Later today, Fox will air the Food City 500 from Bristol, TN, but it has some extra meaning for the network and for one of the beloved members of its NASCAR team. Steve Byrnes, the co-host of NASCAR Race Hub and the lap-by-lap announcer for the Camping World Truck Series, has been battling head-and-neck cancer. He’s been covering the sport for the last 30 years having been part of Fox’s team dating back to when the network began coverage in 2001 and is well-respected in the NASCAR community.
Byrnes has been on medical leave undergoing treatment for the disease and in support of him, NASCAR renamed today’s race to the Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes and Stand Up to Cancer. It’s a very nice gesture and also raises awareness to the nasty disease which has taken too many people too soon.
Fox and NASCAR have teamed with the organization Stand Up to Cancer to develop a social media campaign #ByrnesStrong as well as having fans bring in special placards into the Bristol Motor Speedway and before and during the race, they’ll be asked to stand in honor of Steve. In addition, the track has been decorated with #ByrnesStrong signs that will be seen throughout the coverage.
Use #ByrnesStrong throughout the weekend to show your support for our friend and colleague, @SteveByrnes12. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oCoMSEVHnM
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 17, 2015
Cars and the racers will also be adorned with special decals and a “SPB” sticker inside the familiar Fox Sports logo (seen above) for Byrnes.
Just last week, Byrnes celebrated his 56th birthday. Here’s hoping that he’ll be celebrating many more birthdays.
