Jumping at the Chance
For Andrew Summersett, the month was already a big one with Point Blank Tequila landing in Total Wine & More stores across Texas.
Then his phone rang.
On the other end was an opportunity he hadn’t expected — a chance to partner with NASCAR driver Sage Karam and Joey Gase Motorsports for race weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
For a young tequila brand built on bold moves and big moments, Summersett didn’t need much time to think about it. He jumped at the chance.
“When someone calls and asks if you want your tequila involved with a NASCAR team at COTA, the answer comes pretty quickly,” laughed Summersett, the founder of Point Blank Tequila. “Partnering with Sage Karam and Joey Gase Motorsports felt like the perfect way to introduce Point Blank to a whole new audience.”
And just like that, the fast-growing tequila brand was headed to one of the most exciting weekends in racing.
What a ride it was!
Meet-and-Greet at Total Wine & More
The weekend began the way Point Blank likes to start things — with authentic people, lively conversations, and exceptional tequila.
On Friday, February 27, Point Blank partnered with the team at a Total Wine & More in Austin for a special meet-and-greet event. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Karam met with fans in the store, signing bottles as visitors stopped by to talk racing, snap photos, and learn about Point Blank Tequila.
It was exactly the kind of moment the Point Blank team loves: personal and full of energy. The store was buzzing as racing fans, tequila lovers, and curious shoppers gathered around.
Between conversations, photos, and autographs, Summersett was pouring Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo and sharing the story behind Point Blank.
“We appreciate Total Wine hosting the meet-and-greet with Sage, who brings the same passion, precision, and authenticity that defines our tequila,” Summersett said. “Connecting with the community, sharing stories, and seeing people experience Point Blank tequila for the first time is what it’s all about.”
After the meet-and-greet, the Point Blank team headed to Circuit of the Americas to kick off race weekend.
Practice sessions began that afternoon, followed by qualifying later in the evening. Out of a competitive field of 38 cars, Karam placed 22nd, putting himself in a solid position heading into race day.
NASCAR Weekend with Sage Karam
Race day arrived with the kind of buzz that only a NASCAR weekend can bring.
Summersett met up with Karam before the race and presented him with a custom Point Blank bottle engraved with his name.
“He was sporting a Point Blank shirt and hat and, of course, the car was slick — it was pretty special seeing the brand out there on the track at COTA,” Summersett said.
Before the green flag, there were pre-race driver introductions on the track — an electric moment in motorsports. Standing on the track as each driver was announced and watching the national anthem at COTA were special moments.
Then it was race time.
The Point Blank Team had an excellent vantage point near the pit area, where they watched the Joey Gase Motorsports team strategize as crew members moved with precision.
But racing — like life — has a way of throwing unexpected challenges your way.
Early in the race, the front sway bar failed on Karam’s car and the rear brake line snapped, leaving him to drive the majority of the race with only front brakes — an incredibly difficult task on a technical road course like COTA.
Still, he kept pushing.
Karam fought to bring the No. 55 car to the finish, but with just nine laps remaining, the suspension gave out.
It wasn’t the result the race team had hoped for, but the effort was undeniable.
As Karam shared afterward on social media:
“Man, just a frustrating day. After showing great speed in qualifying I was ready to have some fun today. Unfortunately we had a front bar failure going into Turn 1 and it also snapped the rear brake line. I drove the whole race with only front brakes and just tried to get it to the end until unfortunately the suspension broke with only 9 to go. Thank you Joey Gase Motorsports for the opportunity. Also a huge thanks to Point Blank Tequila. It was an honor to represent you guys and the car was so cool looking. Proud of the speed I showed this weekend. Not bad for hopping out of a truck plowing snow all winter.”
More than a Race Weekend
For Point Blank Tequila, the weekend was about more than a finishing position.
It was about seeing the Point Blank Tequila car on track at one of the most iconic circuits in the country. It was about connecting with fans at Total Wine. It was about standing beside a driver who refused to quit when things got tough.
Motorsports demand precision, resilience, and courage — the same qualities that go into crafting every bottle of Point Blank Tequila. From the agave fields of San Juanito de Escobedo to the high-speed turns of COTA, the spirit is the same.
Fast. Fearless. Authentic.
“We’re grateful to Sage and the entire Joey Gase Motorsports team for boldly representing Point Blank Tequila,” Summersett said. “We were honored to be part of it.”
