Picture a group of pastors and chaplains with limited or no racing experience battling it out on Madison International Speedway’s Ring of Fire to see who can take home the honor of “Fastest Pastor.”
That’s exactly what is going to happen on Friday, August 12th when MIS hosts the annual Faster Pastor Charity Race. This year the event will be raising money for two area organizatons: The River Food Pantry and the Oregon Police Department K9 division. Weekly drivers will be passing their helmets through the crowd during intermission.
The event will be part of an already action-packed race night at MIS where all four weekly divisions will also be in action. Fans can see the Late Models, Area Sportsman, Legends, and Bandits. The pastors will be driving the cars from the Bandits division.
A tentative list of racing pastors includes Eric Erickson from Lakeview in Stoughton, Rob Nelson from New Heights Lutheran in Black Earth, Steve Cook from Capital Chaplains, Matt Rust from InterVarsity, Matt Mailefer from Door Creek Church in Madison, Kent DuVall from Grace Church in New Glarus, Mike Tess from Good Shepherd Episcopal in Sun Prairie, Craig McMahon from Swiss Church and others still to be announced.
“The annual Faster Pastor race is this coming Friday and we are hoping for a great turnout”, said Dave Coker of Pellitteri Waste Systems, one of the promoters of the event. “We have a lot of fun planned and some great silent auction items.”
Dave Grueneberg MIS General Manager adds, “This has become one of the best annual nights at the track. We are glad to welcome the pastors to the track and to be able to help the charities. I have to give Todd Christopherson a lot of credit for bringing everyone together for this event.”
“My hope is that we are a blessing with a good amount of money and can goods to the charities and that many come out to see the racing and cheer the pastors on, said Todd Christopherson from Team Jesus Racing Ministry, MIS track chaplain and organizer of the event. “It is always fun to have the pastor’s race.”
Pit gates on Friday open at 3:30 with practice at 4:45, qualifying at 6:15 and racing at 7:30. The Faster Pastor race should begin at approximately 8:30.
Fans can save $1.00 off admission by bringing three canned food items.
Madison International Speedway is located on Sunrise Road just south of Highway 138 two miles east of Oregon. For more information you can check the track website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com or call the track office at 608.835.9700 .
