When the worlds of NASCAR and professional wrestling collide, history has shown us it’s always a spectacle worth watching. From Kyle Petty’s legendary NWO association back in the 90s—when his car literally sported the iconic black and white New World Order paint scheme—to Kyle Busch briefly claiming the 24/7 Championship in 2019 at a NASCAR event. The crossover appeal between high-octane racing and sports entertainment has deep roots. Now, Chase Briscoe, the Joe Gibbs driver, has written his own chapter in this storied connection, making a surprise appearance on WWE RAW.

The appearance comes at an interesting time for NASCAR’s media strategy, representing a clear shift toward leveraging underdog drivers in mainstream entertainment. NASCAR’s struggle for nationwide relevance has been evident for years, with viewership declining from 5.8 million in 2013 to just 2.83 million in 2024. This has pushed the organization to seek new platforms and audiences through strategic crossovers and media appearances. The newly implemented Driver Ambassador Program (DAP) financially incentivizes these efforts, rewarding drivers who extend their presence beyond the racetrack and into cultural touchpoints that could attract new viewers.

The appearance made by Joe Gibbs’ driver happened after Kyle Larson stayed out of the spotlight when he attended WrestleMania 41 only weeks before. Despite being the 2021 Cup Series champion with an affiliation to Logan Paul’s $65 million Prime Hydration brand, Larson went largely unnoticed at wrestling’s biggest event. Whereas Briscoe received a highlighted segment featuring him on RAW. With the driver’s mention, Netflix also put out a banner highlighting the release of Full Speed season 2, later this year.

Well, it looks like the NASCAR Cup Series stars had different commitments on the Easter weekend. At the time when Carson Hocevar made his presence felt at the Rockingham Speedway, the likes of Larson and Briscoe opted for a crossover with WWE events. This did create a buzz among the younger NASCAR audience, and they went off the rails with banter on Reddit, seeing Briscoe feature at WWE RAW.

The Reaction of Fans Steals the Show

“I’m not really that surprised to see him there, considering that wrestling runs in the Briscoe family,” noted one fan, making a clever connection between Chase and the Briscoe Brothers tag team, who gained fame in Ring of Honor wrestling. While not actually related, the namesake coincidence wasn’t lost on wrestling-savvy NASCAR fans. Another commenter observed, “Redditor goes to a wrestling show. Yep. That tracks,” referencing Chase’s well-known active presence on Reddit, where he regularly engages with fans—a digital savviness that distinguishes him from many other drivers.

The wrestling fantasy booking began almost immediately, with one fan suggesting, “F— it, throw him in the ring with Bron Breaker,” referring to the powerful WWE superstar and second-generation wrestler. Another fan cautiously noted, “chase didnt want to get in the ring with gunther or he will be out for talladega,” showing concern that a confrontation with the intimidating Austrian wrestler Gunther (known for his brutal chops) might sideline Briscoe for upcoming NASCAR events. These comments reflect the playful way fans imagine crossover scenarios between their favorite sports.

Perhaps the most telling reaction came from a fan who pointed out, “Surprised someone hasn’t already pointed out ‘they got the wrong Chase,'” a humorous reference to the higher profile of Chase Elliott in the NASCAR world. This identity confusion speaks to Briscoe’s status as a rising talent still establishing mainstream recognition. Well, NASCAR’s most popular driver is sort of shy and keeps to himself, but given that his competition is stepping up their game, how long will he retain the MPD title?

This latest NASCAR-WWE connection follows Kyle Larson’s WrestleMania 41 attendance, where he was spotted in the crowd without formal recognition—a stark contrast to Briscoe’s featured appearance on RAW. As NASCAR continues seeking broader cultural relevance beyond its traditional southern strongholds, these strategic crossover moments are becoming increasingly important. The sport’s $7.7 billion media rights deal emphasizes the value the drivers provide, and it won’t come with racing alone. WWE’s massive global audience represents exactly the kind of platform NASCAR hopes to leverage for greater visibility.

Whether this marks the beginning of a larger NASCAR-WWE partnership or simply a one-off promotional appearance, the fan reactions confirm one thing: NASCAR is looking to step out of its traditional borders.