That relationship is a key reason why he is offering to help Dixon's father, Mark Byrd, despite the fact that he does not know him.
[Ads /]
"Just knowing someone personally doesn't necessarily draw a perimeter on me reaching out to people. It never has," said Middleswarth.
On September 14, Byrd and a friend were loading a race car into an enclosed trailer when they noticed a problem with the fuel line. Moments later, there were a series of explosions, leaving Byrd badly injured.
"My heart breaks for him," Middleswarth said.
Byrd has been in the UNC-Chapel Hill Burn Center ICU ever since, as he's recovering from burns to 60 percent of his body.
Though the family has set up a GoFundMe, Middleswarth wanted to contribute in his own way.
[Ads /]
"You would think a 6'2 truck driver for 37 years would be tougher than I am, but I have a soft heart, and it's gotten softer as I've gotten older," Middleswarth explained.
On Wednesday, he is going to walk 25,000 steps around town collecting litter, asking people to pledge $1 for every 1,000 steps.
"I see two daughters and I see a wife who have taken this tragedy and they have framed it their love and with their faith. And they've come together as a family," said Middleswarth, who added that he has received a lot of pledges so far.
Middleswarth is coordinating the donations directly with Byrd's family, who told ABC11 us he is taking it day-by-day but does not have a timeline to leave the burn unit.