FedEx Freight to Become New Entitlement Sponsor of the NASCAR Truck Series

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer

FedEx will make its returning presence known in NASCAR as the Truck Series will be known as the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series (NFXFTS) beginning next season.

The announcement was made official Thursday as FedEx Freight will become the third different title sponsor in the series’ 31-year history, replacing Craftsman Tools after four seasons into its second stint in the series.

Additionally, NASCAR have partnered with the newly independent freight transportation entity, who recently became an independent public trading company, in a long-term deal. This includes FedEx Freight becoming an Official Partner of NASCAR and the exclusive freight shipping partner in North America beginning January 1, 2027.

NASCAR’s SVP and Chief Commercial Officer Craig Stimmel explained in a press release having FedEx Freight being the sport as part of their brand investment spoke positive volumes of the direction NASCAR have gone.

“FedEx Freight choosing NASCAR for a brand investment of this magnitude says a lot about where our sport is today and the value our platform can deliver to businesses looking to grow,” said Stimmel.

“And there may not be a more natural pairing than FedEx Freight and the NASCAR Truck Series. This is a series built on trucks, toughness, and people who compete incredibly hard to deliver every single week. That same grit, reliability, and get-it-done mentality is embedded in FedEx Freight.

“As they continue to establish their identity as an independent company, we have an incredible opportunity to put that brand in front of millions of fans while creating real business value throughout the NASCAR industry.”

While it marks FedEx Freight’s first major sponsorship involvement at a significant scale, it’s not the FedEx’s first rodeo into NASCAR or motorsports in general.

From 2005-2024, FedEx had sponsored Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 Cup Series team that became synonymous with Denny Hamlin throughout his legendary career. As far as other motorsports ventures, CART was known as the FedEx Championship Series from 1998-2002.

The goal for FedEx Freight is to strengthen the brand and have an avenue to engage with its customers, employees and communities with intentions of leveraging NASCAR’s national reach.

“Some partnerships just make sense,” said John Smith, President and CEO of FedEx Freight. “As FedEx Freight moves forward in its next chapter as an independent company, we are focused on opportunities that strengthen our brand and support our long-term growth strategy and we are confident the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series will deliver.

“NASCAR and its loyal fanbase represent the same commitment to safety, hard work, reliability, and teamwork that has defined our company for decades.

“NASCAR provides a powerful platform to connect with customers, engage our dedicated team members, and introduce the FedEx Freight brand to millions of passionate fans nationwide.

“This is a series built on trucks and being number one. It is a relationship that reflects our confidence in the future and our commitment to building a strong company positioned for continued success.”