U.S. Air Force returns to Richard Petty Motorsports for three races in 2022; airmen challenged to design

Photo by Randy Martin 

    The United States Air Force has renewed their contract with Richard Petty Motorsports for the 2022 season,  agreeing to sponsor three of the season's 36 points-paying races. In addition to this sponsorship, for one of the three races the military branch will sponsor, the paint scheme will be designed by one of the United States Air Force's many airmen.

Any U.S. Air Force airmen with artistic integrity and design skills are encouraged to try their hand at designing a paint scheme for the iconic No. 43, though they will have to adhere to some regulations (see below):

 - The car has to be Air Force-themed.

- No profanity or trademarked content (besides the Air Force Symbol, of course).

- The numbers on the car will be white so, no white designs but the roof number will be orange.

- Rules for use of the trademarked Air Force Symbol still have to be followed

 

Any interested airmen are asked to submit their design by Dec. 5 in order to be in consideration for the contest.

The United States Air Force first entered NASCAR as a sponsor for Wood Brothers Racing and the No. 21 Ford back in 2001. Throughout for the past 13 years the United States Air Force has sponsored Richard Petty Motorsports in some shape or form, with drivers like Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Darrell Wallace Jr., and most recently Erik Jones.

It's clear that the United States Air Force has a new-found commitment for the team, as in 2022 they will continue to sponsor Richard Petty Motorsports and Erik Jones, despite lack of real sponsorship in 2021. The team's somewhat improving performance has likely been one of the key factors in this decision.

Albeit not in line with powerhouse organizations, Richard Petty Motorsports and Erik Jones are putting in the hard work, and it's showing. With six top-10 finishes in 2021 and a 19.7 average finish, Erik Jones has out-performed his predecessor Darrell (Bubba) Wallace Jr., and in doing so scored the most top-10 finishes in a single season for any RPM driver since Aric Almirola in 2017.

Over the span of a single season the team has improved 1.4 positions in average finish, although dropping two positions in the final season standings. Aside from this minor set-back, the organization is showing real competitive improvements, even at non-superspeedway tracks. The most hopeful of these improvements is still yet to be seen. 

As the NASCAR 7th generation Cup Series race car debuts in February, Richard Petty Motorsports and other previously less-competitive teams may have an advantage. In the several multi-car 'Next Gen' Erik Jones and the iconic No. 43 have been a powerful force, showing significantly better lap times than even teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. There is certainly still time for these powerhouse organizations to step up their game and find a new competitive edge, though at the moment it appears that the leveled playing field brought on by the 'Next Gen' Cup Series car will only bring new opportunities for smaller teams, one's like Richard Petty Motorsports.

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