Hendrick Motorsports has ended its long-standing partnership with Hooters, citing the restaurant chain’s inability to fulfill its financial obligations to the NASCAR team.
Hooters had sponsored Chase Elliott’s No. 9 car in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2017.
Hendrick Motorsports expressed gratitude to Hooters for their contributions “to our shared successes both on and off the track.” However, due to unforeseen circumstances and despite efforts from both parties to find a solution, the team found it necessary to terminate the relationship.
Recent reports indicate that Hooters has closed more than 40 locations across the country. Messages sent to Hooters’ PR firm, Cookerly PR, by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
“As with many restaurants facing challenges in the current market, Hooters has had to make tough decisions to close some underperforming stores,” the company stated, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Hooters first entered NASCAR in the early 1990s, featuring prominently on the car of the late NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki. The partnership enjoyed similar success with Chase Elliott, who secured the drivers’ title in 2020.
