JUST IN: Caitlin Clark EARNED The WNBA a Whooping $3 Billion After Stephen Curry Like Start to Career

Caitlin Clark Will Have One Thing in NASCAR That Billionaire Owner Michael Jordan Never Did, Courtesy of $3 Billion Worth Co.

Caitlin Clark continues to defy expectations and break records, proving time and again that she’s not just a star in women’s basketball—she’s a generational talent who’s capturing the world’s attention in ways no one could have imagined. After an electrifying NCAA 2022-23 Championship finale, Clark has proven she’s in a league of her own, surpassing NCAA legend Pete Maravich as the all-time leading scorer.

But now, Clark is making headlines for an accomplishment that even the iconic Michael Jordan never achieved, despite his legendary influence. Clark’s meteoric rise in the world of sports has resulted in a $3 billion boost to the WNBA, and she’s taken her crossover appeal to a whole new level by appearing on the hood of a NASCAR car—something Jordan, despite being a billionaire racing team owner, never did.

At the Brickyard 400 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, NASCAR driver Josh Berry will feature a special tribute to Clark with her image emblazoned on the hood of his Ford Mustang. The connection? Berry’s sponsor is promoting Caitlin Clark’s trading cards, and with the race taking place in Indiana, where Clark currently plays for the Indiana Fever, it was a no-brainer to showcase her face on the car.

Outkick’s Jonathan Hutton explained the significance of this moment: “Josh Berry in the Ford number four… with Caitlin Clark on the hood. Why? Well, his main sponsor is promoting her trading card collection, and with it being in Indy, it’s the perfect tie-in.”

USA Today via Reuters

The tribute goes beyond just a logo. Berry’s car will sport a custom paint scheme featuring a dynamic image of Clark in her Iowa jersey, mid-three-pointer, with the words “raining 3” prominently displayed. This image was shared on X by Panini America, who launched Clark’s exclusive trading card collection earlier this year. The $3 billion company worked closely with Clark to create a 15-card set, celebrating her incredible achievements, including her record-breaking performance where she became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history.

But it doesn’t stop there. The decision to place Clark’s face on a NASCAR car brings a unique twist to the world of sports marketing—one that Jordan, despite his ownership of 23XI Racing since 2021, never pursued. Jordan’s team features cars with the iconic 23 and 11 numbers but has never placed his own face on a vehicle. As Chad Withrow of Outkick pointed out, it’s a missed opportunity for the NBA legend, but Clark has seized the moment.

“I’m not sure… did Michael Jordan ever put his face on a car that he owns in NASCAR?” Withrow mused. “Has a face ever been on a NASCAR?”

The comparison to Jordan highlights just how groundbreaking Clark’s rise has been, and her unique crossover into NASCAR is symbolic of her influence beyond the basketball court. Clark’s trading cards, which were released by Panini in July, include autographed cards randomly inserted into packs, and they’re already flying off the shelves at $34.95 a pack. This partnership with Panini to release a 15-card set is a testament to the magnitude of Clark’s impact on the sports world.

Fans are flocking to buy these cards to commemorate Clark’s historic achievements, and as her image dominates the NASCAR circuit, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark is poised to become an even bigger cultural force. With Berry honoring her at one of NASCAR’s biggest events, it’s only a matter of time before more sponsors come forward, eager to tap into Clark’s undeniable marketability.

As for Clark, she can rest assured that her loyal fanbase will be tuning in to watch Josh Berry’s race—showing once again that Caitlin Clark isn’t just breaking records in basketball. She’s reshaping the sports landscape, making a mark in ways that even the legends before her could never have imagined.