Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Hyak Motorsports unveiled a notable partnership for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, with Chef Boyardee signing on as a primary and associate sponsor in a campaign that spotlights multigenerational fan engagement. This new Ricky Stenhouse Jr NASCAR sponsorship marks the return of one of America’s nostalgic brands to top-tier stock car racing, with the No. 47 Chevrolet set to feature prominent Chef Boyardee branding for three marquee events, starting at the iconic Daytona 500.
Chef Boyardee Unveils Multi-Race Sponsorship Plan
Hyak Motorsports confirmed that Chef Boyardee will become the primary sponsor for three races during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, also serving as an associate sponsor at additional events. This collaboration, announced in a recent team release, seeks to leverage the wide recognition of the Chef Boyardee brand to connect with generations of motorsports fans. Fans can expect Chef Boyardee’s presence on the car, team equipment, and through interactive activations on race weekends.
“Excited to welcome @ChefBoyardee to the team for the 2026 season!Chef Boyardee will sponsor the No. 47 team for multiple races this season starting with The Clash and Daytona 500 👨🏻🍳 pic.twitter.com/0wphwIiM3z”
—Hyak Motorsports, Official Team Announcement
Initial Race Appearances and Season Highlights
The sponsorship will make its racing debut at the NASCAR Clash on Sunday, February 1, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Chef Boyardee’s branding will then take center stage again at the Daytona 500, a race that holds special significance for Stenhouse, who captured victory there in 2023. The deal includes another featured spot at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, a venue well-known for Stenhouse’s aggressive and successful driving style among superspeedway racers. The No. 47 car’s new look is expected to draw attention both at the track and among viewers at home.
“We’re excited to welcome Chef Boyardee to the Hyak Motorsports family,”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
“They’re a brand everyone knows, and bringing them into NASCAR is something the entire team is looking forward to. We’re ready to start the season off strong and represent Chef Boyardee throughout the year.”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
Chef Boyardee’s Return and Brand Strategy
This initiative brings back Chef Boyardee, a familiar presence in NASCAR’s history, aligning its return with high-profile events. Brynwood Partners, the parent company tied to the food brand, expressed confidence in Stenhouse as a long-standing ambassador.
“Ricky has been an incredible ambassador for our brands in the 12 years that we have been sponsoring his car in the Cup Series,”
—Henk Hartong, CEO of Brynwood Partners
The Daytona and Talladega races, both venues where Stenhouse has won before, will give Chef Boyardee valuable visibility during NASCAR’s most-watched weekends. The sponsorship package also extends to social and digital promotions, behind-the-scenes access, and on-site fan interactions, strengthening the company’s connection with racing audiences.
Stenhouse’s Tenure and Team Momentum
Entering his seventh season with the No. 47 team, Stenhouse maintains a contract extension with Hyak Motorsports through the 2026 campaign. The former JTG Daugherty Racing driver has been associated with the organization since 2020, building a reputation for resilience even in challenging seasons. After a difficult latter half of the 2025 season, Stenhouse and the crew have kept their focus on consistent performance as they approach another year with a reinforced sponsorship.
“I’ve got a great group of guys who work hard, and we all want the same thing,”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
“I’ll be in the 47 the rest of this year, the offseason and going into ’26.”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead to the 2026 NASCAR Campaign
With the addition of Chef Boyardee’s branding for several key races, Hyak Motorsports is positioning both Stenhouse and the No. 47 Chevrolet for a high-profile launch to the 2026 season. The pairing of a familiar driver and a beloved American brand is primed to boost fan engagement around events like the Daytona 500, The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina, and Talladega Superspeedway, all while furthering Chef Boyardee’s reach within the NASCAR community. As the season nears its start, all eyes will be on how this partnership may set the tone for the team’s pursuit of success on the track and in the hearts of racing fans.
Excited to welcome @ChefBoyardee to the team for the 2026 season!
Chef Boyardee will sponsor the No. 47 team for multiple races this season starting with The Clash and Daytona 500 👨🏻🍳 pic.twitter.com/0wphwIiM3z
— Hyak Motorsports (@HYAKMotorsports) January 12, 2026
