Green River Whiskey announced its partnership as the primary sponsor of the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet with NY Racing Team and NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley as they take on qualifiers for 2025 Daytona 500. 

The sponsorship marks a milestone for Green River Whiskey—its first venture into modern motorsports—aligning with the brand’s remarkable revival story, Owensboro, Kentucky’s rich NASCAR heritage and a bold vision for the future.

With roots dating back to 1885, Green River Whiskey has overcome prohibition, shifting consumer trends, and natural disasters to rise once again as one of the fastest-growing American Whiskey brands. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River is rapidly expanding, poised for distribution in 45 states this year with a range of expressions offering quality and value, straight from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 

Later this month the brand will launch its first major national advertising campaign in more than 100 years, pairing its rich history with a sense of authenticity and approachability that sets the brand apart from competition in the premium whiskey category. 

As the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet takes to the track in its striking green regalia—a nod to the green flag that signals racing’s most heightened moments—Green River Whiskey is embracing the thrill of the Daytona 500 with the same spirit of resilience and ambition that fuels its comeback. The sponsorship will see Green River Whiskey prominently featured on Yeley’s No. 44 Chevrolet as he races to qualify for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 16, 2025, at 2:30 PM ET, broadcast live on FOX.

The Daytona 500 is renowned for its unpredictability, where the unexpected is the norm. The race’s history is filled with dramatic moments and surprise victories, an appropriate metaphor for Green River’s own journey of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities. 

“The Daytona 500 is more than just a race—it’s a proving ground for perseverance, skill, and a little bit of luck,” Pete Marino, President of Bardstown Bourbon and Green River Distilling Co., said in a news release. “The horseshoe, a universal symbol of luck, has always been a part of the brand’s iconography and our bottle. On the No. 44 Green River Whiskey Chevrolet, it’s a symbol that we’re ready to chase history at the Great American Race.”

For J.J. Yeley, this partnership represents more than just a sponsorship—it’s about seizing an opportunity to make a statement.

“I couldn’t be more excited to team up with Green River Whiskey for this monumental Daytona race,” Yeley said. “Their story of resilience, growth, and passion for their craft is exactly what it takes to compete at this level. Daytona is where legends are made, and with Green River Whiskey on board, we’re ready to take on the challenge and fight our way into the big race.”

Green River is beloved and active in its community and known as “The Pride of Owensboro,” a region ripe with NASCAR heritage. Among a number of industry contributors, Green River shares a hometown with NASCAR legends Darrell and Michael Waltrip, both Daytona 500 winners who emerged as formidable competitors in the 1970’s and whose careers in racing continue today. 

Read more: Bardstown Bourbon, Green River Expand Distro

About Green River Distilling Co. 

The 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky (DSP-KY-10), Green River is known as “the Whiskey Without Regrets,” and enjoys a long, rich history dating back to 1885. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River Distilling Co. is proud to call Owensboro, Kentucky home, and serves as the westernmost outpost of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^TM. Authentic and approachable, Green River offers a growing portfolio of whiskeys crafted from historic mashbills. Green River is part of Bardstown Bourbon Co, a top 10 distiller in the U.S.  For more information, visit greenriverwhiskey.com.