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HAMPTON, GA – FEBRUARY 23: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2018 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
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HAMPTON, GA – FEBRUARY 23: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2018 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
There are a lot of aspects that make a driver successful in NASCAR. While driving abilities and car quality definitely matter a lot, sponsorship remains one of the biggest reasons behind a driver’s success. And Chase Elliott has shown in his short career that he has cracked that code.
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Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports have had a great partnership since the driver joined the team in 2015. His Cup Series win in 2020 aside, the pairing has largely been successful both on the track and off it.
Elliott finds himself among the most popular drivers in NASCAR – not just in recent years, but in the history of the sport. He wrapped up a 5th consecutive Most Popular Driver award in 2022 which meant he joined an elite list of drivers to have won the award five or more times.
The names on the list show how big a feat that is. It includes Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty. By extension, that popularity has translated into the greater marketability of Chase. In simple words, that means sponsors love to have Chase on their payroll.
Among the many big-ticket corporate houses that continue to support Elliott’s career, are brands such as Hooters and NAPA Auto Parts. Both brands continue to remain big money pumpers and believers in the Chase Elliott story.
Shockingly, however, there has been one change to the sponsorship table for Chase.
Chase Elliott gets A Shoc(k)
Elliott had beverage manufacturer, A Shoc, as his drinks partner for the last 2 years. However, at the end of the 2022 season, the company decided against renewing its partnership with the team. Adam Stern released the news on his Twitter account.
A Shoc Energy drink and @TeamHendrick have parted ways after their two-year NASCAR sponsorship deal expired following 2022.
🔲 A Shoc first sponsored @ChaseElliott in 2021 and his beverage sponsor before that was @PepsiCo's @MountainDew. pic.twitter.com/soserZVFGR
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) January 3, 2023
Fans were very clear about how they felt about the decision. A number of fans commented on the news.
I can no longer pretend A-Shoc tastes good (spoiler alert: that stuff was garbage) https://t.co/jjthKhTXRX
— OffseasonBalto🛞 (@BaltoRacing) January 4, 2023
Have anything to do with the lawsuits against A-Shoc for its marketing? Or just a move to different market now?
— The Mohawk Foundation (@mohwkfoundation) January 3, 2023
That was a quick divorce, even faster than Monster Energy dropped NASCAR Cup Series. https://t.co/MBkXDIRZV2
— Woke Steve Phelps (Parody) (@WokeSteveLGB) January 4, 2023
Chase fans in shambles
— Dog Dad The Pilot (@TeamBubba23) January 3, 2023
This is very interesting. I wonder if something is going on over at A Shoc. I used to buy them all the time at my local 7-Eleven & Wawa & all of a sudden they’re nowhere to be seen around here in my area. Unfortunate because they’re pretty good.
— Jason Rockafellow (@jrock_912) January 4, 2023
So… another “New unknown sponsor comes and goes after only 2 years?” Ok, got it.
— Ethan (@Pokefan_2844) January 3, 2023
Well that sucks https://t.co/auNjZdq3b0
— Dale Eichhorn (@DaleE_Di9) January 4, 2023
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With Hooters renewing in 2022, and NAPA Auto Parts still in his corner, it is unlikely that Elliott’s team would be too concerned. Would you want to see Mountain Dew back sponsoring Elliott?
Written by
Edited by
Akash Pandhare