In a recent exciting mess up, a new collaboration between the two titans of the sports industries revealed the unexpected side of celebrity endorsement. This unique fusion brought together two stars and the convergence of racing and hoops. Where three times NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano and WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark collided in a surprising battle. 

This friendly competition facilitated by their $3 billion partner highlighted how these sports icons can seamlessly transition into new challenges outside their usual domains with a shared interest in the collectables. 

Joey Logano missed his markers in the Panini challenge

The Penske star is once again breaking barriers with exciting new collaborations. His recent meet-up with the prominent WNBA figure, Caitlin Clark, at a highly jostling event, proves that sports stars can connect and inspire each other across different fields. With partnerships like Animoca Brands, Logano is already leading the charge in digital motorsport initiatives worldwide. As sports continue to blur lines between disciplines and industries, these innovative team-ups show how athletes can reach new heights and fans beyond their usual base.

Ahead of a busy race weekend in Atlanta, Joey Logano took his X and shared a video with the caption, “Think you could rip a pack faster than us? You know @CaitlinClark22 and I weren’t going to pass up on a friendly @PaniniAmerica competition! What should our next competition be… race or play a game of horse? #WhoDoYouCollect” 

In the light-hearted banter between the two, as the two started with the pack-ripping competition, Logano exclaimed, “You’re beating,” acknowledging Clark’s speed. Clark replied with a smile, “Alright,” before revealing the cards they found. She said, “You got DeWanna Bonner. I got Kyle Larson.” Logano complimented her pick by saying, “Kyle Larson. That’s a good pick too.” Clark noted that Kyle Larson was not her teammate but mentioned that DeWanna Bonner was indeed her teammate on the Indiana Fever. When Logano jokingly suggested that everyone seemed to be her teammate at some point, Clark laughed it off and attributed her luck to chance rather than insider knowledge: “No. No. No. Come on. I didn’t find out. I just got good luck with that.”

Caitlin Clark has often been a center of discussion in basketball for the most part thanks to her domination on the court. However, the Indian Fever star got embroiled in a controversy with her statement, “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege.” She intended to bring light to all the black players who contribute to the sport, but it didn’t go down well with a section of the NBA fans. The former FOX news host Megyn Kelley responded, “The ‘Oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.’ Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.” But, Clark wasn’t losing sleep over her comments and stated, “One of my best skills is just blocking things out.” And let’s just say she was very much looking for her bout against Logano in card riping contest.

In an era of likes, swipes and clicks, Panini America has been successful in building a community that still cherishes collecting cards. It’s an online platform that trades and sells sports memorabilia. They offer a wide range of card collections ranging from NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCAR. With Logano and Clark serving as the best and most successful ambassadors of their sport, Panini America made the most of this collaboration. Interestingly, this collaboration between the 22s brewed back at the Panini Prizm Super Bowl Lounge, where Clark unveiled the secret of who her favorite NASCAR driver was.

Clark is a Rowdy Busch supporter

The meeting at the 2025 Panini Prizm Super Bowl Lounge further solidified their connection. Here, Logano gifted Clark a signed Kyle Busch card, demonstrating how these interactions can lead to meaningful exchanges beyond just business partnerships. 

Where Joey Logano said, “A signed one here from Kyle Busch. Have you heard of Kyle Busch, do you know who that is?” In a video tweet shared on his platform with the caption, “Ripping packs with @CaitlinClark22, Custom Kicks, and maybe the coolest 1/1 card I’ve ever seen… always a great time when I get to see the @PaniniAmerica Family!  Watch a recap of my day at the Panini Prizm Super Bowl Lounge.” To which Clark replied, “I have. Can I have that?” 

Although this opportunity has given an extensive platform to the WNBA star to which she expressed, “It’s an honor to partner with Panini America as their first multi-year exclusive female athlete, and I’m excited to collaborate with them on my own collection.” In a press release. 

Whereas Joey Logano, who has kick-started his endorsement journey fueled with cheers and laughter, hasn’t seen much luck with the Daytona 500, the latest Atlanta Motor Speedway will bring higher expectations from fans. Joey Logano has a strong connection to Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he lived nearby as a child and often dreamed of racing on the big track. He recently secured his second win at the speedway in the 2024 Quaker State 400, an overtime victory that guaranteed his advancement into the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Also, Ambetter Health 400, 2023 brought his first season victory at Atlanta. 

So keep an eye out for Logano as he might switch on the afterburners at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this Sunday.