(Savannah, GA)  The second largest field in the five year history of the Faster Pastor race squared off Friday evening for the title of 5^th Annual Faster Pastor at Oglethorpe Speedway Park.  Fourteen church leaders from communities surround Savannah as well as North Carolina and Connecticut took part in the stock car race dubbed “Savannah’s Holy War” and Port Wentworth Riverside Baptist preacher Bill Black claimed the victory for the second straight season.

            “It was not easy,” said Black in OSP’s victory lane afterwards.  “Doug was pressuring me all night long.  Praise Jesus we were able to win again.”

            Black fought his way to the front on lap three moving past First Baptist of Brooklet Reverend Doug McCart.  The two battled for the lead spot with McCart slipping a little on lap five allowing Black to gain more than a car length lead.  Emmanuel Baptist Church of Springfield minister Jamie Cheramie was running a strong third in his first Faster Pastor appearance while three time winner Ricky Rushing of Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Garden City charged through the field after running out of gas on the starting grid.

            “The car would not start after we did the introductions,” explained Rushing.  “In our enjoyment of the evening we forgot to put gas in the race car.”

            The out-of-state pastors traveling as many as sixteen hours to compete in the annual race at this historic half mile were able to finish in the number ten spot and twelfth.  Reverend Edward Haynes of Hartford, Connecticut, finished tenth after spinning out in the first turn of the first lap while Timber Lake, North Carolina preacher Chris Hilliard finished in the number twelve spot.  Hilliard competed in a four-cylinder Mini Stock after his original racer was a no show on Friday night.

            “This was an absolute awesome adventure,” said Haynes.  “Everyone was so friendly and what an exciting night.  I will plan to come back to this again.”

            Haynes will now return to Hartford, Connecticut and begin coordinating that area’s first Faster Pastor race at Waterford Speedbowl.  The leader of Life Resurrection Church was inspired by the event and contacted the speedway management prior to coming to Savannah to organize a similar type event there this September.

            “I met with Ted Austad on Friday afternoon learning how to put the promotion together in our area near Hartford,” said Haynes.  “I can’t wait to get home and start working on the event up there.  What a great promotion for everyone involved.”

            Plans are already in the works for Faster Pastor VI next season.  Many of the pastors who participated on Friday night were looking to be included on the 2006 roster.  There were also a few pastors in the packed grandstand wishing to be a part of the program next year.  The date is already set for Friday, July 14, 2006.

            For more information, contact the speedway at 912-964-8200 or visit www.ospracing.net.

Official Results from Faster Pastor V on July 15, 2005 at OSP.

10-lap Feature: 1-Bill Black, Riverside Baptist, Port Wentworth  2-Doug McCart, First Baptist of Brooklet, Brooklet  3-Jamie Cheramie, Emmanuel Baptist, Springfield  4-Rick Rushing, Woodlawn United Methodist, Garden City  5-Tim Edenfield, Fellowship Assembly of God, Guyton  6-Royce Hendry, Sand Hill Baptist, Guyton  7-Tom Osbourne, Friendship Baptist, Statesboro  8-Sean Faircloth, Living Faith Church, Guyton  9-Eric Hayes, Baptist Church of Ebeneezer, Rincon  10-Edward Haynes, Resurrection Life Church, Hartford, CT  11-Larry Strickland, Dean Forest Baptist, Garden City  12-Chris Hilliard, Baptist, Timber Lake, NC  13-Jeff Hancock, South Effingham Community Church, Guyton  14-Jimmy Anderson, Daniel Baptist, Richmond Hill.