I had the pleasure this week of staying with the Rosarius family in Oviedo,
Florida on my trip last week. I first met Paul at PRI on 2009. He introduced
me to his son Jason and announced his son was on a mission. Jason is a young
man who knows two things that he wants out of life, he first and foremost
wants to please God, and secondly he wants to race. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I spent the days basking in the Florida sun and enjoyed my nights
at New Smyrna Speedway and Volusia Speedway Park. I didn't miss the snow at
all, but there was another reason for me to come to Florida. I had the
opportunity to get to know a young racer better. Jason Rosarius currently
driver the Palm Tree Computer sponsored Silverado Protruck. He competes at
Orlando Speedworld, New Smyrna Speedway and other tracks in Central Florida.
Jason is a sixteen year old born in Germany and raised in Florida.
He currently is a junior in High School and looking forward to the start of
the race season. Like most things in Florida they get a jump start over us
up here in the Northeast with their weekly racing beginning at the end of
March.
Jason told me a little bit about the truck he drives. He runs in
the Protruck division, basically a Monte Carlo front clip, a fabricated rear
frame and a fiberglass body. For horsepower he is looking forward to the
arrival of a new 400hp ZZ4 motor for the start of the season at New Smyrna.
The new powerplant along with the newly built chassis and body should prove
to give him the necessary equipment to run up front.
Jason was planning on competing for three nights at New Smyrna last
week with his new truck that was ready for the season. But after a seventh
place finish on the first night he met the first turn wall on the second. A
victim of someone else's poor driving and no place to go he was forced into
the wall. With a bent front clip and a pile of shredded fiberglass you would
understand if this sixteen year old lost his cool. Therein lies the
difference with Jason, he is not your typical teenager.
Jason shared with me how he came to know Jesus as his Lord and
Savior. With a hurricane threatening the Florida coast his family decided to
take a vacation to Tennessee. While there they attended the Cowboy Church.
At the end of the service Jason responded to the invitation and gave his
life to the Lord.
You could see a great example of the peace that comes from Jesus in
the pits when Jason rolled off the track after hitting the wall. He climbed
out of the truck, a little sore, took his uniform off and inspected the
damage. No swearing, no tears, no anger, no placing blame on others. In fact
he noticed the father of one of the other trucks involved yelling and
screaming. He took it upon himself to go over and explain what happened and
helped calm him down.
You don't often see a young person with the composure and presence
to calmly help others deal with the aftermath a difficult situation. What a
great example of how to live out our faith. I was impressed.
Jason has a mission, get to the top of the racing world. This
season he is running for the championship at New Smyrna. Next year he will
test the waters with a few K&N Pro Series East races, following that up with
the hope of running for the rookie of the year in 2013. Then the sky's the
limit.
I think the future is bright for this young man. When you couple
the driving skill he has with his willingness to listen and learn he can go
far. He has the respect and temperament that will make him a wonderful role
model for a willing sponsor. Pay attention to the name, you will see it in
the future. I am reminded of the guidance we receive from the writer of
Proverbs;
Proverbs 3:5-6;
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
We can
see that played out in the life of this young racer and it is a lesson we
all need to learn and put into practice.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SUNSHINE, SAND AND DIRT - You ever go to a new track and
don't know the layout? When I arrived at Volusia, I felt a little like Bob
Uecker, I was at the wrong gate. For you youngsters out there you'll have to
Google him to find out who he was. The problem was it cost me $35.00 and
several trips back and forth to track office to figure it out. I am thankful
to the World Racing Group for their willingness to make things right and not
make my lack of direction cost me. Sometimes we don't see the little things
that happen behind the scenes to help us out and I want to acknowledge the
help they extended to me. By the time it was over I knew every inch of the
speedway grounds, had a chance to talk with Jeff Burton and met some new
friends.
It was good to be back with the Late Models and Big Blocks. It
seems it was only a few weeks ago we were closing the season out with them
in Charlotte. Now a new season has begun and two races are already in the
books. He we go again!
I spent the next night at New Smyrna and ran into some folks I
haven't seen in a while. Ryan Moore and the entire Moore Clan were there to
see Ryan get to victory lane in the Super Late Model division. There were a
few new members to the clan, Ryan’s wife and daughter.
I asked new grandpa Kelly Moore for some pointers about being a
grandfather, as I am about one month away from joining the club. He smiled
that familiar smile and said “there is nothing like it!”
Ryan is living in Mooresville, working for the family business and
really enjoying life. He is looking forward to running on the PASS Southern
tour this year with his sights set on the big race coming up in North
Wilkesboro. We’ll be keeping an eye on him and look forward to seeing a few
times this season.
I also ran into Zach Germain who was there to compete in the crate
Late Model division. We know Zach from the K&N Pro Series East. He competes
on the tour and has become an encouragement to Dan and me. I was going
through the starting grid looking for his car and there was his arm out the
window waving me over to have a pre-race prayer with him.
It was a busy but blessed time and I’ll have some additional
comments in the weeks to come.
AWESOME! A word used to frequently for it’s real power to be
felt, but that is exactly what I felt as Trevor Bayne crossed the finish
line and won the Daytona 500 on Sunday. I called Trevor only to realize that
his mailbox was exploding and it might be a few days before we talk. But I
know he understands how many people out there were pulling for him. Trevor
is another inspiration and encouragement to others. While he competed on the
K&N Pro Series East he faithfully attended Chapel. He was always seeking
God’s direction in his life. He took time to talk about where God was
leading him and how God was working through him to reach others.
He loves the Lord and has his priorities right. Though disappointed
from being released at MWR he had nothing but good to say and thanked
everyone for the opportunity. He moved on not knowing the blessing that God
had in store. God honors those who honor Him, I bet if you ask Trevor he
will tell you he is blessed.
THE RACER’S EXPO - Bobby Seymour of The Race Depot has the
2011 version of the show ready to roll this weekend. Building off last year,
the show has expanded this year making use of the Grand Ballroom. This will
give the show a large main area to work from. This also allowed for the
number of exhibitors to be increased over last year providing even more
opportunities to see what is new and different for the upcoming race season.
This years show will be in the same place; at the Royal Plaza Hotel
- Route 20 - Marlboro, MA - Exit 24b off I-495, Friday the 25th - 4 PM to 9
PM & Saturday, the 26th - 10 AM to 7 PM . Attendance is free to the racers
and all you have to do is go to the web site,
http://www.theracersexpo.com/ to register.
The size of this show makes it a perfect place to meet and greet
without being overwhelmed. The Racer’s Expo doesn’t leave you lost in the
crowd. I look forward to seeing you there.
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***
February 27
DENNIS & ELLEN MURRAY- This Mike Weeden LM fans from NH have their 45th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 23
JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC NNS driver.
STEVE SEABURG- New Britain, CT retired Mod driver.
JIMMY STRUPP- Former Long Islander, now based in Charlotte, NC.
TRACY YOUNG- Canterbury, CT wife of former LM driver Ronnie.
TIMOTHY ZYLA- Son of Shamokin, PA Editor Greg.
February 24
MICHAEL RITCH- High Point, NC NNS/LMSC driver.
RICK DYKE- Danbury, CT retired ProStock driver.
LOUIS LaFLEUR- Thompson Speedway track crew member.
KYLE McGOWaN- Flagger at Wall and familiar sight at Mod races enjoys his big
day.
February 25
NORM HOLDEN- Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver.
T.J. CLARK- Chandler,AZ NASCAR West driver.
BUTCH GILLILAND- Anaheim, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATTI BETTS- Show horse riding Wife of former Long Island now Salisbury, NC
engine builder John.
NESTER Q. KRAMER- Riverhead, NY Billy Pauch fan.
February 26
GLENN FITZCHARLES- Pottstown, PA URC Sprint driver.
KEN LAVOIE- Massachusetts driver.
ZUNILDA ROCCO- Wife of the world famous Plainville, CT Modified driver
"Rocket Ronnie."
ELIZABETH DIAS- Wife of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony.
February 27
GARY GOLLUB- Mohnton, PA Mod/Sprint driver.
DENNIS SETZER- Newton, NC NNS/CWTS driver.
TODD BODINE- Chemung, NY CWTS Champion driver.
GEORGE INGOLE- Lakeland, FL All Pro driver.
TY DILLON- A son of Welcome, NC NNS driver/Crew Chief Mike and wife Tina,
also Richard Childress' grandson.
February 28
MARIO ANDRETTI- This Nazareth, PA World Class retired driver really does
think he's Mario Andretti.
JAY HEDGECOCK- High Point, NC NSC fabricator and LMSC builder; Modified
driver.
JOE GAERTE- WoO sprint driver.
BUTCH LEITZINGER- State College, PA NASCAR KNPSE and World Class driver.
RICH GARDNER- Late Model Stock Car driver from Waterford, PA; "Erie
Speedway" 5-time Dirt Late Model champion.
LIZ STRICKLER- Susquehanna Sportsman driver Randy's wife.
JUDY MANIX- The sister of Plainville, CT drivers Ted and Mike Christopher.
February 29
BRIAN HOAR- His day is really February 29 for this Goss Dodge ACT driver.
March 1
ALEXIS SZEGEDY- Wife of former WMT champion Todd, AKA George.
BOBBY SEYMOUR- Well known midget driver and partner of Seymour Enterprises
Performance Products Inc.
QUINN CHRISTOPHER- Wife of well known multi-talented driver TC.
DAVE MARCIS- Skyland, NC Retired NSC driver/RCR research driver.
BILLY PAUCH- Frenchtown, NJ driver of the Williams Grove based Zemco Sprint.
RANDY HEDGER- Sprint Cup official from Williamson, NY.
TIM STEELE- Coopersville, MI ARCA driver.
JERRY CAMINITO- Jackson, NJ NHRA Funny Car driver.
GLENN FRYE, JR- Grandson of Warren "Jeep" Frye and 1/4 Midget driver of
Blackbird, Deleware.
DONNA KOCHER- Bethlehem, PA AMRA Microstock member.
KATHY TEMCHAK- Wife of Canterbury, NH NHIS victory Lane Staff Member John.
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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