“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
My favorite sport is NASCAR. I have enjoyed watching NASCAR races since about 2000. My favorite driver is Matt Kenseth, the number 20 of Joe Gibbs' Racing. I have watched and followed his career, since he was a rookie in the Sprint Cup Series when he drove the number 17 for Roush-Fenway Racing.
Kenseth, so far in his career, has won 24 Sprint Cup races and one Championship. He is doing quite well this year with three wins, 3 Top Five finishes, and 7 Top Ten finishes and he is currently fourth in Championship points. Unfortunately, he also had three DNF's or in racing terms it means, “Did-Not-Finish” race. A driver's greatest disappointment is to have a DNF due to a wreck or a mechanical
problem. Last Sunday, at Dover his engine failed while he was running in the top five.
A DNF hurts a driver's overall score in the Championship points race. Despite Kenseth's three DNF's he is still fourth in the points standings, which is not bad. Without the DNF's he would be much closer in points to leader Jimmy Johnson or possibly in first place ahead of Johnson.
When a driver faces the possibility of a DNF due to a crash or other mechanical problem his crew chief and pit crew will determine if repairs can be make to get the driver back out on the track and help them finish the race, even if they end several laps down from the leaders. Crews often will work quickly to get the car running again and help the driver finish 25th or better rather than 35thor 40th. This can make a big difference in overall points for the championship. With an engine failure, they can not do anything because NASCAR rules don't allow an engine change once the race begins.
I like NASCAR in part because despite the attention given to the drivers, it is really about a team of individuals working together to get the driver across the finish line, hopefully with a win. How a NASCAR pit crew operations reminds me often of how the church should operate. We help each other to finish the race.
