NASCAR And The Bibleনমুনা

“Old Testament Verse Encourages Ray Wright After Disappointing Performance on Pit Road”

2012 Tums Fast Relief 500: Martinsville Speedway (October 28, 2012)

Ray Wright has never been behind the wheel of a speeding stock car with thirty-nine other speeding stock cars all around, but he has experienced some of the same highs and lows that accompany the unpredictable nature of NASCAR competition. As the rear tire carrier for Paul Menard, Wright has even had some close calls while doing his job on pit road.

At a race in Michigan, Wright and his teammates narrowly averted disaster when an out-of-control car barreled through their pit stall. An even scarier moment took place at the 2013 season finale at Miami-Homestead Speedway when the #27 car’s right rear tire caught fire and exploded while Wright was trying to change it.

Such is the unpredictable nature of working on a pit crew. It’s not always that harrowing, but some days can be physically and emotionally draining in other ways. Take for example the 2012 Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The #27 team already knew it was going to be difficult to work around its pit stall, which was sandwiched between two of the top qualifying cars. Wright and his teammates were going to have to have a near perfect day to give Menard a fighting chance.

Even though they did their best to have great pit stops, they were always just a little bit off from their usual excellence. The tenths of seconds lost kept the #27 car just outside of the top ten all day and prevented Menard from having a shot at the end.

During his drive home, Wright was frustrated about his performance and disappointed in how the group performed as a whole. But suddenly, a spark of optimism jolted him out of his self-pity. Wright’s thoughts were drawn to a Bible passage from one of his favorite Old Testament books.

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

That last line in particular spoke to Wright’s current, but temporary circumstance.

“I remembered that Jesus is always there, no matter if we have a great day on pit road or a terrible day,” he wrote in his book Checkers or Wreckers. “If we win the race or finish 38th, He is there. If you lose your job or get chewed out by the boss, He is still there and is ready to take you back from defeat or negativity and fill you with His love and His joy.”