Throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway is always special. The excitement surrounding the upcoming Goodyear 400 on Sunday is already at an all-time high, with plenty of paint schemes already announced. It’s an opportunity for teams, drivers, and fans to tap into nostalgia at the 1.366-mile track to celebrate the sport’s previous eras. It’s a chance for the NASCAR community to celebrate its heritage, not just through firesuits and paint schemes, but by also bringing back an iconic logo.

To make the triple-header at Darlington Raceway even more special, NASCAR is bringing back a retro logo for the weekend to add an even more nostalgic touch. The decision to do so is dividing the fanbase, with motorsports enthusiasts taking to Reddit to express their views.

It’s a tradition that goes back to 2015. That’s when NASCAR and Darlington Raceway first teamed up to honor the sport’s history. The festive atmosphere of the throwback weekend, when combined with races being held at the ‘Track Too Tough to Tame’, makes it the perfect occasion to celebrate NASCAR’s past. Teams spend a lot of time designing special liveries for the occasion, choosing iconic paint schemes from the past, a treat for fans to relive their memories even though the vehicles are modern.

The tributes are not just limited to cars, as legends of the sport are also honored with helmets and firesuits inspired by iconic designs. Crew members also wear vintage uniforms and use retro-themed pit equipment. Stories are shared and pre-race ceremonies include homages being paid to legendary figures from the sport. NASCAR also takes this opportunity to make Hall of Fame inductions and share videos of the sport’s golden years.

The throwback weekend will be featuring some very interesting liveries. Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain will feature a Busch Light Fishing Chevrolet, one of the more colorful designs on the grid. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski‘s No. 6 Ford will feature a black and gold color paint scheme, featuring the Castrol branding plastered near the door. Kyle Busch, on the other hand, will have sponsor Cheddar’s featured on his Chevy, followed by a croissant design near the fuel duct.

As part of the throwback weekend, NASCAR has also brought back an iconic logo that was used from 1975 to 2016, before it was switched for a more modern, minimalistic design. The decision to do so seems to have divided the fanbase, with many believing that the retro design needs to be brought back for good. Others are more in favor of the newer logo, even though the sentiment seems to be a minority if Reddit comments are anything to go by.

Fans divided after NASCAR unveils its logo

As expected, it didn’t take long for NASCAR fans to weigh in after the sanctioning body unveiled its retro logo ahead of the weekend in Darlington. For one motorsports enthusiast, the design is timeless, and despite half a century passing by, the Reddit user felt it could withstand the test of time. Complimenting the current design as well, the fan said, “The fact that that was actually designed as far back as 1975 is impressive to me. It still didn’t feel outdated in 2016, but I’m also a fan of the modern re-brand. They didn’t completely sterilize it, and it kept the theme of the original 👍🏽”  

At the time of the change in 2015, NASCAR’s Chief Marketing Officer Jill Gregory had described it as a way of keeping up with the modern times. “Our new NASCAR mark is modern, timeless, and embraces the heritage of our sport. It was important for us to recognize our history and implement a piece of each previous mark in the new design. Our goal was to evolve the sport’s visual identity to make it concise, relevant and functional, while respecting and maintaining the unique qualities of the original mark.” While they succeded with that, the Darlington weekend’s way of bringing back an old tradition is a wave of nostalgia for fans.

However, not every fan felt that the retro logo was appealing. Finding the simpler logo from the current generation appealing, a fan couldn’t help but say, “I’m ngl I prefer the minimalist to the over designed stuff of like 15 years ago but yeah there needs to be a balance. It’s like people complained about the over designed shit from 15 years ago and they way overcorrected.” They weren’t the only ones, as another Reddit user echoed the sentiment, writing, “Still think the new logo is better than the old one.”

However, one motorsports enthusiast felt that the retro design was so good, that they proposed a radical idea that is sure to raise some eyebrows. The fan said, “They could just permanently bring it back. That is a better idea.” Another Reddit fan couldn’t help but feel that the existing logo was nothing but an evolution of the retro design, giving it a fresher look at a time where things can be over-complicated. They wrote, “The new logo is a great modern refresh of the old logo. Given them number of graphic design botches we see in the corporate world, I’d say it’s a slam dunk grand slam.”