what is this relay called?

You sure you have a 72? Does / did it have seat belt interlocks? Different wiring harness?

On anything earlier with OUT seat belt "stuff" there are no relays of any kind in the start / cranking circuit except for the start relay out under the hood.

I'm wondering if you are seeing the horn/ "key in buzzer." Post a photo, or draw out the pattern of the connector pins and wire colors.

However, that should have nothing to do with cranking the engine.
I had a few minutes to look under the dash and remove the relay....it has part #'s 3588587 and 36033....after some searching it appears to be seatbelt related.....
anyway I removed it and was able to create the conditions as before without it and associated relay click....so I suspect either the auto trans shift linkage or the neutral safety switch/wiring are to blame...Car is definitely a '72.