New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara is entering NASCAR as a team sponsor.
Kamara’s Louisiana-based juice bar chain, “The Big Squeezy,” will back Ryan Vargas’ No. 6 JD Motorsports Chevrolet in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race on the road course at Daytona International Speedway.
The four-time NFL Pro Bowl running back joins basketball icon Michael Jordan and musician Pitbull as notables from sports and entertainment to enter NASCAR in recent months.
Jordan and Pitbull have both become co-owners for new Cup Series teams - Jordan with 23XI Racing (driver Bubba Wallace), Pitbull with Trackhouse Racing (driver Daniel Suarez).
Wednesday’s announcement comes two days after Vargas sought to attract a primary sponsor on social media.
Kamara began to follow NASCAR last summer after the sanctioning body’s decision to ban the Confederate flag at its various venues. He attended his first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway last June, wearing gear in support of Bubba Wallace.
Kamara was also in attendance for last Sunday’s Daytona 500.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 10: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears with a score of 21 to 9 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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“When this opportunity presented itself, I knew I couldn’t let it slip by,” said Kamara in a team release. “I did a bit of research on Ryan as an individual and JD Motorsports and was impressed with what I read. I’m excited to play a small role in what they already have going on.
“In the same breath, I’m just as excited for the opportunity that this gives The Big Squeezy. With us gearing up for franchising our new express concept in 2021, I think this gives us an avenue to express our passion for serving healthy fresh foods and juices throughout the country!”
Vargas, a 20-year-old from La Mirada, California, finished 18th in last Saturday’s Xfinity season opener on the oval at Daytona.
He is running for Xfinity rookie of the year honors this season with JD Motorsports after making nine starts for the team last season.
“Having the opportunity to work with Alvin Kamara and The Big Squeezy is such a huge honor,” said Vargas, a graduate of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity development program. “As one of the best running backs in the game, I know Alvin puts 110 percent effort into everything he does and that can easily be said for myself and our No. 6 JD Motorsports team.
“I’m excited to be a part of Alvin’s first step into the NASCAR industry and I believe this is just the start a long, successful partnership!”
