Racetrack chaplain ‘powerful’ tool on and off the track
GREENBRIER — It’s a Saturday night at the Veteran’s Motorplex at The Rim in Greenbrier, Tenn., and racetrack chaplain Brian Baker is making the rounds with the crowd.
As he walks near the stands, a couple of regulars appear, excited to find their chaplain. One man quickly begins sharing his latest health scare — adding some four-letter words for good measure. Baker is all ears.
“Yeah, we’ve been praying for you,” says Baker, with a smile and his usual calm, easygoing personality, telling the man he is pretty much a walking miracle.
For the past nine years, Baker has been a fixture at the short track during the racing season that stretches from early spring to Halloween. It’s a highly competitive world at the track, where tempers can flair and racers compete in categories like “Big Dawgs,” “Ridge Runners” and “Scrappers.”
An ordained minister, Baker also has served for nearly a decade as a chaplain for Kenny Pipe & Supply Inc. in Murfreesboro, which has about 40 employees.
Building relationships
Baker, who also drives a bus for Davidson Academy during the school year, rarely misses a Saturday at The Rim. He pretty much has full access to the grounds and leads in prayer time during a meeting in the pit and in front of the crowd right before the evening races begin.
He gets to the track hours before the races start and chats with fans, racers and basically anyone he runs across on the grounds.
When Baker began his ministry at the track, management stationed him in concessions. They soon decided the best place for him was out with the crowds, striking up conversations and building relationships with fans — some of whom don’t attend a church.
“The thing is, I don’t judge them at all, and they know that,” Baker said. “That’s one reason they accept what I do up here so openly because they know that I don’t judge them. They know they can come to me at any time.” And they do.
Charlie Jackson, a self-described “old redneck” and race director at The Rim, says Baker is known for being a “powerful” tool for the Lord both on and off the track. Baker is someone the race car drivers — who typically don’t want to talk in the pit about anything other than how to make their car faster — can relate to, Jackson said. “A suit and tie, Sunday-morning preacher couldn’t go over there and relate to these guys,” he noted.
Jackson added, “You’re talking about guys over here that are rough and tough. I mean we’re the rednecks. … He can go in there and talk to them generally, and before you know it, he’s diffused things, and they’re talking about Jesus and the Bible. … They all respect him.
“He doesn’t push Christ on people — but if you ask for it, you’re gonna get it,” he said. “He knows how to handle himself.”
‘House calls’
One racegoer spots Baker and stops to tell him about the recent death of a loved one. She mentions the family plans to bring the deceased’s ashes to the track so Baker can pray for the family.
Through the years, he has led his share of both weddings and funerals. People at the track have been known to ask if Baker can make a “house call” to pray and discuss spiritual matters.
One older man at the track realized his health was getting bad, Jackson added, and wanted Baker to meet with him at his home.
“I tell him all the time, ‘You should have been a doctor, making these house calls,’” Jackson joked. “I really believe Brian was called to do what he does.”
Lewis McMullen, who serves with Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s church planting efforts, noted there is a big need around the state for more chaplains like Baker.
“The racetrack really has become his congregation,” McMullen said. “He’s a perfect example of what a good chaplain should be. He’s part of them. He’s the spiritual person for them to look up to.”
Jackson noted, “He’s made quite a name for himself [at the track]. I can only hope he’s got many years left because we sure need him.”
Editor’s note: This story was written by Shawn Hendricks, content editor with The Baptist Paper.