AM Racing announced two new marketing partners for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season as it begins at EchoPark Speedway in Georgia this weekend. Paynuity, a leader in financial technology, will be the primary sponsor on the No. 25 Ford Mustang driven by Nick Sanchez during Saturday night’s Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 race.
Understanding Paynuity’s Role in NASCAR
Paynuity supports businesses and financial institutions with a global payments ecosystem that manages direct-to-bank settlement for peer-to-peer and merchant transactions. Their platform integrates over 58 payment networks and card associations, offering seamless payment processing and banking services worldwide. This sponsorship reflects Paynuity’s expansion into high-visibility sports marketing as they align with AM Racing’s competitive motorsport platform.
Introducing Travel Curious as Co-Sponsor
Alongside Paynuity, Travel Curious, a prominent B2B travel technology provider, joins the team at EchoPark Speedway. Their Unified Experiences Platform links hotels, travel companies, and loyalty programs with a variety of live entertainment and major league sporting events, helping deepen customer engagement through a fully integrated experiences marketplace.
Wade Moore Highlights Team Growth and Sponsorship Impact
Wade Moore, president of AM Racing, expressed optimism about the new partnerships. He said,
“We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built to start the 2026 season.”
He emphasized the significance of introducing four new sponsors in the first two races, stating,
“Bringing companies like Paynuity and Travel Curious into the sport — and giving them a competitive, high-visibility opportunity right out of the gate — is something we take a lot of pride in, and we are looking forward to the weekend.”
Past Successes Set Stage for Strong Performance at EchoPark Speedway
AM Racing, based in Statesville, North Carolina, returns to the 1.54-mile EchoPark Speedway oval after posting two top-13 finishes in 2025, including a notable 10th place in the February race. These solid results have built confidence heading into this weekend’s 163-lap event, which represents the second race on the 2026 NASCAR schedule.
Nick Sanchez’s Rising Career and Connection to EchoPark
Nick Sanchez, a Miami native and graduate of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, will make his third start at EchoPark Speedway with AM Racing. The 2025 summer race winner at EchoPark is aiming to secure the team’s first-ever NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory during the organization’s 101st series start.
After winning his first NASCAR National Series race last July, where he led 18 laps starting 11th, Sanchez advanced into the playoffs as a promising rookie contender this season.
He reflected on his past success at the track, stating,
“EchoPark Speedway is a place that’s been good to me. I’ve won there before, and AM Racing showed last season that this team can be competitive there.”
Sanchez added,
“We had strong speed at Daytona to start the year, and we’re proud to represent two new marketing partners — Paynuity and Travel Curious — this weekend. The focus now is building on that momentum and putting ourselves in contention when it matters Saturday night.”
Team Strategy and Event Details for Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250
AM Racing will enter a single car this weekend after fielding two entries for only the third time in team history last week at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 52 Ford Mustang, which competed at Daytona, is planned to return at Phoenix Raceway in early March.
The Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 will cover 163 laps, totaling 251.02 miles. Qualifying is scheduled for Friday, February 20, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the race beginning shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The 38-car field will be broadcast live on The CW Network, alongside radio coverage from the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
The Growing Importance of Sponsorship in NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
New partnerships like those with Paynuity and Travel Curious are key to AM Racing’s continued growth and competitive edge. As the team seeks its first victory in over 100 series starts, these sponsor relationships provide critical financial and promotional support, enabling the organization to remain poised and aggressive amid a challenging and eager field.
The arrival of fintech and travel technology firms in NASCAR underscores the sport’s appeal to innovative, customer-focused companies looking to engage a passionate audience while benefiting from motorsport’s expansive media reach.
