How did your season go? Did it unfold the way you
expected? Most times when we take a moment and look back, we see things
in a different light. Let us look back and see if we can see the
blessings we have received. Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
I sent the word out this week wanting to hear from our local
chaplains. As I receive their reports I’ll share them. This week we hear
from Chuck McNeil out at Anderson Speedway in Indiana. Chuck took over
from Carlos Stapleton who moved to Charlotte. Thanks for the hard work
Chuck.
"There are a couple of special events to go at
Anderson Speedway, about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis , but the
points races are over, now. This past week we crowned the division
champions who put in the effort to race here every week, and to race
just a little better than the rest. For me, the season did not start
until after the 4th of July, when Rev. Carlos Stapleton called to tell
me that he had taken a new job in North Carolina , and asked if I would
take over his chaplain duties at Anderson . It wasn’t my plan to make my
‘home track’ 70 miles away from home, but it was God’s. Eight months
prior, I was led to relocate from New England to the Mid-West. We have
to trust the Lord’s faithfulness and He will work through all things,
for His glory.
Less than two weeks after I moved, my father in Tennessee was
diagnosed with what turned out to be stage three lung cancer. I was
placed here, near him, for a reason. He continues to battle this disease
and my family and I will give him the support and closeness he needs.
There are many more examples of how God works in all things.
Many of them we may forget, and sometimes we don’t recognize them from
the outset, but he is at work. At one of the mid season events at
Anderson, the CRA Super Series visited for a weekend show. I make the
Friday night events but I am not able to make it two nights in a row for
the Saturday nights most of the time. On my drive to work that week, I
was running a little later than my usual time, and I heard the general
manager of the radio station I listen to interview a man who had stepped
up to the role of leading a chapel service at the CRA events this year.
The team he is from is sponsored by Kid’s Corner ministries and WNBI,
Moody Bible Institute’s Chicago station. CRA’s series chaplain suddenly
passed away this past year, and Doug Hastings, from the number 0 team,
has found himself doing double duty as team member and as the race
series leader for worship. The team also passes out material and goodie
bags in the stands at many of the events and we all need to offer
prayers of encouragement to the Brookside Motorsports team as they
follow the Lord’s call to service. You can learn more about their recent
work at
http://www.brooksidemotorsports.com/news.htm If I had not been
running late, and heard that interview; I would have not contacted the
local station and found out the details of the team.
I went that Saturday to the track and was blessed to be able
to minister with this team, and study His word.
After meeting the crew of the 0 team, the GM from the local
Anderson radio station came by and interviewed me about the work we do
at the tracks and how God chooses to use racing as a door to learn about
Him and his saving grace.
That is one example of many times this short season I have
had to step back in wonder of God’s plan. In Paul’s letter to the church
in Ephesus Paul tells us:
Ephesians 2:8-10 (New Living Translation) God saved
you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this;
it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we
have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the
good things he planned for us long ago.
Nothing we can do will ever make us ‘good enough’ to earn
salvation, and a place in heaven. That is hard to accept for many in
this world. There are many, many, organizations and churches that think
that heaven is something you earn by working on being better. On the
contrary, Paul tells us that God’s grace is how we are saved. He offers
this gift, to you and to me, if we would just accept it. When we truly
believe in our heart that we are imperfect, and destined for a ride on
that ‘Long Black Train’, Josh Turner sings about, we can cry out to
Jesus and ask him to forgive us and accept that through His death on the
cross and resurrection three days later, we are redeemed. At that very
instant we are born anew – literally changed. At the point of deciding
to make Jesus the Lord over our life – Lord means that He is in charge
now – we cannot help but seek to do those things that bring him Glory.
It is because he has saved us that we seek to do his will, not the other
way around."
Talk to God this week, he misses you.
Chuck McNeil
Anderson Speedway
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
I received a call this week from Crystal, John Blewett III’s
girlfriend. She and some others have decided to put together a Memorial
Motorcycle Poker run for John and have named Racing with Jesus
Ministries as the charity to receive the proceeds. Crystal explained
that they hope to make this an annual event to take place the weekend
after the World Series of Auto Racing at Thompson. Here are the
particulars;
1st Annual John Blewett III Memorial Poker Run:
Date: October 21, 2007, Starts at Ocean County Harley Davidson in
Lakewood , NJ
Registration is from 9-11 AM. Stops at: Millstone Inn, Cassville Tavern
and The Cabin. Ends at Wall Township Speedway . All Non-Riders are
welcome to join in at Wall Speedway. The estimated time of arrival is 4
PM. Donations will be accepted. Food, Drinks, and Entertainment.
We are honored to be a part of this special event. All of us
here at RWJM wish to express our thanks for your support of our
ministry. Thank you Crystal and everyone who has a hand in organizing
this event.
Speaking of remembering John, the North-South Shootout has
officially been named the John Blewett III Memorial North-South
Shootout. John was such a great supporter of the event not to mention a
multi-time champion. What a great way to remember John. We will be down
in Concord to participate in the event as always. We’ll have Chapel on
Saturday around noon. I remember chapel from last year. The entire
Blewett family was there, Grandpa, John Jr, John III, and Jimmy. We can
always count on the Blewett family to support what we do. Thank You.
We’ll be back in action this week at the closing event on the
Whelen Modified Tour schedule, The World Series of Auto Racing at
Thompson International Speedway. This final event should be a shootout
for the win as the title has been secured. We look forward to some
classic Modified racing, See you there.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at
www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer
and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part
of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request
Page
www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail.
Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News", the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper" See our on-line
Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page
www.rwjm.org for past articles. We
invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please
remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial
support.
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the
Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn
his face toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway.
Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
October 11
BOBBY & CAROL GAHAN - The multi-time Lee Speedway ProStock champion
with over 300 feature wins from Barrington, NH have their 37th
anniversary.
DALE & TERRY WAKEFIELD - This Warren, NJ AMA Expert division
biker and wife celebrate their 17th anniversary.
October 13
RICH & LORRAINE SYLVESTER - The retired proprietor of Sylvestri's
Auto Care, formerly known as the northern world center of speed, in
Canterbury, CT and lovely wife celebrate 45 wonderful years together.
Just ask Rich.
October 14
RON & CAROL MENTUS - This AARN racing writer and great Christian
witness and wife share their 46th anniversary.
BILL & JUDY ROBINSON - These Wall Township Speedway fans from
Whiting, NJ, and she the daughter of Doris Bradley, share their 23rd
anniversary.
October 15
RANDY & LISA LaJOIE - The Norwalk, CT born BGN/CTS driver and
two-time champion and wife share their 17th anniversary.
JERRY & KAREN MARQUIS - This Enfield, CT popular NASCAR BES GRAND
NATIONAL/NASCAR WMT driver and wife have their anniversary.
October 16
FRANK & LORI CANNEY - This AARN photographer and wife from Meriden,
CT have their 30th anniversary.
RALPH & LINDA AUSTIN - This Sanford, ME couple, she the Barney
McRae NASCAR BES GRAND NATIONAL scorer, he a Barney McRae crewman, share
their 37th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 10
DALE EARNHARDT, JR. - A son of "the great one" and soon to be
Hendrick Motorsports NSC driver.
MONTY UTZ - BES crewman.
DEBBIE GASTELU - Widow of the late Wall Township Speedway
ProStock driver Ray and team owner of the WTS Greg Gastelu dodge
ProStock team.
October 11
JIMMY HENSLEY - Horsepasture, VA NASCAR CTS driver.
JIM SAVAGE, JR. - Ed Flemke NASCAR WMT crewman.
AARON ANTONE DIAS - The son of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver
Tony is 10.
SCOTT JAMES - Canterbury, CT RWJM friend and supporter. He spent
many years on the road with Rev. Pat and in service to this ministry.
HEATHER FRANTZ - The wife of Mountain Speedway RWJM Chaplain and
winning driver, Paul.
October 12
NED JARRETT - From Hickory, NC, one of racing's great Christian
examples and retired NNC champion.
SMOKEY WARREN - Popular Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR Sportsman
Modified driver.
MARK DISMORE - Greenfield, IN Midget and IRL driver.
MORGAN SHEPHERD - Conover, NC NNC/BGN/CTS driver of the Racing
with Jesus Dodges.
HAROLD DAUNCEY III - NJ asphalt Modified driver.
DANNY BAGWELL - Birmingham, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
ERNIE GAHAN - Retired NH National NASCAR Sportsman champion and
300 plus ProStock feature winner Bobby's dad.
JACK DENNIS - Laura's dad and Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino NASCAR
WMT fan.
October 13
CAITLIN BROWN - A daughter of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car driver Bobby
and wife Carolyn.
October 14
JASON JARRETT - Hickory, NC BGN/ARCA driving grandson of Ned and son
of NNC's Dale.
JOE VENEZIAN - Proprietor of Perth Amboy Springs (NJ) and
Statewide Trailers.
ED YERRINGTON - 1960's Waterford/ Stafford Modified champion and
former Stafford/ Waterford promoter, now retired to Florida.
JERRY GLANVILLE - Roswell, GA occasional ARCA/BGN driver, former
NFL coach and TV commentator.
ANGELINA STUART - Preston, CT wife of JDM Chaasis builder/ LM
driver Jay.
PATRICK MANNING - Sheldonville, MA Carl Pasteryak NASCAR WMT fan.
October 15
KRISTIN MARQUIS - Another one of Enfield, CT Karen and NASCAR BES/NASCAR
WMT driver Jerry's kids and she celebrates on their anniversary.
October 16
SEAN WOODSIDE - Saugus, CA NASCAR West Series driver.
DON PRINGLE - Ontario, NY Street Stock driver at Spencer
Speedway.
WOODY FEBRIELLO - Retired asphalt Modified team owner.
TOODI ROSATI - The former Toodi Gelinas, famous weekly racing
columnist, wife of retired Modified driver John Rosati in Agawam, MA.
October 17
MARK BRIDGES - Durham, ME former Joe Bessey crewman.
October 18
KEN SPRING - The "Area Auto Racing News" and Racing with Jesus
Ministries Busch East Series photographer from Braintree, MA.
RIT DULAC - Plantsville, CT NASCAR retired Modified and BES
driver.
October 19
STUB FADDEN - The senior NASCAR BES driver from No. Haverhill, NH.
RICK FULLER - Auburn, MA NASCAR WMT driver.
DANA PATTEN - Enfield, NH former NASCAR BES/BGN U.S. Chrome
driver.
GARY ST. AMANT - Columbus, OH late model driver.
YOLANDA SHERIDEN - Retired Riverhead Raceway lady driver.
LISA WOOD - Wife of Pelham, NH SuperModified driver Russ.
MICHELLE SAVERY - Daughter of Seekonk driver Dana and wife
Laurie.
RUSS DOWD - Thompson Speedway General Manager, golden throated
announcer and friend of this ministry.
HOLLY PRINGLE - Ontario, NY 2002 Stock Microd champion at Sodus
Microd Club.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
NICK FORNORO SR - Further Information, In lieu of flowers, the
family requests donations be made to the Joey Bella Memorial Fund, Inc.
(15 Myers Ave., Denville, NJ 07834) which provides direct assistance to
families in need during catastrophic illness for children. Sympathy
cards to the family may be addressed to the Fornoro family at: 27
Sweetbriar Rd., Rockaway, NJ 07866-2821.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website