Davey Hamilton giving IndyCar Series faith in the fast lane:

When it comes to getting behind the wheel of a race car, few things are going to throw Davey Hamilton for a loop.

At 47, Hamilton is still racing behind 220-mile per hour machines against men half his age and is a sought after commodity in the racing world. But his story is much more than a driving career entering its twilight.

Hamilton holds down a seat for Kingdom Racing, a Christian-based IndyCar Series race team owned by Houston’s George Del Canto. The team, which also runs a car on the supporting Indy Lights series, sponsors ministry events at races and speaking opportunities for Hamilton.

And he has quite a story to tell.

Hamilton suffered a horrific crash on the high-banked oval of Texas Motor Speedway in 2001. The accident resulted in 21 surgeries to repair the extensive damage to his feet from the crash. Determined to return to the sport’s signature event, the Indianapolis 500, Hamilton finished ninth with Kingdom in 2007.

He ran in the 500 the two following seasons and will return this year with an expanded schedule and an eye on the future.

Last month Kingdom joined forces with Luczo Dragon Racing, which in turn has pooled resources with the team of former Brazilian star turned owner Gil de Ferran. The team will be running an up-and-coming Brazilian, Raphael Matos, for a full schedule under Hewlett-Packard sponsorship – not an inconsequential feat during a recession where corporate cash is hard to come by. Matos finished eighth today in the rain-delayed Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

In this arrangement Hamilton will be around to offer his expertise and also race a second car for the team in three races including the Indy 500, and just as significantly personally, at Texas.

“Honestly, I’m a bit shocked to even be with a team that has an opportunity to run a full schedule at this point in my career,” Hamilton told Everyday Christian during a telephone interview. “Being a racer is a big part of my life, but I wouldn’t drive if I was going to be considered the weak link on the team.

“After the accident and injuries, I still have a hunger to drive. Road course and street course competitions are more difficult for me because of the footwork involved.”

Going through the rehabilitation process was understandably long and painful for Hamilton. Faith was a key factor in helping recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.

“The thing I really wondered as I went through everything on a daily basis is why all this happened to me,” Hamilton said. “There weren’t answers in the short term. God answered me by putting me in a situation where I have a great opportunity to share my story with people who have had injuries and gone through all other kinds of adversities.

“I want to share with people that things can definitely get better and that so many good things can come out of it. He gave me the talent to get in a race car and to get back in it after my accident. It took a long time for me to see the answers to my questions but He answered them strongly.”

Hamilton is aware racing audiences will have widely varying reactions to his faith-based platform, a fact he is sensitive to.

“It is different every time,” he said. “It depends who it is. God gives you the strength to relate to people that there are reasons for what you are going through. It always surprises me how God is able to help me share my story to make it understandable for individuals or groups I’m speaking to.”

How he relates those experiences back to himself will matter he gets behind the wheel at Texas the weekend of June 5^th.

“The last time I ran at Texas it didn’t end so well,” Hamilton said with a chuckle. “I’d had some great runs at Texas before and I’ve loved racing there. I’m sure I’ll focus on the positives and feel confident I’ll do well when I go there. Knowing the kind of race it is will hopefully help me focus on what I need to work on and keep the other things in the back of my mind.”

Hamilton’s communication skills are a significant part of his life away from ministry. He is a regular commentator on IndyCar Series races as part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway broadcasting network. Once his behind the wheel days are over, a full-time career behind the microphone or an aspect of team ownership could be in the works. He is curious to see what is in store next.

“Right now I feel like a kid in high school who is not sure what direction his life is going to take and what he wants to do when he grows up,” Hamilton joked. “I really do enjoy the radio so much and there so many good and talented people around me. I would love to get involved with a team whether as a team manager or with ownership. I definitely look forward to taking on whatever opportunity God gives me to explore next.”

By: Peter Elliot from Everyday Christian News

We have been asked, "How many fans did Kingdom Racing touch at the Indy and Texas outreach events this year?"

Great question!

This May and June of 2010, Kingdom Racing reached thousands of people with the good news of Jesus Christ through fan outreach programs held at the Indianapolis 500 and Texas Motor Speedway race weekends. From May 28th-30th and June 4th-5th, Kingdom Racing operated a booth display located on the infield of the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway as well as Texas Motor Speedway.

At Indy, the centerpiece of the outreach program were infield missionaries from Houston’s Fellowship of Cinco Ranch Church. Led by Pastor David Ruzicka, the volunteers spread out all across the Speedway for one on one witnessing with race fans. Davey's story of faith had a tremendous impact on his fans; his testimony was repeated close to 1,000 times during the race weekend. Kingdom Racing also featured an Indy race show car, scheduled race driver photo and autograph sessions and several celebrity appearances. In addition, discipleship presentations by noted author Patrick Morley and the distribution of a host of print material was also a part of the fan outreach program. Morley is the bestselling author of “Man in the Mirror” which has sold over 6 million copies.

At Texas Motor Speedway, live worship music by leading Christian artists as well as concerts were held. An amazing group of musicians from the Met Worship Church performed on both Friday and Saturday at the Kingdom Racing display booth. Hundreds of race fans showed up, and through the support of Raceway Ministries, were given Davey's hero cards and dvd's. An estimate of over 500-600 hero cards were handed out.

We are merely the sowers; it is the Lord who reigns. Our question is “Will you join Kingdom Racing to make this happen?” Your valuable support is needed to accomplish more race festivals. Together, we look forward to a worthy program to claim the IndyCar infields for His Kingdom.

Contribute today to make this happen.

All things are possible to he who believes. Mark 9:23

Race Events:

Indy Lights: The Kingdom Racing No 32 car competed in 7 out of 14 races in 2009.  The car was ready to go at each track from the moment it rolled off the transporter. Brandon Wagner showed tremendous improvement throughout the season, the highlights being his first pole position at Chicago, followed by a fourth place on the starting grid in Miami and running with the leaders.  Results: 1 x Pole; 2 x 11^th place finishes (Indianapolis, Kentucky)

2009 Indy 500: Kingdom Racing was an official co-entrant for the No 44 Car with Dreyer and Reinbold.  Davey had a great month. His input was key in getting his other 3 DRR team mates into the 500 field. Was fastest of the four, qualifying on the first weekend. Was among top ten fastest cars on Carb day, but finished 29^th on race day, due to an ill handling car.

Sponsored the No 24 Mike Conway DRR entrant for the Firestone Indy 300 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 10; finished 15th.

Ministry Events:

The Gathering of Men, Houston, February:

Kingdom Racing hosted a Ministry breakfast. Author Pat Morley and Kingdom Racing’s Davey Hamilton were the keynote speakers. Morley’s message was titled “Surviving the Economic Meltdown” and Hamilton shared his life-changing testimony. Turnout was more than 700 men and women.

IRL Ministry, Indianapolis, March:

Kingdom Racing contributed 600 “Man in the Mirror” books for Crew Care Packs destined for all IRL team members. These packs contained Bibles, devotionals, IRL Ministry tool box decals, etc. The packs were distributed to teams by the IRL Ministry’s David Storvick and the Indian Creek Christian Church.

First United Methodist Church, St Pete, Florida, March:

Team Kingdom Racing visited the Young Adult Ministry, led by Travis F. James, prior to the St Pete race. The program included a tour of the team transporter, a roll-out of the Indy Lights No 32 race car and a talk about the challenges of racing. Testimonies and bibles were given to the visitors.

School on Wheels, Indianapolis, May:

Kingdom Racing Indy Lights drivers Brandon Wagner and Logan Gomez visited two homeless kid shelters operated by “The School on Wheels”. Wagner and Gomez posed for pictures with the kids, signed autographs and spoke with kids ranging from first grade to high school.

Indianapolis 500 Race Fan Outreach, May:

14 men from Houston’s the Fellowship at Cinco Ranch church, led by Pastor David Ruzicka, ministered to fans on ‘500’ weekend. The men shared messages of hope with hundreds of people around and in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Creation Museum, Kentucky, July:

Driver Brandon Wagner showcased his car at the museum. Guests had the opportunity to see the race car and transporter, hear Brandon’s testimony and experience the museum. In addition, Kentucky Speedway race tickets were offered at a discounted price. 1,400 visitors attended the museum that day.

Texas Air National Guard, Fort Worth, August:

Kingdom Racing honored the men and women of the Texas Air National Guard by exhibiting its No.44 Indianapolis 500 entrant Show car at the airbase as part of a “Welcome Home” celebration for 180 soldiers and families of the 2ND regiment of the 149th battalion that recently returned from deployment in Iraq.

Northwest Bible Church, Dallas, August:

Indy Car driver Davey Hamilton was the keynote speaker at the Northwest Bible Church’s annual motor show in Dallas, which also featured Kingdom Racing’s No.44 Indianapolis 500 entrant Show car. Hamilton shared his testimony to a turnout of more than 700.

Ministry Alignments:

Man in the Mirror; Gathering of Men; IRL Ministry; God Speaks; Raceway Ministries, Halftime Org; Answers in Genesis.

Promotion/Media:

Launched KR Social Community, revamped KR Web site; established Face Book Fan Page and Twitter accounts

3 x Indy Show Car Appearances

2009 Sponsors:

HP

GDC Trading

Thunderbolt Consulting