As NASCAR gears up for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, Team Penske and Austin Cindric have revealed a special throwback paint scheme that pays homage to one of the sport’s most legendary figures—Dale Earnhardt.

Cindric’s No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang will take on a striking blue and yellow design, inspired by the car Earnhardt piloted during the 1979 and 1980 NASCAR Cup Series seasons. The reveal took place at the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion, where Cindric was joined by Governor Henry McMaster and Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris.

“There are few names in our sport more recognizable than Earnhardt,” said Cindric. “The opportunity to pay tribute to a legend, while also recognizing the incredible history of the No. 2 in NASCAR, was the goal behind this scheme. Freightliner has always been an incredible partner for us at Team Penske and played a key role in bringing this vision to life. We’ve had a lot of fun working through the details, and I hope our car stands out for fans at the track and those tuning in during Darlington Throwback Weekend.”

Earnhardt, driving for Rod Osterlund, burst onto the NASCAR scene in 1979, earning Cup Series Rookie of the Yearhonors and scoring his first career victory at Bristol Motor Speedway. The following season, he cemented his place in history by capturing the first of his seven Cup Series championships.

During that time, Earnhardt’s No. 2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, adorned in its blue and yellow colors, became one of the most recognizable cars on the track. Earnhardt won six races in that scheme, making it an iconic part of NASCAR’s storied past.

The No. 2 car itself has a long and successful history in NASCAR, accumulating 108 Cup Series victories, with 81 of those wins coming under Team Penske’s banner.

As the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, Darlington Raceway serves as the perfect backdrop for honoring Earnhardt and the heritage of stock car racing. The throwback scheme also has significance for Freightliner and Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), whose Fort Mill, South Carolina headquarters sits near Charlotte and several DTNA manufacturing locations.

“Darlington is the perfect place to celebrate NASCAR’s heritage, and this scheme is a fantastic tribute to Dale Earnhardt and the legacy of the No. 2,” said Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris. “Throwback Weekend is all about honoring the icons who shaped the sport, and we’re thrilled to see Austin and Team Penske bring this classic look back to life for the fans.”

Fans can watch Austin Cindric’s Dale Earnhardt-inspired No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang take on the track during the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Coverage will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Photo from Team Penske/Facebook