New York, NY – April 24, 2026 — Sullivan Papain, longtime general counsel to the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) and steadfast advocate for New York’s first responders, is honored to sponsor the No. 24 Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation / Bulovas Restorations Toyota GR Supra this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
The striking black race car, driven by Harrison Burton and fielded by Sam Hunt Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, carries a powerful tribute to fallen FDNY Firefighter Jesse Gerhard. Jesse, a member of Ladder Company 134 in Far Rockaway, Queens, tragically passed away on February 16, 2022, after suffering a medical episode while on duty. He was just 33 years old.
The car’s dramatic wrap features Jesse’s name prominently across the rear decklid, a firefighter’s helmet bearing his badge number (134), a crossed axe, and an American flag — symbols of his service, sacrifice, and the brotherhood he embodied. The hood honors more than 1,600 FDNY members lost in the line of duty, while the side panels and other areas display the names of supporters and partners who made this tribute possible, including Sullivan Papain.
This high-profile partnership extends Sullivan Papain’s decades-long commitment to the UFA and first-responder community. As the firm that has fought for firefighters’ rights, benefits, and families for more than 40 years, we see this sponsorship as a natural extension of our mission — bringing national visibility to the Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation’s vital work supporting first responders and their loved ones in times of need.
Race Details The No. 24 will compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT) at Talladega Superspeedway — NASCAR’s legendary 2.66-mile superspeedway. The race will be broadcast live; check local listings or nascar.com for coverage details.
Sullivan Papain team members, including attorneys Albert Aquila and Mark Apostolos, will be trackside with UFA leadership, Jesse’s brother Casey Gerhard and foundation board members, Bulovas Restorations, Sam Hunt Racing, and Harrison Burton (along with his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Burton). The team will be wearing special Sullivan Papain white hats and branded race-day apparel.
How You Can Support the Cause
- Visit jessegerhardmemorial.com or jessegerhard.org to learn more about the foundation, make a donation, or purchase commemorative items (including limited-edition 1:24 die-cast replicas of this historic car).
- 100% of proceeds from the Talladega decklid program directly benefit the foundation.
- Follow the action and show your support using the official hashtags: #JesseGerhard #WorkHardPlayHardGerhard #NeverForget #FDNY #UFA #NASCAR #Talladega #SamHuntRacing #HarrisonBurton #BulovasRestorations
At Sullivan Papain, we are proud to stand with those who protect us every day. This weekend at Talladega, we race not just for speed, but for legacy, brotherhood, and the families who need our support most.
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