Dustin Steinbrink is a man of God; his faith worn on his sleeve for all to see.

That faith is also worn in another place — the wrap of his 33S Midwest Modified, a car that thunders as loudly as his belief in God.

First and foremost, Steinbrink’s life is family and God, but the lifelong resident of the Lyle, Austin area has found a unique way to combine racing and God into one message-bearing entity and he’s taking Cornerstone Assembly of God Church along for the ride.

In a bold move Steinbrink dropped his business sponsorships for this season and turned the whole of his car into a four-wheeled delivery system for what he terms, “A home mission.”

“My mission field is the racetrack,” Steinbrink said. “It’s been my goal to live my faith in front of people.”

The car is covered in a striking blue and white dominant wrap with the Cornerstone emblem underneath the driver side window and crosses on the opposing side facing the crowd. Words, quotes and messages of faith are printed at various places on the car as well.

What helps make this racing team unique though is the amount of support Steinbrink has received from the church itself. While not contributing a large amount of money, Steinbrink does receive some financial support from Cornerstone as well as some of the members of the church and some outside the church.

“We have spent two to three times on graphics to get this wrap done, but people have really been enamored by that car,” Steinbrink said. “We have gotten donations from people in the church and by those who just believe in what we’re doing. The church has really stepped up and supported the car.”

It’s a move that has left a big impression on Cornerstone Pastor Dave Simerson.

“I know when he went that direction that was a big step for him,” Pastor Simerson said. “It’s one of those faith things and it’s worked out real well.”

Green flag

Steinbrink has been a part of the church for as long as he can remember, so taking the Word to the dirt track was pretty natural. However, like racing, his life took an unforeseen detour from the oval. After a time of what he saw as a destructive path, Steinbrink maneuvered back on the track.

His first car was bought at the age of 18 using graduation money in 1994. Since that time he has been involved in racing one way or another. His reason for getting into racing is that it was the only sport he found that was close to the thrill he got from his favorite sport — football.

“I grew up playing football, basketball, baseball, and racing is the only thing that gave me that same rush as playing football,” Steinbrink said. “It’s the competitive nature and the adrenaline rush.”

God and car took another step closer to a relation on two different fronts.

In 2005 he began reciting an invocation, sometimes referred to as a “Drivers Prayer,” before the start of each night of racing at Chateau Raceway and now at Kasson Speedway. He also joined Racers for Christ, becoming a chaplain through an organization that looks to bring faith to the world of motorsports. Since 2006 Steinbrink has been the official track chaplain at both Chateau and Kasson.

Since connecting the two powerful points of his life, Steinbrink has been asked to speak at funerals for drivers and pit crew members and visited people in the hospital.

Coming out the turns

Steinbrink believes that church and fun are easily combined. In fact one of his own philosophies sums it up quite humorously.

“You don’t have to be a dork to be a Christian,” he explains with a laugh.

One of those fun pursuits Steinbrink takes part in is playing in the Cornerstone band as a drummer, something he’s been playing since elementary school in Lyle. The band itself lends a very contemporary and lively attitude to the church.

Steinbrink doesn’t roam the pits, hunting for converts nor will he stand on the front end of the 33S car and preach. It’s more about general availability.

“I’ll walk around the pits, stop in and just talk to them,” he said. “Relationships blossom.”

Turning the other tire…cheek.

Racing can be somewhat of a combative sport. Spectators may not see it often, but there is a lot of banging between cars during a race. More often than not it’s unintentional, lending to the competitive nature of the sport itself, but it can be overwhelming and monster that can get the best of drivers.

Steinbrink doesn’t let his own competitive nature get in the way or overpower his Christian convictions though. At the same time that doesn’t mean he’s not going to push you.

“I try to run as hard as I can without intentionally hurting anybody,” Steinbrink said. “There are times though where I screw up, but I’ll stand-up and go apologize.

“I’m still out there to win though.”

Checkered flag

Steinbrink wants to win every race he’s in and he won’t lie about it. Racing is racing, but not coming in first isn’t the end of the world. It’s those things that come with it that are most satisfying.

He tries to act as a positive role model for his young pit crew, all teens from Cornerstone including his younger brother Cody, Jordan Everson and Keith Weber and of course he tries to do the best he can.

So far this season he’s had one heat win and his best finish in a feature has been fourth. Steinbrink admits they are still getting used to the new car, but sees positive days ahead.

But, should those better days not come, that’s something Steinbrink isn’t worrying about. In the end it’s about the message.

“It’s well worth it,” he said. “I think good things are happening at the track.”