It is official, it is summertime. The kids are out of school. Vacation plans
are being made. We are looking forward to the lazy, hazy days of summer. It
is time to warm up the racing schedule and fill the calendar. What do you
have planned for this summer? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Summertime, an opportunity to spend more time enjoying the great
outdoors; making plans to visit that racetrack you have always wanted to
visit. Or maybe return to a familiar track and catch up with friends. Things
are more relaxed, time seems to slow down. It is good to relax and recharge
your batteries once in a while.
Many times we don't take the time to relax and break away from the
routine. For racers summer is a time for racing, here, there and everywhere.
Most of our time is spent on the road from one track to the other. As they
say, you need to make hay while the sun is shinning. With the off season is
getting more and more crowded with things to do, I often wonder when do we
make time to just relax and enjoy what God has provided?
We feel that as long as we are having fun we are relaxing, but I
think we need to look at that differently. Relaxing is very different than
racing. Relaxing is something that is difficult for some people to do. We
just do not sit still well. We may spend a lot of time waiting around, but I
don't think we are particularly good at it. We don't relax well.
I fit into that category. I get this feeling that I am missing
something. I feel like I always have to have a plan, be working on
something. I find it difficult to relax. Are you in the same boat?
When I need to relax I head to Deer Isle, Maine. The folks there
are pretty laid back, so don't expect things to move too fast. It is one of
the few places that doesn’t have the best cell phone service, so the phone
is off. Wifi is rare and it gives you a chance to disconnect a little. It
doesn't matter whether you want to or not, relaxing is required. My wife and
I enjoy the time to slow down and recharge our batteries.
What plans do you have for the summer? Are you going to get away
and relax? Recharge your batteries? I think it would be beneficial to you
and your family to schedule some time away from everything.
We all need time away, time to unwind. Do it! Don't overlook its
importance. The weight of this world can be tremendous. Each day the weight
of things can leave us with a sense of sinking deeper. We wonder what is
next. How much more can we take? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
No matter how much we try to distance ourselves the things of this
world can overwhelm us. Taking the time to refocus our attention on what is
truly important; truly significant helps us continue on.
We get ourselves into trouble when we attach the wrong level of
significance to something and think it is more important that it is. Let's
face it some people do not think racing is all that important, but for some
of us we can't live without it.
What happens when we get our priorities all messed up? Our lives
get out of balance, adjustments need to be made. I see it more and more in
the garage area. A driver has an altercation with another driver on the
track and it spills over into the pits. Things can get out of hand quickly.
The problem stems from too much significance being placed on that race. I
think the drivers involved need a little R & R, what do you think?
Jesus knew this world would overwhelm us. He knew that there would
come a time in each of our lives that we would wonder if we would make it
through. He knew that if we followed our own direction long enough it would
lead us to destruction. He offers us a way out. Listen to His words in
Matthew;
Matthew 11: 28-30;
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
He knows us well doesn't he? How
many of us feel burdened and weary? How many times does the weight of the
world seem too much to bear? Jesus offers us rest. “Come to me and I will
give you rest.” Let me explain how that works. Jesus accepts our burdens,
the very ones that are wearing us down. He will accept responsibility for
them; but only if we trust him and release them over to him. When that
happens, the weight of the world is removed from our shoulders. What a
tremendous gift, but it doesn't stop there; He will teach us how to live and
keep the weight of the world off our shoulders. He says learn from me how to
be gentle and humble and you will find rest for your soul.
The way we live our lives determines how we feel inside. We become
restless when we haven't been treating others right. Remember the last two
weeks teaching, how many times are we looking over our shoulder to see who
is watching? How much time are we spending trying to remember the lies we
told and who we told them to? The way we live, the things we do, determines
whether we are at peace with others and ourselves. Peace is the opposite of
stress. Jesus will teach us how to be at peace.
I wonder how many of us are willing to accept the offer. How many
of us are ready to relieve the stress we are under and learn a new way of
living? Christ will take our burdens and give us rest, trust in Him.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
ANOTHER BUSY WEEK -
With the summer season and schools out the schedule starts to fill up and
spread out. My plans had me local but we had folks from Sonoma, CA to
Langley, VA. It is great to be able to reach so many.
I headed to Thompson on Thursday night to welcome in the USAC
competitors in town for the "Yankee Doodle Championship" at Little “T” and
the local schedule at the big track. This week was the first of several
Super Late Model special events at Thompson with Jim Banfield taking home
the victory.
FORMER BNS OFFICIAL PASSES - My plans changed with the news
of the sudden passing of former Busch North Official Roxanne Craig and
Friday night had me headed to Maine to extend our support to her husband
Gerry and help him and the close knit BNS family through this difficult
time.
When something happens like this we come together and remember the
good times we shared and the friendships we built. Plans are in the works to
have a time to remember during the September event at NHMS. I am looking
forward to that time when we can come together, reminisce, remember and
celebrate those days we spent together.
WEATHER STRIKES AGAIN - As I headed to Maine with Howie and
Mary Hodge rain visited Stafford and most every other track south of
Portland causing most to pull the plugs on their show. For the second year
the Valenti Modified Racing Series was met by a rain at Stafford and the
event has been rescheduled for September 14. The NEMA Lites visit to Lee USA
has not yet been rescheduled.
WHELEN MODS RETURN TO SELLOUT CROWD - I spoke with Terry
Eames on the start/finish line and he said, “I was out parking cars until
the lot was full!” Full was an understatement, overflowing was more
accurate. Waterford Speedbowl fans gave a resounding YES! to the return of
the WMT. I personally have not seen such a large crowd in any of my visits
there. To add to the event, sponsor Whelen Engineering had over two hundred
employees and their families on hand to see first hand the racing that they
support.
Phil Kurze shared with me that many of them were coming to see this
for the first time. I am sure that some new race fans were made that night.
Standing on the starting grid there was an electricity in the air that
reminded me of days gone by. Excitement was in the air as the Mighty
Modifieds returned to this shoreline bullring.
Doug Coby continued his winning ways going three for five in the
races so for this season but it wasn’t without some pressure from Preece and
Bonsignore. Preece sent it in to turn one on the outside and Coby and Preece
completed several laps, side by side. When a late race caution flew it set
up a restart that would bring the crowd to their feet. Coby, on the inside,
drove a little deeper into turn one than he had been causing Preece to have
to adjust his line a little and broke his momentum. Bonsignore followed Coby
through the hole and they finished in that order. Coby said in Victory Lane
that he had to do something different or Preece was going to come around him
on the outside.
The outside groove was available and proved to be a way around for
some exciting side by side action. When a driver moved up to protect that
line, the bottom opened up. In the end, Waterford provided enough racing
action to look forward to a return trip.
YANKEE DOODLE CHAMPIONSHIP - Sunday I had the pleasure
of being with USAC at Little T to open the “A” Mains. Rick Fuller and his
staff rolled out the welcome mat and I was encouraged by the racing of
generation next. There were many second generation drivers and as I served
their fathers I was able to serve their sons and daughters. Look for us to
take a bigger role in some of the Quarter Midget Racing programs as we seek
to get these young drivers off on the right foot.
The next few weeks we will be local, but I see a trip to Western PA
for an outlaw show on the horizon. I’ll be at Stafford this week for the SK
100 and the return of ISMA and NEMA to the famed half-mile.
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
http://www.rwjm.com/store. 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
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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***
June 30
JAMES & JANAI WILSON- Daughter and son-in-law of Wall Chaplain Bob Menschner
celebrate their day.
July 1
RENE & ELAINE LaLUMIERE- From Jefferson, NH, this former ACT LM driver and
wife; faithful Ministry helpers, have their 23rd anniversary.
July 3
THE REV. BILL & DAWN WAUGH- Pastor of the Greesburg, PA Church of the
Brethren/ RWJM PA/Ohio Coordinator and Bedford Raceway RWJM Track Chaplain
and very supportive wife share their 29th anniversary.
GEORGE & SANDRA MARTIN- This Wernersville, PA writer and wife have their
43rd anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 27
JOHNNY BENSON, JR.- IMSA driver from Grand Rapids, MI
ROBBIE REISER- Allentown, WI NSC/NNS Matt Kenseth's former Crew Chief with
Rousch Racing.
June 28
MIKE SKINNER- Randleman, NC CWTS driver.
JOHNNY JOHNSON- NC Modified/Virginia Sprint Series driver.
DICK WIBBELSMAN- RWJM Advisor from Gainesville, FL.
AL GEAUDREAU- Owner of New London, CT's Quality Auto Electric and famous
former Waterford Speedbowl Modified Team owner.
KRIS HANSEN- Green Lane, PA wife of Al, Grandview/Bridgeport crew members.
MARIAH THOMAS- Neice of JDM Chassis owner Jay and Angelina Sturat in
Preston, CT.
June 29
JEFF BURTON- South Boston, VA RCR Cup driver.
MARTIN TRUEX, JR.- Mayetta, NJ NSC MWR #56 driver.
BILLY ELLIS- Oley, PA URC Sprint driver.
LARRY CAUDILL- No. Wilkesboro, NC NASCAR driver.
NICOLE ROSE BELLISLE- The daughter of Canterbury, CT Waterford Speedbowl
Strictly Stock driver Jim.
THOMAS URIAH JAMES- "TJ" is the eldest son of Canterbury, CT RWJM Advisors
Scott and Lisa.
June 30
STERLING MARLIN- Columbia, TN Former Cup driver.
JEFF TROMBLEY- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
JIMMY BEGOLO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
BOB PARK- East Northport, NY former NASCAR WMT driver and proud dad of
driver Steve Park.
LYNDON AMICK- Batesburg, SC NASCAR NNS driver.
DAVE MADER III- NC LMSC/NNS driver.
JOHN GRADY- "Turtle" is a Lebanon Valley Speedway based photographer.
BILL BRICE III- Part of the Brice racing family and a familiar sight at NJ
racetracks.
SKIP MATCZAK- Ellington, CT SuperModified team owner.
LISA GRAVEL- Wife of Groton, MA driver Gege.
JERRY SOLOMITO- Son of Riverhead Raceway driver Jerry and wife Linda.
July 1
JENNY CHILDRESS- Wife of K&N Pro Series Race Director Kip.
GREG ZYLA- Shamokin, PA Editor/writer.
CHRIS LOMASTRO- She is a Stafford Herb Bennett LM and Lebanon Valley Billy
Decker Modified fan.
SALLY CAVALLERO- This Cup and Wall Township race fan, wife of Tom, mother of
Emily, Bobby and Joey, daughter of Doris Bradley.
July 2
RICHARD PETTY- Randleman, NC owner of RPM, all-time winningest Cup driver, a
founding-father of ministry in auto racing.
JOHNNY LEACH- Lumbertown, NJ dirt Modified driver.
TOM FLINN- Former Star Speedway (NH) Chief Tech Inspector.
GARY NEGRI- Danbury, CT Cup/Mod fan.
SCOTT ROBERTSON- Goodyear tire tech and a pretty good bagpipe player.
July 3
JAMIE TOMAINO- Popular Howell, NJ NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Team
#99 and Racing with Jesus Ministries supporter.
JIMMY HORTON- Whitehouse Station, NJ top dirt Modified driver.
CHARLIE DONK- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
DON TIRPAK- Mt. Arlington, NJ Street Stock and Micro Stock driver.
RON JACKS- NASCAR West Series driver of Las Vegas, NV.
LINDA GEER- Waterford Speedbowl former Office Manager.
RICH PAWLICH- Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.
***NEW BEGINNINGS***
ROXANNE CRAIG- 57, of Lovell, ME passed away suddenly on
Monday, June 18, 2012 at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, ME. She met
her husband of 32 years, Gerry, through mutual friends at the racetrack and
they worked side by side for many years as NASCAR officials on the Busch
North Series. Cards of sympathy and condolence can be sent to Gerry Craig,
399 Main St, Lovell, ME 04051
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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