The News
Kickstand Cocktails and RFK Racing announced a season-long sweepstakes program starting April 19, 2026, as part of their partnership. The program allows fans to enter for VIP experiences, driver-worn gear, and exclusive merchandise throughout the 2026 racing season. The sweepstakes launches on the Kickstand Cocktails website and will run through key races and moments in the calendar. Partnerships include retailers like Total Wine & More, Whole Foods Marketplace, and The Fresh Market.
A new partnership between Kickstand Cocktails and RFK Racing shows how a beverage brand can use motorsport exposure to drive engagement while keeping its distribution footprint largely unchanged.
Kickstand Cocktails has launched a season‑long sweepstakes with RFK Racing, making its bold‑canned product the official beverage of Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Mustang for the remainder of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. The promotion kicks off at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2026 and will be highlighted on Kickstand’s website and through select partners such as Total Wine & More, Whole Foods Marketplace, and The Fresh Market; proceeds go to the Checkered Flag Foundation.
For operators this signals a focus on experiential marketing rather than rapidly expanding wholesale volume. Trade readers can expect channel‑specific traffic and brand visibility from the partnership, but bulk sales or shelf expansion are unlikely in the short term; the move is an experiment aimed at reinforcing brand equity among a high‑profile audience.
The press release frames the sweepstakes as a marquee event, yet Kickstand’s national distribution remains limited—about 100 stores and bars in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York as of late 2022. Because the sweepstakes is sold only through a handful of established retailers, the brand is amplifying reach via these venues rather than driving wholesale volume.
Kickstand’s sponsorship of Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Mustang and its associate partnership with Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 vehicle underscores a deliberate tie‑in with blue‑collar racing culture. The deal also includes charitable support; a portion of proceeds will benefit the Checkered Flag Foundation, which supports veterans and first responders—a angle that may resonate in race‑attending communities without changing distribution mechanics.
The direct‑to‑consumer offering is $30 for eight cans—roughly $15 per four‑pack—slightly higher than the $11.99–$13.99 retail range. With the RTD sector projected to grow at 11.6 % annually through 2032, the sweepstakes could tap into that growing interest.
Distributors should note that this partnership does not create a new wholesale contract; it offers a promotional hook within existing relationships. They can expect more inventory requests from participating retailers during race weekends, but bulk orders are unlikely to surge beyond the current channel mix.
Retailers might use the sweepstakes as a foot‑traffic driver: by giving entry cards or QR codes linked to specific purchase windows, they can encourage repeat visits and cross‑sell other RTD titles. With only about 100 retail locations in its footprint, the experiential marketing remains the main engine for consumer engagement rather than wholesale volume.
Bar operators can add Kickstand to their menus, aligning with growing cocktail culture at venues that attract racing fans. By featuring the product on happy‑hour lists or pairing it with signature cocktails, bars can leverage the NASCAR association without negotiating new distribution agreements.
Original Press Release
In celebration of a bold new partnership, Kickstand Cocktails and Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing today announced a season-long sweepstakes program designed to bring racing fans closer to the action than ever before starting with this weekend’s race at the Kansas Speedway.
As the RFK Racing team’s Official Bold Canned Cocktail, Kickstand Cocktails is launching the “Heat Up the Track” sweepstakes, giving fans the chance to win a range of exclusive prizes all season long, including driver-worn gear, limited-edition merchandise and VIP experiences.
The sweepstakes officially launches today on the Kickstand Cocktails website (https://www.kickstandcocktails.com/) and will run throughout the 2026 season, with multiple entry windows and prize drops tied to key races and moments on the calendar. Additionally, race fans can visit key retailers, including Total Wine & More, Whole Foods Marketplace, The Fresh Market, and many other fine retailers.
“This is about bringing fans into the heart of the action,” said Elisa Baker, CEO of Kickstand Cocktails. “We’re a brand that’s built on bold flavor and big moments, and there’s no better place to deliver that than at the track. Partnering with RFK Racing allows us to create unforgettable experiences for fans all season long.”
As part of the campaign, RFK Racing drivers will play an active role in amplifying the sweepstakes and engaging with fans. RFK Racing team members Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece will participate in select media opportunities tied to the promotion and featured across digital, social, and fan-facing activations throughout the season.
The promotion will also include a charitable component, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Checkered Flag Foundation, which supports veterans and first responders, including programs that train service animals for those living with PTSD.
“It means a lot to see something you started make an impact in a real way,” said founder of the Checkered Flag Foundation and RFK Racing co-owner, Brad Keselowski. “Kickstand Cocktails stepping in to support that mission allows us to reach more veterans and first responders and continue growing the work we set out to do.”
Fans can enter the sweepstakes and learn more about upcoming prize drops by visiting Kickstandcocktails.com/sweepstakes.
Kickstand Cocktails will debut as a primary partner on Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford Mustang at Kansas Speedway on April 19, while also serving as a season-long associate partner on Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford Mustang.
Together, RFK Racing and Kickstand Cocktails are set to deliver a season full of bold racing, bold flavor, and bold fan experiences.
About Kickstand Cocktails:
Kickstand Cocktails are bold craft vodka sodas made with premium vodka, fruit juice and all-natural refreshing flavors. Kickstand Cocktails contain 110 calories, no added sugar, zero carbs and 5% ABV in four clean flavors: Smashed Raspberry Habanero, Roasted Jalapeño Cucumber, Charred Pineapple Poblano and Torched Peach Chipotle. For more information visit www.kickstandcocktails.com and join the conversation on Instagram @kickstandcocktails.
About RFK Racing:
RFK Racing, in its 39th season in 2026, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit https://www.rfkracing.com/ and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
Jake Duhaime
Kickstand Cocktails
Sources consulted (web research):
- Rfk Racing Ready Party Cocktail 170227747
- 542408 Kickstand Cocktails Named The Official Bold Canned Cocktail Of…
- Kickstand Cocktails Named The Official Bold Canned Cocktail Of Rfk Ra…
- Kickstand Cocktails To Sponsor Ryan Preece At Kansas
- 771 Sports Biz Journalist Darren Rovell Launches Spiced Kickstand Coc…
- Kickstand Cocktails Turns Up The Heat As The New Spicy Canned Cocktai…
Source: EIN Presswire