The journey through life is seldom a straight path. A direction that seems perfect one moment can turn disastrous the next. Surprises lurk around every bend.
Such can be said of George Del Canto’s life journey. One moment living the American dream, on top of the world, the next on the precipitous of disaster.
In early 2000, George and his partners had recently sold their financial and commodity trading business for multiple millions of dollars. A merger with a Wall Street darling, an international company called Enron, transpired not long later.
The subsequent fall of Enron in 2001 caused its shareholders to lose $74 billion in the four years leading up to its bankruptcy, and its employees lost billions in pension benefits.
The deregulation of energy traders led to overconfidence in Enron’s investments because they thought they were in control. They weren’t in control, and neither was George. However, George was soon to find out who is.
We first saw George’s bright orange and black trimmed 1964 Corvette roadster racing at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta last Fall. He was putting down some quick lap times in the SVRA/Trans-Am series that weekend.
Recently we caught up with George Del Canto, the founder of Kingdom Racing, as he was getting ready for this upcoming race season. Kingdom Racing is active in IndyCar race sponsorship as well as other motorsports competitions across the country.
At every race venue, their mission is the same, to “Deliver God’s Word Through Motorsports.”
What follows is the edited transcript of our conversation. Enjoy!
Starting Kingdom Racing
Rod Worley – Editor – George, when was the first year for Kingdom Racing?
Your racing group is best known for your Indy 500 pro series involvement. When did Kingdom Racing make its first appearance on the starting grid?
George Del Canto – Kingdom Racing – Rod, we started Kingdom Racing in June of 2005 when I received a vision to deliver God’s word through motorsports.
I remember saying to myself; there is no way I can do this, for, at that time, I had no money, no experience, and no contacts in the racing world.
It was at this time that I felt the Spirit of the Lord say to me, “…you cannot, but I can.” God is faithful, and He provided the way. Doors were opened, resources appeared, and connections were made.
So in May of 2008, Kingdom Racing rolled onto the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race’s starting grid with the No 11 Hewlett Packard Special entered by Tony George’s Vision Racing team.
Davey Hamilton was our driver, and we finished 14th in that race. By 2012 we were a full season IndyCar entrant as co-owners with Sam Schmidt’s team.
We fielded Simon Pagenaud in the HP number 77 from 2012 through 2014. We won four IndyCar races, two poles and finished third, fifth, and third in the IndyCar Championships.
In 2014, we were co-owners with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing on the No 24 Indy 500 entrant driven by rookie Sage Karam and finished 9th in the race. In 2015, 16, 17, and 18, we ran the Indianapolis 500 as co-owners, primary sponsor, and associate sponsor.
For the past 12 years, we have been a part of Indy 500 racing, having participated in over 75 race events.
We’ve run the whole gamut from being associate sponsors up to being team owners. In 2016, we expanded into the SVRA racing series with myself and David Hamilton.
Trusting In The Lord
Rod Worley – Editor – There are many moving parts you have to bring together to be competitive in racing.
You didn’t come from a racing background. What gave you the confidence to start Kingdom Racing?
George Del Canto – Kingdom Racing – Well, the secret is that it cannot come from yourself. If this is God’s commission for you, then you have to rely on Him.
I’ve often said the most dangerous prayer a Christian can make is, “Lord, you have done so much for me. What is it I can do for You?”
If you pray that prayer, watch out, and be ready to buckle up for the ride of your life.
For me, His answer to my prayer was a mission to spread His word through motorsports.
You’re right. The problem from my perspective was that I’m a financial and numbers geek. I lived in the finance and banking world my whole professional life.
When I started making out my list of resource requirements needed to launch this ambitious motorsport ministry, it was clear we didn’t have enough.
In fact, many said It was impossible.
But if God has given you a mission, then He will open doors for you. And these are divine doors of opportunity that He will set before you, and resources will appear.
You’ve got to let loose, release the wheel, and trust in the Lord to provide the resources to accomplish His mission.
Delivering His Message
Rod Worley – Editor – How do you use Kingdom Racing to deliver God’s message.
George Del Canto – Kingdom Racing – In the regions where we’re racing, we contact not-for-profits organizations for nominations to come to the race track and be our guest for the day.
Some of the groups include police unions, women shelters, veterans associations, foster care centers, etc. We get small groups of eight to ten people from these associations, and we bring them to the track as our guests.
We treat them like celebrities for the day. Garage visits are arranged, meet and greets with the drivers, pit lane tours, and rides in the pace car when possible.
We provide lunch and listen to their stories which allows us to encourage them. Often someone in our Kingdom Racing group has gone through a similar experience, which gives us the chance to share our testimony.
There is also one-on-one time to instill hope and encouragement to face whatever difficulties they are facing.
Afterward, they become part of the Kingdom family. We stay in touch, keep them in our prayers, and have reunions.
Many times these guests become Kingdom Racing volunteers themselves and go on to mentor others.
For us, it boils down to being there to reflect Christ and present the message of God’s salvation.
It’s all about God. In everything Kingdom Racing does, for from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.
Indy 500 & Beyond
Rod Worley – Editor – George, with your commission being to spread His word through motorsports, what types of racing are you concentrating your efforts?
Are there parts of the country that you’ve seen greater success?
George Del Canto – Kingdom Racing – Rod, we found our sweet spot with the IndyCar Series, which holds races across the country. We’ve also found success in sprint car races such as the King of the Wing series and, of course, the SVRA.
We realize that the vintage races were perfect for bringing guests. The SVRA events are much more family-oriented in terms of ease of access than the Indy 500 or other pro series.
In the Sports Car Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), we’ve teamed up with Davey Hamilton to race an orange and black 1964 Corvette roadster.
As far as the country’s regions go, we’ve got a strong network of supporters in markets that we go back to with frequency. In general, the Indianapolis region is high on the list because of our Indy car series involvement.
Atlanta has become a good area for us, Florida, Texas, and both Northern and Southern California have been strong also.
Competing For The Win
Kingdom Racing is a 501(c)(3) non-denominational Christian team. They combine IndyCar and other top-level motorsport races with their three outreach ministry programs to help people seek hope in their lives.
The three outreach programs they use are Miles of Smiles, Fan Festivals, and KR Ambassadors. This race team comes to every event prepared to compete for the win.
Whether they win or lose, Kingdom Racing puts God’s message in the winner’s circle.
For more information: www.kingdomracing.net
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