Beaver Springs Dragway – When you go to the track, everyone wants to win. Some take it more seriously than others, some want to win but are content with competing, and then there’s the Born Again Race Team. Their goal is something altogether different. They show up at the track with a goal of sharing their faith. Other team shirts will be adorned with sponsor logos. Their shirt simply says, “Let me tell you about my Jesus.”

It’s been years ago, but I still remember my first encounter with James Joyce. I was always one to admire hot rod station wagons, but his was different. His wagon displayed a message. On the back of the car, in big, bold lettering was the question, “This Wagon’s Been Born Again. How About You?” James saw me reading that and asked, “Did you answer that question yes?” When I replied that I did, he replied, “Then sign my roof.” And I did. And it’s been long enough ago that original signature wore off and I signed it a second time years later. This was my introduction to the Born Again Race team started by James Joyce and Kevin Smith back in 2017. On this day I was able to catch up to Michael Breidenbach and James Joyce (Kevin Smith showed up later) and ask some questions about the team and the cars.

James Joyce gave a brief history of the team. “I started the race team with Kevin Smith in 2017 and we had a youth group together to come out and work on other things. Then Michael and his wife came from New Hampshire and it kind of kick-started the race team again. After that we started really getting into it and making something of it. We’re getting other cars involved and building new cars that are coming up so we can grow our team and help spread the word.”

Michael Breidenbach then shared how he came to be a part of the team. “I didn’t know Kevin, Jim, or any of these guys yet and I bought a ‘64 Galaxy. I totally went against what the Lord wanted me to do. He shut the door, and I kicked the door wide open. I went and bought the Galaxy and it was the worst thing I ever did. I went to church that day and asked my pastor who could help me with my car and he brought me right to Jimmy Joyce. I fought that car tooth and nail. I wound up selling it and then the following day me, Kevin and his wife, and my wife drove to Detroit and I picked up the ’64 Fairlane called Dismas and we just got into this racing and spreading the message. We’re in it, we love it. We sold our Harleys, we sold our camper, we just went all in. It’s been an amazing adventure. Meeting people at the track, just like Jimmy always says, racing is just a bonus, the big thing is spreading the message.”

James and Michael are two genuine guys full of passion for what they’re doing. It’s easy to see their excitement when they talk about it.

Michael enthusiastically says, “You meet so many great people here.”

James chimes in, “We had a ton of people today. I just think there’s a revival going on with what’s going on. I think a lot of people are taking notice they need to make some decisions in life and we’re hoping we’re a part [of that] we’re putting it out there in front of them. People are looking and they need something to look for.”

Michael shared a part of his personal story that explains where his enthusiasm comes from, “: I gave my life to the Lord 13 years ago, when I got on my knees and begged him to help me overcome drugs and alcohol. And He did. What an amazing adventure it’s been! I met my amazing wife eight years ago now on Monday we’ll be married for seven years. It’s just been wonderful. I never thought my life would be what it is today. And it’s all thanks to God. It really is. When I don’t fight him it’s amazing what he can do.”

Our conversation turned to people who were looking for answers. The guys were quick to weigh in on that.

James says, “His [God’s] answers are never wrong.”

Michael added, “Sometimes I don’t like the answers, I stomp my feet like a 2 year old. I’m so excited for what the future holds. With the whole world, this whole Charlie Kirk thing, I think he did so much more good in death than he ever did in life, and God is using him as a vessel. I believe he’s going to bring so many people to Jesus it’s going to be incredible. I know one thing, it’s going to amazing in Heaven. All I want to hear from God is well done my good and faithful servant. Well done. I still shake my head at why for so many people so screwed up a lot of people didn’t care and he still went to the cross for us. It gives me chills. We pray every time we come here we just ask that to be able to reach at least one person.”

James was quick to add, “Today it was ten-fold that. It just keeps growing and growing and growing. It’s been amazing.”

These guys were so excited about sharing their faith, it was almost overlooked that this is an article on the cars. First up, we’ll look at James Joyce’s car. James bought the car in 2016 with just a chassis. From that beginning, he built a frame for it and added a different front suspension with a Ford 9-inch rear in the back. As for the engine, he says, “The motor and parts [came] from all over the country. Whenever I went to look for a part, it was heaven sent…there was the part I was looking for. I put the car together like that.”Joyce laughed, “I’m still trying to figure out how to drag race. I’m having fun doing it. For me, if I can make 3 passes, 2 qualifying and 1^st round, I’m happy, with that if I get more than that it’s a bonus! I would come whether I could race or not because I think people need to see, they need to have something in their life. I just like the reactions I get from people, about what it’s about and the message it is. I plan to keep racing as much as I can. Get out there and go to different tracks. Travel around. Meet different people. See if we can make a difference.”

This brings us to the ‘64 Fairlane of Michael Breidenbach. Breidenbach shared the story of his car. “Jimmy actually found that for me in Detroit. Me and Kevin, my wife and his wife, we rode up there one morning and one night, we drove straight up and bought the car. I didn’t know anything about the 64 Fairlane or the Thunderbolt or any of the history behind it. I put a lot into it, I put a lot of love into it. It’s got a 347 stroker with a C4 Transmission, a Ford 9-inch 4:11 rear end. [It] runs 10.11s. The name of the car is Dismas. Dismas was the individual who was crucified on the right hand side of Jesus and he asked Jesus for forgiveness and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, asked to remember him and Jesus said ‘you’ll be in paradise with me.’ That’s where I got the name Dismas. The program I went through years ago, after I got out of prison, I was in prison for 10 years, I got out of prison I went to a place called Dismas House, in Vermont and the name just stuck with me ever since. I just named the car after that because it’s such a conversation piece. I just love talking about it, I love spreading the message. I love the car. I love the history. I love the attention it gets. I love being a part of this drag racing family, this church family, this Christian family. It’s amazing.”

James, listening to Michael’s story, adds with a big smile, “Can you tell the cars are secondary? All our discussions are more about what they mean than what they are?” Laughing, he says, “It goes from point a to point b.”

Breidenbach continues, “I tell four or five people every time I come to the track about Dismas, who he was. It’s never too late to get saved, but do you want to wait until you’re on the cross, do you want to wait until you’re on your death bed? I don’t.”

James nods and says, “You’re missing out on everything that happens before that.”

Michael, with a serious look on his face concludes, “I wouldn’t have any of this if it wasn’t for God. I actually shouldn’t even be here. There are a lot of people that shouldn’t be here. [If I continued down my old path] I would’ve either been in prison or dead. Now I’m at a drag strip with people I love.”

Who’d have thought faith and hot rodding could go hand in hand this well? Okay, besides those RFC guys, who? In a world that often shows signs of going completely mad, it’s refreshing to be able to escape to a drag strip and hang out with guys who genuinely care about helping people through the madness. If you see the Born Again Race Team out there, stop in and say hello. Get a little encouragement if you’re in need of it. They’re there to help. And race.