Even with the WNBA on a midseason break due to the FIBA Women’s World Cup, Sophie Cunningham still managed to find the spotlight.
But on Sunday, Sept. 13, the cameras didn’t find the Indiana Fever star on a basketball court or in front of a podcast microphone. Rather, she was having fun at a NASCAR race, the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
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Folks at the track near St. Louis caught Cunningham shaking hands with and meeting prominent figures in the sport, including two Hall of Famers: four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and NBA legend — and 23XI Racing co-owner — Michael Jordan.
Cunningham was there in several capacities, as a race fan, a broadcaster, and guest on Kenny Wallace’s pre-race show in the fanzone. Her appearance with Wallace, the retired NASCAR driver perhaps best known for pushing Dale Earnhardt to his final victory at Talladega in 2000, drew a large crowd and also featured some laughs and chaos. Cunningham, a former high school football kicker, booted a football off the stage and knocked over a mic stand.
While talking with Wallace and co-host John Roberts, Cunningham spoke about the mental part of sports and getting into her opponents’ heads, something she’s done often in her WNBA career — perhaps most notably this season when the image of her pointing at DeWanna Bonner of the Phoenix Mercury turned into a meme.
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“I think I’ve kind of mastered that art, a little bit. I get a little feisty, if you know what I’m saying,” Cunningham said. “I do think it is part of the sport. You got to have a one-up on people, and sometimes it’s not physical, it’s the mental game.”
Wallace also asked her about radio host Colin Cowherd recently calling her a “sex symbol” in a viral clip from their interview.
“All I’m saying, for all the little girls out there, that if you want to play a sport, you can still be girly, you can still go out there and kick ass, sweat, work hard, and you can still look a certain way,” Cunningham said. “So, go do your thing.”
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.
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USA Network also put a mic in Cunningham’s hands, featuring her on the pre-race show alongside Marty Snider, Steve Letarte and Dale Jarrett. During the show, she praised the NASCAR community.
“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.”
During the opening stage of the race, Cunningham moonlighted as a pit road reporter, wearing a broadcasting pack and joining USA Network’s coverage between Stage 1 and 2. During the WNBA season, she has contributed to USA Network as an analyst.
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“We’re here in Illinois with NASCAR. It’s been the best day in my entire life,” Cunningham said. “I feel like these are my people. I belong here.”
Sunday’s NASCAR race was a wild one that featured a season-high 18 caution flags. Kyle Larson snapped a 51-race winless streak by driving into victory lane after a double-overtime finish.
Cunningham, who grew up about two hours west of World Wide Technology Raceway and played her college basketball at Missouri, is in her eighth WNBA season and plays a key role off the bench for the Fever, who have locked up a spot in the playoffs. Cunningham is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from 3-point land, which is the fourth best mark in the league this season.
After Team USA won gold on Sunday by beating France in the World Cup final, the WNBA season will resume on Thursday. The Fever are back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 playing at the Toronto Tempo.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sophie Cunningham pit road reporter? WNBA star embraces day at NASCAR race
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