Right before Ross Chastain smashed a watermelon at Kansas Speedway, a disaster struck North Carolina. NASCAR’s home state faced Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26th. It claimed over 100 lives and wiped out entire towns along the way. The western reaches of the state were especially in dire need of help. And they did receive vast amounts of it—and are still continuing to get aid due to Rick Hendrick’s former partner’s efforts.

Yes, the sponsor in question is the Billions-worth partner, Lowe’s. With a valuation of $141.04 billion, it has been a primary sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports since 2001. Backing the No. 48 Chevrolet of Jimmie Johnson, the retail company has helped propel the team to NASCAR’s highest levels. Although this sponsor-team marriage broke off in 2018, Lowe’s contribution continues to awe us.

How exactly has Mr. H’s former ally engaged in a noble cause?

Many in the NASCAR community have already done a lot in the Hurricane Helene disaster relief efforts. NBA legend and 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan donated $1 million. Huge, right?

Then, Greg Biffle, a 19-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, spent days after the storm delivering aid directly via helicopter. Hendrick Automotive Group, Hendrick Motorsports, Sonic Automotive, and Speedway Motorsports made a collective $4 million donation to Samaritan’s Purse, a Boone-based international relief organization. Now, Rick Hendrick’s two-decade-long former sponsor, Lowe’s, is extending this relief effort. Collaborating with NASCAR and a group of local volunteer builders, now, Lowe’s built over 100 tiny homes, or towable houses.

Julie Yenichek, Lowe’s senior director of community relations, said: “From a Lowe’s standpoint, we said: ‘Okay, if you can bring the builders, we can bring the products,’ and so that’s how we got involved.”

This is to provide displaced Carolinians with a place to call their own over the holidays. The $12 Million recovery effort exemplified teamwork for a noble cause. With the help of Kelly McArdle Construction, the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte, Brookes Construction, and many more local companies, Rick Hendrick’s sponsor was able to make it a success.

Last week on Thursday, a NASCAR hauler delivered the first nine homes. As many as 400 skilled laborers have donated their time to building these small shelters. Ultimately, the objective is to see the distressed families put smiles on their faces during the festive season. Julie Yenichek said, “It’s so important that they stay on their existing land so that they can rebuild so that they can make sure that their kids are still on the bus route so that they can have some form of normalcy.”

Rick Hendrick‘s former sponsor is proving its invaluable effort once again. NASCAR’s arguably greatest star has also acknowledged Lowe’s magnificent presence.

Who is the legend?

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Before we dive deeper into that, did you know Rick Hendrick and Lowe’s have achieved great milestones together?

When Jimmie Johnson hopped aboard the No. 48 Chevrolet under Hendrick in 2001, Lowe’s was with him. The retail company persisted with him until 2018 as the only primary sponsor and made its time worthwhile. The team clinched unrivaled success, winning 7 Cup championships, 83 points-paying races, and 35 pole positions. Not to mention Johnson’s consecutive championship streak that ended in 2009. Johnson also fetched 222 top-five finishes and 341 top-10s and led more than 18,000 laps with Lowe’s colors on his quarter panels.

So when the time came to bid adieu to each other, Jimmie Johnson could not help but salute his sponsor. After Lowe’s announced it would not come back as the No. 48 sponsor in 2019, Johnson felt nostalgic. Yes, it was JJ, the legend. He said, “I’ll always be grateful to Lowe’s for taking a chance on me and believing that I could win. I’m not sure where I’d be right now if they hadn’t committed to the No. 48 team. It’s hard to see them move on, but we’ve made history together and celebrated so much success on and off the track.”

Rick Hendrick himself issued a fitting tribute, saying, “We are so appreciative of everyone at Lowe’s. They have been amazing partners…With seven championships, this program has delivered far beyond what anyone could have imagined.”

Evidently, Lowe’s keeps garnering respect from the NASCAR community for its efforts. Hurricane Helene has affected several North Carolinians, and it is because of entities like Lowe’s that they are coping with this disaster.