As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the high-stakes Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson will showcase a distinctive black and gold paint scheme, spotlighting the Zac Brown Band’s upcoming “Live at Sphere” concert series. This new livery is generating considerable excitement among fans and followers, particularly on social media platforms such as Reddit, where the blend of bold design and music promotion have sparked lively discussion well ahead of the race weekend.

A Look Back at Larson’s Most Memorable Designs

Kyle Larson’s racing career has been marked not only by his impressive track performances but also by a succession of paint schemes that hold special significance among NASCAR fans. His iconic blue, white, and red HendrickCars.com No. 5 Chevrolet emerged in 2021 after his move to Hendrick Motorsports, symbolizing his dominant championship-winning season that year, where he secured ten points-paying victories. This scheme, despite some fan fatigue due to its frequent use, remains a powerful emblem of Larson’s resurgence and peak achievement.

Prior to joining Hendrick Motorsports, Larson was primarily associated with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Credit One Bank and Target-sponsored cars. The red and white Target No. 42 Chevrolet remains memorable for his early career, especially his first Cup Series win in 2016 at Michigan, which helped establish his reputation as a rising talent. Fans retain strong connections to these schemes because they evoke Larson’s early breakthrough and determination.

Another notable design was the matte black Tarlton and Son Chevrolet Larson drove during the 2021 Playoffs at Las Vegas. It stood out as a darker and understated alternative to his usual vibrant colors, yet it carried emotional weight since it was the car he drove en route to a key playoff victory on a track close to his California roots. This bold choice reflected Larson’s readiness to experiment visually and bolstered the scheme’s cult status among dirt track and longtime followers.

Additionally, Larson occasionally sports a retro-inspired Valvoline scheme. Featuring the classic red and blue V-logo against a clean white backdrop, this design pays homage to NASCAR’s past and has a nostalgic appeal, even if it’s not associated with a championship moment. These varied paint schemes collectively illustrate Larson’s evolution and the different chapters of his career.

What’s Unique About the Black and Gold Zac Brown Band Design?

The special black and gold scheme unveiled for the upcoming Las Vegas race is a promotional collaboration highlighting Zac Brown Band’s concert series at Sphere Las Vegas scheduled for December. The slick black base color combined with metallic gold accents deviates sharply from Larson’s traditional bright and busy liveries, presenting a fresh visual identity that has drawn immediate fan attention and positive chatter online.

In the #NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Las Vegas, @KyleLarsonRacin will pilot this special black and gold Zac Brown Band “Live at Sphere” paint scheme.It’s in promotion of upcoming Zac Brown Band concert dates at Sphere Las Vegas (Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13). pic.twitter.com/g1yZZITfY5— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) July 22, 2025

This paint scheme stands as a rare deviation from Larson’s long-standing HendrickCars.com and Valvoline branding, emphasizing both the sport’s increasing overlap with popular culture and the commercial strategy of leveraging race day visibility to promote high-profile entertainment events.

Fan Reactions Highlight Excitement and Concerns

Reactions among NASCAR fans have varied widely, reflecting both enthusiasm and skepticism. Several comments on Reddit appreciated the design’s uniqueness, noting the rarity of alternate schemes for Larson in recent seasons. One fan remarked on the historical significance of Larson’s last non-traditional paint scheme, which was incidentally also matte black during a successful 2021 playoff run at Las Vegas.

I believe this is the first non-Valvoline/Hendrick Cars scheme for Larson since, coincidentally, the fall Vegas race of 2021. Which also, coincidentally, was a matte black base scheme.

— Reddit Fan

This highlights how Larson’s primary sponsorships with Hendrick Motorsports have mostly dictated his car’s visuals, with alternating Valvoline branding occasionally entering the mix. The black and gold scheme breaks this pattern, rekindling memories of his pivotal win at Las Vegas during the 2021 playoffs, which ultimately secured his place in the Round of 8 and paved the way for his championship season.

Other fans expressed curiosity about how the paint scheme would integrate the required playoff decals, which include bright yellow windshield banners and splitter treatments designed to highlight playoff contenders. One user speculated that although Larson’s recent summer performance was inconsistent, his solid early-season achievements likely assure his advancement in the playoffs.

Wonder how this car will look with playoff markings on it. Even though he’s been in a slump over the summer, he’s probably still a lock for the round of 8 if nothing disastrous happens.

— Reddit User

Some viewers raised concerns regarding the visibility of the black and gold paint scheme during televised broadcasts. Dark liveries have posed challenges in past NASCAR events, especially under artificial lighting or high-speed conditions, where accents can fade into the background, making crucial sponsor branding and car numbers harder to see.

Worried it will not show up well at all on TV. Sam Mayer had a black and gold car last year and it was almost impossible to see anything but a solid black car with a white #1 on the door.

— Concerned Fan

Sam Mayer’s similar paint scheme in 2024, running black and gold for JR Motorsports in Xfinity races, faced comparable criticism, emphasizing the difficulties broadcast cameras have in capturing subtle color nuances at certain angles and lighting levels.

Contrasting these concerns, some fans welcomed the fresh aesthetic as a welcome change from Larson’s frequently used blue and white HendrickCars.com scheme, which had become iconic but overused to the point of fatigue among audiences.

About GD time that they ran something other than the worn out HC paint scheme.

— NASCAR Enthusiast

Another fan expressed excitement about the timing of the new design, emphasizing the sentimental connection to Larson’s first Las Vegas victory.

Oh damn wait it’s for my Vegas race?!?! That’s pretty cool then haven’t got to see Larson race a different 5 scheme since his first win in it at Vegas in 21 lol.

— Excited Supporter

Not all feedback was positive; a smaller contingent voiced disapproval based on the association with Zac Brown himself, reflecting their opinions on his personal controversies, although such views remain separate from the sporting aspects of Larson’s car and performance.

Too bad Zac Brown is a scumbag.

— Critical Commentator

Implications and Future Perspectives of Larson’s Visual Strategy

Kyle Larson’s adoption of the black and gold Zac Brown Band scheme marks a noteworthy moment in NASCAR’s evolving relationship with entertainment and marketing. This custom livery not only serves to promote a major concert event but also reflects Larson’s openness to diversifying his car’s image beyond traditional sponsor liveries. Fans’ divided reactions underscore the challenges of balancing visual innovation with broadcast functionality and long-standing brand loyalty.

Given Larson’s strong track record and playoff positioning, the scheme will gain significant exposure during one of the sport’s most watched races, potentially setting a precedent for future cross-promotional paint designs. As the race unfolds, the performance of the No. 5 Chevrolet—adorned in this striking black and gold—will likely reinforce or reshape fan perceptions around such marketing collaborations in NASCAR.

For Larson and Hendrick Motorsports, this decision might signal a strategic expansion of visual branding opportunities, encouraged by the positive fan buzz and media attention already swirling around this paint scheme heading into the Las Vegas playoff race weekend.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?

A. While Larson may not defeat Verstappen in F1, he is more versatile than anyone else worldwide. Bianchi believes Larson stands out due to his well-rounded experience. He wins in many different types of cars.