ZEBULON — When Ricky Brantley, 50, was a young man with a taste for racing cars and strong drink, he didn’t think there was much chance he’d end up a preacher. 

But that’s exactly the road he’s taken.

On Sundays, Brantley is pastor of Eternity Praise and Worship, a nondenominational church, he about about 30 Zebulon residents started three months ago. It meets in the Woman’s Club/Rotary building on Sycamore Street.

For his new line of work, the former race car driver gave up drinking, but not cars.

During the week he teaches automotive technology and NASCAR prep at Broughton High School in Raleigh. Before Broughton, Brantley taught automotives at Zebulon High for 20 years at East Wake High School after that.

He’s proud of the successes of his students, most of whom go on to further their education in automotives, becoming master mechanics or working on NASCAR teams.

Most of the time, master mechanics make six figures, he said.

As a teacher, Brantley visits the teams to find openings that his students can apply for. He also helps them get grants to attend specialized technical schools in automotives which can cost as much as $40,000 for 14 months of study.

As a pastor, he addresses the spiritual.

“As human beings we all have daily struggles,” he said. “That’s something that certainly keeps our minds on the scripture and Christ.”

Brantley draws on his experience as a self-described rebellious young man who found meaning in the Christian message.

He never had much use for church early in his life and rarely attended as a boy. The turning point came about 20 years ago when he went to Solid Rock Church of God of Wendell with his grandmother Asalee Jones.

“I can’t explain it,” he said. “It made me take a look at myself at what I was doing and that I needed to change.”

About 10 years ago, he studied nights for the ministry at Lee University’s satellite campus in Kenly, teaching automotives days.

From 2001 to 2005, he was youth pastor at several churches, and still teaching. “Some people may think this is crazy,” he said. “But the Lord told me, ‘I think it’s time you start your church,’ ”

And so he did.

The congregation is now looking for families to adopt over Christmas and for other mission projects.

Brantley, who once raced in the Late Model Sportsman League and in the International Hot Rod Association, is no longer in the fast lane.

He said he wants people to be compassionate, not too hard on themselves or others.

“I think everything revolves around love,” he said. Brantley and his wife Betty agreed that he would not take a salary from the church because they felt he didn’t need to.

“I’m blessed to teach,” he said. “I have a means to provide for my family.”

“I get a lot of gratification doing to the best of my ability what I’ve been called to do,” he said.