Our ministry partners share God's hope in Christ at racetracks all across the United States. Here are just a few of them.
Who We Are
Bristol Raceway Ministries is a Christian ministry serving at Bristol Motor Speedway and throughout the surrounding community. Founded in 1992, we are an all-volunteer organization bringing together Christians from churches across the Tri-Cities and beyond. What brings us together is our faith in Jesus Christ and a shared desire to serve others in His name.
What We Do
Bristol Raceway Ministries serves race fans and others who come to Bristol Motor Speedway, both during race events and throughout the year. Our work includes golf cart shuttle transportation, ministry tents on the concourse and in the campgrounds, where we offer free New Testament Bibles and other Christian literature. We also host chapel services and provide pastoral care when needed. Outside the NASCAR schedule, we also assist other organizations with events and community activities.
While many people know us through the services we provide, our mission goes beyond meeting physical needs. We seek to reflect the love of Jesus Christ through acts of kindness, personal encouragement, and spiritual support. Whether someone needs assistance getting across the speedway, a listening ear during a difficult time, or an opportunity to discuss matters of faith, we strive to serve each person with compassion and respect.
Our Mission Field
Bristol Motor Speedway creates a unique environment for ministry. During race weekends, tens of thousands of people gather in one place for several days, forming a temporary community of race fans, campers, employees, vendors, and their families. People who might never cross paths in everyday life come together with a shared interest in the events taking place at the speedway.
This setting provides opportunities to build relationships, offer assistance, and engage with people from many different cultural backgrounds. It is a ministry environment unlike either a traditional church setting or a foreign mission field, allowing us to connect with individuals who may have little to no involvement with a local congregation.
Our work is guided by four biblical foundations. These help shape how we serve, how we treat people, and how we work together as a ministry.
- Fellowship — Hebrews 10:24–25. We serve alongside Christians from different churches and communities. As we work together, we build friendships, encourage one another, and share in the work God has given us.
- Pastoral Care — Galatians 6:2. Race weekends can take people far from home and the support they normally depend on. Our chaplains and volunteers offer prayer, a listening ear, and spiritual care when it's needed. This can include chapel services, weddings, memorials, and helping people through difficult or unexpected situations during race events.
- Evangelism — Mark 16:15. Our time at the speedway gives us opportunities to talk with people about Jesus Christ. Sometimes that happens through a conversation about faith or a Bible shared with a visitor. Other times, it begins with someone asking for prayer or simply getting to know one of our volunteers. We want people to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and learn about the hope found in Christ.
- Service — Matthew 25:40. We believe serving others is one way we put our faith into practice. Whether we're providing a ride, helping someone find their way, or taking time to listen, we want the way we treat people to reflect the love of Jesus Christ.
How to Get Involved
Bristol Raceway Ministries depends on volunteers to carry out its work at Bristol Motor Speedway and throughout the year. Some opportunities involve direct interaction with race fans and visitors, while others support the ministry behind the scenes. Whether you have a few hours to give or can serve on a regular basis, there are many ways to get involved.
Cookie Ministry
Homemade cookies have long been part of Bristol Raceway Ministries. Volunteers bake and package cookies that are distributed at our ministry locations during race weekends and other events.
Our Cookie Information Sheet explains how to prepare, package, and deliver cookies for the ministry.
Facilities & Event Support
Much of the ministry's work takes place before the first visitor arrives and after the event concludes. Volunteers help set up and take down ministry tents, clean and maintain golf carts, organize supplies, and assist with other operational needs throughout the year.
Ministry Tent Volunteer
During NASCAR race weekends, volunteers staff our concourse and campground ministry tents. Responsibilities include welcoming visitors, answering questions, providing directions, distributing New Testament Bibles and cookies, and praying with those who request it.
Golf Cart Transportation
Getting around Bristol Motor Speedway can be challenging for guests with mobility limitations or those who have difficulty walking long distances. Golf cart volunteers provide transportation during NASCAR race weekends and other events, helping guests travel safely and comfortably throughout the facility.
Campground Ministry Partnership
Churches and other organizations can support Bristol Raceway Ministries by sponsoring a nearby campground during NASCAR race weekends. Sponsoring groups provide a ministry presence in the campground, assist campers, answer questions, offer prayer, and may host chapel services.
Find the Right Opportunity
Volunteer opportunities vary in both responsibility and time commitment. Some volunteers serve occasionally, while others participate throughout the racing season and beyond. If you're interested in serving but aren't sure where you fit, we'd be glad to discuss the available opportunities and help you find a role that matches your interests and availability.
Ready to Get Started?
Use the Volunteer Resources button below to register as a volunteer and access the information needed to take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Race weekends are exciting, but they also bring plenty of questions. To make things easier, we’ve put together answers to the ones we hear most often. If you still need help, just reach out; we’re happy to assist.
Our FAQs are split into two sections: one for guests attending the event and another for volunteers. This way, you can quickly find the information that’s most relevant to you.
Our campground and trackside ministry tents host chapel services. They take place on Sunday during the Spring race and Saturday during the Fall race. Click the location links below for directions on your mobile phone.
- 9:00 AM in the All American Campground beside the shower house.
- 9:00 AM in the Earhart Campground beside the campground check in tent.
- 9:00 AM at the Fellowship Chapel tent below the dragstrip tower.
Yes, our chaplains, who are ordained pastors, can perform weddings during race events. We work with Bristol Motor Speedway to coordinate the ceremony and will do our best to accommodate special requests. Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice if you plan to get married during an event. If you need a marriage license, visit the Sullivan County Clerks website.
Yes. There are no state restrictions on who can conduct a memorial service for spreading a loved one’s cremains. We work with Bristol Motor Speedway to coordinate these services and will do our best to honor special requests. If you’d like to hold a service during an event, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Unfortunately, we are not able to loan or rent out our golf carts due to insurance restrictions. However, we do offer a golf cart shuttle service for local events in exchange for a donation to our ministry. Contact us for more details.
Bristol Raceway Ministries is actually part of a larger network of ministries serving at raceways all across the United States at major NASCAR and IndyCar speedways as well as weekly short tracks. Local teams (like ours at this track) partner with their specific facility, but we’re connected to a broader family of Raceway Ministries groups who share the same heart: serving race fans, teams, and staff in Jesus’ name at racetracks everywhere. So while our focus is this track and this community, the ministry itself stretches far beyond just one place.
You can see some of the other locations where Raceway Ministries serves by checking the list at the bottom of this page. It gives a quick look at how the ministry reaches far beyond just our track.
Yes! Our focus isn’t the race; it’s the people we serve. Many of our volunteers are so engaged in their work that they hardly notice what’s happening on the track.
Yes! Our volunteer opportunities are flexible, and we’ll work with your availability.
Before the event, we’ll send out detailed instructions and a map showing where to park, where to check in, and what to expect. We can also give you a tour of the facility to help you get your bearings if needed.
Yes! Our website is designed to introduce you to our ministry and how we serve at the track, it also has a section for volunteer resources to help you get started. When you arrive at an event for your shift, you’ll get a short tour, and we’ll pair you with an experienced volunteer to help you feel comfortable and show you the ropes.
We also try to schedule training sessions throughout the year to help you better prepare for sharing your faith with others.
We encourage volunteers to sign up with their friends; it makes the whole experience even better! And yes, children are welcome, but race weekends can be very busy, and younger ones may tend to get restless with all the excitement around. If you’d like to bring your child, speak with our volunteer coordinator for the best guidance.
Yes. Our ministry partners with other organizations across the Tri-Cities to provide support for community events, outreach efforts, and special ministry opportunities. While most of our work takes place at Bristol Motor Speedway, we’re glad to serve in other local settings when our volunteers and resources allow.
Victory Through Jesus
The Gospel at Full Throttle
Did you know that in racing, a driver can lead every single lap and still lose the race if they get disqualified?
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Just like a driver who breaks the rules, we’ve all fallen short and are disqualified from heaven on our own.
Our sin carries a penalty we can’t appeal or fix by ourselves. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In racing, a team can come back from a penalty and still take the checkered flag. In life, though, we can’t make that comeback without help. That’s where Jesus steps in. He took our penalty when He died on the cross. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Salvation isn’t something we can earn. It’s a gift we receive by trusting in Jesus. Romans 10:9 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The greatest victory doesn’t happen on the track, it happens when you know Jesus and experience His grace. Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
It doesn’t matter what lap you’re on, how many times you’ve spun out, or how banged up your life may feel. Jesus is ready to meet you right where you are and lead you to victory that lasts forever.
If you have questions or just want to talk, come find us at an event. We’re the ones in blue shirts. We’d love to chat and pray with you. If you’d rather, you can also send us a prayer request online with the button below.
National Fellowship
Atlanta
North Carolina
South Carolina
