Ahead of the second race of the Cup Series season, respected fast-casual chain restaurant, Chipotle, announced a new partnership with 2023 champion Ryan Blaney. Known for his love for Mexican food within the motorsport world, Blaney’s fans are already buzzing with anticipation for the activation, as they prepare to descend on Atlanta Motor Speedway not only for the thrill of the race but also for the enticing giveaways.
The multi-billion-dollar restaurant chain, recently ended its partnership with a high-profile Formula 1 team after a one-year contract in 2023. Now, Chipotle is making its NASCAR debut, sparking questions about whether it aims to establish a permanent presence in NASCAR following its F1 stint.
In an unprecedented move, Chipotle is teaming up with Ryan Blaney for its first-ever NASCAR collaboration, set to take place ahead of the 2025 AmBetter Health 400. Within the framework of this partnership, fans will be able to order ‘The Ryan Blaney Bowl’, a digital entree comprising brown rice, black beans, chicken, steak, tomatillo red-chili salsa, guacamole, and cheese, from the Chipotle app and website for a limited period.
In addition to this, a pop-up Chipotle restaurant will be set up in the fan zone of Atlanta Motor Speedway from February 21st to February 23rd. Motorsport enthusiasts will be able to enjoy $8 bowls, burritos, and tacos, and take part in ticket upgrades and giveaways. The first 500 attendees will receive a free entree from the mobile kitchen. This is all part of Chipotle’s ‘Real Food for Real Athletes’ platform, which aims to fuel athletes across the spectrum with nutritious, fresh food.
Chipotle, with a net worth of approximately $70 billion, had previously signed a sponsorship deal with the Haas Formula 1 team for three U.S. races in 2023. However, after the team’s mediocre performance in the open-wheel racing competition last year, it’s not surprising that Chipotle chose not to renew the agreement.
In line with the new collaboration, Team Penske racer Ryan Blaney joined a ‘Speed Round with Chipotle’, where fans had the chance to ask the Ohio native about his pre-race rituals and favorite drivers. The No. 12 Ford racer, who finished second at Atlanta Motor Speedway in last year’s AmBetter Health 400, just 0.003 seconds behind winner Daniel Suarez, is hopeful that fortune will favor him in the second race of the season.
Ryan Blaney has had a promising start to his 2025 Cup Series campaign. He finished seventh at ‘The Great American Race’, and is ready to face the 1.5-mile oval with renewed confidence. Piloting the No. 12 Ford Mustang, Blaney is keen on continuing his impressive 2024 streak, where he finished no lower than 2nd in his last three races. Atlanta Motor Speedway has proven to be Blaney’s favorable terrain in the past, as evidenced by his spring race win in 2021 at the ‘Real Racing, Real Fast’, beating Kyle Larson at the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
With a strong start to the season, Blaney is a favorite going into the second race. Despite finishing seventh at Daytona International Speedway, he was the best-performing Ford driver on the grid, earning points in the Duel Qualifying race and accumulating 18 stage points in the race itself. In the previous year’s Ambetter Health 400, Blaney started in sixth place and steadily climbed the ranks to finish second in Stage 1 and third in Stage 2, even though he finished narrowly behind his Trackhouse Racing rival at the checkered flag.
The new year brings renewed determination for Blaney, who is eager to make his mark after missing out on the Cup Series championship in 2024 to his teammate Joey Logano. The question of whether he secures a playoff spot in the second race of the season hangs in the balance, and much will depend on how the weekend unfolds, from the qualifying rounds to the stage wins leading up to the final checkered flag. Blaney will be hoping for favorable weather conditions to ensure the smooth running of his race.