Erik Jones, Scott Crowell, Susan McKee Named 2024 Comcast Community Champion of the Year Finalists

Comcast announced Erik Jones, Scott Crowell and Susan McKee as the 2024 finalists for the Comcast Community of the Year on Oct. 31.

“We are continuously inspired by the stories we receive, each showcasing the significant contributions from individuals across the NASCAR industry,” Matt Lederer, vp of brand partnerships and engagement, Xfinity, said. “This year’s finalists are exceptional individuals united by a shared mission of making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.”

Nominations for the 2024 Comcast Community Champion – the 10th year of the award, created to recognize the extraordinary philanthropic efforts of individuals throughout the NASCAR industry – opened in early May and ran through June 10, 2024.

Last year, Comcast crossed the $1 million marker in total donations to 27 nonprofit organizations across the first nine years of the program, amplifying the impact of the philanthropic efforts of all finalists and champions.

Jones, driver of the No. 43 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, was nominated through his work with his Erik Jones Foundation. Jones launched his foundation in 2021, designed to provide charitable donations to organizations and offer direct-to-individual programs within communities across the country. Jones was focused on areas of importance, including: reading literacy, early cancer screening and detection, and animal welfare.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones began his #ReadwithErik program weekly on Facebook Live. Since then, he’s read to children at and away from the racetrack. His foundation also partners with schools to donate book vending machines and, this year, launched a pen pal program.

In October at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, each car ran a pink window net through Jones’ Window of Hope program. All window nets were signed and auctioned off to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.

After transitioning from a pit-crew member to a team hauler driver to NASCAR’s senior manager of facility operations, Crowell found his calling in giving back to individuals. His passion for supporting the special needs community has led him to volunteer for years with the Joyful Hearts organization, such as its Joy Prom event. 

In 2020, Crowell’s youngest granddaughter was born with a rare trisomy condition. That led to him establishing the Willow’s Wish Foundation, which fosters inclusive environments. The current initiative focuses on installing inclusive changing tables in parks and public spaces, each approximately costing between $7,000 and $10,000. 

The last finalists, McKee, helps lead Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Pit Crew, a group of staff and volunteers to service through the creation of new campaigns, volunteer programs and initiatives with a purpose to help those in her community.

McKee led CMS’ seventh annual Day of Service in August, with 84 volunteers lending over 275 hours of labor to three local nonprofits as well as creating Bags of Hope, sensory kits and refreshing Blessing Boxes around the community. The Pit Crew helped organize blood drives in conjunction with the American Red Cross and OneBlood that yielded 900 units of blood, helping over 2,600 community members. 

This year’s Comcast Community Champion of the Year will be selected by a panel of Comcast and NASCAR executives, along with Ryan Vargas, the 2023 Comcast Community Champion. Through Vargas’ work with FACES: The National Craniofacial Association, he was highlighted last season.

“Comcast has consistently demonstrated their dedication to supporting the NASCAR community with its philanthropic efforts nationwide,” Vargas said. “What Comcast did for FACES: The National Craniofacial Association cannot be understated. Their funds went directly into the, helping put on FACES Camp 2024 and has boosted Craniosynostosis and Craniofacial awareness across the industry and nation. I am honored to hold the title of Comcast Community Champion of the Year and am proud to stand alongside Erik, Scott, and Susan, who are each an inspiration to me.”

Previous Comcast Community of the Year champions include current NASCAR drivers Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace and Joey Gase.