Ranking the throwback paint schemes for the Southern 500

Sterling Marlin ran with a scheme like this in the second NASCAR race following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It’s coated in a stars and stripes and some proud American phrases, too.

The scheme is solid, but we've seen some similar ones in the past.

The colors and sponsors are completely different than those of his father, Bill, but the design is the same, all the way down to the font used on the NAPA logo above the left-rear tire.

This shade of blue is better than the metallic-looking one Elliott usually rides with and goes much better with this shade of yellow.

The most creative and unique, Blaney's paint scheme pays tribute to Wood Brothers Racing. The backside panels feature over 2,000 photos of the Wood brothers team.

It's not incredibly appealing to look at sitting idle, but on race day, it should blend in well.

Winn Dixie, a Southeastern-based grocery store chain, has a long history in NASCAR, so it's only fitting it returns to the track as the Labor Day race returns to Darlington.

Mark Martin drove a similar car for years, and the all-black scheme is intimidating.

This tribute to Buddy Baker, who died earlier this month, has a good vintage feel to it. The number design on the side is among the coolest and most vintage-looking in the collection.

Before Budweiser developed its signature red and white look, it mirrored Miller High Life’s current colors.

I’m a sucker for vintage logos, so while the full-body metallic orange/gold/yellow might be a little much, this is a still a good one. It deserves some points for literally mirroring a beer can, top to bottom.

There’s even a soaring eagle in the logo.

Keselowski will drive Bobby Allison’s old car. The NASCAR Hall of Famer won at Darlington five times.

The design is simple and effective, and that logo, still used by High Life today, is a classic.

This car will stick out on race day, but it's one any NASCAR fan should remember. A similar version was used by main character Cole Trickle in the 1990 film “Days of Thunder” and by Kyle Petty in the early 90s. 

Black and bright doesn't always work, but nostalgia and the combination in this case, for whatever reason, put this near the top.

This has the most authentic throwback look, from top to bottom. The Lowes logo is the same one used by the company in the 1940s — and even features a cheesy slogan. The off-white gives it a vintage feel, as well.

Johnson's design doesn't pay tribute to anything or anyone, though.

Dale Jr. is sticking a Valvoline logo on his car for this race and this race only. The result is terrific.

Outside of Johnson, this has the most vintage feel. It’s an almost-identical copy of Mark Martin’s car with Rousch in the early 90s.