Don Wickstrum placed fifth in the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, but the words he lives by are “I Am Second.”

Wickstrum, a 45-year-old driver, doubles as an assistant pastor at Grace Church in New Glarus, Wis. He goes by the moniker “The Fastest Pastor.”

The race is held annually on Sunday, the usual day for most church services. But Wickstrum is able to juggle his commitments between the church and racing.

“Part of it is I have a great group of people at my church,” Wickstrum said. “We just try to balance it the best we can. I don’t have to feel pressure when I’m gone.”

Wickstrum’s passion for racing started as a child, and since then, it has segued into a career. He had previously competed in the PPIHC three times before Sunday, when he finished in 9:40.512.

But racing isn’t the most important thing to Wickstrum — that’s his faith. And he sees the sport as a way to be a disciple to others.

In addition to his pastor status, Wickstrum participates in the “I Am Second” ministry’s Chasing Hope Tour. “I Am Second” is a Christian ministry that shares testimonies of athletes, musicians and others.

Those words — “I Am Second” — are written boldly on his car and race suit.

“Racing’s a dangerous sport, and that makes a lot of people wonder about mortality,” Wickstrum said. “That’s a great platform by itself. For us, if you could show people there’s hope and God’s designing the purpose and plan… it makes a great platform.”

Coloradans race well in PPIHC

Of the race’s 61-person field, 20 hail from the Centennial State.

Jimmy Ford of Georgetown had Colorado’s best finish with a time of 9:49.429. That time was good enough for him to place sixth.

Colorado Springs’ Rodney O’Maley finished 11th. Fellow Springs resident Dominick Tapia placed just two spots behind O’Maley in 13th.

Six other Coloradans finished in the top 25.

Randy Pobst excels on short notice

66-year-old Randy Pobst had no plans to compete in the 2024 race, but he got an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Early in the week, Pobst received a call that Robin Shute — the winner of four of the previous five PPIHCs — would be unable to race. Pobst was offered the chance to drive Shute’s No. 49 Hyundai Ioniq.

Pobst arrived in Colorado Springs on Thursday and did well on short notice.

He finished eighth overall and second in the Exhibition class. Pobst’s official time was 9:55.551.

Pobst has competed in the race several times in the past, most recently placing 10th in 2023.