NASCAR artist, Sam Bass, dies at 57

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bass, a NASCAR artist who helped design paint schemes and program covers that illuminated an entire sport, has died. He was 57.

His wife, Denise, announced his death Saturday with a note on his official Twitter account. Bass suffered from kidney problems.

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.

Born in Hopewell, Virginia, Bass became interested in racing at Southside Speedway in Richmond. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1984, he was commissioned to do the race program cover art for the 1985 Coca-Cola 600.

NASCAR said in a statement that “though he may have never turned a lap or a wrench, few captured the essence of our sport through his work more than Sam Bass.”

“He was a consistent presence in the NASCAR garage, and his ever-present smile and endearing personality welcomed all,” the racing series added.