D.I. COLUMNIST
The Enders Elevation
T
his month’s column is not
about God or why you should
believe, this is about a great
man and his effect on our sport.
Craig Garland is a Racers For Christ
(RFC) Pastor, but this is not a tes-
timony. Though he is a part of my
personal testimony and may be a
part of yours, this column is about
his contribution to the world of drag
racing. RFC has been a part of my
life for as long as I can remember.
In my time in NHRA Drag Racing,
I’ve had the pleasure of growing
up with Jim and Linda Jack, Larry
and Linda Smiley, and various divi-
sion chaplains who were absolutely
phenomenal. The connection they
have with their regions and eras of
drag racers were sec-
ond to none and the
praises I am about to
sing about Craig and
Beverly Garland take
nothing away from
what they did or the
relationships they
had. It’s just that it’s a
different era today and
the Garlands are at the
forefront.
If you want Craig’s
testimony, history or
story, he will be more
than happy to tell you.
Heck, it’s literally his
job. What I want to
put emphasis on here
are the relationships
he has created with
the most important
part of the NHRA:
the people. You can
find Craig at each
and every NHRA na-
tional event with his
wife, Beverly, his grandson David
Michael and their new puppy, Cocoa.
They travel the country in their mo-
torhome following us racers as we
chase a dangerous dream as a well-
known staple of our sport. Whether
they are riding around on a golf
cart spreading “Happy Hellos” on
Thursday, hanging up chapel post-
ers on the back doors of rigs, pray-
ing for drivers in the lanes before
runs, hosting small Bible studies
in various lounges, leading chapel
on Sunday morning or, God forbid,
being there with injured
drivers or families of rac-
ers during difficult times.
There are many roles for
the head chaplain on a
race weekend and not all
of them are easy.
The mission statement
of the RFC is to “service
the emotional and spiritual needs of
the world of motorsports. Realizing
that life, and racing involve more
than just a mechanized existence,
we strive to bring a balance of per-
spective in providing inspiration
and encouragement to people as a
whole.” All you have to do to confirm
this is exactly what Craig does as
he walks through the pits and asks “Through the years,
Craig has not only be-
come a necessity at the
track, but he’s become a
true friend to my family
and me,” says Torrence,
the reigning Top Fuel
world champion. “We
are great friends above
the role of chaplain and man. Be-
ing able to visit with him as a friend,
come to him in times of need, or
even just for a good laugh has been
a true pleasure. Knowing he will be
there to pray with me before each
run is a blessing that is hard to ex-
plain. It’s comfort.”
You wouldn’t know it from your
naked-eye glances, but Craig is a
drivers, crew, family members, PR
reps, NHRA employees, Safety Sa-
fari members, or pretty much any
Joe Schmo at the racetrack.
Don’t believe me? Let’s hear it
from one of the biggest names in
drag racing as we speak, the Steve
Torrence. Torrence and Garland
have a special relationship, as
they’re both from the greater Dallas,
Texas, area. For some reason, Texans
just like each other regardless of any
other factors, but their relationship
is more than that. huge part of Torrence’s weekend, ev-
ery weekend. From hosting a private
Bible study on Saturday mornings,
to sitting front and center on Sunday
mornings for the world to witness
his worship, Torrence has always
been very outspoken about his faith
and the influence Craig has on his
personal and professional life.
I promised to not make this col-
umn “all things Enders,” but in this
instance, I know the impact of the
RFC and Craig more than anyone
when it comes to Erica. I’ve been a
witness to this since the first prayer
Jim Jack prayed with us in 1992 at
the JDRL Nationals. I stand by the
fact that Craig and past chaplains
are a huge part of my sister’s success
and happiness on and off the track.
Mental stability and self-confidence
are such a huge part of what it takes
to be the greatest, and that is what
she strives to be, so having someone
like Craig in her corner has been a
huge asset for so many reasons.
“Having Craig in my life is a joy
I can’t even explain,” Erica says. “I
wish I could say that I don’t need
him as often as I do, but I do. From
keeping my mind right on the track,
reminding me to always believe in
myself, to dealing with the stuff life
throws your way, Craig
is always there for me.
I get a text from him
every morning re-
minding me of God’s
love and of my worth.
I literally couldn’t do
what I do without
him and that’s a fact. I
truly love the Garland
family.”
Believer or not, I
challenge you to at
least stop by chapel
on Sunday mornings
at the Don Schum-
acher Racing pit. Not
only is the front row
packed with NHRA’s
greats like Torrence,
Antron, Erica, Angelle,
Jeg, and many others,
but you’ll see the im-
pact this man has on
the fans, drivers and
workers throughout
our sport. There is
never an empty seat, nor a dry eye
in the place. You’ll laugh, love, cry,
sing, talk racing and walk away with
a full heart of not just God, but Craig
Garland.
From saving souls on Sunday
morning to comforting mourning
family members during hard times,
Craig is truly what makes our world
go ‘round at the track. With all the
craziness in our world, we could all
use a little love and stability from
someone as incredible as the Gar-
land family.
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60 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
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Issue 146
with Courtney Enders-Lambert