Q&A: FUNDING MY RACING

By Jeff Knight on My Racing Life

It's a long post, sorry in advance, but I'm passionate about people understanding the vision of why I race cars and how it plays out in my greatest life calling; evangelizing my world for Jesus Christ. The length is also an indication of how equally annoyed I am with ignorance.

From time to time people will ask about how I, a pastor, fund my racing. For most asking the question it seems innocent and inquisitive; for others, it is almost as if they are attacking my integrity.

Historically, I’ve always been straight up when asked directly and because I have multiple people in my life who provide checks and balances for accountability I don't have a problem addressing sensitive topics like this. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about how my racing is funded.

Q: Does The Rock Church pay for you (the pastor) to race late model stock cars?
A: First off, my racing is not funded by The Rock Church, nor have I ever driven The Rock Church race car in competition, I practiced it once in 2003. I do have a small patch on my race suit showing The Rock Church with logo, but to avoid any conflict of interest and false accusation I choose to leave the church name and logo off of my car. I fund my own racing through the businesses marketing on my car and personally.

Q: How did The Rock Church get involved with racing?
A: The Rock Church first found its name on a race car when Roger Habich approached The Rock Church and myself, as pastor, about sponsorship. At the time The Rock Church leadership board was not comfortable with the sponsorship of racing, so Melinda and I personally helped Roger with income from the closing of a real estate transaction we had. I bought out Roger’s partner Nathan and became 50% owner. Instead of putting my name on the car Melinda and I thought, “This would be a great way to let people know that The Rock Church cares about people who love racing." That was 2001.

Q: I heard Roger is stepping back from racing, does this mean you are driving The Rock Church race car?
A: NO, I have never and will not drive The Rock Church race car in competition at this time.

Q: Will The Rock Church field a car in 2008?
A: Yes, Fred Hall is taking his equipment and racing a limited schedule in 2008.

Q: So does the church pay for The Rock Church race car?
A: No, The Rock Church has on occasion, with limitation and board member unanimous approval earmarked money as fits the annual marketing vision of the church for miscellaneous items, shirts with TRC logo, giveaways for fans with the RC logo and etc. The Rock Church board, composed of several people, male and female, sees no problem in communicating the message about The Rock Church through various avenues, racing being one. It is no different than TV, radio, print or other avenues of marketing, The Rock Church wants to connect with people from all walks of life. For the record I, as a board member, do not participate in that conversation or decision.

Q: Yeah but, I've seen The Rock Church logo on many cars?
A: It's awesome when people who love Jesus and their church want to sport the logo. There is nothing like word of mouth and free advertising.

Q: Does the church take special offerings for race cars?
A: NO, never has, never will. When I started racing (2007) the pastors of our church took an offering for my racing on Father's Day. I declined to use those funds for my racing and sowed them into our missions giving for the year. I will not conflict my personal interests with that of our church.

Q: Where does the money that the board approves for racing come from?
A: It comes from the general account. The dollars are already earmarked for marketing: TV, billboards, radio, print media, website stuff and etc. We just use a portion of those dollars for marketing to Evergreen Speedway. Evergreen is the largest weekly gathering of people in Snohomish County through the summer months.

Added 04/10/08: I should add that there are many (people and businesses) who have given to The Rock Church with an earmark directly for racing. The board uses those funds for outreach to Evergreen and racing, although law allows those funds to be used elsewhere.

Q: Shouldn’t that money be used to help the needy and other people?
A: In 7 years being involved at Evergreen Speedway The Rock Church has seen scores of people directly connected to racing find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our mission is, “Connecting People to Life.” Racers are people also, and we use our budget to reach people every weekend at The Rock Church, we are not limited by race, gender, income level or subculture.

Q: How can a pastor afford to race a late model stock car?
A: Sponsors.

Q: How much do the sponsors pay for?
A: All of the expenses to run the season. I only race the amount of races I am funded for. I have a dollar per race to plan for each week, and that is my budget goal each year. If I come up one week short, then I don’t race that week. For 2008, my entire season is funded through MTS Construction, Rock of Ages Plumbing, TNT Mechanical and Taco Del Mar. I have the best sponsors out there, not because I have a huge list of racing accomplishments, but because my sponsors agree with the vision I have for racing.

Q: Who pays for the equipment?
A: I do. I have been building a race car team for 7 years. I have acquired and sold many quality parts and pieces of equipment. Like any hobby in life, you have to pay to play. Melinda and I have agreed this hobby is something that brings us enjoyment and therefore we make sacrifices to operate my race budget just like every other family at the track.

Q: How do you afford it?
A: I don’t think other racers have to justify how they afford their racing, but OK. I received my inheritance at a very young age when my parents both died in a plane crash. My dad and I loved going to Evergreen Speedway to watch racing. Me being out there is not me alone, my late dad and mom fund the whole thing. Hence the slogan, "This team funded by the late Joe and Linda Knight." People think, "Wow, that hauler is expensive, or the car is amazing." Are they? I'd trade it all to have mom and dad back, but since I can't, I will continue doing what they loved doing with me, racing.

Q: How do I respond when someone asks me about your racing that is misinformed?
A: Tell them the truth. The reality is there will always be the ill informed. Together we can fix ignorance, just not stupid. Know the difference.

I heard one person say, "A pastor can't be a race car driver?" That's like saying a construction worker can't volunteer at their church, ridiculous. Because I am a pastor, can I not do things others do? I am a racer, I was a racer as an 8 year old kid riding a dirt bike across the desert in Mattawa. I watched Bill Elliot, Harry Gant, and Davey Allison race at Evergreen in the 80's as a teenager. I'd drag my wife to watch Roger race every opening weekend at Evergreen through the nineties. I can't help that I grew up and became a pastor; God did that! But never once, did He say, "Thou shalt not race."

Here's a question I'm not asked often enough,
Q: "Jeff, What's your end-game?"
A: I want racers to know the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before I started in this racing thing I don't think there was one racer attending The Rock Church, I don't think we reached a single person at the largest venue in our city. Today there has been dozens, and on most Sundays' you can meet some of them if you want. They are some of the most fun passionate people around. On the track we are competitors having a blast; at church I am their pastor. I count it a blessing to see racers at TRC every weekend. What is that worth to me, as a pastor? More than I've ever spent on a race car part.