'Star Wars' & NASCAR: May the downforce be with you

By foxsports
Published

The official trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens stormed the Internet on Friday. We figured there's no better time to take a look back at the history between NASCAR and the epic space opera franchise.

While the J.J. Abrams-directed flick - set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi - won't hit theaters until December of 2015, you can check out these pictures now!

May the downforce be with you ... as you enjoy these Star Wars paint schemes from throughout the years. 

John Andretti drove the "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" No. 43 Dodge Intrepid in 2002.

Elliott Sadler drove the No. 38 Robert Yates Racing M&Ms/Ford (with a Star Wars twist) at Phoenix International Raceway in 2005.

Kyle Busch channeled his inner Jedi at Richmond International Raceway in 2005.

The Force was with Jeff Gordon at Talladega Superspeedway, as he won the 2005 Aaron's 499 with a Star Wars paint scheme.