The iconic hard rock band is sponsoring driver Erik Jones in the season opener of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway, where fans will see his No. 43 Chevy carrying a special paint scheme featuring the band’s name and logo.
Jones – who races for the Legacy Motor Club team owned by NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson and commercial airline entrepreneur Maury Gallagher – is a longtime supporter of the group.
“Yeah, I was always a fan,” said Jones during media day on February 15, according to Speedway Digest. “I went to a show of theirs, I don’t know, I guess three years ago in Charlotte. I was a fan as a kid growing up, too. I listened to their stuff. It was cool. A couple of weeks ago, Jimmie (Johnson) showed me the paint scheme and was talking about it coming together. It was neat to get it all done and get it announced last night. But yeah, I’ve always been a fan.”
Jones was asked what tune he will use for his walkout song and how the Guns N’ Roses deal came together.
“Yeah, I don’t know… I’ve always been a Paradise City fan. It is cool,” explained Jones. “I found out a couple of weeks ago - maybe more than a couple of weeks ago - that we were in talks with them to get them on the race car and do something with them. That was a Jimmie (Johnson) deal, for sure. But he showed me the paint scheme and I was like ‘yeah man, that’s cool. I’m a fan and I’ve been to their show before’.
“I was excited to get it done…and get them on the car. Obviously the car is pretty cool looking, too. It will be fun. That would be a fun one to have a picture with in victory lane, so I would love to do that.”
In sync with the announcement, Johnson tweeted: “My first concert was Guns N Roses, San Diego Stadium (Jack Murphy) 1992… I can promise you, my 17 year old self did NOT see this coming.”
The Daytona 500 will be broadcast live on FOX (TV) and Motor Racing Network (radio) on Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 PM ET.
Get your copy of the new “Use Your Illusion I & II” box set here.
The reveal of the 43 š¹ pic.twitter.com/Cpc28oyoZQ
— Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) February 15, 2023
Welcome to the NASCAR jungle @gunsnroses! pic.twitter.com/t11rD7Zv7g
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) February 14, 2023
My first concert was @gunsnroses, San Diego Stadium (Jack Murphy) 1992… I can promise you, my 17 year old self did NOT see this coming. https://t.co/nL3dCXLhGM
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 15, 2023
See also:
Guns N’ Roses November Rain video passes 2 billion YouTube views
Michael Monroe and Slash rock I Live Too Fast To Die Young title track
Axl Rose issues statement regarding reported fan injury at Guns N’ Roses show
Guns N’ Roses fan reportedly injured by microphone thrown by Axl Rose
Search Guns N Roses at hennemusic
