NHRA professional driver Joe Morrison is dedicating his racing career to something far more important than win lights and reaction times. The veteran Top Fuel racer, who recently transitioned to Funny Cars, is on a personal mission to give people more time with their loved ones by raising awareness about lung health. Morrison lost his father to COPD in 2016 and has since teamed up with several organizations to bring early detection and treatment opportunities to the race track.
At the upcoming NHRA Reading Nationals, September 13-15, 2024, Morrison will be joined by three key partners: Right2Breathe, the Temple Lung Center, and Chiesi USA. All three organizations will have a shared mission at Maple Grove Raceway, and Morrison will be the face of these life-saving initiatives.
“I love racing at Maple Grove Raceway. I got my first wins here at an event called ‘Geezers at the Grove’ in 2009,” Morrison said. “It’s my home track, and I always have a ton of friends and family around. The fans here are some of the best anywhere. Every year, people who we’ve helped through ‘Put Your Lungs on the Dyno’ come by to tell us how their lives have improved. Knowing we’re making a positive impact
is both humbling and gratifying.”
The Power of Right2Breathe
Morrison’s partnership with Right2Breathe has been a game-changer for both him and NHRA fans. Right2Breathe, a nonprofit celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024, offers free lung health evaluations at the track, allowing fans to ‘Put Their Lungs on the Dyno.’ Since 2017, the organization has been providing lung screenings and health education at the Reading NHRA Nationals, reaching thousands of at-risk individuals.
“Our goal is to provide free lung screening and education for those at risk and to offer support to those already living with lung disease,” Morrison said. “It’s incredible to see the difference we’re making.”
Partnering with Temple Lung Center and Chiesi USA
Joining Right2Breathe at Maple Grove will be medical professionals from the Temple Lung Center, offering free lung screenings and promoting their “Temple Healthy Chest Initiative.” This initiative focuses on early detection of lung diseases, which can be critical in saving lives.
Melissa Liverpool, BSN, RN, and Supervisor of the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “We’re excited to bring these essential services directly to NHRA fans, where early detection can truly make a difference.”
Chiesi USA, a global biopharmaceutical company with nearly 90 years in the industry, is another key supporter of the event. Their US respiratory business unit, AIR, focuses on improving care for patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Chiesi’s commitment to raising awareness and improving access to care will be felt throughout the event.
“At Chiesi USA, we believe better health outcomes start with awareness,” said Richard Smith, Vice President of US AIR at Chiesi USA. “Today will be a success if we help even one person connect with the respiratory care they need.”
Back on Track: Morrison’s Return to Maple Grove
Morrison, from Flemington, New Jersey, will be making his second professional start in the highly competitive NHRA Nitro Funny Car division, driving for legendary Funny Car driver, owner, and tuner Paul Smith. Supported by sponsors like PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils and Mar-Schan Motorsports, Morrison is ready to take on the track and continue his mission of improving lives both on and off the dragstrip.
The impact Morrison and his partners are making at events like the NHRA Reading Nationals is profound, proving that racing is about more than just the checkered flag—it’s about changing lives, one fan at a time.
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