Ryan Reed’s Darlington scheme honors Allison – Nascar

CONCORD, N.C. – Ryan Reed and Roush Fenway Racing today unveiled the throwback paint scheme that the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang will carry this September in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Darlington Raceway. The No. 16 Ford Mustang will feature a design similar to the No. 16 driven by Bobby Allison in 1975, on his way to three victories, including one at Darlington Raceway.

“Bobby Allison is a true icon in this sport,” said team co-owner Jack Roush. “I’m beyond honored to have one of our cars carry a paint scheme that Bobby ran. I look forward to making him proud at Darlington Raceway later this season.”

In a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) career that spanned 25 years, Allison, the 1983 NSCS champion, earned 84 victories, 58 poles and 335 top-five finishes.  In addition, Allison led more than 27,000 laps in NSCS competition. For his success, Allison was nominated to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

“I can’t wait for Darlington this year,” said Allison. “It will bring back a lot of memories seeing that car out on the race track. I’m just so happy to be a part of this throwback weekend, and I wish Ryan and his Roush Fenway team luck heading into Darlington.”

Reed and Allison were at Roush Fenway on Monday to make the announcement, along with Sam Bass, who helped create the throwback adaptation of Allison’s 1975 scheme. Like Reed, Bass lives with type 1 diabetes and has been a part of the Drive to Stop Diabetes program since its inception in 2013. 

Bass, the first officially-licensed NASCAR artist, will also play a special role for the team at Darlington Raceway.  After inspection is complete on Friday of the race weekend, Bass will paint the Lilly Diabetes 140th Anniversary logo on the decklid of Reed’s No. 16 Ford.

“I’ve been honored to do some pretty amazing things during my time in NASCAR, but painting a logo “Old School” on a racecar at the track is new for me,” said Bass. “What Ryan and his team are doing in the diabetes community is really special to me and I’m honored to be included with two things I’m so passionate about — NASCAR history and diabetes awareness.”

Through the first 14 races of the NXS season, Reed has eight top-15 finishes and has led eight laps. He currently ranks 10th in the NXS point standings. In two starts at Darlington Raceway, Reed’s best finish is 13th.

“This is a really special paint scheme to me for a variety of reasons,” said Reed. “First off, it’s awesome to honor Bobby Allison — someone who’s done so much for NASCAR. But it’s also special to have Sam [Bass] as a part of the program. I’m glad they have him painting the decklid, and not me.”

Catch complete coverage of the unveil on NBC’s NASCAR America tonight, Monday June 20 at 6 p.m. ET.

Darlington Raceway‘s award-winning throwback event celebrates the history and heritage of NASCAR racing at one of the sport’s most iconic tracks. The campaign focuses on specific eras, plus the historic moments and drivers that made impacts at the track Too Tough to Tame. The Tradition Continues throwback celebration will take place on Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 is set for Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, airing on NBC.