raymond-rizzo-chaplain-ama-pro-flat-trackDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2015) – AMA Pro Flat Track is made up of numerous components that make the series successful and enjoyable for everyone involved. Raymond Rizzo, AMA Pro Flat Track’s renowned chaplain, is one of those integral components that help maintain the professionalism, morality and integrity of the series at the highest level. To many who know him, Rizzo is not just a chaplain, but a friend and someone who will carefully listen and be available at any time with no agenda.

“The bottom line is God loves each and every individual so much and he’s communicated that to me, and I’m so grateful for that, that I’m willing to give my life in return and be there for anyone in the AMA Pro Flat Track community with no agenda,” said Rizzo. “We’re all in the race of life together and we want to do our best to find the finish. Whether it’s words or actions, I want them to understand that. They might not have the desire to go to church or attend chapel but they all want to be loved. I want to make them aware that God loves them first and foremost and we do too.”

Rizzo was born in a small New Jersey town called Somerville and grew up just west of there in Hunterdon County. In 1994, he moved to Nashville, Tenn., where he currently resides and lives happily with his wife of over 30 years, Lois. Rizzo has been involved in various ministry work throughout his life but it wasn’t until August of 2006 when he discovered the incredible merit between racing and ministry, and he just had to get involved.

“I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said Rizzo as he recalled his first experience working in motorsports. “I was invited to do the invocation for a NASCAR Elite Southeast Series race and from that point on it was like a paradigm shift for me. I felt like this was what I was wired for. Ever since then I was totally confident that this was what I was supposed to do.”

Upon discovering his new love for motorsports ministry, Rizzo joined the Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) team in 2006, and it wasn’t until 2010 when he got involved with AMA Pro Flat Track. Rizzo’s deep passion for encouraging people to explore why they believe what they believe has influenced and inspired the entire AMA Pro Flat Track family to great lengths.

“The racing community has given me access to be who I am wired to be and it’s been incredible,” said Rizzo. “The recognition of knowing that myself and the entire AMA Pro Flat Track community, from the racer, to the crew member, to the staff and to everyone involved, are all on the journey together… and that’s what puts a smile on my face.”

Rizzo will begin his fifth year as Chaplain of AMA Pro Flat Track when the series kicks off its annual season-opening doubleheader at DAYTONA Flat Track in Daytona Beach, Fla. scheduled to take place March 12-13, 2014.