Kingdom Racing Begins First 500 Miles of Journey at Indianapolis 500
by Staff
June 9, 2008
HOUSTON, (christiansunite.com) -- Kingdom Racing's vision began three years ago, but this past Memorial Day weekend, the Houston-based group completed its first 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" only to find that crossing the famed yard of bricks for the checkered flag was actually just the start of something bigger."Three years ago, after studying Awaken the Leader Within, a book that challenged Christians to have a "blow your socks off" vision for the kingdom of God, I said I was going to build an Indy race team to deliver God's word through motorsports," George Del Canto recalled.
This past May, Del Canto's vision finished on the lead lap at the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 in 14th place.
Watched by 270,000 people at the famed brickyard and millions more on television, Kingdom Racing was involved as one of two major sponsors that supported veteran driver Davey Hamilton for the Indy 500 in the No. 22 HP/ Kingdom Racing/ Honda Dallara, a third car entry with full-time IndyCar team, Vision Racing.
This was Hamilton's second Indy 500 after a six-year hiatus and 21 surgeries after injuries sustained in a 2001 crash at Texas Motor Speedway, an accident that made him see things differently.
"I was just so focused on (racing) that sometimes you lose track of things," Hamilton said. "The accident just refocused me and got my priorities straight. When I went through that, I really got close to God. I went through a lot of prayer, people, friends and family, to get through it."
"This is an outreach program," said Del Canto, a member of Second Baptist Church's West Campus in Katy. "This is all about spreading the Good News into a sector that is wrapped up in the racing world."
The next step is to attract sponsors with common beliefs and values in order to turn this group into a competitive full-time entry in the IndyCar Series. The primary focus will be to win on the racetrack, create value for sponsors, and to change people's lives through on-track ministry events.
Ideas for Kingdom Racing's future also include race- week festivities reflecting family values, featuring top Christian bands, Christian race teams and show cars; all presented with enough power, both horsepower and God's, to knock everyone's socks off.
For more information about Kingdom Racing and sponsorship opportunities please visit www.KingdomRacing.net
