HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WANE) – Josh Hart, a professional drag race driver, visited his hometown of Huntington Wednesday ahead of a competition in Indianapolis this weekend.

Hart has more than a decade of experience and several wins under his belt as a Top Fuel Dragster winner and Top Alcohol winner before that. He will be visiting several spots around the city, including the Josh Hart Racing Field, as he receives multiple honors for his recent philanthropic efforts with a variety of Huntington charities.

One of those places includes the Huntington Police Athletic League (PAL).

“Anything we can do to help the youth,” Hart said.

Hart once played basketball at the PAL when growing up.

“I played whatever they needed me to, mostly the bench,” Hart said.

However, the experience moved him to donate sports fields to the facility in the past, and this season he donated helmets to the youth football program.

A donation that may have saved the youth sport in Huntington.

“It allowed us to have this season this year, and some would say actually it kept youth tackle programs alive,” said Sgt. Benjamin Spurgeon, a Huntington City Police Department officer and organizer with PAL. “It’s a dwindling sport.”

Hart told WANE 15 he is fortunate to be in a position to give back to his community.

“It means everything. It’s truly proof that anything is possible if you work hard and put forth the time and dedication,” Hart said.

Hart is competing this weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park’s Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals.