A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday killing at least 75 people and injuring hundreds of others. KNIA KRLS News was able to reach sprint car driver Stevie Walsh, a native of New Zealand from Auckland.

Walsh says he has not been impacted by the quake and has heard of no other drivers who were in Christchurch during the quake.

He says that New Zealand is a small nation, home to 4.3 million people and that this is a national tragedy. He is pleased by the actions of their Prime Minister, John Key, keeping everyone positive. He is also pleased that rescue teams from the U.S. and Australia came to help and have experience in such disasters after assisting victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

He asks for the people of Marion County to keep those in Christchurch in their thoughts and prayers.

Walsh last raced in Knoxville in the 2004-05 seasons for Bob Trostle.