Nationwide Teams Donate to the Red Cross

GLADEVILLE — The last time NASCAR came to Nashville it raced a day after the Good Friday Tornadoes devastated the Murfreesboro area.

NASCAR's Nationwide Series teams gave back to the Nashville area on Saturday, helping the Nashville Area American Red Cross gear up for the next disaster.

More than $22,000 were raised in a Nationwide Team Challenge on Saturday. That combined with $25,000 donated by the Nationwide Foundation the day of the April race ran the total to nearly $50,000 donated to the Nashville Area American Red Cross.

"Right now we are preparing for the next disaster," said Jill Gorin, spokesperson for the Nashville Area American Red Cross. "We want to get on the right track for the next disaster, which includes training people for it — training them how to open a shelter and the logistics of damage assessment."

RAB Racing won the team challenge — raising $13,348.41 of the total $47,263.51 raised, which also included $850 from fans during an autograph session prior to the race. The amount will be more because a portion of the winnings will also be donated, crew chief Brad Parrott said.

The team of the No. 09 Zaxby's car has struggled this season. Its best finish was 16th at Bristol.

"We wanted to prove to everybody that we are winners," Parrott said.

Crew members, sponsors team owners all donated money. The team's public relations representative even raised more than $600 through a bake sale at the track.

"I've got friends in Murfreesboro," Parrott said. "It missed their house, luckily. But a lot of people were affected by it."

Nashville-based Baker Curb Racing raised $5,900 toward the challenge. State Water Heaters, the team's primary sponsor for Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 300, donated $5,000 for the challenge. State Water heaters is based in Ashland City.