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Caitlin Clark to be painted on NASCAR hood during Brickyard 400 in Panini sponsorship

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 01: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever signs her autograph for fan after defeating the Chicago Sky  in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
By Mark Puleo
Jul 16, 2024

After dominating college hoops and establishing her name in the WNBA in just her rookie season, Caitlin Clark is entering the worlds of NASCAR and collectibles.

Powered by the draw of Clark’s widespread fame, Panini America and Stewart-Haas Racing partnered up for a sponsorship and paint scheme featuring Clark on Josh Berry’s car for this weekend’s Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis.

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Panini, the official trading card partner of NASCAR, will be the primary sponsor for Berry’s No. 4 Mustang, marking the first time Panini has been a primary car sponsor at the Cup Series level since 2021.

The real-life Clark will be busy during the race taking part in WNBA All-Star Weekend festivities while the paint scheme version of her will be on the hood of Berry’s car. Berry is the NASCAR Cup Series rookie-of-the-year points leader.

“Every racecar driver wants to compete at Indy. It’s hallowed ground that all of us treat with a tremendous amount of respect,” Berry said in a news release. “To be there with Panini and promote its new Caitlin Clark Collection just adds to the prestige of racing in the Brickyard 400. Indy is a great sports town and it’s an honor to have Caitlin Clark as a part of our effort.”

Panini recently released its Caitlin Clark Collection of trading cards, one of which includes the “Raining 3s” design that will feature on Berry’s hood. Per the release, Panini will also become an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season with logo inclusion on the No. 4 Ford Mustang and on Berry’s firesuit

Clark isn’t the first celebrity to have their face plastered on a NASCAR car. Last month, Bubba Wallace raced with a Luke Combs paint scheme as part of a partnership with Columbia Sportswear.

In 2010, Kim Kardashian’s face was promoted on the hood of Mike Bliss’ car.

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Mark Puleo

Mark Puleo is a News Staff Editor at The Athletic. Before joining The Athletic, Mark covered breaking weather news as a digital journalist and front page digital editor with AccuWeather. He is a graduate of Penn State University and its John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. Follow Mark on Twitter @ByMarkPuleo