ONE of Nascar’s biggest sponsors has withdrawn its funding for the Chicago street race.
The deal was said to be worth $2 million annually to the racing firm who will now be on the lookout for other companies to fill the void.
While the news has not yet been confirmed, McDonald’s has reportedly pulled the plug after just two years.
The fast food corporation’s logo is no longer on the Nascar website, although it does still provide sponsorship in the sport.
McDonald’s is a founding partner for 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace, despite the ongoing lawsuit, and will seemingly remain on the car and Wallace’s suit.
Its logo and details remain listed on the updated partners page for the 2025 season.
While the restaurant did not have naming rights for the race – which is titled Grant Park 165 – McDonald’s is a Chicago-based company and appeared the perfect fit.
The company’s iconic logo was visible at a dedicated section of the track as well as on fan entrances, concert stages and placards.
Nascar could now look for another local firm to fill the void after the departure of the $200 billion company.
However, there is also a suggestion that Nascar may look to move the street race to another city as the three-year deal with Chicago is now entering the final year with no renewal agreed.
Sports Business Journal broke the news, writing: “McDonald’s has ended its founding sponsorship of the Nascar Chicago street race after two years, dropping a local connection the event had with one of the biggest corporations in the city.”
It is not known if McDonald’s backing out of the deal has any connection to the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against Nascar.
They allege that the sport and the France family have engaged in anti-competitive practices.
The plaintiffs claim that the France family has engaged in monopolistic actions that stifle competition and limit opportunities for other teams.
In a huge legal development, Nascar’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit was denied by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell last week.
Bell stated that teams had presented “plausible antitrust claims” and said the case could not be dismissed without further examination.
Bell wrote: “What is the actual evidence and how does it inform a correct legal conclusion?”
“These questions cannot be determined on motions to dismiss this action.
Inside Wallace and Carter relationship
BUBBA WALLACE and Amanda Carter welcomed a baby in 2024.
The couple made the announcement on Instagram, with a series of pictures of a sonogram and their dog Asher.
“Spring has sprung. Summer will be rad. Fall is the first time, We’ll be mom and dad!” Amanda said in the post.
“Baby Wallace coming October 2024.”
Becks Hayden Wallace eventually came on September 29 – here’s everything we know about the happy couple.
“Instead, the answers must be found when the parties have a full opportunity to pursue discovery of the relevant facts and then at trial.”
With the motion to dismiss denied, both sides will now enter into the discovery phase.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have huge implications for the sport.
A trial is set to begin on December 1, 2025.
