Crystal Clay, who spent several weeks gathering a wide range of essentials for those who lost everything in the January Eaton fire near her hometown of Pasadena, Calif., has been voted by the NMPA press membership as the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award First Quarter recipient.
While Clay’s family home escaped the devastating fire, many people with whom she grew up and extended family members lost everything.
Clay first organized a donation drive through her workplace in Las Vegas. She then partnered with the Boys & Girls Club, a place she attended as a child, because she knew they would get the items directly to the families needing the items. She established donation areas at work, shared regular updates, and gathered enough supplies that she had to rent a U-Haul truck to transport everything. After loading the U-Haul, Clay drove to Pasadena to ensure the items reached the right people. The team she led collected a wide range of essentials, including clothing and shoes for all ages, toiletries and hygiene products, blankets and bedding, non-perishable food, gift cards for basic needs, cases of bottled water, and toys, games, and books for children.
“I’m a little shocked and honored,” Clay, the chief motorsports correspondent for Racing Refresh, said after being told of her award.
“I felt like it was something I had to do. It’s home. I appreciate everyone who read my story.”
Clay is now eligible for the year-end NMPA Pocono Spirit Award, which is also voted on by the NMPA press membership. It will be presented at the annual convention.
Other nominees for the first quarter award were: Townsend Bell; Ron Capps; John Force; Jeremy Gerstner; Casey Mears; Malcolm Stewart and Alan “A.J.” Waller.
Established in 1992 and supported by Pocono Raceway, the Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. It is also meant to acknowledge competitors who have overcome illness, injury or tragedy to return to racing.
