GM Goodwrench unveils Daytona livery.

Nextel Cup sponsor GM Goodwrench has taken the wraps off the Daytona 500 paintscheme that it will use to off its 20th anniversary with Richard Childress Racing.

The multi-coloured #29 Chevrolet Monte Carlo features a combination of the different looks that the company has been a part of over the years, but that is only the beginning of a year-long celebration planned to commemorate one of the sport's best-known partnerships.

"On behalf of everyone involved with GMSPO and the GM Goodwrench brand, we are very excited to be celebrating 20 years with RCR in NASCAR next year," admitted marketing manager Sue Seaglund, "With the rich history that we've enjoyed at Daytona, it only made sense to do something special for the biggest race of the season, and to kick off our anniversary celebration at a track where Goodwrench and RCR have enjoyed so much success.

"We feel this special paintscheme combines a little bit of everything that GM Goodwrench has been involved with over the years at RCR, from our days with Dale Earnhardt to now with Kevin Harvick. It's really a privilege to be associated with the entire RCR organisation and this great sport. We are extremely proud to be one of the longest standing sponsors in the business."

GM Goodwrench first officially shared room on Earnhardt's #3 Wrangler Chevrolet as an associate sponsor at RCR in May of 1985. Two-and-a-half years later, it took over the primary sponsorship role on the #3 and remained on the hood until Earnhardt's passing in February of 2001. However, at the next race at North Carolina Speedway, Harvick was given the go-ahead to take over the coveted ride, with the sponsor's logos appearing on the brand new #29 Chevy.

"It's pretty cool to think that GM Goodwrench has been with RCR for so long," Harvick said, "They have been a big part of RCR, and their continued support shows their belief in us. It's good to know that we have such big backing from a solid company. I'm excited to help them celebrate this anniversary next year and look forward to many more years with them on the hood of the # 29 Chevrolet."

GM Goodwrench has enjoyed unparalleled success during its relationship with RCR, accumulating six Winston Cup Series championships, a Craftsman Truck Series title, 68 race wins, the biggest Daytona 500 victory in the modern era, and two Brickyard 400 wins.

"GM Goodwrench has played a very big part in making RCR what it is today," said team boss Richard Childress, "The success we've achieved over the past 19 years has created a situation where you really can't think of one without thinking of the other. Our relationship has lasted longer than a lot of marriages and it's because of the respect we have for each other. I look forward to our 20th year of partnership in 2005 - and hope it will continue into our 30th and 40th year together."

The special paintscheme has been designed by renowned NASCAR illustrator Sam Bass, and unites old with new by combining the original black #3 livery driven by Earnhardt in 1988 with the white #29 version first driven by Harvick in 2001. A 20th anniversary logo sits on the silver bonnet that adorned the paintscheme run throughout the 2002 season.

"Sue Seaglund came to me with an idea of bringing a few of their biggest paintschemes together, and this is what we came up with," Bass explained, "It's an honour to be able to create something for such a big occasion. They've allowed me to be a part of so much in their 20-year partnership and I believe this helps to show their dedication to one another."

GM Goodwrench's plans for the anniversary celebrations will continue with several more unique paintschemes in store.