A Historical Sketch of Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries

The Early Years: 1997 - 2000

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The First Years of TxARM Work

TxARM volunteer orientation first occurred in February 1997, and in March a "Week of Prayer" was observed among those who were part of the three Baptist Associations, praying specifically for the TxARM ministry effort.  Finally, the inaugural race weekend in April 1997 arrived, and with it came crowds of people that pushed Texas Motor Speedway to the limits of its capacity.  A great turnout of fans and some great racing took place, as well as some fantastic ministry.      TxARM volunteers worked for days providing children's carnivals, musical concerts, distribution of literature, and worship services in an effort to tell people about the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.  Volunteers joined forces ministering again in June of 1997 during the IRL races at Texas Motor Speedway, and by the time TxARM had conducted ministry throughout the two race weekends of the first year, ministry had taken place in the midst of some 300,000+ fans, involving over 150 volunteers during both race weekends.      Through all the effort in the opening season, God blessed as at least ten people came to know Christ as Savior.  During the 1998 season, similar ministry activities took place as more fans than ever came to TMS to enjoy an expanded schedule of racing activity.  TxARM faithfully shared Jesus during the spring, summer and fall race weeks of that year by distributing literature, offering children's activities, and through concerts, church services, handicapped transportation, courtesy rides, and other service-oriented tasks.  As a result, 11 more people came to know Jesus as Savior.

TxARM in 1999

1999 held even more potential for ministry at Texas Motor Speedway.  NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series racing brought 400,000 people to the raceway during the last week of March, and during that weekend at least 7 people came to know Christ as Savior.  In June, the Craftsman Truck Series and Indy Racing League came to the raceway, and both series returned in October.  TxARM was there and shared the gospel with people through the distribution of literature, children's activities, live music concerts, and in the fall a cool and rainy Sunday morning church service, along with many other activities.  As the October weekend of ministry came to a close, 5 people had accepted Christ as Savior, and thousands of others heard the story of God's love.  The excitement of ministry in the unique setting of auto racing continued!!

TxARM in 2000

TxARM entered its 4th year of work at Texas Motor Speedway as the Winston Cup and Busch Series drivers and teams came to town in March of 2000.  Along with NASCAR, though, came the World of Outlaws sprint cars to the new TMS Dirt Track, as the Speedway added a couple of new racing venues to its agenda.  During the Spring NASCAR and June Craftsman Truck/IRL weekends, 3 people came to know Jesus as Savior through the work of TxARM volunteers.  Between the June event and September, Texas Motor Speedway built a road coarse, providing almost 2.5 miles of track, including all but 60 yards of the 1.5 mile banked oval, and on Labor Day weekend the American LeMans Series arrived, providing more great racing action.  TxARM attended the event, distributing literature and observing and taking notes to plan ministry activity for future road coarse races.  The NASCAR Trucks and the IRL, along with the World of Outlaws, came back to town in mid-October, bringing with them a growing following of fans, and TxARM was there with 5 days of ministry to those who came.      In addition to ministry at the raceway, TxARM volunteers shared the Lord outside the speedway during 2000.  Through raceway ministry presentations and displays at Vacation Bible Schools, after-school child care ministries, to youth groups in local churches and to boys at summer camps, another 12 people came to know Jesus as Savior and thousands of pieces of gospel literature were distributed.

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