The relationship between art and high-speed racing is explored as we look behind the scenes of a NASCAR Cup Series car design. Artist David Danforth created an original painting specifically for Bubba Wallace's No. 23 Columbia-sponsored car, showcasing how a piece of art can be transformed into a dynamic race livery.
The design process begins with sketching and line work, moving through base coloring, fine details, and highlights. The artwork is then digitally manipulated and wrapped around the car's 3D model to ensure it flows correctly across different panels, such as the hood and nose.
Once the design is finalized, the process moves to manufacturing, where the art is printed and cut using a specialized plotter. The installation team then cleans the car and applies the complex wrap, a process that can take several hours to complete.
See the entire journey—from initial concept to the finished car ready for Homestead-Miami Speedway—in the full video embedded below.