Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick help hurricane victims
Can Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and the rest of the Hendrick Motorsports team raise half a million dollars in two weeks? They’re certainly going to try. On Tuesday, Hendrick Motorsports — whose drivers include Earnhardt, Johnson, Chase Elliott, and Kasey Kahne — announced it was starting a disaster relief fund for victims of hurricane Harvey and hurricane Irma, which could hit Florida as early as Sunday.
To jump-start the fund, the organization and its four drivers are committing $200,000 themselves.
“The devastation caused by Harvey is incomprehensible,” Johnson said in a statement. “NASCAR fans are some of the most generous and giving people on earth. With another hurricane (Irma) potentially on the way, we encourage everyone to consider joining us (with a contribution).”
All donations will benefit qualified charitable organizations supporting disaster relief efforts, including the Houston-based Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit HendrickRelief.org any time until Sept. 20.
This announcement is just the latest in a line of sports figures contributing to hurricane relief.
In the NASCAR world, Team Penske’s Joey Logano has pledged $25,000 to the Red Cross. One of his sponsors, Shell-Pennzoil, also donated $1 million. Elliott Sadler, an Xfinity Series driver, donated a portion of his winnings from Darlington to relief efforts, too.