Nascar Fans' Favorite Beer: What's Their Drink Of Choice?

Beer and NASCAR have gone hand in hand since sponsorship became a major part of the sport. While not all NASCAR fans drink beer, those who do have their favourites. Popular beers among NASCAR fans include Busch beer, Miller High Life, Budweiser, Coors Light, and Miller Lite.

NASCAR fans' favourite beers

Beer and NASCAR have a long history together, with beer sponsorships having played a major role in the sport's development. While not all NASCAR fans drink beer, those who do have their favourites. Here is a list of some of the most popular beers among NASCAR fans:

Busch Beer

Busch beer, part of the Anheuser-Busch family, has a long history with NASCAR. The company was a sponsor of the Nationwide Series (previously known as the Busch Series) and top drivers such as Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt Sr. have driven under the Busch logo. While Busch may not be a major sponsor today, its history with NASCAR ensures that it remains a favourite among fans, especially the older crowd and college kids.

Miller High Life

Miller High Life, another veteran of NASCAR sponsorships, has helped shape the sport. The beer sponsored great drivers like Bobby Allison and Rusty Wallace, as well as individual races such as the Miller High Life 400. Its history with NASCAR and its distinctive taste make it a favourite among fans who followed the sport in the 1980s and 1990s.

Budweiser

Budweiser, another Anheuser-Busch brand, was the official beer of NASCAR from 1999 to 2007. It has sponsored popular drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Kasey Kahne. Budweiser remains a fan favourite and is still heavily involved in NASCAR, from sponsoring cars to the Budweiser Shootout.

Coors Light

Coors Light became the official beer of NASCAR in 2008 and has extended its contract since then. As the official beer, Coors Light is heavily marketed and promoted within the sport, from commercials to awards and merchandise. Its prominent presence in NASCAR, along with its sponsorship of drivers like Bill Elliott and Kyle Petty, has made it a clear favourite among racing fans.

Miller Lite

Miller Lite holds the top spot for many NASCAR fans, largely due to its association with Brad Keselowski. Keselowski's popularity, particularly after his successful 2012 season, has translated well for Miller Lite. His fans often associate the beer with his triumph, making it the top choice for many NASCAR enthusiasts.

Beer sponsorships in NASCAR

Beer sponsorships have long been a part of NASCAR, with certain beers becoming fan favourites due to their association with the sport. Sponsorships by beer companies can be a great way to promote their product to a large audience of racing enthusiasts, and many beer companies have taken advantage of this over the years.

One of the most well-known beer sponsors in NASCAR is Busch beer, which is part of the Anheuser-Busch family. Busch has been involved in NASCAR for a long time, previously sponsoring the Nationwide Series (formerly known as the Busch Series) and having their logo featured on the cars of top drivers such as Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt Sr. While Busch may not be as prominent in the sport today, its history and popularity among NASCAR fans, especially the older crowd and college kids, keep it a favourite.

Another beer that has been closely associated with NASCAR is Miller High Life. While it may not be seen around the tracks as much these days, it played a significant role in the sport's development. Miller High Life sponsored well-known drivers like Bobby Allison and Rusty Wallace, and was also used to sponsor individual races, such as the Miller High Life 400 and the Miller High Life 500.

Budweiser, another Anheuser-Busch brand, has also been a major player in NASCAR sponsorships. Before Coors Light became the official beer of NASCAR in 2008, Budweiser was considered the true king of beers in the sport. Budweiser has sponsored several notable drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kasey Kahne, and continues to be a fan favourite among racing enthusiasts.

Coors Light, the official beer of NASCAR since 2008, has been all over the sport with its constant commercials, pole awards, and merchandise. The beer's popularity among racing fans has made it a clear favourite, and it has also sponsored drivers like Bill Elliott and Kyle Petty.

Miller Lite has also gained popularity among NASCAR fans, largely due to its association with Brad Keselowski, whose triumph in the 2012 season was one of the best underdog stories in the sport. Keselowski's popularity has translated well for Miller Lite, with his name becoming synonymous with the beer brand.

In recent years, there has been a shift in beer sponsorships in NASCAR. The rise of smaller craft brewers and an increase in marketing options for breweries have led to a change in the beer scene. While NASCAR once had an official beer sponsor, as of 2018, they did not have one. This shift does not mean that beer sponsorships have disappeared from the sport, but it reflects the changing landscape of the industry and the diverse range of sponsorship opportunities available.

Beer advertising in NASCAR

Beer and NASCAR have a long history, with beer companies sponsoring races, individual drivers, and even entire series.

Early History

Carling, a Canadian firm with a brewery in Atlanta, was one of the first beer companies to enter the world of NASCAR sponsorship. In 1972, they sponsored rookie driver Larry Smith, making him and his car the center of a marketing campaign for their Black Label brand. After Smith's untimely death in a crash the following year, Carling moved on to sponsor other drivers, including Canadian rookie Earl Ross in 1974, and then Junior Johnson's two-car team of Ross and Cale Yarborough. Yarborough went on to win 10 races and finish second in Cup points.

Anheuser-Busch Enters the Scene

Another major player in NASCAR beer sponsorship is Anheuser-Busch. Their brand Busch sponsored the second-tier series from 1984 to 2007, and their Budweiser brand was NASCAR's official beer from 1999 to 2007. Anheuser-Busch has continued its involvement with NASCAR, switching its lead brand to Budweiser in 2016 and partnering with Stewart-Haas Racing and Kevin Harvick.

Coors Light Sponsorship

Coors Light became the official beer of NASCAR in 2008, taking over from Budweiser. Their contract was extended in 2017, and they remained the official beer until 2018, when MillerCoors announced they would not be continuing the partnership. During its time as the official beer, Coors Light was heavily involved in NASCAR, sponsoring awards, merchandise, and drivers like Bill Elliott and Kyle Petty.

Other Beer Sponsors

Over the years, various other beer companies have sponsored NASCAR drivers and races. Miller High Life, for example, sponsored drivers like Bobby Allison and Rusty Wallace, and their gold-painted car resembled the beer's bottle. Budweiser also continued its involvement with NASCAR, sponsoring drivers like Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr., and Kasey Kahne.

Changing Landscape

While beer and NASCAR have a long history, the landscape has changed in recent years. The rise of smaller craft brewers has given beer companies more options for marketing their products, and NASCAR has seen an influx of technology companies as sponsors. However, beer remains a popular drink among NASCAR fans, and companies like Busch continue to find creative ways to engage fans and promote their products through unique paint schemes and viral marketing stunts.

Beer and NASCAR's history

Beer and NASCAR have a long history together, with beer sponsorships playing a significant role in the sport's development. While not all NASCAR fans drink beer, the association between the sport and beer is undeniable.

In the early days of NASCAR, local garages and car parts manufacturers sponsored many cars. However, this changed in 1972 when Carling, a Canadian brewery with a presence in Atlanta, sponsored rookie driver Larry Smith. This marked the beginning of breweries' prominent involvement in NASCAR sponsorships. Unfortunately, Smith was killed in a crash at Talladega the following year, leading Carling to sponsor other drivers, including Canadian rookie Earl Ross in 1974 and then Junior Johnson's two-car team of Ross and Cale Yarborough.

As NASCAR gained popularity, major breweries such as Miller, Budweiser, and Coors sought to capitalize on the sport's growing fan base. Yarborough went on to drive a Busch-sponsored car for Johnson, while Darrell Waltrip and Neil Bonnett later drove the iconic red Budweiser car. Budweiser further solidified its association with NASCAR by sponsoring legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., who would also use the Budweiser sponsorship on his son Dale Jr.'s car.

Other notable sponsorships include Bobby Allison, whose car was painted gold, resembling a bottle of Miller High Life, and Bill Elliott, who won his only Cup championship in a Coors-sponsored car. Old Milwaukee, brewed by Stroh's at the time, sponsored Tim Richmond's car for three years, while Mark Martin drove a Stroh's Light car for Jack Roush.

The relationship between NASCAR and beer was not just limited to driver sponsorships. Beer companies also sponsored entire series and individual races. Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Busch beer, sponsored the Nationwide Series before it was taken over by Nationwide. Miller High Life, another popular beer among NASCAR fans, sponsored individual races such as the Miller High Life 400 at Richmond International Raceway and the Miller High Life 500 at Pocono Raceway.

In 2008, Coors Light became the official beer of NASCAR, marking its presence across the sport with constant commercials, pole awards, and merchandise. However, in 2018, Coors Light ended its sponsorship, leaving NASCAR without an official beer sponsor.

While the official partnership between NASCAR and beer companies may have evolved over the years, the culture of drinking beer at NASCAR races and the longstanding sponsorships have created a strong association between the two in the minds of fans.

Beer consumption at NASCAR races

Beer and NASCAR have long been associated, with beer sponsorships playing a significant role in the sport's history. While not all NASCAR fans consume alcohol, those who do have their favourite brands. Over the years, certain beers have become more popular than others among fans, with some even sponsoring races, cars, and drivers.

Historically, beers like Busch, Miller High Life, Budweiser, and Coors Light have been closely associated with NASCAR. These beers have sponsored various races, cars, and prominent drivers, contributing to their popularity among fans. Budweiser, for instance, was NASCAR's official beer from 1999 to 2007, while Coors Light took over as the official beer in 2008.

The relationship between NASCAR and beer has evolved over time. While beer sponsorships were once a significant aspect of the sport, the rise of craft brewers and changing fan preferences have led to a shift in sponsorship dynamics. NASCAR fans now have a wider range of beer choices, and while some traditional favourites remain popular, the landscape has become more diverse.

Today, NASCAR fans still enjoy their beer at races, and some tracks even allow fans to bring their coolers with beer and other beverages. However, not all tracks have the same policies, and some have restricted the consumption of alcohol on the premises. Despite these variations, beer remains a significant part of the NASCAR fan experience, with some fans considering it an integral part of the race-day atmosphere.

While the specific beers consumed by NASCAR fans may vary, the association between NASCAR and beer is undeniable. The sport's history is intertwined with that of popular beer brands, and this relationship has helped shape the culture and traditions of NASCAR racing.

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