Lifestyles of the Rich and Stupid

As you know, I'm a NASCAR fan, and one of the attractions for me to the sport is that it has a great many Christians involved in it. Every week before the race Motor Racing Outreach conducts a chapel service that is usually standing room only.

One of the drivers who has struggled along without any corporate sponsorship is Morgan Shepherd, himself a dedicated Christian. Here's an interesting story from this weekend's race in Las Vegas (from Jayski.com):

Interesting Mistake...HAY-soos?: What started with the mispronunciation of his "sponsor's" name ended with a degree of satisfaction for driver-owner Morgan Shepherd in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Shepherd's #89 Racing With Jesus Dodge is one of the lowest-financed teams in the series. Still, even hardened racing observers were stunned when guest announcer Robin Leach, proclaiming the starting lineup during drivers' introductions for Sunday race, mispronounced "Jesus," instead using the Spanish version (HAY-soos). "I guess it shows how much work we have left to do in evangelism when somebody who can tell you all about the rich and famous has trouble with the Son of God's name," Shepherd smiled. "I thought for a moment he had just gotten in from the Mexico City (Busch Series) race week. My thinking is you would be better off messing up 'Budweiser' than 'Jesus,'" he continued. Shepherd did get a measure of revenge - he led two laps early in the 400-mile race. They were under caution, true, but one of the front-row qualifiers, Elliott Sadler never led and pole-sitter Ryan Newman didn't lead for the first time until Lap 91. "I noticed he did pronounce their sponsors correctly," Shepherd laughed. Leach apparently tried to make up for his gaffe, mispronouncing a few other drivers' names and sponsors during the drivers' introductions. "I'd love to meet him," Shepherd said, "just so I can say, 'Nice to meet you, Mr. Leak.'" Shepherd, who does not have a regular corporate sponsor and carries his evangelistic message instead in order to "at least get someone to start asking questions about their salvation and what life is all about," retired early in the race and finished 40th.(Williams Company)(3-14-2005)

Try and explain that one to St. Peter.