Auto Racers Truck 20,000 Bales of Hay to Drought-Stricken Dixie

A fleet of NASCAR racing team trucks roared out of town Saturday after hundreds of volunteers worked into the night to load them with hay for the drought-stricken Southeast.

“I have never been involved with this many people working together for the same cause,” said racing driver Richard Petty. “We really appreciate the Ohio farmer.”

The goal of 20,000 bales, set by the “Caravan of Care/Hayride 500,” was surpassed. All 43 trucks, sponsored by NASCAR stock car racers and their crews, were filled.

Highway Patrol a Friend

“This is one day all you guys can consider the highway patrol your friend,” Gov. Richard F. Celeste told the drivers as they prepared to leave on their 483-mile trip back to North Carolina. “If you have any problem, let me know. The governor will help you out.”

The main parking lot of the Countrymark Grain Terminal, which provided its property as a drop-off site for hay donations from around the state, was filled with trucks, hay and volunteers.

The drought has withered crops and pastures and left farmers without enough hay to feed their cattle. Some farmers have had to sell cattle early and at reduced prices.

Railroads Haul Hay

Farmers across the country have donated tons of hay, and railroads have provided their services for free to haul it.

A 105-car train loaded with about 71,000 bales of hay donated by Kentucky farmers headed for North Carolina on Saturday.

A 72-car train stuffed full of fresh Vermont hay rolled through that state Saturday on its way to Macon, Ga.

100-Ton Shipment

About 190 farmers from five hard-hit Virginia counties lined up early Saturday at Blackstone, Va., to receive their shares of a 100-ton hay shipment from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms in the South on Saturday knocked down power lines and thousands of trees and brought some relief from the 100-degree-plus temperatures.

But San Antonio was hot and dry with a high of 102, the eighth straight day of 100-degree or above heat. In Pensacola, Fla., a reading of 97 tied a record.