, and milestones left. Since capturing the 2021 championship, he has remained locked in with Hendrick Motorsports through a multi-year deal running until 2026.
The No. 5 HMS driver now heads into the 2025 season’s playoffs sitting atop the standings with a 26-point cushion.
Meanwhile, Zilisch, who has often praised Larson, continues his recovery from the Watkins Glen celebration injury. He is expected to return for the remaining Xfinity Series regular-season races.
