NASCAR Paint Schemes Preview: Hendrick Motorsports and the drip for 'Dega

By Ryan Pritt

All the scenes from playoff racing at Kansas Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. - Through the first race of the three-event Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers are above the cutline.

Staying there, while navigating the treacherous Talladega Superspeedway, will certainly be a challenge.

That's what teams are challenged with on Sunday at 2 p.m. The race will air on NBC.

Hendrick Motorsports is the torch bearer in terms of Talladega success among Cup Series organizations. Chase Elliott, running his Kelley Blue Book paint scheme this weekend, is a part of that with two victories, his most recent coming in the fall of 2022.

Kyle Larson, William Byron and Alex Bowman are still chasing an elusive first win at Talladega, but all will be behind the wheel of race cars bearing slick schemes this weekend.

Here's a look at the Hendrick Motorsports colors as they hit the track.

Larson is still seeking a superspeedway victory to add to his ever-growing resume. His best showing at Talladega was a fourth-place run in the spring of 2022 and he's led 54 laps at the 2.66-mile tri-oval.

SEE THE SCHEME: Check out Elliott's No. 9 Kelley Blue Book livery

Elliott is the leader among active Cup Series drivers who've made more than five starts with an average finish of 13.7. In addition to his two victories, Elliott has led 214 laps and registered eight top-10 showings in 17 starts.

FROM ALL ANGLES: A look at William Byron's No. 24 RAPTOR scheme

Byron rolls into Talladega with the points lead, thanks to a runner-up finish at Kansas Speedway last week, and is riding a string of three-straight top 10s at Talladega including a second-place finish in this event a year ago.

PLAYOFF PAINT: Bowman's No. 48 Ally Racing Chevy

Bowman is red hot since the playoffs began and has scored points in every stage in each of the four postseason races thus far. He finished fifth at Talladega in the spring and, like Elliott, has eight top 10s to his name at NASCAR's biggest oval.