Chase Elliott is NASCAR’s most popular driver and due to that fact, it might seem like sponsors would be knocking on the door to get their logo on the No. 9 car. However, one sponsor is playing the opposite game ahead of the 2023 season.
According to multiple reports, A SHOC Energy will not return to Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports for the 2023 season. The energy drink’s contract with the organization expired at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
A SHOC Energy first sponsored Elliott during the 2021 season. Hendrick Motorsports will now only have Day Chaser as a drink sponsor after having several such as Pepsi and Mountain Dew in the past.
Related: Chase Elliott is officially the championship favorite for the 2023 season
Chase Elliott loses A SHOC Energy for the 2023 season, evaluating sponsors for Hendrick Motorsports
With A SHOC Energy leaving the No. 9 car, it should not represent a massive loss as the company only sponsored Elliott for two races last season. Those two events were at Richmond Raceway and Daytona International Speedway.
There will still be the usuals for Elliott this year. According to Hendrick Motorsports’ partners’ page, the No. 9 car will still have NAPA Auto Parts, Hooters, Kelley Blue Book, LLumar, and UniFirst.
Due to the departure, Elliott currently has zero primary drink sponsors. Day Chaser is a drink sponsor but it remains listed as an associate partner on the organization’s website.
NAPA will take most of the races during the 2022 season with Hooters also having a significant presence as usual. With only two races missing from A SHOC Energy, it should be easy to make up for the loss.
Meanwhile, Hendrickcars.com will continue to be the primary sponsor for Kyle Larson and the No. 5 team moving forward. It will take a majority of the races with Valvoline also serving as a primary sponsor.
Alex Bowman’s relationship with Ally Financial remains intact for the 2023 season; however, both of their contracts with Hendrick Motorsports expire at the conclusion of the current year.
Finally, William Byron will be sponsored by Axalta and Liberty University like in previous seasons. There will be other minor sponsors for the organization but those are the big hitters moving forward.
Stay tuned for any more updates surrounding A SHOC Energy leaving Elliott and whether the organization will bring in another drink sponsor in the near future.