PHOENIX (AP) — A marketing panel with Castrol landed Alyssa Thomas on a NASCAR hood.

While attending the panel at the WNBA All-Star game last month, Thomas was approached by the motor oil company about putting her image on a NASCAR for an upcoming race. The Phoenix Mercury star loved the idea and helped in the design process, leading to her face making a 168-lap trip around Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the hood of RFK Racing’s No. 60 Castrol Ford, driven by Ryan Preece.

“It was a fitting pairing being that my nickname is The Engine,” Thomas said. “Not too many people can say their face is on a car, let alone in a race, so it was a really cool experience.”

The Mercury had a lot of unknowns heading into the 2025 season after Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner signed with the Atla

See Full Page