About 400 children participated in the two Timothy Cups, sponsored Raceway Ministries, where children raced decorated pinewood derby cars on May 1, a day before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series at the California Speedway in Fontana, Ca. The first Timothy Cup on Saturday was a championship race between 12 kids nicknamed "the apostles" and an alternate child racer, who were winners from the Cup’s semifinals the previous week at Ontario Mills. The children finalists were from 10 Southern California churches. The second Timothy Cup was also held later that day open to anyone.
The Timothy Cup is named after the verse taken from 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
After kids decorated the cars, wheels and weights were added. The first pinewood derby was established in 1953 by a father who wanted to foster a strong relationship with his son in Cub Scouts.
One eight-year-old girl who won the first cup race chose to paint her car, modeling it after that of Jeff Gordon, who won his second Nextel Cup on Sunday. "I like (Gordon) because he's fast, and my dad likes him, and he's a Christian,” said Shane Harlow of Moreno Valley.
Harlow won four suite tickets for the second NASCAR race on Saturday.
The previous week, Raceway Ministries had also sponsored the Timothy Cup for the NASCAR Nextel Cup at the Talledega Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. Worship services at campgrounds and the Infield were also offered to Christians attending the race on Sunday, April 25.
"It's just a fun time," said Wes Mills, race director.
