Report: Yankees' Steinbrenner family eyeing NASCAR investment

As NASCAR prepares to enter a new era of the sport, the Steinbrenner family, synonymous with the New York Yankees, wants in. Could we see a team take on investment from the Steinbrenner family?

Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal released a new report touching on the investment pulse around NASCAR. As prices in major sports leagues, NBA, NFL, MLB, etc have risen to astronomical levels, motorsports remains relatively affordable.

Among those “kicking the tires” on a NASCAR investment are the Steinbrenner family. George Michael Steinbrenner IV and Julia Steinbrenner, Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner’s kids, are apparently interested.

Currently, the Steinbrenners are invested in IndyCar with Andretti Autosport. But stock car racing might be the next item on their portfolio.

“Among those who have kicked the tires on investing in NASCAR include the Steinbrenner family, sources said,” Stern wrote for SBJ. “George Michael Steinbrenner IV and Julia Steinbreinner, children of late New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, have been involved in IndyCar, in which they have invested in a team run by Andretti Autosport.

“Industry executives are watching whether Andretti, which is heavily backed by Dan Towriss, the former CEO of a subsidiary Guggenheim Partners. CEO Dan Towriss, could enter NASCAR. Towriss’ Gainbridge company already is involved with NASCAR team owner Spire Motorsports, which has raised speculation that Andretti and Spire could eventually partner.”

Gainbridge seems to be the key here. So, what could that look like?

Steinbrenners, NASCAR, and Spire Motorsports

You could argue, easily, that no team in the Cup Series has expanded like Spire Motorsports in the last 12 months or so. While they have not had the results that they were hoping to have in 2024, they keep making moves.

In 2023, Spire bought a third charter for $40 million. This was after Gainbridge, Group 1001, and Towriss got involved. With how invested Gainbridge is in IndyCar and other sports, it isn’t shocking they joined NASCAR.

When that move was made, Andretti rumors started as well. Let’s not forget that Marco Andretti has had Group 1001 on his rides all season. That is for ARCA and the Truck Series. So, the connection is obviously there.

Adam Stern mentioning the Steinbrenners, that is major for NASCAR. All of the puzzle pieces are there, Spire is still making big moves – letting Corey LaJoie walk for 2025 and searching for a replacement. So, why not turn Spire into Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing?