The new paint scheme will be dubbed "Fire Storm".

The unveiling of the #24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports DuPont Chevrolet came on Thurday's edition of the Today Show on NBC. It marks only the 3rd major paint scheme change for the DuPont Team. The design came from renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass who said "“I have been most fortunate to have had the opportunity to design the graphics for the DuPont/Hendrick Motorsports/Jeff Gordon race cars since they entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 1992."

The first time we the fans will officially see "Fire Storm" will be during speed weeks in Daytona. The Hendrick Team holds one of the longest standing sponsor/driver/owner relationships in NASCAR history. Richard Petty and STP come to mind when I think of other long standing relationships with sponsors. Of course, Jeff Gordon is no Richard Petty, but you have to give him credit for being a great driver and champion.

I am not the biggest fan of Jeff Gordon over the years, I don't hate him, just don't particularly root for him on Sunday unless he is somewhere near Kyle Busch! I do, however, like this paint scheme. Having DuPont as the primary sponsor of the Hendrick #24 for the last 16 years, you would think they would have cool paint schemes popping up all the time. This, by far, is the best paint job I have seen on the DuPont car. The flames look good, and I especially like the black background better.

What do you think, better, worse, don't care. Comment below to voice your opinion.

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Dale Jr lead 79 Laps at Louden, New Hampshire during the 1st Race in the chase for the Sprint Cup on Sunday. It wasn't enough to get his National Guard/Amp Energy Chevy to Victory Lane. The Culprit: Tires.

Earnhardt was heard on the radio demanding more security for the tires. Saying he needed to "find a series that runs half distance races".

We have witnessed this phenomenon of Jr leading a good amount of laps, then just loosing the handle on the Hendrick owned Chevy towards the end. Usually falling back out of contention.

One such incident actually caused Kyle Busch to run into him during the Richmond race, and the tires couldn't hold up to keep Dale from spinning out!

Rick Hendrick came over the radio to try and calm the situation, and now the rest of the media are saying Jr had a hissy fit. Yes, I did join the chastising of Tony Stewart last week for his comments over the radio. The difference here, I believe, is that Dale Earhardt Jr praised his team for speedy pit stops and making passes in the pits. Obviously, the two incidents are completely different.

I think Dale Jr has a point, and should address the problem with why this phenomenon happens late in the race for the National Guard/Amp Energy Hendrick Motorsports team.

It is well known to most fans that Jr can get testy on the radio, as many drivers do. He simply blamed the tires, in his own way. Maybe some bodyguards are needed in the garage area, maybe Kyle Busch is paying someone to sabotage Dale's tires! Maybe not.

Either way, action is needed to figure out the problem, and getting to victory lane during this chase (maybe multiple times) will be necessary for any driver wishing to have a chance for the Sprint Cup Championship.

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• Event: Pepsi 500
• Date / Time: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. EDT
• Track: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
• Configuration: 2-mile D-shaped oval (250 laps = 500 miles)
• Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
• Banking on Frontstretch: 11 degrees
• Banking on Backstretch: 3 degrees
• Frontstretch: 3,100 feet
• Backstretch: 2,500 feet
• Grandstand Seating Capacity: 92,100

Tickets are still available for this event and can be purchased from the track website. I checked the availability and there are good seats still available for a reasonable amount.

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are expected to qualify for the "Chase" when they leave California, as both drivers only need to finish 40th or better. Earnhardt, Jr. is third in points, and Johnson is fourth.

Broadcast Schedule:

Be sure to check back for qualifying times and race results.

Keith Bloemendaal