When you think of Boeing, your mind probably goes straight to airplanes, massive jets carrying people across the world. And when you think of NASCAR, it’s all about roaring engines, close finishes, and Sunday afternoons at the track. At first glance, they couldn’t be more different. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see why Boeing and NASCAR have crossed paths more than once.
Boeing has partnered with NASCAR teams in the past, lending aerospace know-how to make cars lighter, stronger, and safer. Think about it, the same principles that keep a plane in the air at 35,000 feet can also help a stock car hug the banking at Talladega. Beyond engineering, Boeing’s even tapped NASCAR’s huge fan base for outreach and recruiting, especially around veterans and STEM careers.
So yeah, Boeing and NASCAR might play in totally different arenas, one in the skies, the other on the track, but their relationship makes sense once you realize they’re both chasing the same thing, speed, safety, and staying at the cutting edge. But recently NASCAR’s No. 47 pulled into the home of the 787 for a quick pit stop this week to help pump up South Carolina’s annual Labor Day weekend racing extravaganza.
Stenhouse revs up Boeing’s workforce
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rolled his Chevy pickup onto Boeing’s North Charleston campus on August 18, for a special visit to the Dreamliner plant. The 2023 Daytona 500 champ wasn’t just there to admire the jets, he was there to connect with workers who scored a sweet deal: free passes to the 75th running of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Stenhouse, a Mississippi native with deep Lowcountry ties, felt right at home.
He’s no stranger to the area, having vacationed on the Isle of Palms as a kid and tied the knot at Runnymede on the Ashley River in 2022. He and his wife Madyson, who live just over the South Carolina border, are regulars in the region. “I love the town, I love the old houses, I love all the great trees they have here, I’m kind of a weird tree guy. I wanted live oaks at our house in Charlotte but they don’t really grow that well.” Stenhouse said.
The Hyak Motorsports driver, still chasing a win to clinch a 2025 playoff spot, spent the day signing hats and snapping photos with 250 Boeing employees, each of whom won four tickets through a drawing. He also gave them the lowdown on what to expect at Darlington’s “Too Tough To Tame” track.
Boeing’s no stranger to South Carolina sports, backing the RBC Heritage golf tournament on Hilton Head. Since 2020, it’s also had a partnership with Darlington, creating the “Boeing Backstretch” for the iconic speedway. NASCAR brought the pace car to the plant for extra flair, and Stenhouse’s visit was a perfect way to hype up the August 31 race, with a sold-out crowd ready for playoff action.
O’Reilly replaces Xfinity in NASCAR’s future
While Stenhouse was firing up Boeing’s workforce, NASCAR dropped big news about another major partner. Starting January 1, 2026, O’Reilly Auto Parts will take the wheel as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, replacing Xfinity after an 11-year run. The multiyear deal includes promotional tie-ins with The CW Network, the series’ exclusive broadcaster, and deep brand integration to connect with NASCAR’s loyal fans.
“Partnering with NASCAR and The CW at this level enables us to further deepen our connection to one of the most loyal fanbases in all of sports,” said Hugo Sanchez, O’Reilly’s vice president of advertising and marketing. “This agreement builds on our long-term involvement in NASCAR and our dedication to the fans who love cars as much as we do.”
O’Reilly, born in 1957 as a single store in Springfield, Missouri, now boasts over 6,400 locations across 48 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada. It’s been a NASCAR staple, previously sponsoring races at Daytona, Texas, and Mid-Ohio.
The Xfinity Series, the proving ground for stars like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, now gets a new name and a partner that’s all about keeping fans and drivers rolling. With O’Reilly’s deep roots in the automotive world, it’s a match made in racing heaven, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 season.
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