Sophie Cunningham gets warm welcome from NASCAR crowd in Illinois

2 hours ago 6

From driver meetings to kicking a football with Kenny Wallace, Indiana Fever star says she had 'lot of fun'

Published Sep 14, 2026 • 1 minute read

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on Sept. 13, 2026 in Madison, Ill.

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While NASCAR fans had their eyes on the Illinois 300 track on Sunday, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham was the event’s social media darling, attending her first NASCAR Cup Series race as a contributor for USA Network.

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With the WNBA on a break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the Indiana Fever player was spotted shaking hands with Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who is a co-owner of the NASCAR team 23XI Racing, and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Jeff Gordon on pit row at World Wide Technology Raceway.

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She was also seen meeting several drivers, including Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott, who both gave her swag from their teams.

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Dillon even told Cunningham in a Sports on Prime Video clip posted on X: “We’re huge fans. We love what you stand for,” referring to her stance against transgender women in women’s sports.

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‘Heck of a day’ at the track

Cunningham also hit the stage with former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace at a fan zone event in which she kicked a football into the crowd.

The ball reportedly hit a microphone stand near the stage with the veteran guard laughing it off, saying, “I’m so sorry. I should really not do any sport.”

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Recapping her day on USA Network, Cunningham praised the network’s broadcasters, saying “You are the salt-of-the-earth people — truly, you guys are an amazing group of men,” adding, “I’ve had a heck of a day and it’s been a lot of fun.”

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The Fever star will be heading back to the court once the WNBA season resumes with her team facing off against the Toronto Tempo in Friday’s game at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

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