WNBA Meets NASCAR
WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Joins NASCAR Broadcast and Meets Michael Jordan
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Key Points
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Cunningham received personal gifts from drivers during the event: Chase Elliott gave her NAPA Auto Parts jackets, Ryan Blaney handed her a bottle of bourbon, and Austin Dillon told her, “We’re huge fans. We love what you stand for.”
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Her pre-race appearance included a humorous mishap: Cunningham kicked a football from the stage and accidentally knocked over a microphone stand. She was a former high school football kicker.
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Cunningham described the people she met as “salt of the earth people and great men,” adding that she especially enjoyed getting to know Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar and Austin Dillon away from the track.
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Her connection to NASCAR predates this appearance: Cunningham grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and attended a NASCAR event last year, when she similarly said, “Those are my people. That’s where I belong.”
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USA Network identified Cunningham as an “athlete contributor,” and her broadcast duties included working alongside Dale Jarrett at the network desk in addition to her pit-road reporting.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham turned her WNBA midseason break into a NASCAR adventure, attending the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. Idaho Statesman She worked as a pit-road reporter for USA Network and met NBA legend Michael Jordan, NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, and several top drivers. Cunningham called it Bleacher Report "the best day of my entire life."
The event felt like a homecoming for Cunningham, who grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and has deep ties to NASCAR. Central Oregon Daily She wore a leather racing-themed outfit and said the drivers and crew members were "salt of the earth people and great men." Multiple drivers showered her with gifts and praise throughout the day.
Driver Gifts and Warm Welcome From NASCAR Community
Several top NASCAR drivers made Cunningham feel welcome at the race. Chase Elliott gave her NAPA Auto Parts jackets. Ryan Blaney handed her a bottle of bourbon. Austin Dillon told her Idaho Statesman "We're huge fans. We love what you stand for." Cunningham spent time getting to know these drivers away from the track.
Cunningham's On-Air Work and Broadcasting Role
USA Network hired Cunningham as an "athlete contributor" for race coverage. Basketball Network She worked pit-road reporting and joined pre-race programming alongside Kenny Wallace and other broadcasters. She also worked at the network desk with Dale Jarrett. A funny mishap unfolded when Cunningham kicked a football from the stage — a nod to her former high school football kicker days — and accidentally knocked over a microphone stand.
Meeting NBA and NASCAR Legends at the Track
Cunningham crossed paths with some of sports' biggest names. Bleacher Report She met Michael Jordan, the NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing. She also spent time with NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett. Other drivers she connected with included Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Carson Hocevar.
What's Next for Cunningham and the Indiana Fever
Cunningham is expected to return to Indiana for practice as the Fever prepare for their final regular-season games and the WNBA playoffs. Tri-City Herald This NASCAR detour came during the midseason break caused by the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. Cunningham's passion for the sport and family NASCAR ties made this weekend a special moment for the backup guard.
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