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Few tracks in NASCAR catch match the tradition of Darlington Raceway.

With its narrow straightaways, abrasive tire-eating surface, hot temperatures and jaw-dropping speeds, the fearsome egg-shaped oval in rural South Carolina has long presented one of the toughest tests in all forms of motorsports.

Basically, a win at Darlington gains a driver a page of hard-earned NASCAR history.

From 1950 to 2003, the Southern 500 was held on Labor Day weekend. On Sept. 6, the iconic race will return to its traditional time frames and that explains why 29 Sprint Cup teams are planning to employ throwback paint schemes honoring some of the famed drivers, sponsors and colors that are so associated with the event.

NASCAR’s 12-time most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will carry a early-1980s red and blue Valvoline design on his No. 88 Chevrolet that will remind fans of the days when ultimate tough guys such as the late Buddy Baker, Neil Bonnet and  three-time series champion Cale Yarborough manhandled the Darlington track in the Valvoline car.

“I love the history of the sport and really enjoy paint schemes from the past,” said Earnhardt on the HendrickMotorsports.com website.   “To be able to run a car inspired by many of my racing idols is pretty special. Valvoline has been involved in NASCAR for a long time, and it’s awesome they wanted to do a program like this at Darlington.”

In 2013, officials of Valovline and Hendrick Motorsports signed a four-year sponsorship agreement. The Southern 500 represents Valvoline’s first primary paint scheme since that pact. Hendrick drivers have 14 Sprint Cup victories at Darlington.

“I remember our first Southern 500 win back in 1986,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick.  “It was an incredible era that featured some amazingly talented drivers, and it’s exciting to see Valvoline recognize them with this paint scheme.”

Beginning Aug. 31, a die-cast replica of Earnhardt’s Valvoline retro ride will be available for sale nationally.

NASCAR historians and die-cast collectors should get a treat from the various throwback schemes in the Southern 500.

The Toyota Camry of Denny Hamlin will feature the familiar colors of Yarborough's No. 11, the No. 15 Toyota of Clint Bowyer will honor Baker and Kyle Larson will drive the No. 42 Mello Yellow sponsored car driven by the Tom Cruise character, Cole Trickle, in the motion picture of Days of Thunder.

Chase Elliott will close his 2015 Sprint Cup apprenticeship by driving a No. 25 Chevrolet that bears resemblance to the car his father, Bill, used to win the 1985 Southern 500 and Winston Million

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. may face the most pressure when he challenges the Darlington track in a Ford painted to look like the No. 17 Ford driven by rugged David Pearson, a Spartanburg, South Carolina native who holds the track record with 10 victories.

“You want to run well, especially with a paint scheme like this," Stenhouse, Jr. said. "There's some pressure there, unveiling something new.”

Pearson won 46 race and 51 poles while driving the No. 21 car for the Stuart, Virginia, based Wood Brothers team from 1972-79.

Ryan Blaney will drive the No. 21 Ford in this year’s Southern 500 and his car will include nearly 2,000 photos tracing the 65-year history of the family-run operation.

The David Ragan car will pay homage to his father Ken, while drivers such as Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart and Paul Menard will sport designs based around sponsors.

Danica Patrick will also have a unique paint scheme, as her Stewart-Haas-Racing No. 10 Chevrolet will play off the “Lady in Black” moniker of Darlington Raceway.