Joey Gase to Honor Bobby Allison in Southern 500

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Although any form of racing action won’t start anytime soon, it’s never too early for Joey Gase to announce Wednesday what throwback scheme he’ll run in the Southern 500 September 6.

For the 71st renewal of one of NASCAR’s most iconic races, Gase will honor Bobby Allison’s 1971 Coca-Cola paint scheme with Gase’s primary sponsor Agri Supply being onboard of Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Gase’s throwback paint scheme, honoring Bobby Allison’s 1971 Southern 500 win.

Gase is far from the only competitor that’s driven one of Allison’s schemes on Throwback Weekend over the years as both Brad Keselowski and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart have honored the 1983 Cup Series champion.

The story behind Gase driving Allison’s ’71 scheme is not just honoring him, but it’s also the scheme that Allison won the 1971 Southern 500 which marked the first of four triumphs in the 367-lap event.

“I am thrilled to be teaming up with Agri Supply for the 71st Annual Southern 500 at Darlington to honor a true hero and legend in our sport, Bobby Allison,” said Gase. “Darlington is one of those race tracks that you always get chills at when you drive through the tunnel. Ever since they have started throwback weekend, it has made everything more special and fun for both the teams and fans.”

Rick Ware also shared the same sentiment of honoring Allison and is honored that his No. 51 Agri Supply squad will be a part of it come Labor Day Weekend as the team over the years honored schemes such as Lennie Pond, Kyle Petty and NASCAR films Days of Thunder and Stroker Ace.

“Our sport has a strong history of NASCAR Champions who have helped to shape this sport,” Ware said. “We are honored to carry the colors of one of the most influential drivers in our sport, Bobby Allison, at Darlington Raceway in September, with Joey Gase behind the wheel of the No. 51 Agri Supply car.”

Agri Supply, the family-owned farming supply store, have been around for more than half a century and with eight retails located in the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia with over 26,000 items for people’s farming, tractor, garden and home needs to find.

Gase added that he’s proud to represent a company that is about family values, especially with the current COVID-19 health crisis that’s halted the sport for several weeks and counting.

“Agri Supply is great family-owned business that always has done everything the right way, and treated their customers like family.” continued Gase. “In these uncharted waters we are in right now, that treatment is no different. They are keeping all of their stories open in VA, NC, SC, GA, and keeping all of their prices fair and affordable for families during these hard times. I could not be more proud to represent such a great company!”

In just four races, Gase is currently 37th in points with a 23rd in last month’s Daytona 500 being his best result thus far.