If you walked through the infield at Talladega or Bristol anytime over the last few years, you couldn't miss it. That neon orange, the clean white body, and the "Night Owl" black schemes. The Chase Elliott Hooters car wasn't just another sponsor on the grid. It felt like a bridge between eras. It connected the modern-day "Most Popular Driver" to the grit of the 1992 championship won by Alan Kulwicki.
But then, things got messy.
Honestly, the way the partnership ended in late 2024 took a lot of fans by surprise. One minute, we're watching Chase celebrate in victory lane at Texas with the orange and white Chevy; the next, Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) is filing a lawsuit. It’s a wild story that mixes high-speed success with some pretty harsh business realities.
The Texas Win: A High Note Before the Fall
April 2024 at Texas Motor Speedway was special. Chase Elliott hadn't won a race in 42 tries. The "winless streak" talk was getting loud. Then, he pulls the Hooters Chevrolet into victory lane after a chaotic double-overtime finish.
It felt like the partnership was at its peak.
Hooters had been with Elliott since 2017. They weren't just a "sticker on the car" sponsor; they were part of the brand. They even launched "Chase Elliott’s Chicken Tenders," a virtual restaurant brand, back in 2022. You’ve probably seen the commercials. It was a massive marketing push that actually worked because NASCAR fans are famously loyal to the brands that support their drivers.
📖 Related: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
But behind the scenes? The checkbook was running dry.
Why the Chase Elliott Hooters Car Disappeared
In July 2024, Hendrick Motorsports dropped a bombshell. They were terminating the agreement with Hooters effective immediately.
The reason? Unpaid bills.
According to court filings that surfaced later, Hooters was supposed to pay $1.75 million annually in four installments. They made a small payment of $45,000 in March 2024 but missed the big June payment entirely. Hendrick Motorsports doesn't play around when it comes to "business obligations." They sued for $1.7 million.
Eventually, by March 2025, the two sides settled. Hooters agreed to pay $900,000 to put the matter to rest. By then, the damage was done. The Hooters logo was stripped from the car, the fire suit, and the haulers.
👉 See also: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
The Financial Strain
It’s no secret that the restaurant industry has been struggling. Around the same time the sponsorship collapsed, Hooters announced they were closing 44 locations nationwide. When you're shutting doors on physical stores, it's hard to justify spending millions to see a car turn left on Sundays.
Evolution of the Paint Schemes
Even though it’s gone now, the Chase Elliott Hooters car left a legacy of some of the best-looking schemes in the Next-Gen era. They didn't just stick to one look.
The "Night Owl" scheme was probably the fan favorite. It swapped the traditional white base for a sleek, matte black finish with orange accents. It was designed to look "aggressive" under the lights at Bristol or Darlington. Then there were the "Pink" cars for Breast Cancer Awareness month, which usually ran at the fall Dover race.
- The Classic Look: Primary white with orange fenders and the giant owl on the hood.
- The Night Owl: Black base, neon orange numbers, very "stealthy" vibe.
- The Throwback: Usually a nod to Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 Hooters car, keeping that retro 90s aesthetic.
Fans loved these. Diecast sales for the 2024 Texas Win car were huge, and they've actually become collector's items now because it was the last time that car ever saw a checkered flag.
Who Took Over the Spot?
NASCAR sponsorship is a "next man up" kind of business. Once Hooters was out, Hendrick Motorsports didn't leave the side of the car blank for long. Coca-Cola stepped in for some immediate needs, but the big move happened for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Amazon Prime Video entered the fray.
Starting in 2025, Prime Video became a primary sponsor for Elliott’s No. 9 Chevy, appearing on the car for multiple races including the Coca-Cola 600. It makes sense. Amazon is one of the new broadcast partners for NASCAR, and putting the sport's biggest star in a black-and-blue Prime car is a marketing dream.
Does it have the same "soul" as the orange Hooters car? Maybe not for the old-school fans, but it's a sign of where the money is moving in 2026.
Collectors and the Secondary Market
If you’re looking for a Hooters-branded Chase Elliott shirt or a 1:24 scale diecast today, you’re basically looking at the secondary market. Since the partnership ended on bad terms, official team stores aren't exactly restocking the shelves with Hooters gear.
- 1/24 Diecasts: The 2024 Texas Raced Win version is the "holy grail" for many. It features the confetti and the tire marks from the burnout.
- Apparel: Most of the "Chase Day" merch has moved to eBay or private collector groups.
- Authenticity: If you're buying signed gear, look for the holographic Hendrick Motorsports or Chase Elliott official stickers. There are a lot of fakes out there now that the official supply has dried up.
Looking Forward: Will Hooters Ever Return?
In the world of NASCAR, "never" is a dangerous word. Sponsors leave and come back all the time. But given the legal battle and the public nature of the "missed payments," it’s unlikely we’ll see Hooters on a Hendrick car anytime soon. Rick Hendrick runs a tight ship. If a partner can't meet the financial commitment, they're out.
Chase has moved on. The No. 9 team is currently focused on the 2026 season with NAPA Auto Parts, UniFirst, and Prime Video leading the way. The orange owl might be in the rearview mirror, but that Texas win remains one of the most emotional moments of Elliott's career.
Actionable Tips for Fans and Collectors
If you are still hunting for Chase Elliott Hooters car merchandise, focus on specialized diecast forums rather than big-box retailers. Prices for "clean" versions of the Night Owl scheme have been steadily rising since the sponsorship ended. For those wanting to track Chase's current performance, keep an eye on the Prime Video race schedule for 2026, as those "Prime" schemes are the new aesthetic standard for the No. 9 team during high-profile broadcast windows.