In 1992, the American food chain company forged a partnership with Alan Kulwicki. Several years later, the restaurant chain made a comeback announcement with Chase Elliott in 2017. Fast forward to 2024, Hooters once again announced a collaboration with Elliott, marking their return to the racing scene. In a remarkable turn of events, Elliott’s victory at three races not only ended his winless streak but also brought success to the sponsor once again.
Nearly 32 years later, the Hooters car is back in Victory Lane. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/QWyTkXo7kl
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 15, 2024
FOX NASCAR recently shared a video commemorating Hooters’ the last victory with Alan Kulwicki in 1992. Fast forward 32 years later, Chase Elliott secured another win for the sponsor in a dramatic fashion, following double overtime restarts. Notably, this victory marked the end of Elliott’s 42-winless streak.
The Chase Elliott Connection
In 2017, Hooters made a triumphant return to NASCAR, teaming up with rising star Chase Elliott and the #9 Hendrick Motorsports team. Their two-race primary sponsorship extended to three races in 2019. Elliott’s fame and talent made this partnership even more exciting. But that wasn’t all—Hooters and Elliott went beyond the racetrack.
In 2022, they launched the Chase Elliott chicken tenders, a virtual restaurant with nearly 200 outlets nationwide. Alongside their famous eponymous appetizer, they serve mouthwatering delicacies like boneless wings, chicken sandwiches, and buffalo chicken salads, exclusively through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats.
The Kulwicki Era with Hooters
In the early ’90s, Hooters made its grand entrance into the NASCAR scene. The 1992 Cup Series season witnessed a pivotal moment when Hooters joined forces with Alan Kulwicki, the driver of the #7 Ford. That year, Kulwicki led an impressive 103 laps at the Hooters 500, earning crucial points. These points ultimately secured him the 1992 Winston Cup championship. The image of Kulwicki donning the unmistakable orange and white Hooters firesuit as he celebrated victory in his Thunderbird remains etched in NASCAR lore.
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