These days, if Sophie Cunningham isn’t on the basketball court, chances are you can find her at a racetrack.

On Sunday, Cunningham traded the Gainbridge Fieldhouse hardwood for the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) asphalt while attending the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The WNBA free agent spent time with the Cadillac F1 team and even served as the race’s honorary checkered-flag waver, watching from above the finish line as Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli sped past to secure his ninth win of the season.

Though Cunningham has attended several NASCAR Cup Series races in recent years, she was quick to point out that F1 was an entirely different beast.

“I think that in NASCAR, there's so much beauty. Their fans are awesome. Their drivers are amazing,” Cunningham explained.

“But also, NASCAR to F1 is just completely different. It's a different animal. And I think they're both beautiful. I think their crowds are awesome … and I have fun at both of them, so I'm happy to be at both of them.”

Back in September, Cunningham was spotted mingling with multiple NASCAR drivers prior to the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The Cup Series race notably took place at the same time as the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup final, during which Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young propelled the United States to its fifth straight World Cup championship and 12th overall with a 97-79 win over France.

Rather than cheering on her fellow leaguemates, Cunningham conversed with Carson Hocevar, Chase Elliott, and Austin Cindric before greeting team owners Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon.

During an ensuing appearance on the USA Sports pregame broadcast, Cunningham expressed admiration for the motorsports community. "You guys, you are salt of the earth people," she said.

"Truly, you guys are an amazing group of men, and I got to hang out with Ryan [Blaney], I got to hang out with Chase [Elliott], Carson [Hocevar], Austin [Cindric] was absolutely amazing.

"And so, 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. And you guys truly are amazing. I've had a heck of a day, and it's been a lot of fun."

Last November, Cunningham also stopped by Phoenix Raceway to see Kyle Larson claim his second Cup Series title in a dramatic comeback win. Ahead of the 2025 Championship Race, the Columbia, Missouri native rode along in the pace car, a safety vehicle that leads the field at controlled speeds before the green flag waves.

"I got to do the pace car. It was f------ awesome. I don't even know how to explain it. The whole time I was just happy. Like, I was so content," Cunningham said on an episode of her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast. "We did five laps. So it's like them all kind of warming up.

"It was so cool. There's one time we went really fast because they all practice going into the pit and whatnot. And so we have to keep up with them. It was just like the coolest experience ever."

"I had a f------ blast at NASCAR,” Cunningham continued. “I think those are my people. That's where I belong.”

With a handful of motorsports experiences now under her belt, Cunningham revealed there is still one more race she has to check off her bucket list. “I still haven't attended Indy 500 yet. I need to do that,” Cunningham declared.

For now, however, Cunningham remains focused on using the offseason to grow both on and off the court. With her WNBA future currently clouded in doubt, the veteran guard is hard at work expanding her business portfolio while preparing for life beyond basketball.

“It's becoming a businesswoman. It's owning things. It's growing into who I am, and my personal life and my faith, but also on the basketball court,” she told Mirror US Sports. “And so I'm still doing Project B, which will start up in January, which I'm super excited about.

“But I'm just embracing where my two feet are at. And so I'm here in Austin, Sports Illustrated, here with Tecovas at F1. So I live a pretty blessed lifestyle. I'm going to live it up, and I'm just happy to be where I'm at.”