Paint Schemers

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

ing, Harris Lue is focused on bringing graphic schemes from conception to reality. His most recent work is Chase Briscoe’s new Mahindra Tractors No. 14 Ford Mustang. Besides designing schemes, he’s also designed merchandise, including an epic Grave Digger shirt for Kevin Harvick and social media graphics for teams.

ing in on his craft. Now, he’s Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s newest graphic designer, and he’s the man who will work on the sleek new No. 6 car that Brad Keselowski will race this season and beyond. He moved to RFK Racing from Chip Ganassi Racing, where he most recently worked with Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch.

video games as a kid, teaching himself the tricks of the trade. Tommy Joe Martins and Will Rodgers gave him his first big break, and now the 21-year-old is one of the most recognizable designers in the NASCAR Twittersphere. This year, he’s already revealed some of his work with Alpha Prime Racing in the Xfinity Series.

had the opportunity of a lifetime when his work was featured on one of Jimmie Johnson’s final paint schemes with Hendrick Motorsports. Ever since, well-deserved opportunities have come up for Sweet, including designing schemes for Landon Cassill, Ty Gibbs, Dawson Cram and Daniel Suarez.

has become synonymous with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Xfinity Series powerhouse. He designs schemes for most of JR Motorsports’ drivers, working diligently with sponsors to ensure they have a different look each season. This year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will use Williams’ paint scheme in his only race of the year after a fan vote put his No. 88 car design on top.

designs schemes in each of the top NASCAR divisions. In 2019, his Scooby Doo-themed car with Keen Parts and Corey LaJoie won NASCAR on NBC’s Paint Scheme of the Year award. He currently designs schemes for Rick Ware Racing, Spire Motorsports and many other teams. He’s even gone as far as designing logos for events, including the ones sponsored by Fr8Auctions.

a designer for The Decal Source, which works with several teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series. In 2021 alone, Williams designed 121 race car schemes. He’s worked with everyone from Chase Elliott to Jeb Burton, A.J. Allmendinger to Bubba Wallace and more. Now, he’s one of the busiest designers in NASCAR.

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

must understand the ins and outs of the industry. The art of bringing the design of a race car from a concept to reality is one few can master.

Justin Harris, one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s lead designers, began working with the organization in the summer of 2013 as a CNC machining intern. But his true passion was to design the graphic schemes in which JGR’s cars would be wrapped come race day.

“I inquired about a position that became available, which ultimately I didn’t get,” Harris said. “But I had a really well designed portfolio that I submitted, and they mentioned that the graphic artist put in her two weeks the same day. So I ended up with the graphic artist job instead.”

From there, Harris’ career took off.

He made his own path and drove right through it, determined to please the company’s sponsors, drivers and, most of all, fans.

“To be honest, I don’t believe I have received much – if not any – advice on my career here,” he said. “I am the only person here to design cars and create the print files to make it, so I’ve had to teach myself a lot and create things that work best for me.”

Overall, Harris has designed roughly 24 paint schemes and counting, including having the same DeWalt and Stanley Tools paint schemes on multiple cars (i.e. Christopher Bell in both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series).

Some drivers, he says, love to have input on the paint schemes. Others, not so much.

“Kyle Busch had a lot of involvement with the NOS Energy Xfinity Series car he ran a few years ago,” Harris said. “It ended up being about four layers thick of different kinds of vinyl, so I think we had to limit his involvement with car layout.

“I most recently got to design the (No.) 18 Xfinity Poppy Bank car with Daniel Hemric. It appeared the sponsor just wanted whatever Daniel wanted. So we went back and forth until he ultimately got the car design he wanted. But that is the most a driver has given feedback on my designs.”

But what is Harris’ favorite scheme that he’s designed? It’s Bell’s 2021 Craftsman car, boasting a sleek, traditional design that pays tribute to the firm’s involvement in NASCAR.

In the future, as Harris continues designing for JGR, he has his eyes set on creating his own woodworking/3D printing company.