Some team colors are classics, relating to a person or team far beyond the branding needs of business. The #24 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports with Jeff Gordon at the wheel is just one of those iconic symbols that match the biggest and most famous color combinations in motorsports history. However, all good things must come to an end and that includes the colorful DuPont name on the hood and quarter panels.
DuPont Performance Coatings division, which is part of one of the largest chemical businesses in the world, has been sold and the new company, who is still willing to continue mustering up the sponsorship funding, will be changing the name and colors on the car (source: NASCAR).
DuPont reduced its exposure with Hendrick by roughly two-thirds two seasons ago (source: ESPN) but still appeared at least a dozen or so times a year. However, the new name replacing DuPont will be Axalta. The colors and logo are not known yet as the new company's designs are still being developed. The giant private equity firm Carlyle Group purchased the paint division and is officially renaming it Axalta Performance Coatings.
Rainbow Warriors
DuPont has sponsored Gordon's #24 stock car for over 20 years with Jeff being the only driver this particular Hendrick car has ever had. A 21 year old Gordon started driving for Rick Hendrick back in ’92 and won the historic Indy race in ’94 and a championship in ’95 with the iconic rainbow colored car giving the team the nickname ‘Rainbow Warriors’. Gordon, who has become somewhat of an iconic figure himself, would go on to win four championships with the famous rainbow colored Chevrolet.
Pepsi and AARP will carry on as the other major sponsors on the car during the 2013 season. The new name and colors for Axalta will appear at the Texas race in April. Interestingly enough, the final race last season with the DuPont colors was a victory for Gordon.
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