In North Carolina, particularly the half west of Greensboro, no sport outside of college basketball has as deep of roots as NASCAR.

And in the aftermath of deadly and devastating Hurricane Helene, from those roots comes support as solid as an oak — thanks to two homegrown giants of the sport and the respective Charlotte-based auto dealership groups historically associated with them.

Hendrick Automotive Group, Hendrick Motorsports, Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports said Monday they have jointly pledged a $2 million donation to Samaritan’s Purse to support relief efforts in both Western North Carolina and areas of the Southeast impacted by the storm.

Samaritan’s Purse, a relief organization based in Boone, N.C. — one of the areas hit the hardest by Helene —  is coordinating relief efforts in the Southeastern states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports is led by CEO Rick Hendrick, while Sonic Automotive is led by David Smith and Marcus Smith is CEO of Speedway Motorsports.

The three CEOs put out this joint statement: “The impact of Hurricane Helene has been catastrophic. Our organizations represent more than 22,000 team members across the country, with thousands based here in the Southeast and many with connections that make this cause profoundly personal. Our neighbors in hard-hit areas face immense challenges in rebuilding their homes, communities and lives, and we will stand alongside them.

“Our companies share a commitment to community involvement and deep roots in western North Carolina and the Southeast region, and we feel a moral obligation to provide support and encourage others to engage in this effort through giving or volunteering,” they continued. “Samaritan’s Purse has an incredible track record of helping people all over the world, and we are proud to support the important work they’re doing right here in our backyard.”

Speedway Motorsports held relief drives last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway, with support from the Hendrick and Sonic organizations, along with NASCAR and area companies.

Their efforts netted more than 400 pallets of donated items transported to the North Wilkesboro track for distribution in Western N.C.

Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue taking donations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each Wednesday of October in its Silver Parking Lot at 6558 Bruton Smith Blvd. in Concord, N.C., just outside of Charlotte.

Hendrick Motorsports is teaming up with Hendrick Automotive to hold a donation drive Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during its Fall Fest event in Concord. Hendrick has also deployed its aircraft to help Samaritan’s Purse and other organizations with relief efforts in Western N.C.

The group has made more than 100 missions with the aircraft since Sept. 28 and will continue doing so indefinitely to aid in search and rescue and delivery of food, water and supplies.

To learn about volunteering opportunities or to make a financial donation, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org.

Editor’s Note: Several of Cherokee Media Group’s Industry Partners at Used Car Week are also lending a hand in the relief efforts. Information on those efforts can be found below.

NAAA: https://naaa.com/pages/disaster_relief_page1.html

NIADA: https://niada.growthzoneapp.com/ap/contribute/wMp53wLg

ARA: http://www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org/