DraftKings NASCAR Debuts with Double Sponsorship at Crayon 301 Cup

Article ByDavid Weir

July 14, 2023

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Posted in: New Hampshire Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

DraftKings, one of the biggest sports betting operators in the U.S., is making a significant entry into NASCAR sponsorship.

In a high-profile move, the gaming company will be the official sponsor of two cars, both from 23XI Racing, in the upcoming Crayon 301 Cup Series race.

The Crayon 301 Cup will take place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on Sunday, July 16. During the race, TV viewers and live spectators will see DraftKings’ logo and colors adorning 23XI’s car wraps and the drivers’ race suits

23XI is owned by iconic retired basketball star Michael Jordan in partnership with NASCAR legend and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin. It has been a betting partner of DraftKings since 2021.

“As part of our existing relationship with 23XI Racing, DraftKings Network will be the official sponsor of Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 car for the Crayon 301 NASCAR CUP SERIES race on Sunday,” the operator said in an official statement.

“Additionally, DraftKings will be the official sponsor of Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 car for Sunday’s race.”

23XI Racing Cars in the Spotlight

Reddick, with one race win and seven top-10 finishes this season, is currently at +1800 on DraftKings Sportsbook to win Sunday’s race. His best finish on the New Hampshire circuit was in 2020, finishing 10^th.

His odds to secure the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship stand at +2200.

Wallace, boasting five top-10 finishes this season, is an outside bet for the race and the championship this year. However, he has placed top three at the NHMS track before.

Last year’s Crayon 301 winner, Christopher Bell, remains the sportsbooks’ favorite. That’s despite two recent poor performances in Atlanta and Chicago, where he finished in position 23 and 18, respectively.

Strategic Move and Future Implications

The choice of NHMS for DraftKings’ NASCAR sponsorship debut is strategic. The company, based in nearby Boston, has a significant presence in the state.

The Crayon 301 race is also a highlight of the NASCAR calendar, and the sponsorship is a clear statement of DraftKings’ commitment to the sport.

Despite the excitement surrounding the sponsorship, the drivers and their teams are focused on the competition. The Crayon 301 is a crucial race, and both Reddick and Wallace will be looking to perform at their best.

The DraftKings sponsorship of the two 23XI Racing cars represents a significant development in the relationship between NASCAR and the gaming industry. But it’s hardly the first partnership between the two worlds.

The whole Crayon 301 race was sponsored by Foxwoods Casino between 2018 and 2021.

BetMGM also sponsors Richard Childless Racing, and its logos have been seen on their cars on race days.

Finally, NASCAR Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by Barstool Sportsbook stuffs two Penn Entertainment- owned gambling sponsors into its name. It’s one of the playoff races of the NASCAR season, and will be held at Kansas Speedway in early September.

Interestingly, Bubba Wallace, the new DraftKings-sponsored driver, was the winner last year of the Hollywood 400.

In another recent NASCAR development, NASCAR officials confirmed it would not be building a Barstool Sports retail sports betting venue at the NASCAR-Championship race-hosting Phoenix Park Raceway in Arizona.

Related: DraftKings and BetMGM sportsbooks, compared by experts