Chase Elliott is having a great 2024 season, with one win, 11 top 10s, seven top 5 finishes and sitting second in the points standings behind Kyle Larson. The only uncertainty for him is what problems he will face in the next race.
This comes after Hendrick Motorsports decided to part ways with Elliott’s sponsor, Hooters. Recently, HMS released a teaser video of the car. And it’s got fans excited, as they’re all speculating what the paint job will look like when NASCAR heads to Richmond Motor Speedway.
Chase Elliott loses major Cup Series Sponsor
Iconic restaurant chain Hooters is one of NASCAR’s oldest sponsors and has supported Elliott since 2017. In the 2024 season, Elliott ended his 42-game winning streak in the same Hooters car at Texas Motor Speedway.
The reason for the removal was failure to meet business obligations to the HMS team. The restaurant chain appears to be in financial trouble and has closed many restaurants across the United States. HMS also previously released a statement citing the reasons for its withdrawal. Hendrick Motorsports said: “Hooters has been a valued partner of Hendrick Motorsports since 2017 and has contributed to our shared success on and off the track.
However, over the past several months, Hooters has been unable to meet their commercial obligations to our organization. Due to these unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, it has become necessary for Hendrick Motorsports to end the relationship, despite significant efforts by both parties to find a workable solution. We have been honored to have Hooters as part of our team and wish them the best of luck.” If the series continues after the Olympic hiatus, the first race will be held in Richmond.
Chase Elliott was scheduled to drive a Hooters car at Richmond Motor Speedway. But when she left, plans had to change. In a recent video posted by HMS, we can see a white car as the team is still keeping the color scheme they will be using a secret. HMS will try to tease the fans by keeping everyone guessing who will be which.
The HMS team has already teased fans with a new color scheme for this year’s Coca-Cola 600. The sleek looking black car has taken the internet by storm and fans are tuned in to see it at the next race.
Fans react to HMS teaser video
This uncertainty regarding Elliott’s next car started with the sudden withdrawal of Hooters. This has led fans to wonder what his car will be in the next race. A curious fan asked HMS, “Is this a revelation of Chase’s plans at Richmond?”
But fans aren’t worried because they believe they know exactly what car Elliott will be driving in the next race. One fan wrote, “Hendrick released a teaser, Coca-Cola released a teaser too. Hooters was supposed to be a sponsor of this race but is now not a partner.”
Similarly, another fan wrote, “We know it’s Elliott’s car. “Please release it.” The car that fans are talking about was designed to honor U.S. Army Engineer 5th Class Clifford Strickland, who was awarded the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Clifford Strickland was captured and killed during World War II. Some fans love the Hooters-designed cars and have expressed their dissatisfaction with Hooters being gone. One fan said, “I’ll be honest, some of us are happy that Hooters is gone, but only if it’s a Coca-Cola sponsored car.” Another fan wrote, “I’m all for it because Coca-Cola is sponsoring him at Richmond.”
The break will end soon and we’ll find out what car Elliott will be driving in the next race. Until then, we can let our imaginations soar: What do you think Elliott’s car will look like in Richmond?
