NASCAR and the Curse of the Looney Tunes

In the early 2000's as part of the boom in popularity of the sport, Chevrolet took advantage in the marketing department and inserted a dazzling theme to a select race at Richmond Raceway. The idea? Fantastic. The outcome? Not so much. Here's a deep dive into what went wrong with the Looney Tunes/NASCAR collaboration from 2001-2002. Brace yourselves.
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I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY FOOTAGE IN THIS VIDEO. ALL CREDIT GOES TO THE UPLOADERS

[@coca-colatrackhousewarrior9925]

The Looney Tunes cars were some of the best looking I've seen

[@christophermillsap5064]

Both Jeff Gordon’s 2001 Bugs Bunny and Bobby Hamilton’s/Greg Biffle’s 2002 Marvin the Martian looked the best to me.

[@calebturnbow1538]

100%. Been working on collecting all the diecasts

[@nelsona779]

I have to agree

[@retroguy1976]

dale sr's in 2000's daytona 500 with taz was nice

[@nelsona779]

@retroguy1976 one of my favorites

[@erichetherington602]

Jeff Gordon had the best Looney Tunes paint scheme, because it changes colors when the lights hit it just right.

[@ALCTheBlade]

That was by far my favorite scheme of 2001. Of course it was destroyed in that race; I was so disappointed.

[@thundercowboy254]

I think the superman car from 99 was the first with the color changing prizm paint. I loved that car had a shirt with it on it for years as a kid.

[@ALCTheBlade]

@thundercowboy254 Jeff Gordon ran a Chromalusion paint scheme in the 1998 Winston that changed colors as well. It remained unscathed and dominated the race but unfortunately ran out of gas on the final lap.

[@jakehildebrand1824]

@@ALCTheBlade oof

[@bobbybrandon584]

The fun/goofy stuff like this is some of the best advertising brands can do. One of, if not the most, "engaged" campaign we've seen recently has Busch's "Millennial Car" for Harvick because they weren't afraid to laugh at themselves and they got the fans involved.

[@D4nkfury]

I always wondered why I've never seen a picture of Jeff Gordon's scheme actually racing during this race

[@steve1300]

When I was kid my parents took me to the Busch race in 2001 and we got to see these cars qualifying. I can still remember how cool it was to see the chameleon paint on Jeff's car.

[@antborb7215]

Looney Tunes and Nascar. A match made in heaven for me. Wish they'd collab again...

[@megsley]

as a Richmond native who drifted away from nascar, this was really interesting! great video, nicely paced narration, and good editing.

[@arcticphoenix2789]

I loved the Terry Labonte Roadrunner scheme, especially his 2002 scheme. My favorite paint scheme to use in Nascar Thunder 2003.

[@jwrailve3615]

The loone tunes, coke v. Pepsi, Star Wars themed races were the BEST AND MOST ICONIC. Damn if only we had these back…

[@kenhollis9591]

Dale had the Taz #3 in the 2000 Daytona 500. Sweet car.

[@descent815]

Does anybody remember watching the stands in the NASCAR race is completely packed where they were absolutely sold out? And now you look at the tracks and there are 3/4 empty. It’s so sad what NASCAR is turned into.

[@MichaelRandazzophotoguy]

Know what I got? An autographed Bugs Bunny Jeff Gordon #24 Monte Carlo. This was the year Jeff won his 4th championship.

[@loganestes2841]

Growing up as a huge Wile E. Coyote fan, I was always partial to Terrys car

[@jaykazi9548]

This is probably leaves a grave warning to anyone who tries to sponsor for popularity or expanding the franchise

[@sandojones5903]

Some one bought me a 24 hat around this time. It had bugs bunny on it. I never knew why he was on the hat. I must have missed these races! Thanks for the vid! 👍

[@joshflippin3308]

Ive got all of them in 1/64 scale and my favorite is between the 2002 jeff gordon he wrecked in practice and the 2002 dale jr busch car

[@Blackflag9661]

They've gotta bring the sealer back man.

[@joycollecting]

Incredibly well done video and a lot of fun to watch! Thank you!

[@carolthearcticfox330]

I’d Have To Say I Was A Jeff Gordon Fan As A Kid But My Favorite Loony Toons Paint Scheme Was Jimmy Johnson’s!

[@johnbrooker6134]

Its a shame the algorithm didn't suggest your videos to more people because they're grrreat! I wish I could have seen them 2 years ago...

[@mig-29a19]

Criminally underrated channel! You earned a sub from me bud, lets go racin'

[@Grindtone603]

Even though I'm not a Jeff Gordon fan that scheme from 2001 looked really good

[@lucyloo2228]

11:12 “Gordon didn’t have a great year in 2001” Seems like he had a great year to me since he was the 2001 Nascar Champion.

[@RolePlayingGarchomp445]

I think he said Ford, not Gordon.

[@lucyloo2228]

@@RolePlayingGarchomp445 good catch

[@johnharris6655]

You forget that at one time you had Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Chevy all racing cars in Nascar.

[@neilreddick3062]

Still my favorite liveries of Nascar!!

[@Erieeyes]

Was there for that race great win for 28 but 3 days later our way of life would change forever

[@KR_Diecasts]

What about the Chevy rock n roll 400 era? I think only one went on to win which was Harvicks in 2006.

[@darthhull85]

I got all of these diecasts as a kid. Still have them and for some reason I never opened them.

[@elaineluikart5459]

They brought all the kids on board but last couple years it's been "F" rated! Not even bleeping anymore!

[@Smashvillain]

That 2002 Taz car is in my top 3 Harvick ever drove honestly. The first 1:24 diecast I ever got too.

[@Theredtail95]

I remember how disappointed I was when I saw that Gordon Bugs Bunny car slam into the wall…

[@Monte_Carlo]

Bobby Hamilton had my favorite schemes

[@PaperBanjo64]

@Monte_Carlo_400 Love your kewl profile picture

[@mikerowland4004]

This was my very first race. I was 12 years old and went with my dad and some of his friends.

[@wrenchingwithdominik]

I miss when drivers would come to the local dealerships and hang out

[@nickinportland]

Oh lord is this why people all over the south were so into looney tunes in the 90s 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@ChuckyLarms]

Feel like I’m the only person in the universe who still has Gordon’s 2001 bugs bunny die cast

[@thecommonsenseconservative5576]

Negative. My dad has one

[@ScoobyShotU]

I have one

[@sirpapps]

NEGATORY. i have one aswell lol

[@jpatt9275]

Why didn't Dale Jr have the Looney Tunes on his cup car in 2001?

[@ashourtalia7016]

I enjoyed watching those 2 races and seeing Ford get the wins over the Looney Tunes Chevys.

[@GardenStateDiecast]

Imagine Dale Earnhardt driving the Taz scheme again for 2001; but in a red metallic color for this race. 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@tankerboysabot]

Seems like Looney Tunes should of switched to a Ford sponsor. 🤣🤣🤣

[@boltonbiggs3]

My Favorite Looney Tunes Paint Scheme Was Kevin Harvick’s 2001 Car.

[@NHMCS]

Richmond is my home track it is a great track

[@wadeadams4263]

I wish Richmond was still the race before the playoffs it made everything just that much more exciting. But still hate the playoff thing.

[@evanwilliams6406]

Yeah, most of the 2001 Looney Tunes character cars crashed in the Chevy Monte Carlo 400 except for the 29 Taz Chevy and the 1 of Kenny Wallace were the best ones. 2002 didn't fare as well either as Jeff Gordon didn't even get to run his Bugs Bunny scheme as he wrecked it in practice, and he ended up driving the flames instead because they could not repaint the car in time.

[@ensignstephens6307]

29Harvick has been my guy since day one.

[@benhefner6625]

Jeff gordon blue buggs bunny scheme was awesome

[@NC_outdoorsman]

Awesome video!

[@kaitsethlikai5789]

I still have the Jimmie Johnson looney tunes diecasts unopened still 😮‍💨🔥

[@Boogeyman1031]

Whats the music you used in the video?

[@austinwaltersracing913]

This guys sounds like someone I could sit down and talk to

[@retroguy1976]

the 2000's had a lotta cartoon themed races.looney tunes, the muppets and I think one had the simpson's because of the movie coming out in 2007

[@CrispyA113]

I used to love Jeff Gordon’s famous Bugs Bunny car

[@CrispyA113]

Eh what’s up Stock?

[@brandensimmons653]

Do they have them in limited edition diecasts?

[@aidanschultz6710]

Good vid

[@Son_Joe_Productions]

Can you talk about the SpongeBob 400?

[@MrChevrolet94]

I’d love that!!!! I saw that race years ago and loved it!!!!

[@lukelyall5879]

The 2001 race was the last race before 9/11

[@DiehardtNG10]

First tunes scheme was sr’s monte deal taz 2000 Daytona 500

[@matthewporter2500]

Dale Jr's car was good and harvicks

[@Boogeyman1031]

I have the elite edition of Robby's car.

[@thesuneversets]

Darrell waltrip didn’t do any taking out, it was all Earnhardt

[@DomTheAviator747]

Cars used to be tanks now we have tin cans 😒

[@prorguy5555]

Back when Richmond was good!

[@mesousagaby740]

So in short? Gossamer > everyone else from the Looney Toons. XD

[@williamharrolle8349]

I have the complete set even the pace cars of both races

[@ruffnready91]

Billy sawyer the son of Bill sawyer after selling the richmond track went back to dirt and built a track in Jamaica va

[@scottstein1135]

It baffles me that Chevrolet didn't demand that Junior be a participant

[@zlinedavid]

May have been Budweiser that didn’t want to share space

[@pearsooo6972]

Too bad they didn't have Pepe Le Pew on one of the cars

[@platinum20]

They did on Robby Gordon's car in 2002

[@pearsooo6972]

@@platinum20 thanks for the info. I didn't see that

[@spicyrensgaming6075]

Mike Skinners 2001 car I liked

[@hunterdye8597]

They ran a very few cars in 2003

[@jade2003YT]

Robby's was my favorite

[@sprinterofblack8186]

JOBvrolet Monte Carlo (in name only) 400

[@Hunter-fh7kf]

I love Jimmie Johnsons looney tunes car. To me that is the best 1 to ever race.

[@FlaccidFella]

*Audio recorded with Nokia 3310*

[@STOLAS_GAMING1200]

I HAVE THE 24 DIECAST LOONY TOONS CAR

[@discthrowerjs]

Too bad looney tunes was already irrelevant for more than 20 yrs at this point.

[@chiprobeson1658]

Kevin Harvick is old

[@Bizz4r2m0ke]

If they ever reintroduce commentators I want your voice

[@TheBigDawgSL]

I got 3 of the Looney tunes cars. both 24s and Jr's 8

[@skarcrowzgaming7838]

best paint scheme from this is definetly the Havoline Ford one....

[@elaineluikart5459]

They brought all the kids on board but last couple years it's been "F" rated! Not even bleeping anymore!