NASCAR, Straight Talk Wireless announce new multi-year partnership, includes naming rights for Homestead-Miami
Today, NASCAR and Straight Talk Wireless announced a new multi-year partnership that includes fan activation, and more. The biggest thing that fans will see from this deal, is the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Naming rights to the playoff race later this year on October 27 is a big deal. Straight Talk Wireless, a Verizon company, is putting forward a strong effort in this new partnership.
It’s always good to see new sponsors come into the sport. NASCAR has to keep adding new partners and sponsorships for the whole thing to work.
“We’re excited to come together with NASCAR as there is so much overlap between Straight Talk customers and NASCAR fans,” said Cheryl Gresham, CMO of Verizon Value, in a press release. “This partnership is very fitting. Our Straight Talk customers appreciate real value and reliable service wherever they are. As they experience the legendary NASCAR series this year, we look forward to meeting them at the track.”
The best part of this deal is that it helps integrate Walmart into the program as well. That will be done through the “NASCAR on Tour” initiative which will bring fan activations and experiences to select Walmart parking lots in NASCAR cities such as Daytona, Darlington, Atlanta, Bristol, Kansas City, Talladega, Charlotte, Greenville, and Miami. Bentonville, Arkansas will also be included in the tour.
Verizon and NASCAR grow their already existing partnership. Getting Walmart integrated in the deal is the cherry on top. While Straight Talk gets the deal done for Homestead-Miami, the race may lose its position in the playoffs soon.
NASCAR could move Homestead-Miami out of playoffs
When NASCAR releases the 2025 schedule, it could look vastly different. This year there were already changes made to the playoffs. Watkins Glen was added, Atlanta. A lot of that has to do with the Olympic break currently happening.
So, it’s great that Straight Talk is getting invested in the Homestead-Miami race. It’s a race track fans love and in the past has put on fantastic racing. But it might be on the move.
Earlier this season Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Homestead-Miami are all going to leave the playoffs in 2025. And what will replace them?
The word from Bianchi is that Darlington will be back in as the first race of the first round as it has traditionally been. The other two tracks being added are Gateway and New Hampshire. Sounds crazy, but that’s the word.
Will Straight Talk want to stay on as the entitlement partner at Homestead-Miami if it isn’t a playoff race? Are they hoping that Miami gets the championship back in 2026 and they also get to have naming rights? There are details we do not know at this time, but they could reveal themselves in time.