Almirola to bring back Petty Throwback scheme for Darlington

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Aric Almirola's Throwback paint scheme for Darlington

A throwback conversation wouldn't be complete without the iconic #43 STP Ford and neither would the throwback The Tradition Returns weekend at Darlington Raceway. Joining in on the retro paint schemes, Aric Almirola will pilot the 1972 "Petty Blue" and Day-Glo Red #43 STP paint scheme, originally driven by "The King" Richard Petty. 

STP will also have special guests at the track during its return to Labor Day weekend. Members of the 1972 crew will join STP and the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports team for the Bojangles Southern 500. 

1972 marked the first year for STP and Petty's longstanding relationship and the first year the No. 43 sported Day-Glo Red on the quarter panels. It's only fitting that the company throwback to their first year in NASCAR racing with "The King" during The Tradition Returns weekend.

In a storied history, Petty raced with the STP logo on the hood of his #43 race car for 21 years before he retired as a driver and scored 60 of his 200 wins during that time. Along with crew chief Dale Inman, crew members Richie Barsz, fabricator, Tex Powell, mechanic and Jackman, Les Barsz, mechanic and transporter driver, Billy Biscoe, mechanic and gas man, Jimmy "Zoomer" Kovalchik, fabricator and tire carrier, and Barry Dodson, painter, will return to the track where they finished third in the 1972 Southern 500.