In his note this week Bobby Somers, one of our Chaplains, talked about faith
vs. luck. I would like to expand on that a little. At the track these two
can become easily confused. Is it luck (fate) or is it God leading us
through, Faith? That depends on who we have put your trust in, God or
ourself. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A day at the racetrack is full of action. There is more going on
than a three-ring circus. What do you watch, where do you go, who do you
focus on? With so much going on and so much good stuff to choose from, what
do you do? Our choices are guided by who we allow to lead us.
I remember something I was taught when I was younger “Actions speak
louder than words.” You know the type, they shoot their mouth off, talk the
big talk, they try to win the race before they get out on the track. You
also know, it is what you do on the track that matters. It is not where you
start, but where you finish that counts. How have we been finishing lately?
Before we get started there are a couple of things we need to learn
about how we live; first, it doesn’t matter where we come from we can act in
a way that honors God. Second, all the talk in the world doesn’t mean
anything until you get up and do something. People don’t care how much you
know until they know how much you care. We show people we care by our
actions.
Every one of us knows both types of people, some are all talk and
some don’t talk they help. Who do you call when you need help? Do you call
the talker or do you call the doer? You call the doer because they will help
not lecture you. There are many who may say the right thing, but it is those
who show up to help at 2:00 in the morning that are real friends. Listen to
what James says.
James 2:14-26,
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no
deeds?
Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and
daily food.
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,"
but does nothing about his physical needs,
what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied
by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have
faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you
my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the
demons believe that--and shudder.
It is not enough to claim to have faith we have to live it. We need
to act in such a way that shows others that we depend on God. When we are
faced with a situation that challenges us beyond our abilities, who do we
turn to? We should turn to God.
James talks about showing people who we place our faith in. He
tells us that just saying we have faith is not enough, we have to do
something. Are we willing to step up to the plate and demonstrate how much
we care for others? Are we willing to reach out and help others? Faith
proves itself by action. God Bless, Rev. Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
THOMPSON, STAFFORD , SEEKONK AND BEYOND - This week saw my
schedule return to “normal”. Thursday night I headed out to Thompson for the
last Tour Type Modified Open show on the schedule. With the VMRS making an
appearance here this week the numbers were up, twenty cars were in the house
for the show. It was a good mix of drivers and the hot hand belonged to Mike
Stefanik as he added to his late season resurgence. Look for the hot streak
to continue at Bristol !
Stafford hosted their Late Model 100 on Friday night and Woody
Pikat was the class of the field, but the action belonged to the Modifieds.
Both the SKLites and SK’s put on classic races that had everyone standing.
The SKLite feature being decided by a photo finish with one car backing
across the line narrowly missing taking the checkered for victory. The jury
is still out as to who will be officially determined as the winner, but the
three wide battle out of turn four reminded us all that the future is bright
for Modified racing.
Then it was off to Seekonk as the VMRS made their first visit of
the season to the Cement Palace , the previous scheduled visit fell to the
weather. Twenty cars showed up to contest the event, some choosing to stay
up north and run Star, others waiting for the Thompson race on Thursday. It
didn’t matter, the cars in the house put on a show, what great side by side
racing. For several laps the top cars ran two wide. Les Hinckley took down
the win from the 14th starting spot, using the outside lane to get most of
the passing done. It was great watching him come through the field. He and
Dwight Jarvis put on a show in the closing laps, brought back some memories.
I watched one fan tap his buddy’s shoulder and say “great idea coming to the
races tonight!”
Another point I need to mention, the fans really appreciate the no
nonsense approach the VMRS officials take to the racing, if you spin someone
you will be sent to the rear, if you intentionally retaliate, you will be
black flagged and disqualified.
Joe, a fan who recognized me from this column in AARN, stopped me
at Seekonk to let me know exactly that. He said he enjoyed this series
because they didn’t tolerate things like spinning guys out, running guys up
the track, taking guys out. He loved the race on Saturday night and wants to
see more of the same.
I know there were a few of the races I saw this week that could
have used some of the same officiating, I am looking forward to seeing the
show on Thursday at Thompson.
THE OLLIE CLASSIC - Bobby and Vinetta checked in from Lee-
The Friday night many fans have waited for arrived, The Ollie Silva Classic,
the wing warriors of ISMA arrived at Lee USA Speedway and a seat wasn’t to
be found. They put on an incredible show and many got to see Teddy
Christopher behind the wheel of the 61jr. His night was cut short in turn 3
with a crash and he never returned from the heat race. In the Classic it was
just that, classic, this was the second time that the Big Block supers raced
flag to flag without a caution, 75 laps, great job.
During the evening Vinetta got to spend a great deal of time with
one of the young regular drivers to explain the difference between faith and
luck. The driver was saying “I just need a little luck”. How many drivers
have reached out just wanting a little luck during a race? Well a little
luck is just that, little, maybe it lasts for a few laps but then it’s gone.
Well having “FAITH” lasts forever .When you have faith, the love of God
stays with you forever and it’s just not a little, it’s all the time. When
there is a spin how many drivers come in say “I was lucky I was able to
drive through that or around it?” It wasn’t luck it was God watching out for
you giving you the ability and confidence to maneuver around the crash. I
challenge you to look up the definition and tell me whether it was luck or
faith?
Racing isn’t all about just making left turns. It’s about
fellowship with other drivers, families, officials and fans. You grasp onto
that steering wheel and hope for the best, but grasp on to faith and at the
end it’s going to be more than a trophy.
I leave you with this about Faith;
Mathew 11:22, And Jesus answered saying to
them, have faith in God,
also 11:24 Therefore I say to you, all things
for which you pray and ask,
believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
There was a lot of praying that evening when rain came upon the
track and it slowly went away to give us a great night of racing. So were we
lucky the rain went away or was it faith in our savior that our prayers
would be answered that night?
It was a blessing to spend some time talking with Tara Stoer,
family and Deb Marvuglio with the NEMA lights being one of the divisions
that evening as Vinetta spent time with some of the local drivers. This
racing season has opened many doors and we are looking forward to what God
has in store.
The road leads to Bristol this week and then back to Thompson for
me and Lebanon Valley for Dan. We are looking forward to seeing some great
racing, get out there and see some, live and in person!
Until next time, 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.
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News",
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Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
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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 25
TOM & SUE FEARN- The Feeding Hills, MA ProStock championship and Latemodel
driver and wife have their 14th anniversary.
JOE AND KAREN cIVALI- Parents of WMT driver James and Joey Logano Buisness
Manager Joey celebrate thier 32nd.
August 26
BOB & LISA CLASETTA- This Vernon, CT auto racing industry Sales Rep. and
wife have their 39th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 24
DAVID BONNETT- Hueytown, AL NSC/ARCA driver.
MIKE JEFFREY- NY DIRT Modified driver.
TOM PERREGO- Another NY DIRT Mod driver.
CHUCK DOCHERTY- Former ProStock/SK Mod driver.
TED HEBERT- Agawam, MA proprietor of Teddy Bear Pools, long time racing
sponsor.
AMANDA HAYES- Daughter of NH photographer Rich and wife Dede.
SARAH SMITH- Fiance of ACT crewman whose favorite singer is Wayne Newton.
August 25
LARRY SHIVERS JR.- Brother to former WMT driver Gregg.
KYLE PURKS- Langhorne, PA 358 and URC Sprint driver.
JEFF PEARL- Colchester, CT Waterford Speedbowl based CT Modified driver.
RODNEY COMBS, JR.- Fort Wayne, KY dirt LM and CWTS driver.
PETE PERNESIGLIO- Riverhead Raceway Blunderbust driver.
August 26
RAY EVERNHAM- From Hazlet, NJ, he learned it all in NASCAR Modified driving
and has put it to excellent use.
BARNEY McRAE- Colchester, VT NASCAR KNPSE team owner/crew chief and former
driver.
NICOLE TRACY- This lady from Danbury, CT drives a dirt Sportsman Modified at
Accord Speedway in New York.
DAVE SILVIA- Seekonk Speedway Sportsman driver.
CHRIS DUSSEAULT- Wife of Somersworth, NH Marc Motorsports former NASCAR
KNPSE team owner "Deuce."
KAITLYN DILLNER- The daughter of Long Island native SPEED personality Bobby
and wife Meredith.
MARIO "SPEEDY" TOMAINO- Giants NFL fan and proud dad of Howell,NJ NASCAR WMT
driver and RWJM Rep. Jamie.
August 27
MIKE MORTIMER- "Mighty Mike" drives the LM 14 at Riverhead Raceway.
JOHN MINE- Wall township Speedway driver.
JIMMY BAKER- Crew Chief for the Junior Miller driven Whelen Southern
Modified.
MICHAEL JAWORECKI- “JAWS” to some, our Long Island connection with a new
photo assignment. Mike asks us to remember and support research for the
treatment and cure of Autism, Autism Speaks!
August 28
KRIS SMITH- Husband of former NHIS media room attendant and chocolate chip
cookie lover Stephanie.
RANDY LaJOIE- Norwalk, CT born two time NNS champ, currently concentrating
on selling his excellent race car seats.
KELLEY KING EARNHARDT- Grown-up daughter of the late Dale Earnhardt.
August 29
MARK FLEURY- NY DIRT Modified driver.
MICHAEL JAWORECKI JR.- “JAWS Jr.” Son of Jaws! a familiar fixture by his
dad's side at the racetrack.
August 30
KEVIN ECKERT- Allentown, PA based Sprint/Midget writer.
AUSTIN MARIE BRUNO- This little lady is the first child of Bomoseen, VT ACT/
KNPSE driver Mike and wife Alayne.
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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