Founder of Motor Racing Outreach Dies

Max Helton, the founder of Motor Racing Outreach, the traveling ministry that provides chapel services for NASCAR, has died of brain cancer:

Max Helton, who formed a Christian ministry that 20 years ago became Motor Racing Outreach, died Sunday afternoon of brain cancer at his home in Huntersville, N.C. He was 67.

Helton"This is an earthly loss but a heavenly gain," said Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage, who serves on the Board of Directors of World-Span Ministries, Helton's international motorsports ministry.

"Max aided so many people in auto racing and you would often see him with some of the sport's top drivers offering a quiet prayer just before the start of a race. He very personally counseled me through the years and was a great influence on my life."

Helton will be remembered during pre-race ceremonies Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Helton was working at a church in Glendora, Calif., in 1988 when he met Darrell Waltrip and his wife, Stevie. Helton told the Waltrips that he felt called to lead a ministry in auto racing.

Soon after, Helton formed Motor Racing Outreach and was leading Bible study with drivers and crew members in the sport, chapel service at race tracks each weekend and personal counseling session with those in the sport. He left Motor Racing Outreach in 2002.

He then formed World-Span Ministries and took a very similar approach to racing series around the world traveling internationally as he spread the message.

Helton was diagnosed with brain cancer in August. He is survived by his wife, Jean, along with four daughters and nine grandchildren.

It was an MRO pastor who spoke at Dale Earnhardt's funeral service in 2001, and every race day a chapel service is held for the drivers, families and crews, and special programs are put on for the kids. MRO has become an important part of the NASCAR family.