We have closed out the season and our champions have been crowned. We all
competed but only one champion can be crowned; only one wins the race but
everyone competes for that prize. How have we been running our race? Have we
run in such a way as to win? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
To be crowned a champion means that you have what it takes to
persevere through the long racing season. On the Whelen Modified Tour,
Ronnie Silk gave Ed Partridge his first Modified Tour Championship. Ed has
fielded cars for many years in various divisions but this is the first time
he has come home with the Tour Championship.
Max Gresham and the team at Joe Gibbs Racing did what was necessary
in their last race at Dover to nail down their championship. The first for
Max, but his team has been here before. They have proved over and over they
have what it takes to run the race in such a way as to win.
These two drivers and teams have shown us that they know how to run
the race. They take the proper steps to prepare for the race. They compete
with a focus on the prize, victory. They run the race in such a way as to
win. Does that mean everyone else doesn’t?
Each team has the desire to win, they want to win, but what
separates the ones that win from those who don’t? Many things factor into
winning the race, equipment, experience, preparedness, focus, etc. Only
those who make the commitment to winning can claim the prize. It is a rare
occurrence that an ill prepared team wins. Their lack of preparedness
usually shows up when the race is run.
I know there are some discrepancies in the amount of resources
available to the teams. But the field being level what separates the winners
from the losers? This is the question everyone wants to answer.
Paul, the writer of 1Corinthians explains it this way.
1Corinthians 9:24-27;
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown
that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a
man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to
others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
The key to winning the race comes
in the preparation. Winning the race means preparing properly. Disciplining
ourselves to be prepared for the race is the key to winning. If we do not go
into strict training we cannot hope to win the prize.
I have seen the cars of the champions and how they look when they
are rolled out of the hauler at the track. They are prepared to race. As
Paul says they do not run aimlessly but they are focused on the prize. They
have a focus that transcends the distractions.
I remember a conversation I had earlier this year with Silk’s crew
chief after a race at NHMS. He shared that they were close to finding the
right combination to be able to win. He said there are so many combinations,
finding the right one would take some work. He shared that they would not
stop trying to find the right combination. The next time out at NHMS they
found that combination and won the race.
They won because they focused on working hard to find the right
setup. They didn’t get distracted or spend their time on things that were
not profitable. Their goal was to win the race and that was what they did.
You could see that perseverance in the last race of the season at
Thompson, after an early spin caused extensive damage, putting them several
laps down, they didn’t pack it in, they fixed the car to the best of their
ability. Put it in the driver’s hands and Silk drove focused on winning the
prize, out lasting the competition and bringing home the championship.
Snatched from the jaws of defeat he claimed the prize because he and his
team were prepared in such a way as to win.
We can apply that to our lives and our walk with God. What Paul is
saying here is that to run the race God has set out for us we need to go
into strict training. We need to learn how God wants us to think and behave.
That only comes from practice. We have to be in God’s Word, we have to be in
conversation with Him. We have to know and understand the ways of God and we
must be able to figure out what is of God and what is not.
Think about why we have practice before the race, we have to test
things and make sure we have the right setup for the conditions of race day.
The same is true in each of our lives; we need to make sure we are prepared
for each day, prepared for the challenges that will come. We need to read
God’s word, talk with him and turn to Him for guidance and direction.
As the writer of Romans says;
Romans 12:2;
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
A transformation process needs to
take place. Our life needs to be changed. We need to go into strict
training. That means studying God’s word, the Bible. That means living God’s
way. To run the race in such a way as to win means committing our life to
God, committing to know Him, His Word and living in a way that will honor
Him. Then and only then are we qualified for the prize.
How are we doing? Are we ready to go into strict training for the prize
that will not fade or tarnish? We need to be. We will only see the blessings
God has for us when we run the race in such a way as to win. Let’s commit to
one another to do that. Let’s commit to hold each other accountable to that
decision. Let’s train together to be qualified for the prize. As Paul wrote
to Timothy as his race came to and end;
2Timothy 4:6-8;
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has
come for my departure.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have
longed for his appearing.
Let us fight the good fight, finish
the race and keep the faith. Let us strive to qualify for the championship,
a crown of righteousness.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
STAFFORD AND NEMA CELEBRATE
- This week I have the honor of joining with the racing family from Stafford
Motor Speedway and also the NorthEastern Midget Association as they
celebrate their champions. I enjoy spending time with the teams, reminiscing
about the ups and downs the season brought their way. It is always special
to come out on top and share that with together.
LACHANCE FAMILY NEEDS OUR PRAYERS - Rollie Lachance, Crew
Chief for Eddie MacDonald and the Grimm Racing team that competes on the K&N
Pro Series East, Camping World Truck Series, ACT and various other endeavors
unexpectedly lost his dad this past week. Please keep him and the entire
Lachance family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of
Roland.
RWJM POISED FOR 2012 - I am encouraged about the way Racing
with Jesus Ministries has grown in 2011. We added a few new Chaplains and
now have the opportunities to serve the racing family better. The new places
we reached out to have received us well and we are looking forward to
strengthening what was started. I want to thank all our dedicated workers
who give so much throughout the racing season to serve where the Lord has
placed them.
As we look forward to next season we continue to see more
opportunities than we have resources to accomplish. Please keep this in your
thoughts and prayers. 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. 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 16
JERRY & LINDA VENNE- This Bow, NH media person and wife have their 41st
anniversary.
November 20
RON & LYNN HEDGER- This upstate NY NSS writer and wife share their
anniversary.
KRISTOFER & STEPHANIE SMITH- He a former KNPSE crewmember and She a former
media center worker at NHMS were married this day in 2004.
November 21
JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK- The Lakeland, FL NASCAR driver and wife have their
17th anniversary.
WALT & MARSHA DYER- The owners of the Lance Dewease driven Pennsy Sprint No.
461 have their 58th anniversary.
November 22
DICK & NANCY CLARK- The veteran Long Island NASCAR WMT driver and wife have
their special day.
MICHAEL & CAROL PARES- This "Area Auto Racing News" NASCAR Whelen Mod Series
photographer and wife from Wayne, NJ share their 31st anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 16
TERRY LABONTE- Corpus Christe, TX Retired Hendricks NSC driver.
MIKE GROFF- Los Angeles, CA IRL driver.
ROBERTO GUERRERO- San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
BO GUNNING- Bethlehem, CT Former WAARS Modified driver and '98 and '02
Stafford champion.
FRED DUMACHOWSKI- Neshanic Station, NJ East Windsor, NJ Modified driver.
PHILIP SMITH- NC Modified driver.
GEORGE KENT- Horseheads, NY Modified asphalt driver.
PHIL BARIL- NH ProStock driver.
BOB SCHERER- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
RAY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME retired LM great driver and proud father of driver
Billy.
CORINE SCHAFFER- Grandview Speedway Mod driver Rick and wife Donna's
daughter.
November 17
BRAD BENNETT- Stamford, CT born, now in Cornelius, NC NASCAR driver.
LAUREN LADOUCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
GARY LUSCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
JIMMY BELLISLE- Lisbon, CT retired Strictly Stock driver.
KEN CASSIDY- Canterbury, CT Strictly Stock driver.
BRYAN DUNBAR- NJ Street Stocker.
LEE CAMPFIELD- Wife of former Tioga Speedway, then named Shangri-La,
promoter Dale in Apalachin, NY.
DAN SUKUP- Son of Schodack Landing, NY retired Midget team owner Joe.
November 18
SCOTT WALTERS- Louisville, KY NASCAR driver.
RICH BURGDOFF- NASCAR Cup official.
ELISEO SALAZAR- Santiago, Chile IRL driver.
JOHN KATANIA- Son of MA Mod owner Joe, graphics artist and SK Mod driver.
November 19
RON BURNS- Phoenix, AZ NASCAR West driver.
November 20
PETE MORGANTINI- West Pittston, PA NASCAR Mod driver, son of engine builder
Lou.
ANDY BELMONT- ARCA driver/ New Egypt co-promoter.
ACE LANE, JR.- Legendary New Jersey photographer.
November 21
BILLY DECKER- Franklin, NY DIRT Mod driver.
TOBY PORTER- Greenville, SC NASCAR driver.
TRAVIS CARTER- Veteran NNC team owner.
JIMMY MILO- Southington, CT head of Stafford Motor Speedway's Safety Team.
AIMEE BARKER- Daughter and Team Crew member on dad Bob "Mad Dog" Barker's
8NY Legend out of Staten Island.
Billy "The Kid" Barker- Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, Staten Island,
NY.
November 22
BRENDA HIRSCHMAN- The wife of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony and
Mother of Mod driver Matt.
LUCY CHRISTOPHER- Plainville, CT Bill's wife and mom of famous racing twins
Ted and Mike.
DR. CHRIS WIBBELSMAN- Eldest son of Gainesville, FL RWJM Advisor Dick and
wife Judy, living in Dayton, OH.
DOREENE EMHOFF- Wife of Bill and mother of Matt, both WMT crew members.
MAYNARD TROYER- Rochester, NY chassis builder and retired Modified driving
great.
MAX ZACHEM- Modified Racing Series Driver and Whelen Modified Tour Crew
Member
J.C. "SUITCASE" ELDER- Veteran NSC Crew Chief.
TOMMY GAVINE- Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne Fabrication.
***NEW BEGINNINGS***
ROLAND E. LACHANCE, 71, of Auburn, ME, passed away
unexpectedly Sunday, Nov. 6, at his home. Roland will be remembered most for
his devotion to his family. He adored his children and grandchildren,
sharing his love of sports and the outdoors with them every chance he had.
He was often found working side by side with his son, Rollie, as a crew
member on his stock car racing team. Besides his beloved wife of 45 years,
Betty Ann (Johnson) Lachance, he is survived by three children, Roland "Rollie"
Lachance Jr. and wife, Laura, of New Gloucester, Kathryn Robitaille and
husband, Daniel, of Lewiston and Jennifer Oliva and husband, Ted, of
Portland, Conn.; his mother of Auburn; four grandchildren, Rachael and Ryan
Lachance and Nico and Brooks Oliva; a sister, Carolyn Gaspar and husband,
Charles, of North Berwick; and a brother, Richard Lachance and wife, Marie,
of Liverpool, N.Y. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
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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