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Nonprofits work with speedway to cash in during races

By Jessica Groover
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Among the thousands of people who work at the Coca-Cola 600, there are more than 3,000 members of nonprofit groups who sell souvenirs, drive golf carts and scan tickets, among other jobs.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway employed 160 groups from 19 counties to work last year’s race. The groups earned $765,000, which went to community-related projects. 

Among the groups were the Knights of Columbus Council 7450 in Concord, University City Fellowship in Concord, and local high schools including A.L. Brown, Concord, West Rowan and Central Cabarrus. 

“The common thread is, as all of these groups come together, they form a lot of the southern hospitality,” said Scott Cooper, vice president of communications for Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

The work usually involves interacting with a variety of people from all over the world, said Mitch Hunter, arts and entertainment pastor for University City Fellowship.

“Sometimes you are the first representative at Lowe’s Motor Speedway,” Hunter said. “Being a good representative of our community and the track is a high priority.”

Hunter is one of about 200 volunteers from his church who usually work at information booths and drive golf carts to transport people. 

The church used the nearly $65,000 raised last year to fund youth camps, mission trips to Mexico, and Kidstuf, a program that teaches children about virtues. 

Concord Christian Church has also worked for the Speedway for several years and uses its money for similar causes.

“It’s a huge fundraiser for us,” said Debbi Crisp, member of the church and its mission board. “We have two big mission trips a year. We have a women’s trip in January (to Haiti) and in March, a coed group goes to Haiti.”

Last year, the church made $19,000 from several events. 

Usually about 35 volunteers participate. 

On the mission trips, church members help build houses, pray with Haitians and assist at various clinics.

Other groups who work for the Speedway have used their earned money for different causes. The Knights of Columbus in Concord has bought school supplies for special education teachers in Cabarrus County and brought home wounded soldiers for the holidays, among other things.

For many groups, it is fitting to earn these funds at the race.

“It’s a good way to serve your community, and our community is NASCAR,” Hunter said.

• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152