Fittingly for a sport born in the Bible Belt, NASCAR has historically been fertile territory for thinking through the nexus of American religion and sport cultures. With the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s Super Bowl, coming up this Sunday, watch for Motor Racing Outreach, a non-denominational ministry dedicated to “introducing the racing community to a personal faith in Christ, to growth in Christlikeness, and to active involvement in the church through relationships that provide care in times of stress, knowledge of God’s word […].”
MRO’s chaplains can be seen on television praying with drivers and crews before races, in addition to hosting chapel services and building makeshift community centers during race weekends.
In Before the Thunder Rolls: Devotions for NASCAR Fans, former MRO Sprint Cup Chaplain Dale Beaver offers his own reflections on the role of faith and Christianity in the sport, as well as thoughts from some of the most popular drivers on the circuit.