ATCHISON, Kan. – If Saturday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway leaves you feeling a little spiritual, it may not be the thrill of the race, but the National Anthem singer, that gets credit for the celestial sensation.
His voice usually fills the expansive church at St. Benedict’s Abbey, leading others in prayer, but Saturday his voice will fill an entirely different space.
“So yeah, I never dreamed that I’d be doing this,” said Fr. Meinrad Miller.
Fr. Meinrad, OSB is a monk at St. Benedict’s Abbey, a professor at Benedictine College, and a man with an exceptional talent.
Fr. Meinrad was told decades ago, before he became a monk, that he could have a career as a professional singer, but he chose religious life instead.
He continued singing, though, at various events. Then NASCAR flagged him down.
“This is of course the biggest event I’ve sang at,” said Fr. Meinrad.
To prepare for Saturday’s National Anthem performance before the Sprint Cup Series Race at Kansas Speedway, he’s been practicing non-stop.
“I think I wake up every morning singing and go to bed singing,” he said.
Even with all the practice and support Fr. Meinrad has a small case of the jitters.
“You always worry, so you come to the day and I’m gonna have laryngitis,” he joked.
You can watch Fr. Meinrad singing the National Anthem and the Sprint Cup Series 5-Hour Energy 400 from the comfort of your home on FOX 4, starting at 6:00 on Saturday evening.
WATCH: Fr. Meinrad prepares for his big performance