NASCAR Loses Blockbuster $2M-a-Year Partner, But Bubba Wallace Connection Stays Strong

 

McDonald's was absent from the Chicago Street Race branding

McDonald’s Quietly Ends $2 Million Partnership with NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race

The high-profile collaboration between McDonald’s and NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race has come to an unexpected end after two years. The fast-food giant, once celebrated as a founding partner of the event, has quietly disappeared from NASCAR's Chicago Street Race partner roster.

Initially launched in 2023, the partnership was valued at a significant $2 million per year. However, despite this split, McDonald’s remains a committed sponsor of 23XI Racing, continuing to support drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick.

Bubba Wallace | Toyota Gazoo Racing

Currently, NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race website highlights ABB, Blue Cross, and Xfinity as its primary founding partners. Other official sponsors include DraftKings, Busch Light, and Liquid Death. With McDonald’s stepping away, the event faces a notable sponsorship gap ahead of the 2025 race, a 75-lap event slated for July 6. The race will air on TNT Sports and stream on Max.

This marks a pivotal moment for NASCAR, which has a three-year agreement with the city of Chicago to host the race from 2023 through 2025. With McDonald’s departure, NASCAR will likely need to secure a replacement sponsor to offset the estimated $2 million shortfall.

Details surrounding McDonald’s initial deal with NASCAR remain private. While the brand is no longer associated with the Chicago Street Race, it maintains its prominent sponsorship of 23XI Racing. In the 2024 season, McDonald’s branding appeared on Wallace’s No. 23 car and Reddick’s No. 45 car. Looking ahead to 2025, 23XI Racing is set to expand with a third car driven by Riley Herbst under the No. 35 banner. Although McDonald’s sponsorship may carry over, Herbst is expected to maintain his primary partnership with Monster Energy.

As one of the world’s most recognized brands, McDonald’s boasts a net worth of approximately $209 billion and operates more than 38,000 locations globally. The company is no stranger to major sports sponsorships, having supported events like the FIFA World Cup since 1994 and the McDonald’s All-American high school basketball games since 1977.

Bubba Wallace

When McDonald’s initially joined the Chicago Street Race, the brand expressed excitement about being a founding partner for an event held in the city where it was originally established. Its golden arches were prominently displayed throughout the venue, including at Buckingham Fountain, on concert stages, podiums, and entryways.

Now, with McDonald’s stepping back, the Chicago Street Race will move forward without one of its most iconic founding partners.