🏁 A Family’s Dreams Shattered on a Fatal Air India Flight — And Chase Elliott’s Response Rocked the World

Charlotte, NC / Mumbai, India – It was supposed to be the beginning of a new life — a chance to chase freedom, opportunity, and safety. But for the Kapoor family, it ended in tragedy.

Air India Flight 716, bound for Frankfurt en route to New York, crashed off the western coast of India just minutes after takeoff. Of the 214 on board, nearly all perished.

All except one: Raj Kapoor, a 40-year-old father seated in 11A, who survived while his wife and three children — ages 2, 5, and 8 — were lost forever.

“I remember looking to my right, where my wife sat… and there was only fire,” Raj said from his hospital bed. “In one blink, I became a husband without a wife, a father without children.”

His story—raw, brutal, and deeply human—made international headlines.

And among the millions who read it was NASCAR superstar Chase Elliott.

🟢 Chase Elliott: From Victory Lane to Humanitarian Highway

When Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, stumbled upon a photo of Raj holding a charred family photo, something in him shifted.

“I’ve raced at 200 miles per hour, I’ve risked my life. But nothing compares to that man’s pain,” Elliott said. “And I couldn’t just scroll past it.”

Within days, Elliott launched the “Lap 11A Foundation,” named after Raj’s seat on the flight, dedicating it to helping survivors of global disasters — especially those who’ve lost family while immigrating or fleeing crisis.

And to fuel it, Chase donated his entire 2025 season’s sponsorship bonuses — an estimated $4.3 million.

“We honor fallen fans with flags,” Elliott said. “But Raj deserves more than a moment of silence. He deserves a future.”

🏗️ A Foundation Built on Pain and Purpose

Lap 11A will focus on:

• Immediate relief for families affected by aviation disasters and immigration-related tragedies

• Trauma counseling programs and long-term therapy for survivors

• The construction of a memorial shelter and resource center in Mumbai named after Raj’s three children — Meera, Aditya, and Rehan Kapoor

• Educational scholarships for orphans and refugee children globally

✈️ Elliott Visits India — “We All Sat in 11A That Day”

Chase Elliott did more than write checks.

He boarded a plane and flew to India.

Unannounced, humble, and flanked only by one interpreter and a member of his foundation, he visited Raj in the hospital. They sat for three hours — mostly in silence, sometimes in tears.

“He held my hand,” Raj later recalled. “He said, ‘I race with courage, but today, you are the bravest man I’ve ever met.’”

The photo of their embrace has now gone viral — a NASCAR icon comforting a grieving father halfway across the world.

💬 Social Media Explodes: #Lap11A and #ChaseForChange Go Viral

The moment hit the internet like a storm. Fans, celebrities, and even rival drivers rallied behind Elliott’s move.

• “He just became the face of compassion in NASCAR.” – @RacingHearts

• “From the track to humanity, Chase Elliott is a true champion.” – @FuelForHope

• “He didn’t need a green flag. He saw pain and hit the gas.” – @SportForChange

Even global figures like Lewis Hamilton, Greta Thunberg, and Priyanka Chopra praised the initiative, calling it “a global moment of empathy.”

🟠 NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports Respond

Elliott’s team, Hendrick Motorsports, announced it would match Chase’s donation dollar for dollar. NASCAR itself pledged to host a memorial race, donating proceeds to Lap 11A.

In a rare statement, NASCAR CEO Steve Phelps said:

“We are proud of Chase not just as a driver, but as a person. His response shows what this sport — and its people — are truly about.”

🕊️ Raj’s Road Ahead — And Chase’s Legacy Beyond Racing

Raj Kapoor, still recovering, will be permanently resettled in the U.S. through support from the Lap 11A Foundation. He has been offered a role as Global Outreach Advisor, sharing his story to inspire healing and awareness.

“I lost my world,” Raj said. “But now I want to help others find hope again — just like Chase helped me.”

And as for Elliott?

“This isn’t about me,” he said. “This is about not letting anyone in seat 11A feel alone ever again.”