This past weekend I had the pleasure of remembering someone who contributed
so much to Modified Racing. Sometimes we don’t take the time to think about
what others have given so that we can race. I think it is necessary for each
of us to take a step back and remember to acknowledge that gift. Greetings
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Many were on hand for the 9th Annual John Blewett III Memorial
North-South Shootout presented in memory of Charles Kepley. Charles was the
primary force behind getting this event started and nurturing its growth.
When we lost Charles earlier this year it was a great shock us all. We
questioned the future of this event. We wondered if it would have a future.
With the efforts of many this year’s event did take place at
Caraway Speedway. It was different, but it was the same, modified racing.
Some who got there start in modified racing and still have a special place
in their hearts for it were there. I spoke to one who helped me understand
something interesting.
As I talked with Mike Joy about some general things I commented on
how challenging it must be to come to a race like this just to be a fan when
everyone there knows you and wants to talk with you. He assured me it was
not a problem. It is those discussions that help him remember where it all
started and how fortunate he is.
His comments speak clearly to what it is that separates racing form
other sports, our accessibility. We are all just people, racers at heart, we
remember where we come from and how to say thank you. This event was a way
to say thank you to Charles for not only believing in it, but making it
happen.
As I looked around you could see the connective ties that bind this
sport together, second and third generations that continue to traditions put
in place by those who came before us. The names so familiar, Fuller,
Spencer, Pasteryak, Blewett, Hirschman, Hills, Myers, Pack, Bohn, Elliot,
Kenseth, Blaney and many more that are starting new generations of racers.
Today we came together to say thank you to Charles and his passion
for modified racing. To say thank you for giving us an event that is like no
other, an event that celebrates the rich traditions of modified racing, both
North and South. A time when we can reflect on where we come from and the
people who put forth the effort to give us something special.
Thank you Charles for giving us a special event; my hope is that it
continues and flourishes, that we remember the passion, the effort and
sacrifice you were willing to make to put it all in place, that we don’t
forget how special it is to gather together and enjoy an event that helps us
remember where it all started.
I think it is appropriate that this event takes place so close to
Veteran’s Day, another group of people who have given so much for our
freedoms. I know it is easy to forget and take for granted what we have, but
we must remember the cost with which it was established. We must remember
that freedom is a precious gift, not to be wasted, squandered or taken for
granted.
Thank you to all the men and women, the families who have given so
much, to gain and maintain the freedom we enjoy. May we cherish it as much
as the lives it cost to attain.
For there to be meaning to life there must be relationships built
on integrity. The key to building meaningful relationships is sacrifice.
When we are willing to set aside our own selfish desires for the good of
others the bonds created are strong. Those bonds are not easily broken.
Life is complete and fulfilling when we have those bonds. We find
meaning and purpose as we build and strengthen those relationships. That is
how God created us and that is how He saved us. We can only know the most
fulfilling life when we have a relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ.
I remember the story in Luke’s Gospel. You see this son thought he
knew better how to live life than his father. He thought he was missing out
on all life had to offer. He thought he had it all figured out, so he ended
the relationship with his dad.?
Luke 11a – 24, NLT,
Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his
father,
‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to
divide his wealth between his sons.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a
distant land,
and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money
ran out, a great famine swept over the land,
and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man
sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs
looked good to him.
But no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the
hired servants have food enough to spare,
and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father,
I have sinned against both heaven and you,
and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a
hired servant.”’
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his
son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have
sinned against both
heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the
house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger
and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must
celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine
was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So
the party began."
Let me point out a few things,
First the son realized quickly how much effort it took to build the home his
father made for his family. Living wasn’t all about partying and having fun.
Second, he learned that people are not truly your friends, when the money
ran out he was alone. Thirdly, you don’t always realize what you have until
it’s gone.
Fortunately for this son, his father was compassionate and
forgiving.
And while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him coming.
The father watched for his sons
return. I suspect that his father was consumed by the desire to have his
relationship with his son restored. I am certain that his father prayed for
his son and his safe return.
Our Heavenly Father is much the same, He desires for us to restore
our relationship with Him, so much that He made a provision for our sins to
be forgiven. He sacrificed His son to pay the price for our sins. He offers
that to us as a gift.
In life we build many meaningful relationships but there is none
more meaningful than the one we have with God. There is no relationship we
can build here on earth that will provide more satisfaction and fulfillment
than the one we have with God. There is however a separation that exists
between us.
I am thankful that God provided a way through the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus for us to restore my relationship with Him. It is that
sacrifice that covers us and provides the forgiveness that we need. It is
something we all need.
Please take the time and consider how much has already been done,
so that we may live the most fulfilling life. Think about how much God loves
us and cares for us. Like the son who returned home to his father, seek out
God and receive the gift of salvation he offers.
I encourage you to share with us that decision or if you have
questions, talk with us. We would welcome the opportunity to sit down with
you and provide the answers.
PRAYERS FOR THE RACING FAMILY
As I requested a few weeks
back we joined in prayer for Nancy Shea. Nancy has gone home to the Lord.
Please continue to lift up her family and especially her husband Ray. You
may want to send him a card of condolence and sympathy to help them through
this difficult time. You can send them to; Ray Shea, 438 Third Ave., Brick,
NJ 08724.
This week we begin the “off-season” and start the banquet circuit.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you as we celebrate together the
accomplishments of the season. If we can come to your church or event as a
guest speaker, let us know. We would welcome the opportunity to share about
this ministry and how we are helping the racing community build a stronger
faith..
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.
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***
November 10
BOB & DOTTIE PARK- This Northport, LI veteran NASCAR WMT driver and wife,
also parents of NASCAR driver Steve, share their anniversary.
November 11
MIKE & JULIE STEFANIK- The West Greenwich, RI multi-time NASCAR WMT and
NASCAR CWES champion and wife/GM of Koszela Speed Warehouse share their 27th
anniversary.
FRANKIE AND BOBBIE SCHNEIDER- The Old Master and his wife celebrate 23 years
together.
November 15
DON & ROBIN LaHUE- This Vermont couple, he a driver at NH's White Mountain
Motorsports Park, have their 34th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 9
DICK DISBROW- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
TERRY MARCOVIC- PA/NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RICK CARELLI- Arvada, CO CWTS driver.
CHRISTINE STEFANIK- The second of Mike and Julie's girls.
WILL WRIGHT- Godson of Dion Ciccarelli and son of Gerry Wright has his
birthday.
DANA MAE KOST- Daughter of NSC crewman Mike.
MICHAEL "Bonzi" BOZZUTO - Head tech inspector at Oswego Speedway, former ESS
sprint car driver and "wanna be" dwarf car driver.
November 10
DAWN DIPPEL- AARN "Third Turn" columnist.
November 11
BOB POLVERARI- Riverside Park Speedway multi-time Modified champion, retired
NASCAR Modified Tour driver.
BRIAN WEBBER- Long Island NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BARRY BODINE- CWTS driving son of Geoff.
ROY PAYNE- Alvin, TX ARCA driver.
GEORGE SAVARY- Retired Massachusetts former Modified driver, and top Mini
Modified threat.
MIKE RYAN- Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR KNPSE crewman, brother of
photographer Gracie Ryan.
BOBBY CAVALLERO- Farmingdale, NJ Wall Township Speedway and Sprint Cup fan.
November 12
JOHN ANDERSON- Southington, CT retired Mod driver.
RYAN OLSEN- Son of No. Haverhill, NH KNPSE Owner Mike and wife Vicki.
November 13
KENNY TREMONT, JR.- West Sand Lake, NY Lebanon Valley Speedway based
Modified driver.
TRACY GORDON- Strong, ME KNPSE driver.
RICK MILLER- Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Mod driver.
RENE CHARLAND- "Da' Champ", retired four time NASCAR Sportsman champion and
dad of Fonda driver Rick.
TOMMY PORTER, JR.- Savannah, GA All Pro driver.
LOUIE MAIETTA- Brother of multi-time Beech Ridge LM champion Mike, Sr.
ROGER SAVLUK- Lisbon, CT Savluk's Service partner.
November 14
DAN MESERVEY, JR.- West Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
CHRIS CARLSON- Modified crewman from Danbury, CT.
LEE HENDRICKSON- Former Mod driver/owner dad of Lawrenceville, NJ Wall
Township Speedway Modified driver Wade.
BENTO WILLIAMS- Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Lee Greenwood's great
nephew.
JIM YOUNG- The proprietor of www.RACESONGS.com and the writer of all those
famous theme songs for tracks and drivers and divisions, including Racing
with Jesus Ministries.
November 15
JOE BERTOTHY- Joe has helped many a racer by giving of his time and
financial support, but he has also helped many come to know Christ as their
Savior. Thanks for your special gifts to the racing family, enjoy your
special day.
JAMIE MILLS- Milford, DE Bridgeport Speedway Modified driver.
TIM MANGUS- Tioga Speedway based NASCAR WMT driver.
STEPHANIE BAKER- Daughter of Baker Carburetion's Steve and Sue.
DELORIS & ELISABETH HOPE MINTER- The wife and daughter of Martinsville, Va
WODY Gospel Radio's "Uncle" Wendell.
LAUREN GEORGIADES- Daughter of Steve, Crew Chief for brother Bobby's CT Mod.
JEFFREY MAHER- East Windsor fan "Chipper".
***NEW BEGINNINGS***
NANCY SHEA - went home to the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 2,
2011 with her husband Ray by her side after a brief courageous battle with
cancer. Nancy was an avid race fan since she was a teenager. She was the
editor of Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club newsletter called Vintage News
and also the membership coordinator. She was inducted into the GSVSCC Hall
of Fame in 2005. Nancy and her husband spent the last 19 years traveling
around with their vintage race car and attending stock car races. She loved
being with her Wall Stadium friends on Saturday night in the first turn
grandstands. Cards of condolence and sympathy can be sent to Ray Shea, 438
Third Ave., Brick, NJ 08724.
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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