The two cars at Team Penske are utilizing a paint scheme trend that is often overlooked. The template. With templates, you can just apply the appropriate color changes for the sponsor that particular week and know it’s probably going to look pretty good. Let’s take a look at how the Penske Template has grown in popularity over the last couple of years.

When Penske introduced the 22 team to the sport, we saw a uniquely simple yet sporty two color design. with matching red rims. There weren’t many Chargers in the sport at the time, and there weren’t many colored rims at the time either. The 22’s paint scheme, which has remained virtually the same since it first appeared in 2010, is credited as one of the teams that sparked the colored-rims renaissance we see today. The scheme was sharp, and the colors were bright. An awesome looking racecar.

The rear originally featured a set of red “spikes” on the bumper and would be permanently removed in 2013 with the Gen6 Ford.

The 22 scheme has remained virtually unchanged since, even surviving more than a few driver changes. The current scheme for Joey Logano’s 22 in 2016 is below, coupled with the Penske photo variation.

The 22 guys apply their secondary sponsor’s colors to the same scheme and have been for a while with AAA.

The 22 has continued this trend with not all, but most sponsors that end up on the hood. In 2014 the Autotrader scheme had its own thing happening, but 2015 saw those colors applied to the template (note the blue number, stripping away of white, and Autotrader’s new logo.

From this point forward, you’ll notice that the colored rims will either match the front end color or the rear side panel color. There doesn’t seem to be any pattern or predictability to the rim color. For example, on the primary Shell/Pennzoil car, the front rims match. On the Autotrader and red scheme below, the rear rims match instead.

So, we have a template with the 22 car. Pretty cool! Penske took it a step further in the last few years, though. Brad Keselowski’s 2 started using the same template and in 2016, it was hard not to notice.

Something of interest to me is the inconsistency of where the side number falls on the template with the 2. Look at the bottom yellow spike compared to the bottom of the 2, then compare the same spot on the image next to it. Take a look below. (Also, notice the Alliance 2 has no border)

Templates are cool but they can create some sticky situations. See below.

Grumpy spotters.

The Penske Template even sneaked its way onto the 21 this year, but it looked very familiar.

The team even went so far as to send the template down to the Xfinity 22 Mustang.

Other Templates in NASCAR

Anyone remember DEI? Originally, the three Dale Earnhardt Incorporated cars each had horizontal stripes circling the bottom of their cars.

By 2003, those stripes were reduced to 3 and closed off at the front to create an “E” for Earnhardt.

The next year, the E’s stripes were shortened and thickened up a bit. The stripes included a cut out for the number to fit into.

Finally, the last installment. The best looking version of the DEI template. Same as 2004 but with no cut out. The “8” sits directly on top of the E stripes.

More recently, the cars at Richard Petty Motorsports have had a small template for a while now. The large swoop around the side numbers is every car and changes color depending on the sponsorship.

Not so much templates as quasi trademarks, but you get the idea. Remember how every Michael Waltrip Racing car had chrome rims?

I think you all remember this template:

Templates are cool but when teams abuse them, it starts to feel boring. Plus it takes away opportunities for us see new and creative schemes for new sponsors. Which Penske Template is your favorite?