Racing for Relief: Johnson, Fontana lend a hand

WILKESBORO, N.C. -- In response to the Southern California wildfires, Lowe's and NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jimmie Johnson are "Racing for Relief" to generate funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Lowe's will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross at the beginning of this weekend's Checker Auto Parts 500 in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, for every lap that Jimmie completes, Lowe's will donate $48.

"As a Southern California native, this disaster hits close to home, and Racing for Relief allows me the opportunity to pitch in and lend a hand," said Johnson, a member of the American Red Cross' National Celebrity Cabinet. "I'm glad I can do my part to support the Red Cross and the people that are affected by the wildfires."

Racing for Relief is a program Lowe's first introduced in April of 2000. To date, the program has raised more than $226,000 to assist in relief efforts for natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires.

Racing for Relief will include the following:

"Lowe's is a tremendously valued and committed partner of the American Red Cross. This relationship is critical to our ability to respond to disasters such as the wildfires. Money raised through the Lowe's Racing for Relief, customer donation program and online banners will help the American Red Cross provide for people's basic needs – food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance – following the fires," said Skip Seitz, Senior Vice President of Growth and Integrated Development, American Red Cross. "Thousands of disasters occur in the United States each year, and we can be there because of the financial support companies like Lowe's provide to us."

Lowe's serves as an official Red Cross cash donation site and responds to disasters by contributing to local and national Red Cross disaster relief funds, donating product and supplying volunteers.

California Speedway official "Race for Relief" drop-off site

FONTANA, Calif. -- Thousands of San Bernardino County residents have been displaced by the Grand Prix and Old fires. California Speedway President Bill Miller announced Thursday the "Race for Relief," a disaster relief initiative where California Speedway will become a drop-off site for items to aid those affected by the fires and those fighting them to be held this weekend.

Monetary donations are extremely critical. Donations to the Southern California Fire Disaster Relief Fund, which is being administered by the American Red Cross, can be made at the speedway.

"The Speedway is making the initial donation of $5,000," Bill Miller, California Speedway president, said. "For guests who had tickets to this weekend's event, which has been cancelled, account holders can donate the face value of the ticket to the relief fund."

Information for ticket account holders is on the speedway's website at www.californiaspeedway.com.

Residents can bring donations to the speedway located at 9300 Cherry Avenue in Fontana off the 10 freeway on Saturday or Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., or ship them to California Speedway, 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335.

Some of the items needed for fire victims are nonperishable food, baby food, diapers, blankets, clothes, toys, towels, and personal hygiene products. These items will be donated to the Salvation Army and other area shelters, such as the Inland Harvest Food Bank.

Also, speedway officials have been in contact with fire personnel to assist in their fire fighting efforts. Many people fighting the fires have experienced dehydration. California Speedway's "Race for Relief" will be supplying donations of beverages to base camps for those fighting the Grand Prix and Old fires beginning on Thursday.

Various companies are joining the "Race for Relief" effort by donating items and/or being on-site for the weekend. Michigan International Speedway has donated flashlights, clothing and hundreds of small cars to help kick off the "Race for Relief." Dewalt tools and Roush Racing have donated items as well as Champ Car teams, including Patrick Racing, Newman-Haas, Walker Racing, Rocket Sports and American Spirit, which have donated food and beverages. KFRG will be conducting a live broadcast from the facility this weekend.

"The California Speedway team is ready to assist our local community in any way needed," Miller said. "In addition to being a drop-off site for local donations, we are going to be reaching out to the racing community, and I'm sure the response will be great in assisting the local area in this relief effort."

California Speedway asks those in the community to help individuals and families displaced by the fires. For more information on the "Race for Relief" please visit www.californiaspeedway.com.