NASCAR Community Responds to Disaster
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the NASCAR community has mobilized, leveraging resources and offering support to affected communities. Teams, drivers, and owners have joined forces to provide essentials like food, water, and shelter to those impacted. From Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina to Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, NASCAR organizations have opened their doors to evacuees, creating safe havens for those escaping the storm.
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Shelters Open for the Displaced
As Helene neared the southern U.S. coastline, both Charlotte and Bristol Motor Speedways transformed their campgrounds into temporary shelters for those fleeing the hurricane. Now, with the storm past, NASCAR continues to support those in need, offering safe spaces and critical resources for families who have lost everything.
Generous Donations Fuel Relief Efforts
23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, pledged $1 million to assist with disaster relief across North Carolina. The funds support the NC Disaster Relief Fund and Second Harvest of Metrolina, which help provide food and supplies to those in need. Jordan shared his sympathies and commitment to rebuilding, remarking on the resilience of North Carolinians.
Similarly, Team Penske contributed $1 million to Samaritan’s Purse, a North Carolina-based relief organization, to aid recovery efforts.
Helicopters Deliver Essential Supplies to Remote Areas
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has utilized his helicopter to airlift vital supplies, documenting the journeys on social media. Thanks to support from companies like Polaris Inc., SpaceX, and Starlink, he has been able to deliver generators and internet access kits to areas with little connectivity. In one notable mission, Biffle responded to a stranded individual signaling with a mirror, and delivering essential items such as EpiPens, insulin, and food.
Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing Join the Relief Missions
Other NASCAR teams, like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, have joined in the relief effort by using helicopters to reach isolated areas. Joe Gibbs Racing organized a community drive, collecting non-perishable food, water, baby supplies, and pet food, eventually delivering more than 22,000 bottles of water and various essentials to affected regions.
Community Donation Drives Fuel Support
Kaulig Racing has also played an active role, opening its doors in Welcome, North Carolina, to gather donations for hurricane victims. Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks coordinated with Aerial Recovery, a disaster response team, sharing photos from Asheville as they provided crucial assistance to local communities.
NASCAR's Unity Shines in Times of Crisis
The outpouring of support from NASCAR illustrates the community’s collective strength and commitment to helping those in need. Team haulers, filled with critical supplies, have joined a convoy headed to the disaster zones, with each organization contributing to the relief effort in unique ways. NASCAR’s response to Hurricane Helene demonstrates the powerful impact that unity and compassion can have during times of crisis.
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