Sydney Sweeney spent her Sunday, November 2, at Phoenix Raceway, joining the excitement of the NASCAR Championship as part of the promotion for her upcoming film Christy.
The 28-year-old stars as Christy Martin, the famed boxer whose life story includes surviving her husband’s attempt to kill her.
Before the race began, Sweeney stepped onstage to address the four drivers competing for the title — Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson.
She connected the intensity of the championship with her role in the movie, telling the crowd, “Most days, this checkered flag means victory, but today, it means something more. A dream realized, a life changed, a name that will never be forgotten.”
She shared that her character in Christy embodies resilience, saying, “In my new film ‘Christy,’ I play a warrior. A fighter who refuses to quit. ‘Christy’ is about grit, about determination — the same spirit that it takes to make it to the Championship Four.
So, to our future champion, remember what this flag stands for. You’re not just another driver, you’re a NASCAR champion.”
Dressed in a racing-inspired look, complete with a jacket, shorts and bold red boots, Sweeney blended right in with the high-energy, sold-out crowd.
The actress recently opened up about the physical preparation that went into playing the boxing icon. She shared on SiriusXM that she put on roughly 35 pounds for the role and relied on heavy protein shakes and Uncrustables to make it happen.
Calling it a major challenge, she explained that stepping into Christy’s life meant taking on both emotional and physical transformation, saying the character’s journey involved “a lot of growth, and a lot of pain and a lot of understanding.”
She added that the physical shift alone “was a lot.”
Sweeney later reflected on the experience in an Instagram post, calling the project “one of the most emotional, transformative experiences of my life.”
She wrote about having Christy Martin on set, noting how meaningful it was to see her cheering during filming. The real-life boxer’s presence moved her deeply. Sweeney said Christy’s story represents survival and strength, and she hopes audiences will feel that when they watch the film.
She also teased that viewers will get to see her “kick some serious butt,” joking that she may have enjoyed those scenes a bit too much.
Closing her message, she expressed gratitude for the role and said she will carry the experience with her always, excited for fans to eventually see Christy’s story brought to life.