Return of the Rainbow: Gordon Going ‘Retro’ at Lowe’s

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 6, 2004) – One of the most famous and photographed race cars of all time, Jeff Gordon's No. 24 DuPont Automotive Finishes "Rainbow Car," will be in competition once again for the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on May 22. As a little-known driver in the NASCAR ranks at the time, Gordon took the sport by storm as he went outside tradition to achieve huge success both on and off the track, making the Rainbow Car one of the most recognizable symbols for NASCAR racing in the 1990s. With the colorful paint scheme, Gordon won 52 races, 33 poles, three championships, The Winston Million and tied or broke numerous records starting with his rookie-of-the-year season in 1993 through the 2000 millennium season. Having contributed greatly to the success of the organization, the Rainbow Car will also commemorate Hendrick Motorsports' 20th Anniversary in NASCAR. The Rainbow Car came to be as a result of renowned motor sports artist Sam Bass' challenge to design a car back in 1992 that would reflect DuPont's paint business sponsorship of the rookie driver. It was the rainbow concept of showcasing many brilliant colors that sealed the deal and the rest, as they say, is history. Now with DuPont's introduction of its "Hot Hues" line of custom finishes, the Rainbow Car will be back on track, appropriately, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, where Gordon won his first Cup Series race 10 years ago from the pole position. It was his first career pole in 1993 at Lowe's that created the momentum that led to a hot streak for Gordon at the 1.5-mile quad-oval. He went on to achieve five consecutive poles for the 600-mile event, three of which he translated into wins between 1994 and 1998. In that period of time, the Rainbow Car was the car to beat in NASCAR's longest race. Gordon has also found his share of success in the all-star event, having been victorious three times, once in the Rainbow Car. Overall, Gordon has four wins, seven poles, 12 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 22 starts at Lowe's. "I've got so many amazing memories with that Rainbow Car," Gordon said. "For a few years there, we were pulling that thing into Victory Lane for nearly a third of the races. It's really something to think back and reflect on. "We're very excited to bring it back for the all-star event. Hopefully, it will bring us some luck. Our first win in the all-star race was in the Rainbow Car. Maybe it will be like starting all over again, although I wouldn't go back and change a thing about my career."