Prayer Shows NASCAR's Sense of Humor

July 26, 2011

While I've never really been a NASCAR fan, I love the over-the-top auto racing movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

But after last Saturday, I could be lured in by NASCAR's engine-revving siren song if the Rev. Joe Nelms gave the invocation at every race the way he did at the start of the NASCAR Federated Auto Parts 300 in Nashville.

Taking a page from the script of Talladega Nights, Nelms' endorsement-laden prayer, thanked Jesus for his "smokin' hot wife," as well as his two children, who he called the "Little E's."  Nelms has been both lauded and lambasted for his attempt to bring some humor to what is normally a rather somber and solemn part of race day.

All I can say is "Boogity, Amen!"

If you'd like to read more about the humor in NASCAR, try Eric Zweig's Drive Like Hell: NASCAR's Best Quips and Quotes or P.J. O'Rourke's Driving Like Crazy.

Sara PD
Kearney Branch