By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
MoneyLion will sponsor both 23XI Racing’s Kurt Busch and Bubba Wallace as part of a new multi-year partnership.
MoneyLion’s new partnership marks a move from Team Penske to 23XI Racing. The company will be the primary sponsor of Busch’s No. 45 NASCAR Next Gen Toyota Camry in select races, as well as a primary on Wallace’s No. 23 Next Gen Toyota Camry. MoneyLion will also be an associate sponsor of both cars for the entirety of the season. The company will be featured on both cars in the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this weekend.
“We believe in NASCAR and this young team,” Chief Marketing Officer of MoneyLion, Bill Davaris explained. “Bubba and Kurt are lions, both on and off the track, and epitomize the mission and mantra we live by at MoneyLion. Through their sport and influence, and with our all-in-one financial platform, we can make a tangible impact on people’s lives.”
The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season marks the second year for 23XI Racing. In the team’s first season, they scored one victory at Talladega Superspeedway with Wallace. The Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan owned team earned three top-five and three top-10 finishes. They finished 21st in owner points, ahead of fellow Cup Series newcomer Trackhouse Racing.
“As we continue to move into our second year, we’re excited to add innovative partners like MoneyLion to the 23XI Racing family,” 23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta explained. “In MoneyLion we find a company that shares similar goals, like building a winning team unlike any other in our respective industries and making a difference for those around us. We look forward to a partnership that is as successful on the track as it is off the track.”
For Busch, MoneyLion joins longtime sponsor Monster Energy, as well as McDonald’s and SiriusXM onboard his No. 45. The 2004 Cup Series champion is entering his 22nd full-time season in the Cup Series. The 43-year-old has 33 wins, 156 top-five, and 331 top-10 finishes in 756 starts.
The first race that MoneyLion will be the primary sponsor for Busch is Phoenix Raceway in March.
“It’s great to welcome MoneyLion to the 23XI Racing team,” Busch stated. “We have a vision for thinking about racing differently and it’s great to have a partner on our team that shares a similar outlook within their industry. We look forward to having fun together this year and enjoying some exciting moments on the track as we compete for wins.”
On Wallace’s No. 23, MoneyLion joins DoorDash, Leidos, McDonald’s, and Wheaties as a primary sponsor in 2022. The start of the Next Gen era marks the Mobile, AL native’s fifth full-time season in the Cup Series. To date, he has one victory, six top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes.
MoneyLion’s paint scheme will be featured on Wallace’s car as a primary paint scheme for the first time at Darlington Raceway in May.
“It’s a great fit for me and our team to partner with a company that strives to make a lasting difference in other people’s lives,” Wallace said. “Coming up I had people help to make that difference for me as I worked towards my dream of racing in NASCAR, and I hope through the partnership with MoneyLion and the powerful financial content and products they offer, we can help more people feel equipped and empowered to chase their dreams.”
During their time with Team Penske, MoneyLion earned one victory in the Cup Series with Brad Keselowski at Talladega. In total as a sponsor, they earned three top-five and seven top-10 finishes in Cup. MoneyLion also earned three wins with Austin Cindric and Team Penske in the Xfinity Series.
The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum is Sunday, February 6.
Featured Photo Credit: Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.