Tony Stewart to drive ‘throwback’ car at Southern 500

FILE - In this July 24, 2016, file photo, Tony Stewart (14) drives through the first turn during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Stewart will get a throwback paint scheme for the Southern 500, his final race at Darlington. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) FILE - In this July 24, 2016, file photo, Tony Stewart (14) drives through the first turn during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Stewart will get a throwback paint scheme for the Southern 500, his final race at Darlington. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

By Associated Press August 3, 2016 2 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Tony Stewart is hoping that going old school will change his luck at Darlington Raceway for his final Southern 500.

Stewart announced Wednesday that his No. 14 Coca-Cola Chevrolet will feature a paint scheme that replicates one on the car Bobby Allison drove to wins at the 1971 and 1972 Southern 500s.

Stewart is a three-time NASCAR champion who has won 49 races, but none at Darlington. It is one of only two venues where Stewart is winless in NASCAR’s top division.

He is hoping that replicating Allison’s paint scheme changes all of that. His best finish at Darlington is third place.

“This is one race that it is a crown jewel that I haven’t got yet,” Stewart said. “This is my chance to cross one off my list.”