by Kate White

This summer I’m staying on campus with a program called Brain Gain. Actually, the CFV director suggested the program to me. Brain Gain enables me and other CFV interns to stay in campus housing for almost three months of the summer while working on an academic related internship. The goal is for students in the program to engage in the community and hopefully settle in Indianapolis after graduation.
In addition to the exciting Brain Gain opportunities each Wednesday, I’ve experienced the culture of Indianapolis through my internship with The United Methodist Church as well. For instance, did you know that there’s a Christian ministry for the Indy 500 racers? It’s called IndyCar Ministry. Along with my advisor, I was lucky enough to attend their breakfast the Saturday before the big race. Representatives from the entire racing community spoke: owners, rookies, and veterans. It gave me a real sense of what goes on behind the scenes at the media events and photo shoots. I’ll be honest, I’m not a diehard racing fan –I’m an Illinoisan, not a Hoosier. But this summer I got my first real taste of the Indy 500 fever.
When Ed Carpenter (IndyCar series driver and Butler alumnus!) stepped into his car on race day, the heat sweltered, engines revved and the crowds roared. A first place victory and the quenching drink from the signature milk glass could have been at the end of his 500 mile road if all went well. Amidst the jubilation and determination, somewhere in his mind he knew that his life on the line. Years of dedication, training, money, sponsorships and his life were all pending on a single race to bring the ultimate racing victory. It’s a no-brainer that those racers believe in a higher power; the smallest glitch could mean the difference between victory and defeat, life and death. That was the case with the vivacious and talented Dan Wheldon who died less than a year ago on a race track.
For drivers like Ed Carpenter and the family and friends of Dan Wheldon, IndyCar Ministry caters to the spiritual needs of the racing industry. Racing is more than a hobby or a game. It’s a lifestyle. The men and women in the racing industry must have tremendous faith to get back into that car every day. The breakfast continued with a short memorial for Wheldon and the opportunity to contribute to the organization. I’m proud to say that my advisor, a United Methodist pastor, supports the work of IndyCar Ministry. As for me, I gained a new appreciation for ministry in all aspects of life, especially when you least expect it – and I guess touring the Speedway track, viewing the garages, taking pictures with vintage racecars and gluing myself to the TV on race day wasn’t too bad either!