By David Morgan, NASCAR Contributor
With the majority of the races for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season already sponsored, Chase Elliott and his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team still had a few races to fill, but on Monday the team announced a new sponsor to join the fold for Elliott’s sophomore season.
Hooters, which has sponsored a car in over 150 races in the Cup Series over the years, most notably for Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 championship season, returned to NASCAR last season after a long hiatus and will now be a primary sponsor for Elliott for two races during the 2017 campaign as well as an associate sponsor throughout the season and into 2018.
The Hooters sponsorship will be emblazoned on Elliott’s Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway on May 7th and will return near the end of the season at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12th.
“Twenty-five years after being part of one of the most memorable seasons in NASCAR history, Hooters is excited to support another amazing talent in Chase Elliott and the No. 24 team,” said Carl Sweat, chief marketing officer of Hooters of America LLC. “As the official headquarters of race day, we’re proud that so many NASCAR fans choose to watch the races at Hooters every week while enjoying their favorite wings, ice cold beer and one-of-a-kind Hooters Girl hospitality.”
“Hooters started with six people in 1983, and now they’re in 42 states and 28 countries,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “They’ve grown by focusing on the experience, earning the business of their customers and supporting terrific causes like cancer research and our men and women in uniform. NASCAR fans appreciate those things, and we have an opportunity to do some great work together.”
In Elliott’s rookie season in the Cup Series in 2016, the 21-year old Georgia native racked up 10 top-five finishes, 17 top-10 finishes, two pole positions, 358 laps led, and an average finish of 14.6 en route to a 10th place points finish and Rookie of the Year honors.
“Hooters is a place where I can let down my guard and have a good time,” Elliott said. “It means a lot to have them support the No. 24 team, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of their car. Being on the ground level of introducing a new partner to the Hendrick Motorsports family is going to be a lot of fun. Hooters has a historic place in this sport, and I’m glad they’re back. Our entire team is looking forward to making the program a success.”
In addition to the Hooters sponsorship, Elliott will also have sponsorship from NAPA Auto Parts, SunEnergy1, Kelley Blue Book, and Mountain Dew during the 2017 season.
We’re unveiling our @chaseelliott @TeamHendrick sponsorship today, but first things, first! pic.twitter.com/xuJoRsHRCB
— Hooters (@Hooters) January 23, 2017
