CONCORD, N.C. - The first and only appearance of one paint scheme and just the second for another gives the Hendrick Motorsports group of drivers a distinct look this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
And just in time for the playoffs.
Chase Elliott will run his NAPA Auto Parts/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta colors with the scheme coming from the eighth collaboration in the "DESI9N TO DRIVE" program. William Byron will sport a black and teal design sponsored by Relay Payments, a scheme he ran at the Chicago Street Course in July.
Both Elliott and Byron, as well as Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman, will look to take their respective Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s to victory lane with a little added onus this week: an automatic spot into the Round of 12. Sunday's race at the 1.54-mile quad-oval that now serves as a third drafting track (Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway) will kickstart the Round of 16 with the bottom four drivers in the points standings being eliminated after three races.
Hendrick Motorsports has 17 wins at Atlanta, most of any team and the fifth-most of any track for the organization. That includes a record eight winners: Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson each have five victories in Hampton, Georgia with Byron claiming two and Elliott, Darrel Waltrip, Jerry Nadeau, Kasey Kahne and Ken Schrader each winning once.
Sunday's race is set for a 3 p.m. green flag and will air on USA Network.
RELATED: See Larson's No. 5 paint scheme
Larson has led 440 laps in his career at Atlanta but is still searching for his first victory. He's finished second on two occasions, in the spring of 2017 and 2021. Larson has started in the top 10 in 11 of his 14 starts in the Peach State.
A SPECIAL SCHEME: Elliott to pilot special car for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Elliott's career average finish of 11.8 is second best among active drivers and he's finished in the top 10 seven times in 11 career starts. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native won at his de facto home track in the summer of 2022.
PHOTO GALLERY: Byron breaks out Relay Payments scheme
Byron's two wins at Atlanta are tied for the most among active drivers and they've both come in the Next-Gen era. That includes a victory in last year's summer race. He's led 174 laps in 10 starts there.
FROM ALL ANGLES: Bowman's No. 48 Ally Racing Chevy
Bowman's best showing at Atlanta came in a third-place run in the spring of 2021, a race he backed up with a fourth-place finish that summer. He has three career top 10s at the 1.54-mile quad-oval.
Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Camaro ZL1
William Byron, No. 24 Relay Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
