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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is far from the most popular driver in the NASCAR Cup Series garage, either among fans or fellow drivers. Sure, the 12-year veteran is a four-time race winner and the 2023 Daytona 500 champion. But Stenhouse’s aggressive driving style has drawn the ire of fans and drivers across the board and even earned him the unflattering nickname of Wrecky Spinhouse Jr.
Stenhouse did little to shake that moniker in this year’s Daytona 500 when a late-race block of Joey Logano triggered a massive crash that took out a large portion of the field. But Stenhouse isn’t shying away from his unpopularity. If anything, it appears he’s leaning in.
NASCAR Fans Slam Ricky Stenhouse Jr. And Team For Hulk Hogan Beer Sponsorship
Nothing quite displays that fact like Stenhouse’s sponsorship for Sunday’s Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motorsports. Stenhouse and his No. 47 Hyak Motorsports car will be sponsored by none other than Real American Beer, a new beer brand backed by former pro wrestling legend turned disgraced retiree Hulk Hogan.
Hogan, of course, was the WWE’s biggest star before a he was discovered to have made exceedingly racist comments which he has not yet apologized. Hogan recently made a return to WWE only to be booed out of the building by fans who had no interest in seeing him in the spotlight.
As for Stenhouse, NASCAR fans weren’t surprised to see him partnership with Hogan. But that doesn’t mean that they were happy about it.
“Of course Wrecky is driving with this sponsor,” one fan tweeted.
“Wow, y’all real real hurting aren’t ya? What next? Hyak Tuah with Haliey Welch,” asked another.
NASCAR sponsorship can be hard to come by these days. Name brands such as M&M’s and FedEx have left the sport in recent years. But even by that standard, this feels like a poorly thought out deal for Hyak and Stenhouse. Meanwhile,