Clements’ friendship with Wings Etc. franchisee fuels winning partnership
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Wings Etc. is thrilled to power NASCAR® Xfinity® Series driver Jeremy Clements and his #51 Chevy Camaro SS again this year at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis on July 20, and the Cabo Wabo 250 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17.
This marks the fourth year that #51 has sported the Wings Etc. logo as it takes to the track.
The dynamic partnership sprang from a real-life connection between Spartanburg, S.C., native Clements and Boiling Springs, S.C., franchisee Scott McFalls.
McFalls says Clements and his brother would often dine at his restaurant. One night the pair was there listening to a band; McFalls went up to the front of the packed room to watch, and the Clements brothers offered him a seat. During intermission, talk turned to sponsorship opportunities.
McFalls wasn’t sure that he could participate as a single-store franchisee. “I said, you know, I don’t know that I want to pay X amount of dollars and get this little three-inch sticker put right behind the tire,” McFalls said.
But Clements is as driven off the track as he is behind the wheel. “I said, let’s just talk. I feel like it’s not as bad as you think it is.
“It didn’t take much, to be honest,” Clements said of persuading McFalls. “In the store he’s got pictures of all the baseball teams and all the different people he’s helped. So he loves to help people. He’s a good guy. It made a good-looking race car too, for sure.”
Clements is grateful to have a national brand like the 80-unit Wings Etc. on #51. “It means the world — that’s how I make a living and how that 51 goes fast,” he says. “It’s very special to me. So I want to make it special for them.”
The feeling is mutual. Now the Indianapolis and Michigan race days are a regular celebration at McFalls’ Wings Etc. location. At the start of the season, they even served a custom beer, 51 Racing Fuel, a lager brewed by Spartanburg, South Carolina-based RJ Rockers Brewing Company, before it sold out.
And while the Wings Etc. corporate brand backs Clements at the Indy and Michigan tracks, McFalls also sponsors a third race, this year kicking off the Jeremy Clements Racing Xfinity® Series season at Phoenix Raceway. Without a track nearby to provide an influx of fans at his restaurant on race day, McFalls hosts a watch party for all the hometown fans.
When he’s in town, Clements still frequents the Boiling Springs Wings Etc. “I like the wrap for lunch,” he says. “And if I’m gonna go in there for dinner, watch the game or something with the boys, we’re going to drink some ice cold beer and eat some wings. I like spicy!”
Jeremy Clements Racing is a small, family run team carrying on the tradition established by Jeremy’s grandfather, famed NASCAR owner and renowned engine builder Crawford Clements. Jeremy’s uncle, Louis Clements, was a Championship Crew Chief with Rex White. And Jeremy’s dad, Tony Clements, continues to run Clements Automotive, a leader in racing and performance engine building. Jeremy’s sister books the hotels and travel, and his mom cleans the pit crew suits every week.
“We’re all digging away to make it work for 33 weeks out of the year,” Clements says. “It’s a long, grueling season for sure.”
Wings Etc. is happy to back the effort. “We’re very excited to be on board with Jeremy Clements for a fourth year,” says Wings Etc. CEO Rob Hensmann. “Supporting the people in our communities is an important value for Wings Etc., and we love sharing our fans’ enthusiasm for the energy that Jeremy brings to NASCAR Xfinity races.”
“Being a part of the Wings Etc. family is special,” Clements says. “They work their tails off and do a phenomenal job of bringing a fun atmosphere to a great restaurant. I just love them, and they love racing. So it’s a win-win for everybody. It’s way more than just a sponsorship. It’s a friendship.”
Wings cookout raises funds for St. Jude
Fans are invited to join Wings Etc. in the infield of Michigan International Speedway on August 16–17 where, starting around 7 p.m., Wings Etc. leadership will be cooking the brand’s famous award-winning boneless wings. The wings are free; fans can make a donation for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in return. The event continues each evening until the wings are gone.
About Wings Etc. Grill & Pub
Wings Etc. is proud to celebrate 30 years of growth and good times this year. Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in northern Indiana, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly grill and pub featuring award-winning jumbo Buffalo wings, 21 signature sauces and rubs, dozens of TVs tuned to sports programming and a casual, non-corporate-y, laid-back vibe that makes people want to just come in and hang out. See wingsetc.com.
With 80 corporate and franchise locations, Wings Etc. has been listed among Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 500 Franchises” every year since 2021 and was included in the magazine’s “Top Five Best Sports Bars” in 2021. It has been named one of Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchises” every year since 2020 and a “Top 200 Franchise” every year since 2019. Wings Etc. has been included in Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” seven times since 2014 and its “Fastest Growing Franchises” seven times since 2016; it was among the “Top Emerging Franchises” in 2023. It has been named a “Top 400 Franchise” by Franchise Times every year since 2021 and a “Top 500 Franchise” by Nation’s Restaurant News every year since 2021. See www.wingsetcfranchise.com.
The Wings Etc. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to improving children’s lives. See www.wingsetcfoundation.com.
©2024 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.
