We had some technical difficulty last week and the column never made it to
the AARN offices. It is floating around out there somewhere in cyberspace.
If you find it let me know. If you would like to read it you can drop me a
note and I’ll let you know where to find it. Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Well, you might imagine how disappointed I was when the column
didn’t make it into the paper. I know there are so many folks that read it
there every week. But I guess it is like not qualifying for the A main, it
didn’t get there on time.
I didn’t have much time to dwell on that this week as it was a
short week for me; with the holiday on Monday and heading to Martinsville on
Friday, I had other things to get done. I did feel though that I some how
let God down.
He let me know that I didn’t and He had plans for me and this
ministry. Sometimes we forget that God always has opportunities for us. Even
in my time of disappointment God was making plans to encourage me.
I remember the Scripture;
Joshua 1:5, No one will be able to stand up
against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses,
so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
As we
drove to Martinsville things started to happen. At a rest stop a man
approached me and introduced himself as a Christian Business owner and
wanted to know about our ministry and how we were funded. I talked with him
a while and gave him some information. I left that rest stop encouraged.
A short time later my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number but
answered the call. The lady on the other end introduced herself and told me
she had been following me for the last half hour. I must admit my thoughts
went immediately to my driving and wondered if I did something wrong.
She called because she wanted to talk about how the country singer
she sings backup for could get involved with ministering to the racing
community. She explained that she called her sister with the website that is
on the trunk, her sister looked it up and relayed the number to her and she
called me. Just as I picked up the phone I noticed another rest stop just
two miles ahead of us. We pulled in and talked. Again I left another rest
stop encouraged.
When we arrived in Martinsville I checked my email and someone had
commented through our website. The first words again made me wonder if I did
something wrong, “ I saw your car on I-81 in PA…” The rest of the message
set my mind at ease and again I was encouraged. It went something like this;
my husband, an atheist, spotted your car and pointed it out to me. I am his
wife and have been praying for his salvation. Thanks for planting the seed.
You see even when you think you really screw up something God is
right there to encourage you to keep going. I know it is important to have
the column in the paper each week. God showed me this week everything we do
is important. He prepared a way for me even though I was thinking about
something else entirely.
I want to encourage you this week to remember everything we do is
being observed by someone. Make every effort to honor God in what you say
and do.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
THIS JUST IN - ME - After a long
day of Yellow Flags in both the WMT and K&N races we were able to get on the
road home. I’ll share some thoughts with you next week but I did want to
recognize some guys who took advantage of their opportunities. On the Whelen
Modified side, Justin Bonsignore finished second in the biggest race of his
young career and another young gun, Richie Pallai finished ninth. Both were
thrilled to make it through the challenging 200+ laps.
On the K&N side, Brett Moffitt made the most of the last restart to
wrestle the lead from Ryan Truex, who had fought from the rear of the field
to the front. With one circuit complete the yellow flew and then the rain
fell. The race was called and Brett took home his third series win.
After a short pitstop to cut the grass and water the plants it was
off to Maine to spend some time with my wife on our 30th wedding
anniversary. I was able to get there before the day was over and we enjoyed
dinner with her folks.
This week found us headed back to Thompson for a second try at
running the first Tour Type Mod 40 lap Feature, but just received word of a
postponement until June 24th as next week they have the Modified Racing
Series visiting. Friday we are heading out to Stafford for the 37th Annual
Coors Light SK Modified® 100. We have some potential help making a visit
with us; pray that God would lead them in their decision to come on board.
Saturday looks like a return trip to Seekonk for the MRS race, I haven’t
been there since the last time the WMT ran there. I am sure the place hasn’t
changed much.
IMHO (In My Humble Opinion), some
thoughts from Rev. Bill
- I agree with Monte Dutton…David Pearson belongs in the Hall of
Fame.
- Bedford’s World of Outlaws Late model show was rained out so we
will never know for sure if J.R. and the track crew got the surface right
for the show. After the Lucas Race, J.R. was determined to never have that
kind of surface again and the crew worked hard to make it so. I think that
the promoters at Bedford are willing to listen to all and will do whatever
it takes to make the races enjoyable for all. Just my “humble opinion.”
- Bedford’s rainout gave me the opportunity to attend the drag
races at Pittsburgh Raceway Park for the first of their 4days of racing
Memorial Day weekend. They had two wheelstanders there along with fireworks.
The show ended around one in the morning. But Mark Romeo, a member of our
congregation won the $1000.00 to win “No Box” event. Yes my friends,
$1000.00 to win! The purse increases each day.
- Although if I have my preferences, I would rather be at a circle
track race, drag racing has some advantages. First it was only $10 to get in
and it gives you access to pits, and the stands. You can actually get up
close and “personal to what is going on. Second you can race anything and
everything with the dial ins so anyone can realize their dream of being a
racer. One striking difference is in the diversity of the racers. Young and
old, men and women, boys and girls, black and white compete, are spectators,
and work at the drag races. Not so much in the circle track arenas.
- Speaking of diversity…A recent on line article pointed out that
in this year’s Indy 500, 4 women competed along with drivers from around the
world. It looks like the IRL is doing something right.
- Still no Ed Lynch Sprint victory at Lernerville. Although being
at Knoxville made it hard for him to win at Lernerville this week!
- While at PRP, I got to chat with racing photographer Bill Truby.
He has been at PRP as their official photographer for a few years now and
states he doesn’t miss the politics of the circle tracks.
- Even though she didn’t have a chance to win, I was pulling for
Sarah Fisher to do well. I watched her race at Challenger in a sprint car
and think she has some real talent. By the time you read this, we will know
how she did. I doubt that unless she spun out or God forbid, wrecks, she
will hardly get mentioned in the race.
- Please keep sprint car driver, Charlie Holben in your prayers. He
was burned in a crash at Lernerville.
- Went to Lincoln Speedway for my first visit. The Wednesday night
show featured USAC wingless sprints and the ARDC wingless midgets. Nice
track and a great show.
- I hope the plans for a purpose built F1 track in Texas come
through. If they are the best drivers in the world with the most
technologically advanced cars in the world, they should race at least once a
year in America.
- I was disappointed in ABC’s coverage at the end of the Indy 500.
Couldn’t they have paid more attention to Mike Conroy to make sure he was
OK?
- Maybe someday I will be pulling for Chase Elliott like I pulled
for his dad, Awesome Bill.
- Come on rain; leave us alone on racing nights.
- I so want to see Ford turn their season around. This is getting
embarrassing for us “Blue Oval” fans.
- Bedford just finished their last race and the rains came. Great
timing by a hustling track crew to get the races in.
- I was disappointed by the Hobby Stock “fans” that cheered when a
certain driver’s name was announced as being in a scary crash in the
feature. At least they could have waited until we knew he was okay.
Contact me at
revbill87@comcast.net, 724-832-6436, or at 703 Green Street, Greensburg,
PA 15601.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See
them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. 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***
June 10
MARCEL & LYNN L'ETOILE- This retired driver and proud parents of
Massachusetts ProStock driver Frank, share their 42nd anniversary.
June 13
MARCEL & CHRIS DUSSEAULT- "Deuce" and his wife from Somersworth, NH are
former owners of the NASCAR KNPSE GRAND NATIONAL Marc Motorsports team and
have their 45th anniversary.
SCOTT & JOAN NICKEL- This Thompson Speedway photographer and wife share
their 28th anniversary.
SAL & FRIEDA MAGLIO- These fans from Scranton, PA have their 37th wedding
anniversary.
June 14
LENNIE & ELAINE STOCKWELL- Mom, dad and crew for the car driven by their son
Kip.
DICK & PHYLLIS WOLSTENHUME- This retired Beech Ridge Speedway driving mutli-time
champion and wife share their 50th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 9
BILLY BIGLEY, JR.- Naples, FL All Pro Series driver.
RON D'ALESSANDRO- Agawam, MA former Mod No. 124 owner/driver at the now
closed Riverside Park Speedway.
TY BERGER- A past Advertising Director for "National Speed Sport News" from
1969 to 1978 and always involved in racing from Kutztown, PA.
June 10
JOHN SNEAD- Oxford, MA former Modified driver.
STEVE DARNE- Woodbridge, VA LMSC driver.
NICOLE MICHILOWSKI- Daughter of Lebanon Valley driver Mark and wife Robin is
19.
ASHLEY DUNAY- Daughter of Stafford SKMod crew member Joe.
THOMAS DUNAY- Son of Stafford SKMod crew member Joe.
June 11
KENNY TROYER- Rochester, NY asphalt Modified driver.
KRISTA HOWARD- Daughter of Waterford Speedbowl faithful Tom and wife Carol
is 20.
June 12
BRAD LEIGHTON- Center Harbor, NH NASCAR KNPSE driver.
LEE SHERWOOD- Waverly, NY NASCAR KNPSE/Modified driver.
SCOTT WOLF- From Freeport, NY a Riverhead Raceway driver.
MITCH POOLE- Lebanon Valley Modified driver.
PAT FEZZA- Riverhead Raceway Tech. Inspector.
June 13
DAVEY HAMILTON- Boise, Idaho SuperModified great, now IRL driver.
RON KEYS- Nottingham, PA Sprint/ Modified driver.
SHAUN BUFFINGTON- Plainfield, CT Modified driver.
DIRK STEPHENS- Tumwater, WA NNS/All Pro/CWTS driver.
KEVIN RICHARDS- Spokane, WA NASCAR West driver.
IRENE GEHRIS- Grandview Speedway's VIP Registra and AARN Vickie's mom.
ADRAI SCHAFFER- One of Grandview Mod driver Rick and wife Donna's children.
FRANK L'ETOILE, JR.- Son of Massachusetts ProStock driver Frank and wife
Betty is 18.
June 14
JACK MILLER- Dr. Jack, Carmel, IN IRL driver.
LEVI SCHULTZ- This Quakertown, PA 250cc Micro Srpint driver at Borger's
Speedway in Saylorsburg, PA.
JOEY CAVALLERO- This Wall Stadium fan and son of Tom and Sally and also the
nephew of Steve "Woody" Woods of the Evernham R&D Department and wife Tammy,
turns 10.
June 15
TODD HUMPHREYS- Elbridge, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
TREVOR NICKEL- This aspiring photographer is the son of Thompson Speedway
photographer Scott and wife Joan.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
|
