Brewer, the pastor at Browns Chapel Christian Church in Robbins, used his knowledge of Pearson’s style to pick up a win in the Faster Pastor race held at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro June 12.
He outdueled 15 other pastors during the race in winning the $1,000 first-place money. The race track invited the pastors to race in the U division, which is made up of four-cylinder, front-wheel drive street stock cars.
The real winners were the youth of the Robbins church. Not only did the money won by Brewer go to the ministry, the youth of the church raised money by selling tickets to the race and by holding a gospel sing and selling concessions at the speedway that Saturday afternoon.
In the end, the church was able to raise over $2,000 for the youth program.
And it was at the end of the race that Brewer forged into the lead and took the win.
“I told folks my driving style was like David Pearson,” Brewer said. “I just sort of laid back and waited to make my move. I was able to avoid any accidents and I was then in the right place at the end to win.”
Pearson was nicknamed the Silver Fox in recognition of the way he would hang around in a race before suddenly appearing in the lead as the race drew to a close. His strategy worked to perfection, making him the second winningest driver in NASCAR history behind Richard Petty.
The strategy worked for Brewer, too. He had never driven in a race before, but being “raised in the heart of NASCAR country” in Randolph County, he has always been a big fan of not just Pearson, but racing in general.
After finishing third in one of two five-lap heat races, Brewer started the 15-lap feature on the outside of the third row. For the first five laps he stayed in the sixth spot when the pastors running fourth and fifth encountered a little difficulty in turn two, moving him up to fourth.
On the next lap, the leader encountered mechanical problems and the race was stopped for the car to be cleared from the track.
On lap 12, the car in second place ran into the lead car, turning both cars sideways. The driver in second was black flagged for rough driving, bringing out another caution.
Brewer pulled up alongside several cars on lap 13 when the green flag fell, moved to the front as the white flag flew and held on to get the win.
“So I only led two laps,” Brewer said, “the 14th and the 15th. So my strategy of being patient really paid off. I’m waiting for a NASCAR team to call me and see if I can get a ride, but no one has called yet.
“In all seriousness, this isn’t about me, it’s that the Lord has allowed us this opportunity to raise money for the youth of the church.”
Brewer pointed to the help of Winford Williams of Eagle Springs, who was chief mechanic and headed up his pit crew. The car was provided by Jason Hogan of Troy. Tony Lemmonds of Troy said he would donate $500 to the church if Brewer won the race. Altogether the church youth raised $2,100.
“It was a blast — I had a great time,” Brewer said. “I had a chance to meet a lot of area pastors that I didn’t know.”
And just like the Silver Fox, it looks like Brewer still wants to leave his opponents wondering when he’ll appear.
“The track officials said they may do it again next year,” the pastor said. “I don’t know if I should retire undefeated or race again.”
