Joe Gibbs Racing raising money to help out

By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
September 13, 2001
1:57 PM EDT (1757 GMT)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- The NASCAR community has long been recognized for its family-oriented approach, and in the wake of Amercia's darkest hour, some teams are taking that same approach in an effort to help those in need.

Joe Gibbs

Joe Gibbs Racing may have put forth the most concerted effort over the past few days, following a terrorist attack on both towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. According to Robin Lambe, a JGR administrative assistant to crew chiefs Jimmy Makar and Greg Zipadelli, the team has raised some $6,500 for the American Red Cross.

"Some of the guys in the shop heard on the Ace & T.J. Show here in Charlotte that they were taking donations, and they began collecting money from everyone here," said Lambe, the coordinator of the efforts at JGR. "They're taking the money down there to the station later today."

Lambe said the team had hoped to start a blood drive, but were told to hold off a few weeks until the supply is necessary. She said the team has plans to schedule a blood drive in early October, and will include the public if possible.