RICHMOND, Va. -- Brad Keselowski's wife, Paige, skipped the race Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway so she could be with family who live in eastern North Carolina in the path took by Hurricane Florence.
While her family's home was spared the worst, many of Keselowski's family and friends were impacted. Keselowski and Ryan Newman are among the drivers whose foundations are working to help victims of the storm.
Keselowski said his Checkered Flag Foundation, which focuses on support of military families and first responders, has raised about $40,000, and he and Paige plan to match an unspecified amount as they continue to seek contributions for clothes, fuel and food for first responders.
"We are hopeful that will make an impact and help some people that are really in a bad spot," Brad Keselowski said Friday at Richmond Raceway. "But I've got to give my wife most of the credit. She's the one making it happen while I'm trying to trying to win races."
Ryan Newman's wife, Krissie, has spent the past few days helping in efforts in association with their Rescue Ranch, an 87-acre animal rehabilitation facility they run in North Carolina, and other animal-focused disaster efforts. Krissie Newman is certified in animal rescue through Code 3 Associates and has been helping rescue animals from floods.
Rescue Ranch is collecting items (animal food, crates, towels) and monetary donations to bring to the command center in Burgaw, North Carolina.
Thank you to @code3associates @NewmanKrissie @action4ifaw @hsmo @SweetPawsRescue @RedDogFarm for your combined rescue efforts! Learn more about #Code3Associates #animalrescue training courses at https://t.co/OalRNSAlCo #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/KbGRKQY9QN
— Rescue Ranch (@RescueRanchNC) September 19, 2018
Krissie Newman said Friday, after her fifth day of doing rescues, that the amount of water and widespread flooding has been greater than she has dealt with in her previous rescue work. The water is expected to recede this weekend and she hopes to return home Monday.
"We've seen a lot [of animals] on back porches, a lot on the second story inside the house where the owners have given us permission to go into the house and retrieve the animals," Newman said.
"Yesterday, I walked into a house and it was in chest-deep water and everything that those people owned was floating and buoyant. ... Two of their three dogs were floating the master bedroom mattress."
Dale Earnhardt Jr., competing in the Xfinity Series race Friday at Richmond, had a "Team Rubicon" sticker on his car. The international non-governmental organization focuses on relief efforts, and Earnhardt said his foundation had planned on working with the group in the future but has sped up efforts because of the storm.