Checker Auto Parts 500 - Morgan Shepherd Notes

Morgan Shepherd Seeks Victory At Phoenix
Yeah, that’s right. Morgan Shepherd

CONOVER, N.C. – Around 150 race teams will converge on Phoenix International Raceway in three different NASCAR divisions this weekend, looking for victory in Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series race or Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race.

Most teams will enter the grounds anticipating exciting weekends, with visions of strong runs, good finishes and trophies.

For Morgan Shepherd and his #89 Racing With Jesus Ministries Dodge, however, victory is already assured – even though he knows it isn’t going to come Sunday at the one-mile speedway.

“I’m as competitive as anybody out here, probably more competitive than most,” Shepherd said. “But I’m realistic too. I know I’m not going to win the race Sunday. I know it’s going to be hard just to get into the race.

“But the fact we can haul out there and run is a victory in itself. With next to no financial backing, the gasoline it takes to haul our car to Phoenix is a major expense,” he said.

Scrounging for gas money to haul 2,100 miles for a race that isn’t winnable leads to a good question. Why?

“I’ve made a commitment to do this, a commitment to God,” Shepherd said. “This is something I feel he wants me to do. This is something that can change people’s lives.

“It’s not about Morgan Shepherd and it’s not about NASCAR or racing. It’s about somebody sitting in the grandstands or somebody watching on television, and they wonder why a 62-year-old race car driver would haul all the way to Phoenix. And they might wonder enough to talk to someone about Jesus, or wonder enough to look in their Bible and see what God’s plan is.

“If one person does that, it’s more than worth 1,000 trips to Phoenix or anywhere else.”

Shepherd’s #89 Racing With Jesus Dodge will attempt to qualify Friday afternoon for Sunday’s race.

“We might have the best name on our car but we’re not even close to be the highest-funded team out there,” Shepherd said. “Everybody works pretty hard and we do everything we can with what we have.

“Sure, we want to be competitive and we want to run up front but, at this point in time, we know that’s going to be pretty hard to do,” he added.

Shepherd said his team is looking for additional funding but, regardless of who the sponsor might end up being, will continue to promote his main message.

“The perfect scenario would be a sponsor who could maintain our message of salvation and hope for the world, and blend right in with it,” Shepherd said. “Obviously, we’re looking for someone who believes in our ‘core product’ – the salvation of the world through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”

The idea, Shepherd said, is not unlike that of the people who hold up “John 3:16” signs at football and basketball games.

“My car doesn’t have room to print the whole salvation story. What we’re doing is trying to get people interested enough to pick up their Bible or to ask someone what Jesus and salvation are all about,” Shepherd said. “It’s like any other sponsor in that regard. You can show them what the ‘product’ is and get them to take a look at it.

“We feel our ‘product’ is strong enough to take it from there,” he added. “Just like the ‘John 3:16’ signs get people to look up the verse in their Bible, we want people to give Jesus Christ a chance with their lives.”

Shepherd is the oldest active driver in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series but is one of a handful with three career victories in the sport.

“I know I’m not going to leave Phoenix as a race winner this weekend,” Shepherd said. “My goal – this team’s goal – is to see how many people we can help leave the race track as winners this weekend. If we can do that, then we’ve accomplished a lot more than anybody is going to find in Victory Lane.”