NASCAR Angels and Randy Moss team up to give back

The worlds of NASCAR and the National Football League collided in Rand, W.Va. on Tuesday – all to help local coach Mack Reed who has dedicated over two decades of his life to serving the youth of his community.

DuPont Middle students got involved in the filming of NASCAR Angels

 

 

A crew from the television show NASCAR Angels came to film an episode in the same style of ‘Extreme Makeover’ – but it’s vehicles that get worked on instead of homes. 

 

Goodyear Gemini automotive technicians at the Appalachian Tire store on Clendenin Street in Charleston performed the work on Reed’s vehicle for the NASCAR Angels cameras on Monday and were on hand for the ‘reveal’ portion of the show at DuPont Middle School on Tuesday.

Mack Reed reacts after seeing his new vehicle for the first time

 

 

Reed’s vehicle reported had over 200,000 miles on it and according to NASCAR Angels crew chief Rick Hunter had ‘about 50 things that needed attention’ to get it in top working condition again. In fact, it was deemed beyond repair. So Reed received a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander van instead. The technicians got it in top shape under the hood and placed new Goodyear Gemini tires on it.

 

Randy Moss’ ties through his ownership of a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team had a direct effect on the show’s decision to come to Rand. The New England Patriots wide receiver was back in town for the festivities.

Randy Moss, NASCAR Angels host Shannon Wiseman and Mack Reed

 

“Exide is a sponsor of Randy Moss Motorsports,” explained Lee Qualls, Vice President of Marketing, Exide Technologies. “When they told us of the way Randy reaches out to his hometown community, we felt it would be meaningful to come to Rand and repair a vehicle for someone in his honor. Mack seemed the perfect guy given his compassion and genuine commitment to helping kids reach their potential.” 

 

“Mack’s extraordinary dedication to kids is a perfect complement to Randy’s commitment to youth and his community.  We are honored to play a part in bringing this well-deserved recognition to Mack’s ongoing efforts in Randy’s hometown.”

Randy Moss and Donnie Jones

 

“It’s kind of crazy because we’re out here in the country in Rand, W.Va.,” Moss said. “We don’t get to see this every day. For a big time organization such as NASCAR to come to the Rand community and show some love, that is awesome. The people here will definitely remember this for the rest of their lives.”

 

Hundreds of DuPont students were involved with the filming, cheering and witnessing a taste of Hollywood in their own backyard. 

 

 

 

“It was a wonderful day,” Moss said. “I don’t know if Mack knew how the day was going to go. I was a little nervous for Mack. I took some time out of my schedule to support my community and what Mack Reed does. I think it was a good thing to just see the smile on his face and his kids faces. His wife was crying. That’s what things like this show are really all about – the NASCAR Angels.”

 

NASCAR and Moss both have shown genuine concern for giving back.

 

 

NASCAR Angels crew interviewing Randy Moss at his old high school, DuPont

 

“That is a part of my make-up,” said Moss. “I believe that it starts at home. But once your trickle on down to the community it’s very important for us to have community leaders and neighborhood watch. The grown-ups need to be watching out for the kids. We’re a well-knitted community. It shows in the support that was shown in everyone coming out today to support Mack Reed. They showed a lot of love for what he’s done.”

 

 

 

 

“It’s been very rewarding to be here,” said Shannon Wiseman, co-host of NASCAR Angels and a former Miss Winston Cup. “I feel blessed to be a part of this show that actually gives back and helps people. You don’t really realize how many people are out there like Mack Reed that are constantly doing things for other people. They let things like their own car go neglected because they are putting time and energy into helping other people. That’s why we came to Rand.  Mack is devoted to these kids. It’s been an awesome experience.

  

 

 

“The people here adore Randy. What makes him such a huge start is not only what he does on the football field but the things that he does to give back to the place that he came from.”

 

The episode is scheduled to air the weekend of June 20-21. NASCAR Angels appears on over 200 broadcast stations nationwide including WTAP in Parkersburg and WTOV in Wheeling as well as the Hallmark Channel on various cable and satellite systems representing a potential audience of 95 million homes

 

“I’m anxious to see how it’s going to turn out,” Moss admitted.  “It was a good day. The school showed up and showed great appreciation for Mack Reed and what he has done. It’s a good thing. Everyone was happy.”

 

Moss had a chance to talk with a few of the DuPont Middle students on the football field where he starred as a DuPont High School Panther following the filming. At one point he pointed to the press box at H.B. Douglas Field, emblazoned with the words “1992 State Football Champions” and “1993 State Football Champions” in blue and gold paint.

 

The experience of standing on the turf at DuPont again definitely left Moss feeling nostalgic.

 

“I can’t believe they let the field go like this,” Moss said laughing while looking down at the rain-soaked field. “We won two state titles on this field! That’s really just what time and old age is all about though. As you get old, things do change. I still have my memories here and they will never leave. That’s me.

 

“I was just letting the kids know that they don’t really know how much the community – not just Rand, but their communities where they’re from such as Belle – the community depends on these guys. Not just for sports, but it’s bringing the people out here on a Thursday or Friday night. It doesn’t even have to be a win. It’s just about getting out in the community. There are a couple of things that I might want to come back and bring back to his school. Maybe do some community things that the players can come out and do. We want to make a better community and do things for the people.”

 

For more information on NASCAR Angels, visit www.nascar.com or  http://www.nascarangels.com

 

The crew from NASCAR Angels and Goodyear Gemini technicians from Appalachian Tire in Charleston