Nu Way and Blues Hog Team Up for NASCAR Xfinity Series Race: Because Nothing Says Racing Like Concrete and BBQ Sauce
Look who’s decided to throw their hat into the NASCAR sponsorship ring. Nu Way Concrete Forms and Blues Hog BBQ have officially partnered up to sponsor the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway, and honestly? It’s about time someone brought some actual flavor to this whole situation.
The September 6th race will now be called the “Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog,” and yes, you read that correctly. We’re getting a concrete company as the title sponsor and a BBQ joint as the presenting sponsor. If that doesn’t scream “peak American motorsports,” I don’t know what does.
Why This Presenting Sponsor Partnership Actually Makes Sense
NASCAR sponsorships have gotten pretty wild over the years. We’ve seen everything from cryptocurrency to toilet paper companies slapping their names on races. But this Nu Way and Blues Hog combo? It’s refreshingly normal. Almost quaint, even. Nu Way Concrete Forms isn’t just throwing money around for kicks. They’re celebrating their 70th anniversary, which means they’ve been mixing concrete since the Truman administration.
That’s some serious staying power in an industry where companies come and go faster than a restrictor plate at Talladega. The fact that they’re choosing to mark this milestone by sponsoring a NASCAR race shows they understand their audience, blue-collar folks who appreciate both good racing and solid construction work.
The presenting sponsor role going to Blues Hog makes even more sense when you think about it. Founded in the 1980s, this isn’t some fly-by-night BBQ operation trying to make a quick marketing grab. These people have been perfecting their sauces and seasonings for decades, earning national recognition along the way. Let’s face it, NASCAR fans know good BBQ when they taste it.
Highly Anticipated Xfinity Series Return to St. Louis After 15 Years
Here’s where things get interesting. The Xfinity Series hasn’t raced at World Wide Technology Raceway in 15 years. Fifteen! That’s an entire generation of race fans who have never seen these cars tear up this particular piece of asphalt. Talk about building up some serious anticipation.
The track officials are clearly feeling the pressure to make this comeback special, which explains why they’re pulling out all the stops with local sponsors. WWT Raceway VP of Sales and Sponsorship Declan O’Neill seems genuinely excited about bringing on “two local powerhouses,” though I have to wonder if he’s being diplomatic about the whole concrete-and-BBQ combination.
The race serves as the Xfinity Series regular-season finale, which adds extra stakes to the whole affair. Drivers will be pushing hard to secure their playoff positions, fans will be treated to some seriously competitive racing, and everyone gets to enjoy the novelty of a race sponsored by companies that actually make sense together. Well, sort of.
What This Means for NASCAR Sponsorship Trends
The Nu Way and Blues Hog partnership, as title and presenting sponsor respectively, represents something NASCAR has been desperately trying to recapture, authentic local connections. Instead of another energy drink or online betting platform, we’re getting companies with real roots in the community. Nu Way has been a construction industry staple in St. Louis for seven decades, while Blues Hog has been serving up award-winning BBQ since the Reagan years.
Mike Townsend from Nu Way sounds genuinely pumped about the whole thing, calling it a perfect match with their anniversary celebration. Meanwhile, Blues Hog owner Tim Scheer is keeping things simple with his “Stay Saucy, race fans!” message. You’ve got to appreciate the straightforward approach – no corporate speak, no middle man, just a BBQ guy excited to be at the track.
The Complete Race Weekend Experience
Of course, this being NASCAR in 2025, they couldn’t just stick with a simple race. The Nu Way 200, sauced by Blues Hog, is part of a full weekend extravaganza that includes the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday. Because apparently, one day of racing isn’t enough anymore.
They’re also bringing back the Confluence Music Festival, featuring pre-race entertainment from rising country star Ella Langley and a post-race concert by Jon Pardi. Nothing says “we’re trying really hard to appeal to younger demographics” like combining NASCAR with a music festival. Though to be fair, the combination of racing, BBQ, and country music is so stereotypically American that it almost circles back to being brilliant.
The race will air on The CW Network, which feels oddly appropriate. The CW, the network that gave us “Supernatural” and “The Flash”. Now gets to broadcast cars going in circles while sponsored by concrete and BBQ sauce. There’s something beautifully absurd about that combination.
Why Local Sponsorships Matter More Than Ever
What makes this Nu Way and Blues Hog partnership work isn’t just the money they’re bringing to the table. It’s the authenticity. NASCAR has spent years chasing corporate sponsors who write big checks but have zero connection to the sport’s roots. Here, we’ve got a concrete company that’s been building St. Louis for 70 years and a BBQ joint that’s been perfecting its craft since the 1980s.
These aren’t companies trying to buy their way into relevance. They’re established businesses celebrating milestones and genuinely excited about being part of NASCAR’s return to their backyard. That enthusiasm shows in their statements. No manufactured corporate excitement, just real people excited about real racing.
The presenting sponsor role for Blues Hog is particularly smart. They get prominent branding without the massive financial commitment of title sponsorship, and they’re perfectly positioned to provide actual value to race fans. Nothing enhances a day at the track like quality BBQ, and Blues Hog has the reputation to deliver.
The Bottom Line
Look, NASCAR sponsorship has gotten weird over the years. We’ve had races sponsored by everything from cryptocurrency to feminine hygiene products. So when a 70-year-old concrete company and an award-winning BBQ joint team up to sponsor a race, it feels refreshingly normal.
The Nu Way 200, Sauced by Blues Hog, might have a ridiculous name, but it represents something NASCAR needs. More authentic local partnerships that make sense. Nu Way gets to celebrate their anniversary in style, Blues Hog gets to showcase their products to thousands of hungry race fans, and NASCAR gets sponsors who actually understand their audience.
Final Thoughts
Will this partnership change the future of motorsports sponsorship? Probably not. But for one weekend in September, fans at World Wide Technology Raceway get to enjoy some genuine, down-to-earth American racing sponsored by companies that actually belong there. That’s more refreshing than any energy drink NASCAR could throw at us.
