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
For more than 36 years, we have had the privilege of serving race fans at Bristol Motor Speedway and people throughout our community. Our ministry is made possible by volunteers from churches across the Tri-Cities and beyond. Although we come from different churches, different communities, and different walks of life, we come together for one purpose: to serve people and share the love of Jesus Christ.
A lot of what we do isn't complicated. We give directions, provide golf cart transportation, welcome people at our ministry tents, hand out Bibles, share homemade cookies, answer questions, and help when something doesn't go according to plan. Sometimes we simply sit down and listen.
You never really know what someone is dealing with when they walk up to one of our tents or climb onto one of our golf carts. A conversation that begins with a question about directions may turn into something much more personal. When someone needs prayer, we pray with them. When someone wants to talk about their faith, we take the time to talk.
Our Mission
Serving at Bristol Motor Speedway gives us an opportunity few ministries have. During a race weekend, people come to Bristol from communities all across the country and beyond. They are race fans, campers, vendors, employees, families, and friends. Many are people we would probably never meet inside the walls of a church. So we serve them where they are.
Sometimes ministry looks like helping a grandfather get across the speedway property so he can enjoy the race with his family. Sometimes it is helping somebody find the right gate. Sometimes it is sitting with someone who is going through a difficult time. Other times, it is putting a Bible into someone's hands, praying together, or having an honest conversation about Jesus Christ.
We believe God has given us a unique place to serve, and we want to be faithful with it. We don't always get to see what comes from a conversation or a prayer, and that's all right. The results belong to God. Our responsibility is to treat the person standing in front of us with kindness, dignity, and compassion.
Our work is centered around four biblical foundations:
- Fellowship: We serve alongside Christians from different churches and communities, building friendships and encouraging one another as we work toward the same purpose. —Hebrews 10:24–25
- Pastoral Care: People at the speedway are often a long way from home and away from the church family or support system they normally depend on. Our chaplains and volunteers are available for prayer, personal conversations, chapel services, weddings, memorials, and other needs that arise during race events. — Galatians 6:2
- Evangelism: A racetrack may not be the first place someone thinks of when they hear the word "ministry," but that is exactly what makes it such a remarkable mission field. Through conversations, prayer, Bibles and Christian literature, and the way we serve people throughout the weekend, we have opportunities to share the Gospel and tell others about the hope found in Jesus Christ. — Mark 16:15
- Service: Service is often where ministry begins. A person needs a ride. A family needs directions. Someone has a question. A camper needs help. Another person simply needs somebody who will stop and listen. We believe the way we treat people matters, and every helping hand gives us another opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. — Matthew 25:40
How to Get Involved
There isn't just one way to serve with Bristol Raceway Ministries. Some people are comfortable talking with strangers. Some enjoy driving. Some would rather work behind the scenes. Some can give an entire race weekend, while others may only have a few hours available. All of them have a place here.
Bake Cookies
Homemade cookies are one of our oldest traditions. We give them freely to race fans and guests at our ministry locations, and that simple act of hospitality has opened the door to countless conversations over the years.
Our Cookie Information Sheet explains how to prepare, package, and deliver cookies for the ministry.
Serve at a Ministry Tent
During NASCAR race weekends, volunteers serve at our concourse and campground ministry tents. Guests can stop for directions or information, receive a New Testament, request prayer, pick up a cookie, or simply sit down and talk.
You don't need to have all the answers. You need to be willing to welcome people, help where you can, and treat them well.
Drive a Golf Cart
Getting around Bristol Motor Speedway can be difficult for guests with mobility challenges. Our golf cart volunteers provide shuttle transportation during NASCAR weekends and at other events throughout the year.
For many of the people we transport, that ride allows them to enjoy the event with their family instead of struggling to get around. And some of the best conversations in this ministry have happened on a golf cart.
Serve as a Group
Churches and other organizations can serve together by sponsoring a nearby campground during NASCAR race weekends. Campground ministry gives a group the opportunity to get to know campers, answer questions, lend a hand, pray with people, and share their faith throughout the weekend.
It's a way for you're group to take ministry outside its walls and serve people right where they are.
There’s a Place for You
You don't have to be a NASCAR fan, you don't have to be a pastor, and you don't have to be an expert at talking about your faith. You simply need to care about people and be willing to serve.
Some volunteers serve for a few hours, while others return race after race and have been part of this ministry for years. When you volunteer with Bristol Raceway Ministries, you become part of more than 36 years of showing up, serving people, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ in one of the most unique mission fields anywhere. Whether you can give a few hours or return year after year, we would be glad to have you serve with us.
Ready to Get Started?
Click the Volunteer Resources button below to get registered.
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
