NASCAR Cup Series rookie contender Zane Smith will have the support of City of Refuge in Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Trackhouse Racing announced in a press release on Tuesday.
The organization, which makes a tireless effort to transform the lives of individuals and communities in Atlanta, will serve as the primary marketing partner of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in Sunday’s second NASCAR Cup Series event of the 2024 season.
“The City of Refuge organization is something that is super important to me. It is special to see community members, organizations, and volunteers come together to make an impact on people’s lives,” said Smith, who will make his second visit to the organization and speak with business leaders, workers, and residents. “The good work they do across the country continues to amaze me. I look forward to spreading awareness about City of Refuge throughout the weekend in Atlanta.”
City of Refuge’s location in Atlanta’s westside coincides with decades of neglect and disinvestment in the community, which have taken a massive toll on the neighborhood, which now fostered Georgia’s highest incidences of poverty, incarceration rates and teen pregnancies.
The 24-year-old driver will be visiting City of Refuge and its location on Atlanta’s Westside a 10 am on Friday, February 23, where he will unveil the No. 71 City of Refuge Chevrolet Camaro that he’ll pilot during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.
The organization has created several different programs targeted to impact housing, youth development, health and wellness, and vocation. City of Refuge is a leader in social transformation and continuously works to empower and equip individuals with the tools to succeed.
“In the same way that Zane is passionate about maximizing his speed on the racetrack, we’re passionate about helping people maximize their potential and lead fulfilling, self-sufficient lives,” said Bruce Deel, City of Refuge founder and CEO. “The overarching goal of our organization is to bring life, hope, and transformation to our community, and we’re excited to partner with Zane as he amplifies this mission on a national platform.”
Deel was a minister in Stone Mountain when he was asked to help close a declining church in West Midtown. Instead, he and his family found themselves changing the lives of people with much larger needs. industrial property on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, in Atlanta’s most violent neighborhood. his is where he wanted to spread his ministry.
The property has multiple offerings, including a shelter for women and children, a preschool serving kids ages six weeks to four years old, a private school serving 4th through 12th-grade students, a Workforce Innovation Hub offering vocational training courses, a cafeteria that serves three hot meals a day, dedicated housing for survivors of trafficking and abuse, a medical clinic, a NAPA garage for automotive training, and more. Neighboring the property are additional affordable housing programs under City of Refuge that serve men, returning citizens, and general members of the community.
