RACER's World Cup of Liveries, IndyCar edition: The Final

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By Mark Glendenning - Jun 14, 2026, 7:00 AM ET

RACER's World Cup of Liveries, IndyCar edition: The Final

It all comes down to this. From our our original 16 contenders for the greatest IndyCar livery of all time, your votes whittled the field down to eight. Then the semi-finals rolled around, and once again you made your voices heard and we were left with four.

Now, it's time for the final showdown. Here's how our two finalists earned their shot at the main prize:

SEMI-FINAL 1: Team Penske Marlboro vs Al Unser Sr 1970 "Johnny Lightning"
Winner: Team Penske Marlboro, 51.2% of the vote

Whether on the track or in a livery duel, you had to bring your A-game to beat Al Unser Sr and "Johnny Lightning", and even the combined might of Marlboro and Team Penske needed a photo finish to get it over the line. A win's a win though, and the famed red and white chevron now heads into the final, where it will face off against...

SEMI-FINAL 2: Target Chip Ganassi Racing vs Pennzoil Chaparral 2K
Winner: Pennzoil Chaparral 2K, 56.3% of the vote

The Yellow Submarine took an early lead in this one and never really looked under threat. For Target and Chip Ganassi, having the coolest-looking cars from one of the coolest eras of America open-wheel racing history is the consolation prize.

Here it is. Marlboro-clad Team Penske vs the car that reduced countless early-80s childrens' yellow crayons to stubs. Who deserves the crown of greatest IndyCar livery ever? That's up to you.

Mark Glendenning
Mark Glendenning

During his long career in racing, Mark has been placed into a headlock by a multiple grand prix winner, escaped a burning GT car, ridden a Ferris wheel with Ari Vatanen and almost navigated a rally car into a pond. He’s also had the good fortune to have reported on hundreds of races around the world, first while working for a national publication in his native Australia, and later during his years with Autosport in the UK. He moved to the U.S. in 2012, and after a serving as a contributor to RACER he joined the publication full-time in 2015. Mark now serves as Editor of RACER.com, and is also involved in the production of the magazine.

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