NASCAR Rallies for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating path through the southeastern United States, the destruction has been staggering. Communities in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina have been particularly hard-hit, facing widespread flooding, demolished homes, and millions without power. With the death toll surpassing 100, recovery is an uphill battle for many.

In response, the NASCAR community has come together in an inspiring show of support, using its platform and resources to aid the regions impacted by the hurricane. Leading the charge is former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who has taken to the skies in his personal helicopter to deliver much-needed supplies. Biffle, known for his hands-on approach to philanthropy, has focused on hard-to-reach areas in western North Carolina, distributing essentials like water and food. Teaming up with Polaris, Biffle has also delivered generators, and through a partnership with SpaceX, he has distributed Starlink kits to restore communication and internet access in affected regions.

Thank you to @PolarisInc and @SpaceX @elonmusk for donating 3 pallets of Starlink systems and many generators for deployment on helicopters and flights to support the communities! THIS IS HUGE. I’ve seen the impact first hand for 3 minutes of WiFi and I’m so thankful for the… pic.twitter.com/Fmwyq4dUKX

— Greg Biffle (@gbiffle) September 30, 2024

The mirror that caught our attention well over a mile away 👀 only way we we were able to find someone stranded in the mountains at bottom of steep canyon. 6 attempts to land due to difficulty but we got there – got him a chainsaw, EpiPens, insulin, chicken food, formula, gas, 2… pic.twitter.com/Wdl4w7hMZM

— Greg Biffle (@gbiffle) October 3, 2024

Biffle isn’t alone in his hurricane relief efforts. Major NASCAR teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, have also joined the hurricane relief efforts, utilizing their helicopters to transport aid to those in need. Bozi Tatarevic, a respected figure in motorsports, shared flight path data showing these teams’ helicopters making multiple trips to the hardest-hit areas.

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

NASCAR teams and venues have opened their doors to the public for donations. Joe Gibbs Racing launched a supply drive, accepting items like water, tarps, and non-perishable food. Meanwhile, Charlotte Motor Speedway, a pillar of the NASCAR community, hosted a two-day donation event, collecting critical supplies such as water and baby necessities for distribution.

Among the standout contributions, as reported by the Charlotte Observer, 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, made a $1 million donation to aid in recovery efforts. Half of this donation is earmarked for the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, with the other half directed to Second Harvest of Metrolina, an organization focused on providing food to families in need. In a heartfelt statement, the team reiterated their commitment to their local community, saying, “As proud North Carolinians, we stand with those affected by this tragedy and are dedicated to helping rebuild lives.”

Other NASCAR teams have also pitched in. JR Motorsports and Kaulig Racing have been instrumental in gathering and distributing donations. JR Motorsports is focusing on providing a wide range of essential supplies, including pet food, toiletries, and baby formula. Kaulig Racing, on the other hand, has opened its North Carolina shop to accept water, food, tarps, and other critical items.

This week, @JRMotorsports and @CARSTour are collecting donations for Hurricane Helene Relief as our continued thoughts are with those affected by the storm.

We invite fans to drop off supplies at our front lobby or retail store by end of day Wednesday, October 2.

JR… pic.twitter.com/znVR3rvUaR

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) October 1, 2024

Even NASCAR venues have joined the effort. Bristol Motor Speedway has transformed into a regional disaster relief center, while Talladega Superspeedway is accepting donations of non-perishable food and other essentials during race weekends. North Wilkesboro Speedway has also organized a relief drive, urging fans to donate cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and food to help the hurricane victims.

The NASCAR Foundation is another key player in the relief efforts, contributing $150,000 to the recovery operations. These funds are being directed to the American Red Cross to assist in ongoing disaster relief efforts. For fans looking to make a difference, the foundation is also accepting donations via its website.

As the Southeast faces the long and difficult road to recovery, NASCAR’s drivers, teams, and fans are showing their support in a big way. Through their combined efforts, the motorsports community is playing a critical role in helping to rebuild lives and restore hope in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.