Country music blares over the facility's sound system. Suddenly, the competitors and their family members bow heads. The weekly church service, held several hours before every Winston Cup race, has begun. 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.