The NASCAR community honored the memory of the sport’s first licensed artist today. From painting race program covers to designing paint schemes for drivers, Sam Bass deployed his creativity to showcase his lifelong love for NASCAR throughout his career.
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However, in February 2019, NASCAR lost the legendary artist aged 57. Paying tribute to Bass, MBM Motorsports, along with Joey Gase, ran a tribute scheme on their #66 car. Unsurprisingly, the NASCAR community still deeply feels the void left by the valuable artist.
Remembering his contribution to the sport, various NASCAR members posted tweets about the artist on his 61st birth anniversary. Calling him a legend, many expressed their desire to induct him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame posthumously.
Sam Bass would have been 61 today #RIP
Sam Bass was the first officially licensed artist of @NASCAR. His art, and his memory, will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/SRwWu6QcpH
— NASCAR Legends (@LegendsNascar) November 20, 2022
The sport of #NASCAR and the design community owe so much to you.
A debt that’ll never be fully repaid to a man whose work transcended generations of NASCAR history.
Happy birthday to one of the greatest visionaries in @NASCAR history. pic.twitter.com/yyOPppJRXG
— Michael Carey (@ItsMichaelCarey) November 20, 2022
Today would have been Sam Bass's 61st Birthday. He was an absolute legend #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YxOI4qxOWF
— Daniel Kriete (@DanielKriete4) November 20, 2022
Happy Heavenly 61st Birthday to my buddy @sambassartist; an incredible artist and an even better man. You are missed every day. #RIP pic.twitter.com/LziSzvk1jc
— Dave Moody (@DGodfatherMoody) November 20, 2022
I only met Sam one time when I was a kid.
But even though he did not know me, he was happy to say hello back and talk with anyone he ever met.
Sam Bass is 100% worthy of the @NASCARHall one day. https://t.co/XTNByBApUM
— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) November 20, 2022
Hopefully soon to be Hall of Famer, Sam Bass
— Robbin Scarberry 🏁🇺🇸🏁 (@RobbinScarberry) November 21, 2022
Throughout his career, Bass designed paint schemes for drivers, including Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt. Apart from that, he worked in race-day programs that were featured on the cover of Charlotte Motor Speedway publications.
NASCAR on losing its licensed artist
In February 2019, Sam Bass’s wife Denise confirmed the artist passing away after battling kidney failure. She wrote; “It is with a sad heart that our family shares the news of our loss with the NASCAR community. Sam Bass, a loving husband, father, and inspiration to us all, passed away earlier today. Thank you for your prayers during this very difficult time.”
Moreover, shocked and saddened by the news, the governing body stated that although Bass ‘never turned a lap or a wrench,’ he captured the essence of the sport like no one else. The apex body said; “Though we have lost a member of the NASCAR family, his legend will continue in his art–all of which illustrated the greatness of our sport and the talent of a true friend.”
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Clearly, Bass was an integral part of the sport. In one of his interviews in 2017, the artist revealed that the best part of his career was his interaction with the people in the sport.
Written by
Edited by
Akash Pandhare