NASCAR News: Joey Logano shocked by hurricane damage

After Hurricane Helene, NASCAR driver Joey Logano found himself helping with a crisis that deeply affected the communities where the hurricane had struck. As the devastating storm swept through areas where NASCAR teams reside and operate, it left a trail of destruction, drawing comparisons to the widespread economic shutdowns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the driver.

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage, leading to at least 215 deaths, more than half of which occurred in North Carolina alone. Extensive damage to infrastructure, especially in western North Carolina, has prompted an urgent need for reconstruction efforts. Significant federal funding has been allocated.

Joey Logano has been at the forefront of NASCAR’s relief efforts, visiting severely impacted areas and recently expressing his horror at the destruction. In conversations with NBC Sports’ Dustin Long (below), Logano shared the emotional toll of the catastrophe.

“Oh my God. Talking to some people, the problems and things they have to overcome to live are some of the saddest scenarios you can imagine,” Logano said. “Losing members of your family, cleaning up, trying to find bodies, trying to figure out if your house has any value, if you can get any money out of it, burial costs.

“Where are you going to live? Do I still have a job?

“I mean, these are all questions that everyone who lives in the mountains is asking themselves right now. So even if your house is fine, that doesn’t mean your workplace is fine. There are a lot of places that don’t have water, I can’t turn it on. .

“There are some areas that look like COVID down there where they just close businesses. It’s unbelievable”, he concluded.

This disaster feels personal for NASCAR drivers and teams as it occurred in their own backyards. Greg Biffle, a former driver, piloted his helicopter to transport essential supplies such as food and water to the hardest-hit areas. Their actions, shared through videos, were moving.

NASCAR’s response goes beyond individuals. Organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group, led by humanitarian figure Rick Hendrick, have leveraged their resources to support relief efforts. Its initiatives include executing more than 100 relief flights with assistance from Samaritan’s Purse, a Boone, North Carolina-based humanitarian relief organization with a strong track record of providing global aid. Along with Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports, Hendrick’s companies generously donated $2 million to Samaritan’s Purse to bolster its efforts in western North Carolina and the southeastern United States.

Charlotte Motor Speedway serves as a collection and distribution center for relief goods. Meanwhile, North Wilkesboro Speedway focuses on distributing aid in western North Carolina counties. NASCAR teams, drivers and other stakeholders came together, sending trucks full of necessities such as water, food, clothing and diapers, illustrating the core values of solidarity and compassion prevalent in this beautiful sport.

Logano faces a big challenge next weekend. With a significant race at Roval in the NASCAR Cup Series on the horizon, the driver is under pressure, 13 points behind the playoff cut line. Its task is compounded by historically modest results on road courses. It will be a difficult weekend for Logano.