When Ryan Truex and NIECE Motorsports arrive in Richmond, Virginia, there will be another 900 reasons to win his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
Truex and sponsor Marquis Hot Tubs are partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in celebration of 900 wishes granted between the company and the foundation with a special paint scheme.
While a majority of the Marquis Hot Tubs Silverado remains the same, the bed of Truex’s No. 40 truck will carry the names of all 900 recipients who have received their wish granted between the 20-year relationship of Make-A-Wish and Marquis Hot Tubs.
“It’s both an honor and a privilege to have Marquis and Make-A-Wish America on board with me at Richmond,” said Ryan Truex, driver of the No. 40 Marquis/Make-A-Wish America Chevrolet Silverado. “This partnership with Marquis and Make-A-Wish started over 20 years ago with a wish for 15-year-old Andrea, who was diagnosed with leukemia and wanted to remedy her joint pain with hydrotherapy. Today, over 900 wishes have been granted – 900 lives changed – thanks to Marquis and their network of dealers.”
It was the first wish in 2000 with Andrea that kicked off a mission spanning two decades of granting wishes in collaboration with the foundation, and independent hot tub dealers with Marquis across the United States. Including the children, family members, and friends of the recipients, thousands of lives have been touched by the relationship.
“Thank you to Ryan Truex, Niece Motorsports and our long-time national partner Marquis for creating such a beautiful paint scheme that pays tribute to the 900 children with critical illnesses since 2000 who have had life-changing wishes granted thanks to the Marquis sponsorship,” said LuAnn Bott, vice president of corporate partnerships and revenue services at Make-A-Wish America. “We hope that the No. 40 truck will inspire fans to learn how they can join Ryan, Niece Motorsports and Marquis in helping make wishes come true.”
Eight-year-old Viera, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2019, sought a place of comfort and relaxation. In association with Make-A-Wish Arizona and Arizona Spas & Patios, her wish was granted as the 900th.
“Granting hot tub wishes for children with critical illnesses is a team effort,” said Sara Deane, Wish Coordinator at Marquis. “From the local Make-A-Wish chapter, to the Marquis employees who build the hot tub, to the trucking company who ships it, to the local Marquis Dealer who delivers and installs it.” She continued: “It has taken over two decades—and countless helping hands—to fulfill 900 wishes. So, having the names of all 900 wish kids—from Andrea to Viera—on the Marquis No. 40 Chevrolet means a lot. It shows what can be accomplished when we all work together. And most importantly, celebrates the courage of wish kids and their families.”
“From Andrea to Viera, I’m honored to have all 900 wish kids riding with me on Saturday at Richmond,” continued Truex. “Marquis stepped up over 20 years ago and created life-changing wishes for each and every child on my truck. From their first wish to Andrea in 2000, to their 900th wish to Viera, an 8-year-old with a brain tumor, they have helped to provide strength, hope, and transformation to children with critical illnesses. Now, I get to play a small role in honoring all 900 on Saturday.”
Emily Butler, the Creative Media Director at Truex Management, is the original designer of the Marquis livery.
“The impact Marquis Spas and Make-A-Wish have made by granting wishes for children with critical illnesses is truly admirable,” Butler told TobyChristie.com. “My favorite piece of this livery design has to be the nameplate. Marquis’ first wish kid, Andrea, sent her own handwritten name so that we could use it in place of Ryan’s nameplate.”
The aforementioned Andrea is now cancer-free. Her name will be featured on both the driver and passenger nameplate.
“With over 20 years of partnership together, Make-A-Wish is deeply woven into our company culture,” said Sam Collins, Marquis Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer. “Alongside our network of Marquis Dealers, helping children like Viera gives us a tremendous sense of pride and purpose. Especially during this extra-challenging time for wish kids and their families.”
April is a special time of year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with their World Wish Day on April 29th. The day commemorates the launch of the foundation that has touched the lives of millions. Fans can do their part and donate to the foundation following this link.
Truex has enjoyed a three-year relationship with Marquis Hot Tubs dating back to his time at JR Motorsports. The pair launched a podcast together dubbed “The Hot Seat”, where their driver will sit in a Marquis Hot Tub with a fellow driver to talk racing.
“Sponsoring Ryan in the 2019 Xfinity Series allowed us to dip our toe in the NASCAR world,” said Noble Hibbs, Corporate Communications Manager at Marquis. “Three seasons on, Ryan’s commitment to the sport, his willingness to go the extra mile for his sponsors, and the enthusiasm of his fans has proven its value.” He added, “Working with Ryan and his creative team is a great fit for our brand. Marquis hot tubs revolve around quality, comfort, and fun. And that’s basically Ryan in a nutshell. He’s about as down-to-earth as it gets. But underneath that laid-back personality, there’s a seasoned and competitive athlete. He has the heart of a champion, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his due.”
However, Marquis and Truex are not stopping there when it comes to supporting the foundation. To help raise money for the foundation, a limited-edition autographed hero card will be made available in limited quantities with all proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish. Fans can purchase the hero card here. Additionally, Marquis Hot Tubs is offering a $900 off coupon on select models and will donate $100 to local Make-A-Wish chapters in North America on select models purchased during the month of April. Finally, Truex’s race-worn gloves from Richmond will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as sales from select Marquis Racing merchandise.
Heading into Richmond, the younger Truex has a variety of experiences at the track between the top three series. He finished a best of fourth in 2011 in the Xfinity Series and has three starts in Cup with a best of 31st during his days with the now-defunct BK Racing.
“Richmond is a difficult track,” said Truex, “but I’m looking forward to getting back on pavement after Bristol. “I have 10 starts there in Xfinity and Cup, but Saturday’s race will be my first time there in a truck. Richmond has very normal characteristics of a short track, but a lot slicker than other places we go – you’re fighting front and rear grip on the exit of the corners. My team has been working hard on our short-track program and I’m confident we’ll have a strong run for Andrea, Vera and everyone at Marquis and Make-A-Wish.”
Fans can see the No. 40 Marquis Hot Tubs / Make-A-Wish Silverado hit the track on Saturday, April 17th at 1:30 PM EST on FOX Sports 1 and the FOX Sports app.
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