KEY POINTS:
Champion New Zealand driver Scott Dixon has pledged to donate any prizemoney he wins at Monday's (NZ time) round of the United States Indycar Series to Iowa's flood and tornado relief fund.
Dixon's Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon will also do the same, the team, who are preparing for this weekend's Iowa Corn Indy 250 race, said.
" What has happened here in Iowa is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to all the victims of the horrific tornados and floods," Dixon said.
"Donating to this cause is the least that we could do..."
The severe weather that spawned deadly tornados and flooding claimed the lives of at least 18 people and forced 38,000 from their homes in Iowa alone. At least 83 of 99 counties in the state are now considered disaster areas.
Dixon, the 2008 Indianapolis 500 champion, is currently leading the IndyCar Series championship by 35 points after winning three of the first seven races this year.
- NZPA
