NASCAR: Hendrick donates $200K to Ukraine Relief effort

Hendrick Motorsports will be racing for more than the win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, as the organization has partnered with North Carolina-based Samaritan’s Purse to raise money for Ukraine.

Team owner Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Automotive Group, which sponsors reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson’s No. 5 entry, have committed $200,000 to Samaritan’s Purse to support disaster assistance. The Boone-based organization has deployed disaster specialist teams to Poland, Romania and Moldova to assist Ukrainians who are seeking refuge amid the Russian attack.

In addition to the $200,000 commitment, the Hendrick organization will donate $2,000 for Ukraine relief for each lap led by the four-car Hendrick Motorsports stable during the Pennzoil 400. If Hendrick matches last year’s total of 150 laps led, the total donation to Ukraine would be $300,000.

“Like the rest of the world, our family has watched the worsening crisis in Ukraine with shock and sadness,” said Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “We’ve been especially struck by the needless suffering inflicted on innocent children.”

“We hope to encourage others to support Ukraine, whether it be through Samaritan’s Purse or one of the other organizations providing critical humanitarian relief,” Hendrick said. “We cannot ignore the disaster that is unfolding.”

Samaritan’s Purse is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax-deductible. Since 1970, it has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. Samaritan’s Purse has a four-star “exceptional” rating from Charity Navigator, which independently evaluates non-profit organizations.