California Signshop Teams With NASCAR Racer Kylie Glick

“WRAPPING A RACE car isn’t your average Sunday drive,” says Tony Palmer, owner of Palmer Signs (Roseville, CA). And the client for a recent job is no Sunday driver: Kylie Glick, a 14-year-old late-model race car driver who got her start driving “quarter midgets” at age 10! A fourth-generation racer, she’s been working with Palmer Signs from her starting flag in 2020. “We’ve been along for the ride ever since, wrapping her cars and cheering her on as she’s climbed the racing ladder,” Palmer says.

Recently at the NASCAR-sanctioned All American Speedway in Roseville, Kylie won both the Junior Late Model Championship and the Rookie of the Year title in the Pro Late Model division.

Working with Kylie has always been a collaborative effort. They got the engines revving on this latest design in early January, Palmer recounts. “We started brainstorming to make sure her ride would be the slickest on the circuit this season,” he adds.

Kylie had some “killer ideas — bold colors, sleek lines,” Palmer says. His team used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to craft her vision into the perfect look. “Kylie’s the driver, but we’re the pit crew bringing the design to life!”

Completing the design was a quick lap around his monitor, as Palmer puts it, getting it race-ready in just two hours, sped along in part by Kylie at the computer’s passenger seat. Once approved, the shop imaged the wrap using their HP Latex printer and 3M IJ180 wrap vinyl. Then, they “sealed the deal” with their GBC laminator and 3M Scotchcal Gloss Overlaminate. “Only the best for Kylie’s speed machine!” Palmer says.

The collaboration hadn’t crossed the finish line yet. The installation crew at Palmer Signs handled the heavy lifting, wrapping every curve of that race car like pros. Kylie helped to peel off the liner and made sure it matched her vibe. Not one afraid to get her hands a little dirty, her energy kept the shop buzzing, Palmer says.

Because these race cars reach speeds nearly twice as fast as most vehicles would dare, Palmer’s shop uses “high-performance vinyl that can take the heat — literally and figuratively,” as he puts it. “No heavier film needed, but we do extra tucking around edges and seams to keep it locked down tight. Aerodynamics matter, so precision is key!” To his last point, Palmer Signs uses lasers to line up the graphics.

But, as tightly as they tuck the wrap film, the team can still keep things loose. “During the install, one of our guys, Logan, got so into the zone he started narrating it like a race commentator: ‘And here comes the vinyl around the final turn!’” Palmer recalls, quoting Logan. “Kylie cracked up and we all had a good laugh.”

For all our readers out there doing vehicle wraps, here’s Palmer’s takeaway: “Collaboration is king. Working with a client like Kylie makes the magic happen,” he says. “And second, invest in quality materials. Racing or not, a wrap’s gotta last.” Advice that takes the checkered flag.

PHOTO GALLERY (14 IMAGES)