Hendrick drivers launch hurricane relief fund

Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have launched a disaster relief fund with the goal of raising $500,000 in two weeks to support hurricane victims.

The four NASCAR Cup Series drivers and the Hendrick Motorsports organization have committed a combined $200,000 to establish the fund and are now encouraging the public to join the effort by making a donation before midnight ET on Wednesday, Sept. 20. Tax-deductible contributions can be made by visiting HendrickRelief.org.

Related Stories

All donations to the campaign will benefit qualified charitable organizations supporting disaster relief efforts, including the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, which is housed at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

"The devastation caused by Harvey is incomprehensible," Johnson said. "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]. Over the next two weeks, we want to raise as much as we can to help as many people as we can."

The disaster relief fund is hosted by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is "assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States."

The team hopes to follow in the successful footsteps of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who has raised more than $27 million in hurricane relief donations after setting an initial $200,000 goal.