Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

I know I’m late about this, but I was away for most of the week. It is no surprise who Dale Jr’s new sponsors are for next year. Mountain Dew Amp and National Guard will do well with Dale Jr as their official NASCAR pitchman.

Even Dale Jr’s new number really is no surprise. Number 88 seems fitting enough for him, although I still see it as Dale Jarrett’s number - but whatever, I can live with it.

What I have a problem with in all of this is the paint schemes for the two cars. They suck! Really, they do. All these months to prepare and they come out with these?! Ugly! I understand the whole retro look about them, but they are still ugly. If they wanted retro then they should have gone with DW’s Mtn Dew paint scheme from the 80’s - that would have been a lot nicer, that’s for sure!

What really gets me is that by the time you have read this they probably have sold out of the two diecast versions of next year’s car at any and all diecast stores, shops, souvenir trailers, etc.

Even Kevin Harvick’s 2001 Goodwrench paint scheme was better, and they had less than a week to put it together after Dale died.

I suppose I’ll get used to it, but it is going to be hard to cheer for a butt-ugly car!

Photo Credit: Mtn Dew - motosport.com (Hendrick Motorsports/Autostock), National Guard - motosport.com (Hendrick Motorsports/Autostock)