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6 • SEPTEMBER 2023 the NATION
Thetrucker.com
Relay Payments hits the racetrack with
sponsorship of NASCAR driver William Byron
ERICA N. GUY | THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
ATLANTA — Relay Payments is hitting
the track full speed after announcing a sponsorship
with Hendrick Motorsports and NAS-
CAR driver No. 24 William Byron. The announcement
was made earlier this summer.
“The sponsorship comes with the opportunity
to show appreciation to truck drivers
while also expanding Relay’s brand,” said
Spencer Barkoff, co-founder and president of
Relay.
Founded in 2019, Relay offers a digital
payment network designed to increase efficiency,
reduce fraud, improve driver satisfaction
and eliminate operational headaches by
helping carriers manage their over-the-road
expenses, including unloading and fuel payments.
Relay’s partnership with Hendrick and
NASCAR includes associate sponsorship in
all remaining 2023 races as well as two primary
paint schemes in the NASCAR Cup
Series playoffs — Sept. 16 at Bristol Motor
Speedway during Truck Driver Appreciation
Week and Oct. 15 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
As part of the agreement, Relay’s logo appears
on the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1,
team equipment, and the uniforms of Byron
and crew members.
At just 25 years old, Byron is already a
seven-time race winner at the elite NASCAR
Cup level. He also sees the vital role trucking
plays in the sport.
“Our truck drivers are crucial members
of our race teams,” Byron said. “They’re responsible
for getting our race cars and equipment
to and from the racetrack every weekend
throughout the longest season in sports.
Without them, we wouldn’t be able to race.”
Courtesy: Relay Payments
Relay Payments is sponsoring NASCAR Driver No. 24, William Byron, for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick
Motorsports, is quick to agree.
“Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of
our industry. The race cars Hendrick Motorsports
fields each weekend are driven hundreds
or thousands of miles to the racetrack
to compete in front of our amazing fans,” he
said. “But truck drivers are vital to many industries,
and the efficiency of Relay helps deliver
products and services to businesses and
customers in a quicker manner that benefits
a lot of people. Hendrick Motorsports is of
the same mindset — be the first to the finish
line.”
Joe Anderson, a lifelong fan of NASCAR
and who’s been a trucker for nearly two decades,
will be hauling the race car to race and
event venues. He says using Relay Payments’
fuel service will streamline the journey.
“As a team, we will get speed services to
cut our time at truck stops,” Anderson said.
“Refueling won’t take as long since we can
bypass the payment steps at the pump. That
means a lot to me because I hate wasting
time.
“We need truckers,” he continued. “Outside
of NASCAR, every aspect of life depends
on the existence of truckers,” Anderson said.
“People need to be more aware of that and
appreciative of it as well.”
Ryan Droege, co-founder and CEO of
Relay, hopes the NASCAR sponsorship will
Courtesy: Relay Payments
From left: NASCAR driver William Byron visits with
Spencer Barkoff, co-founder and president of Relay
Payments.
draw the public’s attention to the importance
of trucking.
“We know that the trucking industry and
NASCAR have always had a special bond, and
we’re excited about promoting our brand and
highlighting drivers through this partnership
with Hendrick Motorsports