The NASCAR community is uniting to support those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall along the southern coast of the United States last weekend. Several drivers and teams have been using their own helicopters to ensure essential supplies reach those affected by the disaster.
Not only teams and drivers, but even race tracks, such as Bristol Motor Speedway, in Tennessee, and Charlotte Motor Speedway have allowed access to their campgrounds to people who are being displaced.
Among the aerial helpers is former NASCAR Cup star Greg Biffle, using his personal helicopter to deliver aid and supplies to hurricane-affected regions. He received 500 Starlink kits, which he plans to distribute to areas lacking cell service and internet connectivity, along with several generators from Polaris. In a recent video, Biffle revealed his gratitude to Polaris Inc., Starlink, and SpaceX, for their contributions.
The storm, which struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has caused widespread devastation, displacing thousands, leaving hundreds unaccounted for, and claiming over 100 lives. Record-breaking flooding, particularly in the mountainous areas of western North Carolina (NC) and eastern Tennessee, has obliterated entire communities.
OLD FORT, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 30: A motorist passes flood damage at a bridge across Mill Creek in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 30, 2024 in Old Fort, North Carolina. According to reports, at least 90 people have been killed across the southeastern U.S., and millions are without power due to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday. The White House has approved disaster declarations in North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states.The NASCAR community has teamed up to offer relief materials to victims through helicopters.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Trackhouse Racing is taking action, with co-owner Justin Marks sharing photos from Asheville, North Carolina, alongside team partner Aerial Recovery, which specializes in training and deploying Humanitarian Special Operators for disaster response. In addition, Kaulig Racing is actively collecting supplies and urging individuals to donate items at their race shop in Welcome, North Carolina.
Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) are also deploying their helicopters for relief efforts. JGR recently held a donation drive that concluded early Tuesday morning, during which they gathered boxed non-perishable food and tarps.
According to Motorsport.com, one of their haulers, fully stocked with water, food, baby essentials, and pet supplies gathered from employees and the local community, was dispatched to the affected region. The shipment included more than 22,000 bottles of water.
In addition, Kaulig Racing is actively collecting supplies and urging individuals to donate items at their race shop in Welcome, North Carolina.
THANK YOU for all of these donations! Just a little over an hour left until the JGR hauler leaves! We will be accepting more donations in the meantime! pic.twitter.com/2lreAcA3DG
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) October 1, 2024
23XI Racing, along with co-owner Michael Jordan, are pledging $1 million to aid relief efforts throughout North Carolina, a state that is home to many in the racing industry. The team said in a statement:
“Our hearts go out to everyone suffering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
“23XI Racing and I are honored to support the NC Disaster Relief Fund and Second Harvest of Metrolina as they help rebuild lives, restore hope and ensure that those affected receive the assistance they need. While the process of recovery will take a long time, as a proud North Carolinian, I know firsthand the strength and resilience of the people in this state we call home, and we will get through this together.”
Donations are being accepted at the organization’s race shop, ‘AirSpeed,’ located at 12311 Airspeed Drive in Huntersville, NC, from October 1 to October 4, with drop-off hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Other race venues and organizations accepting donations include:
Charlotte Motor Speedway: Urgently required bottled water, canned or non-perishable food, as well as wipes, and baby diapers. Donations can be made at the main entrance at 6558 Bruton Smith Boulevard, Concord, NC, on October 2 between 9 a.m. EST and 9 p.m. EST.
JR Motorsports: Items needed include trash bags, pet food, work gloves, water, diapers, baby formula, first aid kits, toiletries, batteries, plastic utensils, cleaning supplies, shelf-stable food, socks, bug spray, rain gear, and hand sanitizer. Donations can be made at 349 Cayuga Drive, Mooresville, NC, on October 2.
North Wilkesboro Speedway: Required cleaning supplies, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, non-perishable food, mops, buckets, gloves, bottled water, batteries, portable chargers, hygiene items, diapers and wipes, and baby formula. Donations can be made at 381 Speedway Ln, North Wilkesboro, NC, from October 2 through October 6 between 9 a.m. EST and 5 p.m. EST.
Talladega Superspeedway: Noted a need for canned/non-perishable food, bottled water, diapers, and wipes. Donations can be made outside the Turn 3 tunnel near Dega Depot (3366 Speedway Blvd, Lincoln, AL), from October 3 through October 5 between 8 a.m. EST and 5 p.m. EST.
