Rick Hendrick’s Missed “Air Gordons” Opportunity Amidst Uncharacteristic Goodyear Partnership Takes NASCAR World by Storm

Several collaborations have been made by NASCAR teams to meet the needs of their fans. All in an effort to develop a loyal community around it. A case in point is that of 23XI Racing, which has merged the sporting and commercial worlds. The legendary basketball player and co-owner, Michael Jordan, owns the team, pulled off this feat thanks to his sharp business acumen.

Now, Rick Hendrick and Co. have also decided to follow suit. The recent deal between Goodyear and Hendrick Motorsports to launch a footwear line inspired by their drivers has created excitement among fans in the NASCAR circle. Traditionally seen as the official tire sponsor for NASCAR, this association with a team signifies an unusual company-team relationship for Goodyear. What impact has this unusual alliance had on the NASCAR world?

The unveiling of Goodyear’s Hendrick Motorsports shoe line

This is not the first time Goodyear will be associated with footwear. In 2020, the global footwear powerhouse Skechers built on the technology in its footwear through a collaboration with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Now, Goodyear and Hendrick Motorsports are set to design a shoe series that has generated huge interest among NASCAR enthusiasts.

The new line of Chase Elliott, Jeff Gordon, and HMS sneakers, which mimic Michael Jordan’s famous Air Jordans, has been aptly named “Air Gordons” by fans. Yes, they are referring to Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, who has hero status in the sport.

This is an unusual collaboration for Goodyear, as ordinarily, it does not get personal with individual teams in NASCAR. But with Rick Hendrick’s HMS in the loop, there’s always an exception. All thanks go to the Hall of Fame team owner and his connections.

Partnering with Hendrick Motorsports means including personalities such as Chase Elliott and William Byron. In essence, these sneakers are designed to capture fans’ fervor for racing. Their performance must invoke feelings that are analogous to those demonstrated by the drivers themselves. This is what the Goodyear Official has to say.

“Goodyear Footwear x Hendrick Motorsports

Inspired by the rich racing heritage, the Goodyear Footwear x Hendrick Motorsports collaboration is here to convey the essence of American motorsports’ high-action, adrenaline-fueled excitement.

Each shoe is intricately designed to reflect the colors, numbers, and spirit of the drivers and their iconic race cars. This collection brings the performance, comfort, and style together.”

Such a remark regarding the fan-favorite team of NASCAR, HMS, is surely going to create a furor on social media. And here‘s what happened on Reddit!

Fans react to the new Goodyear-Hendrick footwear line

The Goodyear Footwear x Hendrick Motorsports collaboration is all about capturing the excitement and thrill of American motorsports. Each shoe in the collection is designed to showcase the vibrant colors, unique numbers, and spirit of the drivers and their legendary race cars. And now even the fans can’t wait to wear them.

One of the fans, for instance, jokingly observed that “like how we get Chase Elliott shoes before any Jordans for 23XI drivers,” emphasizing the quick release and anticipation that surround the novel line.

Another user wrote, “guaranteed for life because the soles will never wear,” showcasing the excitement and joke over how long-lasting these pair of shoes could be.

However, not all feedback was entirely positive. Some fans expressed skepticism in phrases such as “orrrr they will immediately fall apart. Nowhere in between,” or “Soles aren’t wearing properly, just heating up and blistering.” Another fan quipped about saying, “Or they will take a few miles to warm up before they stop flopping around.”

The most significant sentiment among fans was the playful criticism of the naming decision. Many believed there was a missed branding opportunity. As one fan pointed out, “Missed opportunity not to call them ‘Air Gordons’,” and another humorously suggested, “Missed opportunity for a lawsuit”

Reactions will keep coming in as many fans would want to own these shoes as soon as possible. However, it’ll be interesting to see how these shoes turn out in reality. Would you want to own one?