Dale Beaver, a representative of Motor Racing Outreach, speaks to the congregation. Members of the racing community worship together for the next 30 minutes. Some drivers cherish the moment for family time. Darrell Waltrip drapes one hand around his daughter's shoulder while grasping his wife's hand with the other. Some use the time to come to terms with the upcoming risks of the day.
Death is an inherent danger every driver faces.
You've got the butterflies kind of going. You're excited and all that stuff. I feel like going to church really gets your mind in the right place to really be focused on the race, to calm your nerves. I think that gives a lot of people comfort in something that's pretty dangerous. Larry McReynolds, a veteran crew chief, said he has seen the church services make a difference in many drivers.