Top 10 Eastern Iowa racing paint schemes for 2015

These days at the races, it's as much fun to walk through the pit area and examine the various decal wraps and paint schemes on the racecars as it is to watch the racers hit the track.

The decal business is booming, and it's because some very talented designers have done really cool work on schemes for racecars across the country. Here in Eastern Iowa, not only do some of the most talented racers take to the track, but they also sport some of the best paint schemes and decal wraps around.

So for something fun to close out the 2015 racing season, here are The Inside Track's top 10 and honorable mention paint schemes in Eastern Iowa racing. (A note: this is a subjective list. I like black a lot. A lot of black cars made the list.)

Honorable mention

— Troy Cordes, white and orange IMCA Modified from Supernationals; Joel Callahan, blue and white IMCA Late Model; Jeremiah Hurst, black, purple, yellow and white IMCA Modified; Tyler Droste, white, black and green IMCA Modified; J.D. Auringer, purple, black and green IMCA Modified from Supernationals.

10. Mark Schulte, No. 27m IMCA Modified

— The Delhi driver raced primarily at Farley Speedway and Dubuque Speedway this season, but also hit some Hawkeye Dirt Tour races around Eastern Iowa as well. He did so in classic style in this light blue and white scheme. I'm a big fan of simplicity when it comes to paint schemes, and this one is definitely in the old school vein. And while he has plenty of sponsor decals taking up space from the beautiful blue color, he designed them to match the scheme so they don't distract from the color patterns. A clean, classic look that is definitely Inside Track approved. He carried this scheme to multiple wins and a track championship at Farley this season. 

9. Griffin McGrath, No. 64 Big 8 Series Late Model

— While this scheme didn't last very long in 2015, it was sharp while it did. The McGrath team has two different schemes between their ARCA Midwest Tour and Big 8 cars, and while the ARCAMT car has the A- and B-posts and roof in the day-glo red color, this mostly black scheme feels cleaner and a little more intimidating. Sure, it ended up stuffed into the fence by a competitor, but it was the best looking Big 8 Series car on the track while it lasted. McGrath won one race at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in this scheme before the Big 8 car was wrecked in June. The black, day-glo red and white flow really well together. 

8. Brody Willett, No. 00 INEX Legend

— Admittedly, the black, white and red scheme Brody Willett Racing ran in 2014 was more appealing overall (I told you I like black, guys). But when the Macaroni Kid sponsorship came on board and they switched to this blue and yellow scheme with the Macaroni Kid flowers, it came out really well. Whether they run black or gold wheels, the scheme pops and stands out from all the other Legends at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and elsewhere. What's more, the scheme isn't cluttered with a ton of sponsor logos. Their primary sponsor has a few key placements — as they should for being the primary — but it doesn't overwhelm everything. Well done for an up-and-coming racer. 

7. Benji Irvine, No. 79 IMCA Hobby Stock

— Black and green color schemes are all the rage these days, and Irvine is one more who executes it well. The graphics aren't too complicated or busy and are a good balance of simple and flashy. Additionally, the font of his No. 79 is appealing and sleek. And like Schulte, Irvine's sponsor logos were designed in a way to flow with the scheme instead of distract and take away. His was the best-looking IMCA Hobby Stock in Eastern Iowa in 2015. 

6. Scott Fitzpatrick, No. 24 IMCA Late Model

— Here's another black and green scheme that turned out well. Fitzpatrick started the season with a black, red and white scheme, but switched to this one when he got his new car midway through the season. This one turned out better than the first one, with less busy graphics and a little more black. Plus, the green he used is a little lighter and pops great next to the black. His unique No. 24 with 'Fitz' written across is it cool and makes his car stand out. He had several great runs in this car — and a couple rough ones, like at Quad City Speedway in East Moline, Ill. — and hopefully he comes back in 2016 with something similar. 

5. Denny Eckrich, No. 50 IMCA Late Model

— Back in 2005, the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series made a trip to Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, and a 15-year-old Jeremiah was taken with a red and white No. 50 that led a bunch of laps before having brake issues. Ten years later, and that red and white scheme hasn't changed much — and it still looks as sharp as ever. Simple is best with racecar schemes, and this is among as good as it gets while being minimalist. A classic look for a veteran racer in Denny Eckrich, whose scheme isn't even the best in his own family. 

4. Andy Eckrich, No. 56 IMCA Late Model

— The last three years, Andy Eckrich has progressively reduced the amount of yellow in his primary scheme (his Open Late Model last year notwithstanding) and that gets a big thumbs up from The Inside Track. Like his brother, the No. 56 scheme isn't flashy and is wonderfully simple, with the small yellow stripe for effect. The font and size of his number came out really good with this scheme as well. It's decidedly uncluttered and allows fans to enjoy the look. The wins weren't plentiful, so he may not look back fondly on this scheme, but others enjoyed it. 

3. Tyler Bruening, No. 16 IMCA Late Model

— Bruening has had this scheme, or some version of it, for the last few years and it remains awesome. Obviously the predominantly black scheme was appealing for yours truly, it stands out as a smooth look with four colors. The decision to go with a yellow No. 16 on top of red and white on the sides makes the good-looking font stand out really well for fans. Add in black wheels and black wheel covers and this car looks downright menacing when prowling around Eastern Iowa dirt tracks. He won some races and ran really well in this car this season. 

2. Kyle Hinrichs, No. 15 IMCA Late Model

— The Swisher driver's No. 15 was very nearly No. 1 on this list, but came up very narrowly short. From the font of his No. 15 to the four-color scheme, everything about this decal wrap works. It's prominently black (I warned you), with blue, orange and white mixed in. The blue and orange streaks are small enough not to be gaudy but prominent enough to perfectly accent the black. And the white frames everything and provides the backdrop for everything. The scheme isn't too busy and isn't filled with tons of sponsor logos. It's a sharp looking car and one of the best looking in our area. 

1. Ronn Lauritzen, No. 10k IMCA Modified

— There's not too many people who can make 'Frozen' or 'Minions' look badass, but Uncle Ronn does it well. He lets the little ones in his family choose which character scheme on his car each year, and for that reason alone he gets the No. 1 spot. To let kids have a say is beyond cool, and it makes them feel a part of the team. And in execution, he gets an A+. The white wheels top off the movie themed No. 10k. He got into the winner's circle at Independence with this scheme and looked great doing it. Elsa, Anna and Olaf have never gone so fast. Can't wait to find out what the kids go for in 2016. 

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com