A Higher Purpose

After becoming the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 in 2011, Trevor Bayne, 20, slipped his parents an urgent note.

“How do I stay grounded in my faith when I’m so high on winning this race? What do I pray for?”

Bayne was frantic that fame would catapult him away from his first love--Jesus Christ.

“It’s so easy for us to lose sight, and it’s not just young people. Everybody gets wrapped up in material things,” said the Knoxville, Tennessee native. “I wanted to stay accountable. We can get cocky and say “I did that. I did that.” Then on the bad days who are you going to lean on? For me, I wanted to do everything for His glory.”

Winning the 500 and the media frenzy was more of a humbling experience for Bayne, although his happiness was well warranted. The boy, who raced go-karts at the age of five, was the youngest to win Daytona on his first stab since Lee Petty in 1959. Jeff Gordon won it at the age of 25 in 1995.

In his new book, Driven by Faith, geared towards teenagers, Bayne is looking to encourage young and old to lean on something greater.

“When you give your life to Jesus it’s not going to always be a paved road to glory. There are highs and lows. There are going to be struggles, just like anybody else. The difference is the peace you have,” he added. "That’s the best thing about Jesus. That peace can be the same going to the mountain top, through the valleys.”

The struggles of fame are one thing.

How about receiving flack for being outspoken about your faith? Just ask Tim Tebow.

Continued on page 2: Higher Purpose »