Green River Whiskey sponsoring JJ Yeley in bid for Daytona 500
Today at 02:54 AM
Green River Whiskey is proud to announce its partnership as the primary sponsor of the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet with NY Racing Team and NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley as they take on qualifiers for 2025 Daytona 500. The sponsorship marks a milestone for Green River Whiskey—its first venture into modern motorsports—aligning with the brand‘s remarkable revival story, Owensboro, Kentucky‘s rich NASCAR heritage and a bold vision for the future.
With roots dating back to 1885, Green River Whiskey has overcome prohibition, shifting consumer trends, and natural disasters to rise once again as one of the fastest-growing American Whiskey brands. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River is rapidly expanding, poised for distribution in 45 states this year with a range of expressions offering quality and value, straight from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. Later this month the brand will launch its first major national advertising campaign in more than 100 years, pairing its rich history with a sense of authenticity and approachability that sets the brand apart from competition in the premium whiskey category.
As the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet takes to the track in its striking green regalia—a nod to the green flag that signals racing‘s most heightened moments—Green River Whiskey is embracing the thrill of the Daytona 500 with the same spirit of resilience and ambition that fuels its comeback. The sponsorship will see Green River Whiskey prominently featured on Yeley‘s No. 44 Chevrolet as he races to qualify for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 16, 2025, at 2:30 PM ET, broadcast live on FOX.
The Daytona 500 is renowned for its unpredictability, where the unexpected is the norm. The race‘s history is filled with dramatic moments and surprise victories, an appropriate metaphor for Green River‘s own journey of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities.
"The Daytona 500 is more than just a race—it‘s a proving ground for perseverance, skill, and a little bit of luck," said Pete Marino, President of Bardstown Bourbon and Green River Distilling Co. "The horseshoe, a universal symbol of luck, has always been a part of the brand‘s iconography and our bottle. On the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet, it‘s a symbol that we‘re ready to chase history at the Great American Race."
For J.J. Yeley, this partnership represents more than just a sponsorship—it‘s about seizing an opportunity to make a statement.
"I couldn‘t be more excited to team up with Green River Whiskey for this monumental Daytona race," said Yeley. "Their story of resilience, growth, and passion for their craft is exactly what it takes to compete at this level. Daytona is where legends are made, and with Green River Whiskey on board, we‘re ready to take on the challenge and fight our way into the big race."
Green River is beloved and active in its community and known as "The Pride of Owensboro," a region ripe with NASCAR heritage. Among a number of industry contributors, Green River shares a hometown with NASCAR legends Darrell and Michael Waltrip, both Daytona 500 winners who emerged as formidable competitors in the 1970‘s and whose careers in racing continue today.
As Green River Whiskey races toward its goal of becoming a top-10 American Whiskey brand, this sponsorship underscores its commitment to expanding its reach, investing in growth, and embracing bold new chapters. From the back bar to the track, Green River Whiskey is a brand built on determination and a willingness to take risks—because in racing, in business, and in life, nothing is guaranteed, but anything is possible.
