We are inspired by the people we come in contact with in our lives. Many
have inspired us by overcoming tremendous difficulties to persevere and make
a difference. Think of some of the people that have inspired you to continue
giving everything you have for the benefit of someone else. Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you know this past weekend we participated in the Shane Hammond
Memorial at Waterford Speedbowl. The NEMA family took the opportunity to
honor the life Shane lived and the inspiration he provided for many.
Shane worked hard and struggled to climb the racing ladder. He also
faced many personal issues along the way. You wouldn’t know it to see the
smile on his face. Everyday for Shane was a victory. He didn’t look forward
to tomorrow, he was just fine with today and the opportunity he had.
Shane’s mom, Deb Marvuglio, shared in an article for FlatOut by
Chris Romano, about the fateful day when at 15 Shane needed emergency
surgery for a brain and spinal tumor.
“There was no guarantee he’d have the use of his arms, legs,
respiratory system. So we made a pact before he went into surgery that when
he came out I’d ask him to wiggle his toes. And when he came out he was able
to that and we both cried.”
Shane’s struggle to race didn’t end that day it had just begun, the
physical therapy, the exercises, the pain, Shane didn’t give up his fight to
live as normal a life as possible. His motivation to race carried him
through those challenging days. He felt he needed to do the everyday things,
school, work, or no one would let him race.
Deb shares about those days, “He fought everyday of his life
through pain. For seven years we tried everything…. And he never gave up.”
“He is my inspiration. As a mother, you see your son in pain every
day of his life, it wears you down, don’t get me wrong. It was tough and
that’s why I have to walk the walk I’m walking now because I watched him
walk it. I know he’d be disappointed if I didn’t say I can get through this
and I can turn something negative into something positive because that’s
what he did with his life. He never complained. There were people for years
that stood side by side with Shane and never knew he had surgery, never knew
he had a deficit.”
Shane set a tremendous example for us to follow. He showed us that
life is to be lived, not on the sidelines but in the race. I am reminded of
that passage in Hebrews that has provided so much encouragement to me;
Hebrews 12:1-3;(new
living translation) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd
of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows
us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with
endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on
Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy
awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated
in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he
endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Shane inspired his mom to persevere even
when the odds are against you. His inspiration gives her the strength she
needs to face each day. Some ask how she can continue in racing and working
so closely with the sport. She does it because of what she learned after
Shane’s accident. She has now championed an effort to educate and equip
racers with the necessary understanding and equipment to be as safe as
possible out on the track. You can help through the Shane Hammond Believe
Foundation (www.shanehammond.org)
I leave you with this thought as we think about those who have
inspired us to live our life in such a way as to reach out to others. As we
remember those who have provided for our needs. As we remember those who
have helped mold us into the people we are. Don’t just walk through life
when you can fly!
ISAIAH 40:30, (NIV) but
those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not
be faint.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT - Two brave
men of God; much like Moses and Aaron, plodded through the wilderness of the
Merritt Parkway Wednesday evening. Dan coming from the South and Ray driving
from the North with his praying navigator wife, Sandi. Even as sheeting rain
and gusting tornado winds pounded our cars, dodging fallen and falling tree
limbs, we made our rendezvous in Westport and the great RWJM car exchange.
Dan only made it onto the Parkway a couple exits and was at a dead
stop while fallen tree limbs were cleared away to make one driving lane open
at least. As I eventually headed North with the Pace Car, I stayed in the
passing lane just in case another tree decided to shed its limbs!
Praise God, the mission, though in jeopardy at times, was
accomplished and hopefully it won’t be a rain out Saturday night for the
Shane Hammond memorial race.
Rev. Ray
SHANE HAMMOND MEMORIAL CHASES THE RAIN AWAY - Despite the
weather’s best effort to flood the place, the crew at Waterford did a
tremendous job getting the facility ready to run. A great big thank you goes
out to Tom Fox and his crew.
With both the NEMA lites and NEMS Midgets in attendance the entire
NEMA family was on hand to remember Shane and remember the inspiration his
smile brought to them. In a gesture that won’t soon be forgotten Matt
O’Brian retired his old helmet and had each driver in attendance sign it. He
presented it to Shane’s mom during the driver’s meeting so that it would be
a reminder of this special night.
Matt spoke of the admiration he had for Deb and her ability to go
on despite the loss. He spoke from the perspective of both a racer and a
parent. His heartfelt comments and gesture made this night even more special
and helped us, a family, remembered the boy who thought he could fly.
Russ Stoehr brought home the emotional victory for Dumo’s Desire, a
victory that, in itself, was a victory for the memory of Gene and Marilyn
but with the added significance of being the first annual Shane Hammond
Memorial made even more celebrated.
The night wouldn’t be complete without Randy Cabral, Shane’s best
friend, in Victory Lane, as he brought home the victory in the NEMA Lites.
This was also the first visit to Victory Lane for car owner Paul Scally. A
memorial night to be remembered!
REV. SCOTT REPORTS IN FROM THE RICKY MILLER MEMORIAL - Well
I thought it couldn't get any better with the Modified Racing Series after 3
great races in a row but boy was I wrong. Saturday nights show at Canaan
Fairgrounds in New Hampshire was worth an ESPN Classic nomination. Once
again the MRS had a good field of 28 cars trying to qualify for the 100 lap
Ricky Miller Memorial race. The fans came out in droves to give there
support to the Miller family and Northeast modified racing.
There was great racing the entire night and Eric Goodale was the
class of the show but with 11 to go the caution waved and you knew it was
going to be an exciting finish. Holdridge started on the outside and Dwight
Jarvis and Jon McKennedy were in the second row. With 9 to go Jarvis got
around Holdridge to set up some of the best and cleanest racing I have seen
all year. Jarvis did everything he could to get by Goodale but just couldn't
pass him. On the last lap coming out of 4 they were door handle to door
handle with Eric Goodale winning the closest finish in MRS history for his
first win.
This week the MRS will have a much needed off weekend so I will be
making the trip to Riverhead for the Whelen Modified Tour. Make sure to make
your way to Beech Ridge the following Saturday and you will see that
Modified racing is still the best racing in the world.
DOUBLE HEADER THIS WEEKEND - We will be making the rounds
this weekend as the K&N Pro Series returns to run at one of the favorite
haunts of the old Busch North Series, Lee Speedway. It will be interesting
to see how some of these teams tackle this classic bull ring.
Then it is off to another bull ring, Riverhead, for the Whelen
Modified Tour. This trip is made even more special when you consider what
the fans have done to increase the incentive for teams to come to the
Island. LI Maniac has been in the purse raising business for a couple of
years now and this year he has continued that effort. I am told there will
even be some tow money for non-qualifiers.
Make the double header a family adventure and plan on joining us.
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
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Check our home page
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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***
August 2
PAUL & ROSE TEETER- From Ithaca, NY, this NY Antique Race Car enthusiasts
have their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 28
REGGIE RUGGIERO- Berlin, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, JR.- Massachusetts ProStock driver.
SAMANTHA JARRETT- Holyoke, MA photographer Gracie Ryan's grandaughter.
JESSICA LARSEN- A daughter of Linda and Joe, NASCAR Mod Series official.
July 29
PHIL KURZE- Director of WHELEN MOTORSPORTS, sponsor of the WMT,WSMT and WAAS,
a big fan of modified racing.
ROB OVERTON- Olivebridge, NY Eastern Limited Sprint Series driver.
PETE ORR- Miami, Fl NNS team owner, former driver.
REV.DON RIVERS- RWJM President and Pastor of WMT.
July 30
MICKEY YORK- Asheboro, NC NASCAR driver.
PENNY DEGRE- Whitinsville, MA NASCAR KNPSE writer.
TYLER WILSON- Son of James and Janai Wilson, Grandson of Wall Chaplain Bob
Menschner.
July 31
BILLY RUSSELL- Hudson, NH long-time crewman on the Dion Bros. NASCAR KNPSE
team with driver Dave Dion.
TAMMY O'BRIEN- Boyertown, PA crewman for the Grandview Late Model X4 driven
by Lou Egrie.
SONYA CLAY- The lady who heads up the Dale JR Pit Board Charity out in
Gustine, CA. Visit the site at
www.dalejrpitboardcharity.com
August 1
BOB KESELOWSKI- Rochester, MI NSCS & NNS driver.
ALAN CHAPMAN- Elmira, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
FIL MARTOCCI- NSC's FiLmar Racing Team owner.
GLORIA HANNA- Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fan.
LISA ROMANO- This lady is in Appomattax, VA, the sister of Laura Dennis and
another huge Jamie Tomaion WMT fan.
CONNOR McELEARNEY- The son of Riverhead LM driver Paul and wife Michelle of
Commack, NY IS 10.
JIM BARNES- This Long Island Kyle Busch fan celebrates his big day.
August 2
ROBIN LaHUE- Wife of Northfield, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH)
driver, Don.
JOHN FITZGERALD- Happy 5th to this son of Riverhead Enduro and demo regular
Terrence and Christine.
August 3
GREG RAY- Plano, TX IRL driver.
BOB MARTI- Crewman on the 57 WAAS Modified at Stafford.
CAROL SAVLUK- Wife of former Modified driver, Wayne, of Lisbon, CT.
JOANN SCHERER- Sister of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Eric Beers.
DILLON ZACHARIAS- The son of Modified driver and part of the track
management team Rick and wife Pam is 9.
BRENDA VENTH- Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George Venth
is 10.
***IN THE SHOP***
SPARKY- A young 600 Micro driver who had a bad crach down
in Hamlin, PA. He is making progress in his recovery but needs our prayers.
Please lift him and his family up.
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
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