New paint scheme elements help Chase cars stand out

CONCORD, N.C. -- With the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup grid expanding to 16 drivers this year, there might be concern that it will be tough to distinguish the championship contenders from the rest of the field.

Worry no longer.

On Tuesday, NASCAR announced several new elements that will be part of the paint schemes of race cars in the Chase.

The roof number, front splitter/front fascia and windshield header of the 16 Chase cars will be colored yellow. In addition, those cars will have a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup logo on the front-quarter panel.

The paint scheme will be applied starting at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 14 and removed once a driver is eliminated from the Chase during any of the first three rounds.

The new round-by-round advancement format brings driver eliminations after every three races, leaving four drivers racing for the overall victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship on Nov. 16.

Seven Sprint Cup races remain before the start of the Chase.

Jeff Gordon currently leads the field in points with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. right behind him at No. 2 in the standings. Jimmie Johnson -- in fifth place -- is the third Hendrick Motorsports driver in the top five, and Kasey Kahne currently ranks 17th.