NASCAR: Major sponsor linked to new team after 15 years

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the ebb and flow of NASCAR sponsorships over the years, I must admit that the rumored shift of Kroger from JTG Daugherty Racing to RFK Racing has piqued my interest. The potential expansion of RFK Racing from two cars to three, fueled by a deal with a corporate titan like Kroger, could indeed be a game-changer in the NASCAR landscape.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been witnessing Kroger’s unwavering support for JTG Daugherty Racing since their second full run in the NASCAR Cup Series back in 2010. However, whispers have been circulating this year about America’s largest supermarket chain potentially jumping ship to a different team after the 2024 season, which could mark the end of one of racing’s longest-lasting partnerships.

Initially, Joe Gibbs Racing was considered a strong contender to secure sponsorship from Kroger for several compelling reasons. However, it appears that a new leading candidate has come into the picture now.

As reported by Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, RFK Racing is now considered the top contender to secure a main sponsorship agreement with Kroger for the 2025 season and beyond, marking a significant advancement in the team’s ongoing revival following their strategic move to bring Brad Keselowski on board as both a full-time driver and a co-owner.

It’s rumored that RFK Racing is set to acquire Kroger’s NASCAR sponsorship for the upcoming season, according to sources, which would significantly bolster the racing team jointly owned by Fenway Sports Group.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 15, 2024

Kroger linked to RFK Racing for 2025

There’s talk circulating about RFK Racing possibly growing from two vehicles to three, and though they might not be the front-runners to acquire the remaining Stewart-Haas Racing charters, a deal with such a valuable company (valued at over $38 billion) could significantly increase the likelihood of expansion.

Gene Haas plans to retain one of those charters to run Haas Factory Team, while Front Row Motorsports have announced the acquisition of another. The top two candidates to secure the remaining two are current two-car teams 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing Team.

For at least the next few years, both Keselowski and Chris Buescher are committed to their team, extending their contracts up until 2025. Interestingly enough, Keselowski joined this team in 2022, while Buescher moved here from JTG Daugherty Racing back in 2020. Intriguingly, their roles were reversed when RFK Racing (formerly Roush Fenway Racing) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. switched places.

In spite of the upcoming departure of a significant long-term sponsor, JTG Daugherty Racing has no intentions of closing down and has even secured a multi-year contract extension for the driver who won the 2023 Daytona 500, Stenhouse, to continue driving the No. 47 Chevrolet.

2024-08-16 16:02