Hendrick Motorsports Donates First Responder Tickets At New Hampshire Motor Speedway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organization Hendrick Motorsports has made a $5,000 donation to help officials from New Hampshire Motor Speedway in his first responders and their families for the track’s Camping World RV Sales 301 racing weekend July 11-14.

The donation by Hendrick Motorsports was made in memory of Sean Collier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer who was killed April 18. Colliers brother Andrew is a machinist with the Hendrick Motorsports engine department.

Hendrick Motorsports fields rides for five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhard Jr. and Kasey Kahne. Each of the team’s cars will carry a special decal in memory of Sean Collier this coming weekend at NHMS.

“The Collier family and everyone affected by what happened in Boston continue to be in our thoughts,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports said in a release. “Track partners like New Hampshire not only put on great events for our fans, but they’re also terrific corporate citizens. What they’re doing to recognize and remember our first responders will make for a very special weekend.”

Said Andrew Collier: “It means a lot for New Hampshire Motor Speedway to honor first responders. They’re on the front lines of our communities, and it’s extremely important to remind them how much they’re appreciated. My family continues to be blown away by how truly amazing the NASCAR community is. This is another example of that.”

Andrew Collier has started a petition to designate a federal holiday in honor of first responders. People can sign the petition at www.change.org/firstresponders.

Several corporations have also stepped up to assist in bringing first responders to this weekend’s events at NHMS, including Rexel, STIHL, United Site Services, Nokian Tyres, Ruger Firearms, Petroleum Equipment, Hampshire First/NBT Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Whelen and F.W. Webb.

“So far, we have delivered 2,250 tickets to first responders and the program will run right up to race weekend,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “We are proud of the response from our corporate partners and we greatly appreciate the support of Rick Hendrick and his organization.”

NHMS has also created a special t-shirt featuring the “Boston Strong” motto. The shirts will be on sale throughout the Camping World RV Sales 301 weekend with part of the proceeds going to the One Fund, supporting survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing.