“The ultimate pit stop” – HMSHost partners NASCAR to open venue at St. Louis Lambert Airport

USA. Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta, has partnered with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) to create what it describes as “the ultimate pit stop” at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Terminal 1.

The officially licensed, 90-seat NASCAR Drafthouse features stock car racing memorabilia-adorned walls. The dining venue has an all-day menu offering Southern USA-inspired comfort food favourites, as well as a full bar and convenient grab-and-go options.

Breakfast choices include flaky biscuits and sausage gravy, a diced ham omelet with mushrooms and cheddar, and a sweet and savoury beignet.

The NASCAR-themed venue features numerous televisions and offers a range of hearty appetisers, entrées, burgers, sandwiches and early-morning eating options

The lunch and dinner menu features an assortment of ‘stick-to-your-ribs’ BBQ and seafood dishes such as farm-raised fried catfish and spicy grilled shrimp. Also available are creamy grits, chicken fried steak, pulled pork mac and cheese, burgers, classic sandwiches, gumbo and salads.

Draft and canned beer options include Anheuser-Busch products as well as wine and speciality cocktails such as The Caborita and The Checkered Flag, both featuring Cabo Wabo Tequila.

The spirits menu includes moonshine, a nod to NASCAR’s earliest days when numerous future race-car drivers got their start as moonshine runners, building fast cars to haul the illegal liquor throughout the Southeast.

NASCAR is the sanctioning body for the number one motorsport in the USA, owning 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities (Image courtesy of NASCAR)

Alongside several Sugarlands Shine offerings, NASCAR Drafthouse also features Midnight Moon, the award-winning moonshine inspired by the family recipe of legendary bootlegger and NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson.

An abundance of non-alcoholic beverages are also available, including Coca-Cola and Monster Energy products.

HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Bryan Loden said: “NASCAR is an icon of the motorsport world and HMSHost is thrilled for the opportunity to offer travellers and diehard NASCAR fans a fun new food & beverage experience at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.”

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the primary travel hub serving the city. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. (Image courtesy of St. Louis Lambert Airport)

He added: “NASCAR Drafthouse pairs the energy of this renowned racing brand with HMSHost’s culinary expertise to create a restaurant that makes a traveller’s journey as exciting as their ultimate destination. We are proud of our continued partnership with St. Louis Airport Authority to transform the passenger experience.”

NASCAR Managing Director, Licensing and Consumer Products Megan Malayter commented: “St. Louis is a passionate NASCAR market and we’re thrilled to partner with an industry leader like HMSHost to bring the NASCAR Drafthouse concept to life here, providing visitors to and from the region a great new spot to refuel on the road.”

St. Louis Lambert International Airport Director and CEO Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge said: “NASCAR Drafthouse is a unique experience for travellers at our airport. The restaurant also satisfies patrons with its Southern comfort food selections. We are proud to be the airport location for this first-of-a-kind dining experience.”  ‍

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

The world’s only event dedicated solely to the airport food & beverage and hospitality sectors makes a welcome return to the USA this month. Please contact The Moodie Davitt Report Associate Director, Events Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com for details. You can visit the event website here
Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine