Advance Auto Parts, a leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories across North America
Advance Auto Parts, a leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories across North America, has announced an expanded presence in the 2026 NASCAR season through its continued partnership with Team Penske. As part of this collaboration, the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driven by Ryan Blaney will showcase a full Advance Auto Parts paint scheme in four major races in the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
This announcement underscores the deepening relationship between Advance Auto Parts and Team Penske, a partnership that has steadily evolved into a cornerstone of the company’s motorsports marketing strategy. Now entering its seventh year, the collaboration continues to blend brand visibility, fan engagement, and performance-driven storytelling in one of the most competitive racing environments in the world.
Expanding Brand Visibility Across Iconic NASCAR Venues
The full Advance Auto Parts livery will be prominently featured during four high-profile races throughout the season, ensuring maximum exposure across diverse racing audiences. The campaign begins at the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29. Known for its tight turns and intense short-track racing, Martinsville provides an ideal stage for close competition and high fan engagement.
The second appearance will take place at the Cracker Barrel 400 hosted at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31. This intermediate track has gained popularity for its blend of speed and technical driving, attracting a wide audience of motorsport enthusiasts.
Later in the season, the Advance-branded No. 12 car will compete in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the legendary Daytona International Speedway on August 29. This race holds special significance for both Blaney and Advance Auto Parts, as it was the site of a dramatic victory in 2025.
The fourth and final race featuring the full paint scheme will be the Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 25. Talladega is synonymous with high speeds and unpredictable finishes, making it one of the most thrilling stops on the NASCAR calendar.
Beyond the car itself, Advance Auto Parts branding will also extend to Team Penske’s crew uniforms, ensuring a cohesive and highly visible presence both on and off the track.
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership
The ongoing partnership between Advance Auto Parts and Team Penske represents more than just a sponsorship—it is a strategic alliance rooted in shared values and mutual growth. According to company leadership, this collaboration plays a pivotal role in reinforcing brand identity while connecting with a passionate and loyal fan base.
Bruce Starnes, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant at Advance Auto Parts, highlighted the importance of the relationship, noting that it aligns closely with the company’s broader business objectives. As Advance continues its efforts to strengthen its market position, the visibility and excitement generated through NASCAR provide a powerful platform to engage customers, employees, and partners alike.
Starnes emphasized that having a championship-caliber driver like Ryan Blaney behind the wheel adds credibility and inspiration to the campaign. Blaney’s success on the track mirrors the company’s own ambitions for growth and resurgence, making the partnership both symbolic and practical.
Driver Perspective: A Shared Passion for Performance
For Ryan Blaney, the partnership with Advance Auto Parts represents a natural fit. As one of NASCAR’s top drivers, Blaney has built a reputation for consistency, skill, and competitive spirit—qualities that resonate strongly with Advance’s brand ethos.
Blaney expressed enthusiasm about continuing the relationship into its seventh season, noting the strong cultural alignment between the company and the racing team. He highlighted Advance Auto Parts’ deep-rooted connection to the automotive world and its commitment to serving customers, drawing parallels to the way Team Penske values and engages with its fan base.
This shared dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction has helped solidify the partnership, making it one of the more enduring collaborations in the sport.
Building on a Memorable Victory
The announcement also brings back memories of a standout moment from the 2025 season. The last time Blaney drove the Advance-branded No. 12 car, he delivered a thrilling victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
In what became one of the most talked-about finishes of the season, Blaney surged from 13th place in the final two laps to claim the win in dramatic fashion. The victory not only showcased his driving prowess but also highlighted the competitive strength of Team Penske.
That performance continues to serve as a powerful narrative for the 2026 campaign, reinforcing the connection between the Advance brand and high-performance racing success.
Fan Engagement and Community Outreach
In addition to on-track visibility, Advance Auto Parts is placing a strong emphasis on fan engagement and community interaction. As part of the race week activities, Ryan Blaney will make appearances at local Advance Auto Parts stores near each race venue.
These events will include autograph sessions and opportunities for fans to meet the driver, creating memorable experiences that extend beyond the racetrack. Such initiatives are designed to strengthen the bond between the brand and its customer base, while also driving foot traffic to retail locations.
By bringing the excitement of NASCAR directly to local communities, Advance Auto Parts aims to create a more immersive and personal connection with fans.
Celebrating a Milestone Season for Team Penske
The 2026 season holds additional significance for Team Penske as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. Founded by Roger Penske, the organization has become one of the most successful and respected teams in motorsports history.
Over the decades, Team Penske has achieved numerous championships and victories across multiple racing disciplines, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and endurance racing. The anniversary season provides an opportunity to reflect on this legacy while continuing to push the boundaries of performance and innovation.
The partnership with Advance Auto Parts adds another layer of significance to this milestone year, combining tradition with forward-looking ambition.
The Broader Impact of Motorsports Marketing
Advance Auto Parts’ involvement in NASCAR highlights the broader role of motorsports as a marketing and branding platform. With millions of fans tuning in to races throughout the season, NASCAR offers unparalleled visibility and engagement opportunities.
For automotive aftermarket companies, the connection is particularly strong. Racing serves as a natural extension of the industry, showcasing performance, durability, and technical expertise—qualities that are directly relevant to customers.
By aligning with a top-tier team and driver, Advance Auto Parts is able to position itself at the forefront of this dynamic environment, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted provider of automotive solutions
About Advance Auto Parts:
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of January 3, 2026, Advance operated 4,305 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also served 809 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
About Team Penske
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 650 major race wins, over 700 pole positions and 48 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 60-year history, the team has also earned 20 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. In 2025, Team Penske competed in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the NASCAR Cup Series. Through a Team Penske global partnership, Porsche Penske Motorsport also raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship.
