Arby’s is expanding its presence in NASCAR by unveiling a patriotic-themed car for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at the Naval Base Coronado, California. The No. 8 Chevrolet, piloted by Sammy Smith, features a design that honors America’s upcoming 250th birthday while spotlighting the chain’s new Angus Cheesesteak.
A Cheesesteak Celebration on the Waterfront
The car’s graphics blend a red, white and blue palette with stylized fireworks, while the side panels highlight the sandwich’s ingredients — 100% Angus steak, white American Cooper Cheese, caramelized onions and an Amoroso’s sesame seed sub roll. This visual mash‑up ties the Navy’s heritage to the brand’s fresh cheesesteak launch, creating a narrative that resonates with both racing fans and food enthusiasts.
Sammy Smith expressed excitement about racing on the naval base, noting that the paint scheme ties the Navy’s heritage to the brand’s fresh cheesesteak launch. His enthusiasm underscores a broader ambition to fuse American pride with culinary innovation on the track.
Beyond the Track: Fan Zone and Digital Integration
Arby’s will blanket the weekend with track signage, fan‑zone activations, media integrations and special digital offers. An activation space will host daily programming, live music, merchandise drops and surprise appearances, creating a crossover of racing culture and fast‑food fandom that extends far beyond the race itself.
Influencer Robby Berger got the first taste of the new sandwich at 30,000 feet, underscoring the brand’s playful outreach and its effort to generate buzz across multiple platforms.
A Permanent Menu Item
Jeff Baker, Arby’s Chief Marketing Officer, announced that the Angus Cheesesteak is now a permanent menu item, cementing the partnership beyond the race weekend and signaling a long‑term commitment to blending American flavors with sports sponsorship.
The event will be broadcast on The CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, bringing the spectacle to a national audience and reinforcing Arby’s role as the Official Cheesesteak of NASCAR San Diego for the first-ever military base event.