WNBA star Sophie Cunningham to give starting command for NASCAR race at Homestead
· Yahoo Sports
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham will be making her third appearance at a NASCAR race this season.
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Alongside award-winning country music singer and songwriter Cole Swindell, Cunningham will give the "start your engines command" for the NASCAR Cup Series championship race on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In September, during the WNBA break for the FIBA World Cup, Cunningham went to the race at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St. Louis. There, she moonlighted as a pit road reporter for USA Network and also met four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and NBA legend – and 23XI Racing co-owner – Michael Jordan.
At Gateway that day, Cunningham also took a walk around the haulers in the garage area and met with several drivers, including Carson Hocevar, Riley Herbst, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. She signed hats for Dillon’s kids, and the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet told her, "We’re huge fans. We love what you stand for." Elliott gifted her with NAPA Auto Parts racing jackets, and she received a bottle of bourbon from Blaney.
During USA Sports' pre-race show that day, Cunningham talked about how much she enjoyed being at the track.
"You guys are salt of the earth people," Cunningham said. "It’s been really cool to talk to them about racing cars and whatnot, but also just getting to know them outside of the track. You guys truly are amazing, and I’ve had a heck of a day and it’s been a lot of fun.
"I feel like these are my people. I belong here."
Back in February, Cunningham also attended the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Atlanta as a brand ambassador for Arby's, which was sponsoring Carson Kvapil's No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports.
Last month, Cunningham also waved the checkered flag at the F1 race in Austin, Texas. She also attended last year's NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix.
Chances are, if you can't find her on the basketball court, Cunningham might be at a racetrack.
A product of the University of Missouri, the 30-year-old Cunningham just wrapped up seventh WNBA season and second with the Indiana Fever. She ranked seventh in the league in 3-point shooting this season with a 41.9% clip. Cunningham was also third in the WNBA in points per scoring attempt (1.31) and fifth in effective field goal percentage (60.8%).
Cunningham is a free agent this offseason after helping the Indiana Fever make the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA star Sophie Cunningham to give starting command for NASCAR race at Homestead