Sam Bass, artist of memorable Nascar paint jobs, has went on ahead to get started on race cars to come

Not only did Sam design many Nascar paint schemes, he also did work on other projects, like movie cars, such as these from Talladega Nights, and all the other cars in the movie

and the design for Dale Earnhardt's baseball team, the Intimidators, in Dale's hometown

Bass was NASCAR's first officially licensed artist. His work enlivened some of the racing's top stars and marquee events. His NASCAR Cup Series background included paint scheme designs for drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and others.

In May 1991, Ray Evernham stopped by Bass’ studio across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, to purchase a birthday gift for Gordon. The ensuing conversation gave birth to one of the most recognizable brands in sports.

Rather than charging Evernham for the art he had selected, Bass asked the promising young crew chief and engineer for a favor.

“I said I wanted him to do something for me instead,” Bass recalled. “I told him that I knew he had been hired to be Jeff’s crew chief and I knew they would have the DuPont paint company as a sponsor, and I wanted the chance to design the car.

“He told me that he would see what he could do and call me once he found out. And sure enough, a few months later, he called and said, ‘You’ve got your shot.’ "

Bass had spent the last few years looking for a new kidney.

That was a result of a sepsis infection that originated in a blister on his left foot in 2005 and led to a below-the-knee amputation in 2008.  I wanted you to know this, and be aware, that really small things can have, in rare cases, devastating effects.

Bass also had Type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 29.

https://autoweek.com/article/nascar/nascar-artist-sam-bass-proud-be-jeff-gordons-rainbow-maker
https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/02/16/renowned-nascar-artist-sam-bass-dies-following-kidney-illness/
https://twitter.com/sambassartist
https://www.reddit.com/r/NASCAR/comments/6zion9/sam_bass_paint_scheme_resume/
https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/sam-bass-nascars-paint-scheme-artist-dies-at-57
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/motorsports/sam-bass-famed-paint-scheme-and-race-program-designer-dies/ar-BBTGahu