Faith, Speed and the Power of a Pit Crew

One of my goals this year has been to say “yes” to new experiences, and this one was wild.

I got invited to go to an IndyCar race, the Arlington Grand Prix.

Now, if you’re like me before this trip, you might not fully know what IndyCar is. It’s one of the fastest forms of racing in the world. These cars can hit speeds over 200 mph, and everything comes down to precision, communication, and teamwork. Every small adjustment matters when you’re moving that fast.

This was my first race ever, and I didn’t just watch from the stands. I got full access behind the scenes.

I got to go into the paddock, which is basically the behind-the-scenes area where all the teams build, adjust, and prepare their cars. Think of it like the heartbeat of the entire race weekend.

I watched the teams fine-tune every detail of the car. The driver would go out, test it, come back in, and then the entire team would meet to go over data and strategy. They were constantly communicating, constantly adjusting, all with one goal to go as fast as possible and win.

And the coolest part?

I got to see believers in that space, people who love Jesus and are using their platform in racing to glorify Him.

At one point, I was standing in the pit, right next to the track. They told me not everyone gets access to that, and I remember thinking, "This is crazy." Watching the pit crew up close, the speed, the focus, the communication, it gave me a whole new respect for what it takes to run the race well.

The Lesson

The whole experience got me thinking: Life is like a race.

We’re all in the driver’s seat, moving forward, trying to navigate where God is calling us. And just like a race, there are going to be unexpected turns, bumps in the road, moments where you have to slow down, and maybe even moments where you crash.

But what stood out to me the most wasn’t just the speed.

It was the communication.

Drivers are constantly talking to their team. Giving feedback. Asking for guidance. Making adjustments.

They don’t try to figure it all out on their own.

And neither should we.

How often do we try to navigate life without actually talking to God?

We’ll make decisions, take turns, speed ahead and only check in with Him when something goes wrong.

But what if we lived differently?

What if we stayed in constant communication with Jesus, inviting Him into every decision, every conversation, every unknown?

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

You Need a Pit Crew

Another thing I couldn’t stop thinking about was the pit crew.

At some point in every race, the driver has to come in for a pit stop. Why?

Because you can’t finish the race on worn-out tires.

The pit crew jumps in, replaces what’s worn down, refuels the car, and gets the driver back on track, stronger and ready to go.

That’s what community and time with God look like in our lives.

We all have moments where we’re worn out. Spiritually tired. Running low.

And in those moments, we don’t just need to push harder; we need to pause.

We need time with God to renew us.
We need people around us who remind us of the truth.
We need a pit crew that helps us stay on track.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” Hebrews 12:1-2

“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Because you weren’t meant to run this race alone.

And God?

He’s not just in the passenger seat.

He’s the one guiding the entire race, seeing what’s ahead, calling the next move, and leading you exactly where you need to go.

“The Lord will guide you continually…” Isaiah 58:11

 Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Olga Chetvergova

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life are you moving fast but not actually talking to God?
2. Who is in your pit crew, and are they helping you stay aligned with Jesus?
3. What would it look like for you to pause this week and let God reset your direction?

Joe Navarro, known online as @joechristianguy, is a Christian content creator, entrepreneur, and cultural voice passionate about making faith approachable and impactful for the next generation. With over 4.5 million combined followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Joe delivers bold, Gospel-centered truth through a mix of daily encouragement, short-form teachings, comedic skits, and authentic life experiences. His unique blend of theology, humor, and clarity has created space for millions of young believers and skeptics alike to engage with Scripture and real conversations about following Jesus in a digital world. In 2023, he co-created the popular card game Discernment alongside Jacob and Julia Petersen, which is now available in major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Museum of the Bible, and Mardel. He also holds a degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Sales from Texas A&M.