Amidst the excitement of the final few races of the season, NASCAR and the rest of America fight a brutal tragedy. Earlier in the week, after Hurricane Helene hit the shores of Florida and moved inland, horrible devastation broke out across the southern United States, with North Carolina- the home of NASCAR- being hit hard. With the hometown community suffering, NASCAR teams quickly mobilized, organizing efforts to bring resources to the people.

Team Penske did not stand back, pledging a large sum of money to be used for those suffering from the damages. However, upon seeing the gesture, fans were outraged- but at the government.

After the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, it was only time before the NASCAR community got involved. Earlier in the week, Greg Biffle, along with Hendrick Motorsport and Joe Gibbs Racing, set the example for teams to follow. They sent out their helicopters to different parts of the region in order to aid the rescue effort, as well as distribute relief material.

North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR, holds a special significance. The Old North State hosted the sport’s first races nearly a century ago. Since most teams and drivers are based there, fans expected the racing community to rally around the state in its time of need. Accordingly, Team Penske has answered the call, partnering with Samaritan’s Purse to provide substantial aid.

As part of the relief effort, Team Penske is donating $1 million to Samaritan’s Purse, which is operating out of Boone. These efforts are truly heartwarming. It’s uplifting to see the NASCAR community give back to North Carolina, the state that largely shaped the sport. This gesture of goodwill is deeply appreciated by fans. However, amidst this display of solidarity, some members of the community have expressed anger.

Fans are angry with the NC government after NASCAR teams joined the relief effort

While NASCAR teams persist in their relief efforts, fans have expressed dissatisfaction with one aspect. Although they appreciate the teams’ initiatives, they believe that overseeing the relief effort is ultimately the government’s responsibility. One fan went on to say, “Kinda sad companies are donating a shit ton of money cuz our own gov’t decided to waste it.” This comes in light of big donations coming from the NASCAR community. Just before Team Penske got involved, two other members of the NASCAR community jumped into the relief effort- Joey Logano and Michael Jordan.

Earlier in the week, the driver of the #22 Team Penske car, Joey Logano, also pledged $250,000. Of the total amount, the ‘Convoy of Hope’ has already received $25,000′. Apart from giving back to the state that helped him build his NASCAR dream, Joey Logano has a deeper understanding of what it takes to recover from a disaster such as Helene. Back in 2011, Logano helped the rebuilding efforts in Missouri, an experience that made a fundamental impact on him. Immediately after, Logano set up the ‘Joey Logano Foundation’ which helps people rebuild their lives after catastrophes such as Helene. The $250,000 pledged to relief effort for Hurricane Helene is only a small part of the work he has done so far. The foundation has donated $5 million in the last decade to help people. In light of such efforts made by drivers, one fan stated, “Doing more than our own government is for NC.”

Team 23XI‘s co-owner Michael Jordan also got involved. Jordan, a North Carolina native, spearheaded the team’s effort to help the people of the state. He went on to say, “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 the state we call home, and we will get through this together.” Jordan and Team 23XI also pledged $500,000 to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and Second Harvest of Metrolina. Fans echo their anger on Team Penske’s Instagram post. They believe these teams have made a greater effort than local authorities, with one fan saying, “Crazy how NASCAR teams are doing more than the government.” 

North Carolina holds a special place in the history of NASCAR, with deep ties to the sport’s heritage. Many teams have their headquarters in the state, and numerous drivers have made it their home, building homes for their families there. Notably, several legendary drivers, including Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, hail from North Carolina, proudly representing The Old North State. As Team Penske publicly announced their pledge to support, another fan commented, “Thank u Penske! ❤️❤️our government should take notes!! 😡,” asking the government to follow suit.

As millions continue to pour in from the NASCAR community, some fans think that the sport is doing more for the state than the government is. Teams continue to tie up with organizations such as the Red Cross, asking people to donate to different non-profit organizations that are working to bolster the effort. One fan said, “When a race team does more than the government.” 

It is important to mention that while some fans are angry at the government, local authorities have mobilized resources to help people. The National Guard works tirelessly to rescue people stuck in flooded areas. The Asheville Regional Airport has been turned into a hub from where supplies are being sent out to different parts of the state. Military aircraft such as the C-17, which are usually used in military transport, are now utilized for air-dropping supplies across the state. This effort is especially crucial at a time when flooding led to a lot of the roads being blocked. In such a time, aircraft drops may be the only way of bringing aid to people. 26 aircraft have been sent to North Carolina as part of the effort. Moreover, there are over 1100 members of the National Guard as well as airmen present in North Carolina.