NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is set to pay homage to the late wrestling legend Hulk Hogan at the upcoming race in Watkins Glen, New York, by featuring a distinctive Hulkamania-themed design on his car. This tribute highlights Hogan’s enduring influence and his connection to stock car racing as Stenhouse Jr. competes in the No. 47 Chevrolet for Hyak Motorsports.
Stenhouse Jr.’s car will display the colors red, white, and blue, inspired by the Real American Beer brand associated with Hogan. The vehicle will also feature a prominent decal of Hogan tearing his shirt, a signature image symbolizing the iconic Hulkamania persona. This special design serves to honor Hogan, who passed away on July 24th due to cardiac arrest, and to celebrate the late wrestler’s ties to NASCAR and racing culture.
Background on Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and His NASCAR Career
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been a competitive figure in NASCAR, known for his aggressive style and persistence in the NASCAR Cup Series. Driving the No. 47 Chevrolet since joining Hyak Motorsports in 2025, he has secured four career victories in the Cup Series along with multiple top-10 finishes in recent seasons. Stenhouse Jr.’s tribute is an expression of respect toward Hogan’s legacy both inside and outside the wrestling ring.
Hulk Hogan’s Historic Connection with NASCAR
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, remains one of professional wrestling’s most influential personalities. Beyond wrestling, Hogan also ventured into NASCAR in 1995 through a partnership with Richard Petty’s Petty Enterprises in the Busch Series. During this collaboration, Hogan sponsored driver Rodney Combs, who competed in the #43 car adorned with Hogan’s Hulkster branding and a red-and-yellow paint job.
Although Combs did not win a race that season, he earned three top-10 finishes, marking a respectable performance for the team under Hogan’s sponsorship. Hogan’s excitement for NASCAR was evident during a press conference where he expressed his belief in the sport’s growing prominence and his role in expanding its appeal. He said:
“I been scouting all the drivers for some time now, brother, and Rodney Combs, he’s got the training, the prayers, the vitamins, to run wild all over NASCAR, jack! NASCAR is the biggest racing series in America, and now with The Hulkster and all his Hulkamaniacs on board, brother, NASCAR’s gonna be the biggest racing series in the WORLD, brother!
—Hulk Hogan, WWE Legend
“We’re talking main-event races, t-shirts, diecast cars, movies, heck—we might even try to get Rockin’ Rodney Combs in the ring, brother!”
—Hulk Hogan, WWE Legend
This partnership was part of a strategic alliance involving Petty Enterprises and Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling (WCW), bridging wrestling entertainment and motor racing in the mid-1990s.
The Significance of Stenhouse Jr.’s Tribute at Watkins Glen
By commemorating Hulk Hogan with this special NASCAR paint scheme, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. underscores the lasting influence Hogan had beyond wrestling, including in motorsports. The tribute fosters a connection between wrestling fans and NASCAR enthusiasts, while also honoring Hogan’s legacy after his passing. As Stenhouse Jr. races in Watkins Glen, his gesture resonates with fans who remember Hogan’s vibrant persona and contributions to both wrestling and NASCAR culture.
This tribute not only celebrates the past partnership between two iconic sports but also highlights the potential for ongoing crossovers between entertainment and racing. Stenhouse Jr.’s homage could inspire further collaborations that honor figures who have shaped multiple sporting worlds, enriching fan experiences across disciplines.
