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
For more than three decades, Bristol Raceway Ministries has served race fans at Bristol Motor Speedway and people throughout our community. We are an all-volunteer ministry made up of people from churches across the Tri-Cities and beyond. We bring different backgrounds, experiences, and gifts, but we come together with a shared desire to serve others and share the love of Jesus Christ.
What We Do
Our volunteers serve in several ways throughout race weekend. Some drive golf carts to help guests get around the speedway. Others welcome people at our ministry tents, answer questions, offer Bibles and homemade cookies, or help visitors figure out where they need to go. Much of what we do is simply being available to help people when they need it, and no two interactions are quite the same.
Serving also means being willing to slow down when someone needs more than an answer or a ride. A conversation may lead to a prayer request, an opportunity to offer encouragement, or a chance to talk about faith. We never know what each day will bring, but we do our best to be available, care for people well, and trust God with the opportunities He provides.
Our Mission Field
Bristol Motor Speedway brings people to our area from across the country and beyond. Families come to enjoy the race together, campers settle in for the weekend, and countless people work behind the scenes to make the events possible. This gives us an opportunity to meet people we might never encounter through our own churches or communities and to share the love of Christ with them where they are.
Sometimes that means helping a grandfather with mobility challenges get across the speedway so he can enjoy the race with his family. It might mean helping a visitor who's unsure where to go, or sitting down with someone who's going through a difficult time. A ride or a brief conversation may not seem like much to us, but it can make a real difference to the person receiving that help. And when a conversation leads to prayer or an opportunity to talk about Jesus, we're grateful to be part of it.
We don't always know what happens after someone leaves Bristol, or whether a conversation will stay with them long after race weekend is over. That's not something we can measure or control. We can offer our time, serve people as best we can, and trust God to use those opportunities in ways we may never see. Our responsibility is to treat each person with kindness and respect and to be faithful to the opportunity we've been given.
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 offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout race weekend. Whether you enjoy working with people, helping behind the scenes, driving golf carts, or assisting with event operations, there are several ways to get involved.
The positions below provide an overview of the areas where volunteers serve.
Bake Cookies
Homemade cookies have been one of Bristol Raceway Ministries' longest-standing traditions. Volunteers bake and package cookies that we share with race fans and visitors at our ministry locations. They are a simple way to welcome people, and offering a cookie can be the start of a conversation or give someone a reason to stop by and visit.
Our Cookie Information Sheet explains how to prepare, package, and deliver cookies for the ministry.
Event Operations
Not every volunteer role involves direct interaction with guests. Event Operations volunteers help with the work that keeps the ministry running smoothly throughout not only race weekend, but the whole year. This includes setting up and taking down ministry tents, cleaning and maintaining shuttle carts, organizing supplies, and helping with general ministry needs.
These responsibilities may take place behind the scenes, but they help ensure our ministry is ready to welcome and serve people throughout the weekend.
Serve at a Ministry Tent
During NASCAR race weekends, volunteers serve at our concourse and campground ministry tents. We welcome visitors, answer questions, give directions, offer New Testament Bibles, share cookies, and pray with people who ask. Some visitors are just looking for information, while others appreciate having a place to sit down, talk, or share what's on their minds.
You don't need to have all the answers to serve at a tent. Being welcoming, listening when someone wants to talk, and helping where you can are all important parts of the work.
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 someone who struggles to walk long distances, a ride can make the difference between missing part of an event and enjoying it with family and friends. The time spent driving also gives volunteers a chance to get to know the people they're helping. A ride may be brief, but it can make someone's day easier and sometimes lead to a conversation that goes well beyond the trip.
Serve as a Group
Churches and other organizations can serve together by sponsoring a nearby campground during NASCAR race weekends. Volunteers have opportunities to get to know campers, answer questions, lend a hand, offer prayer, and share their faith throughout the weekend.
Serving as a group lets people work together outside their usual church setting while getting to know people they might not otherwise meet. It's also a practical way for a church or organization to give its members an opportunity to serve others together.
There’s a Place for You
You don't have to be a NASCAR fan or a church leader to volunteer with Bristol Raceway Ministries. You don't need to have all the answers, either. A willingness to help, a listening ear, and compassion for others go a long way.
Some volunteers serve for a few hours, while others return race after race and have been part of the ministry for years. Whatever your experience or availability, there's a place to contribute. We'd 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
