Special Paint Schemes in Racing Cars - IndyCar Series

IndyCar Series

Though not as widespread as NASCAR, cars in the IndyCar Series have also participated in special paint schemes. Most that have been used have featured a "retro" or tribute paint scheme, depicting a notable car from the past. In most cases, the sponsors are not the same but carry the current sponsors' decals on the classic liveries.

• 2000 Indianapolis 500: Hometown rookie driver and co-owner Andy Hillenburg fielded a "throwback" entry named the Sumar Special, a gesture to the car driven by Pat O'Connor which won the pole position in 1957.

• 2007 Indianapolis 500: Ryan Briscoe's entry at Luczo Dragon Racing was painted in a "retro" paint schemes to resemble Rick Mears' 1988 Indy 500 winning car. It was the first of a small trend of similar instances.

• 2008 Indianapolis 500: Marco Andretti's car was painted to promote the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and his racing suit was designed to resemble Indiana Jones's outfit.

• 2009 Indianapolis 500: Rahal Letterman Racing's DAFCA Special for driver Oriol Servià was painted to resemble Dan Gurney's 1968 Olsonite Eagle, which finished second in the 1968 Indianapolis 500.

• 2009 Edmonton Indy: Will Power drove a Penske Racing Verizon entry with the retro Penske Truck Rental paint job, resembling Al Unser's 1987 Indy 500 livery.

• 2010 Cafes do Brasil 300 (Homestead): Sarah Fisher drove in her final INDYCAR race a special Komen pink Dollar General car (as opposed to the normal yellow and black), in a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to promote Breast Cancer awareness month.

• 2011: Helio Castroneves AAA-sponsored car resembled the classic "Gould Charge" paint scheme fielded by Rick Mears in the early 1980s. It also resembled Paul Tracy's 1992 Mobil 1-sponsored machine.