This past week was one of memories and reminders of events that have taken
people from us all too soon. They challenge us to persevere through the days
until we meet again. At times it seems all too difficult, but in those
memories is the encouragement we receive from those who have gone on ahead,
“Don’t cry for me, race on, live life!” Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we remembered those nights that are burned in our memory, we
remember the lives of John and Tommy. We remember the lives they lived, the
races they ran and the enjoyment they gave to each of us. They were
different but the same; racers. They touched so many in their time here on
earth and have left our memories full of good times shared.
We can draw from them strength to continue on. They inspire us to
reach deep and find the courage to overcome the pain, the loss and the hurt.
Though absent their presence is right there with us, spurring us on.
Hebrews 12:1;
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Saturday night at Waterford ,
after two previous tries; the Third Annual Shane Hammond Memorial Race was
run. Shane was another driver that inspired us through difficult
circumstances.
Shane had overcome some difficult medical issues just to have the
opportunity to drive a racecar. He faced many personal issues along the way,
but you wouldn’t know it to see the smile on his face. Everyday for Shane
was a victory. He didn’t look forward to tomorrow, he was just fine with
today and the opportunity he had.
Shane’s mom, Deb Marvuglio, shared about the fateful day when at
fifteen Shane needed emergency surgery for a brain and spinal tumor.
“There was no guarantee he’d have the use of his arms, legs,
respiratory system. So we made a pact before he went into surgery that when
he came out I’d ask him to wiggle his toes. And when he came out he was able
to do that and we both cried.”
Shane’s struggle to race didn’t end that day, it had just begun;
the physical therapy, the exercises, the pain. Shane didn’t give up his
fight to live as normal a life as possible. His motivation to race carried
him through those challenging days. He felt he needed to do the everyday
things, school, work, or no one would let him race.
Deb shares about those days, “He fought everyday of his life
through pain. For seven years we tried everything…. And he never gave up.”
“He is my inspiration. As a mother, you see your son in pain every
day of his life, it wears you down, don’t get me wrong. It was tough and
that’s why I have to walk the walk I’m walking now because I watched him
walk it. I know he’d be disappointed if I didn’t say I can get through this
and I can turn something negative into something positive because that’s
what he did with his life. He never complained. There were people for years
that stood side by side with Shane and never knew he had surgery, never knew
he had a deficit.”
Shane’s younger brother Anthony wanted to follow in his brother’s
footsteps, he wanted to drive a racecar. That hasn’t always been an easy
undertaking for the Marvuglio family, not just the financial requirements
but the emotional challenges also.
Anthony “Bug” Marvuglio wasn’t going to be deterred until he nailed
down the victory. He came close but it seems something would prevent him, a
flat tire or other issues. If there was one race he would want to be his
first it would be the one run in honor of the life his brother Shane lived.
Saturday night I talked with Bug in the pits after practice, his
response, as always, was positive, he had a car he could win with. He
stretched out a comfortable lead in his heat only to have a yellow fall with
a couple laps left, didn’t matter he was able to put the victory in the
bank.
I enjoyed watching his mom running up and down the fence in turn
one, cheering him on, her arms positioned as if she had his steering wheel
in her hands, driving every turn with him. Her arms raised in victory as if
he had one the biggest race of the year.
Shane would have been right next to her, cheering just as hard, it
didn’t matter that it was only a heat race. The smile the same, the
excitement the same; nothing held them back from cherishing every moment.
That is what racing is all about, that’s why we come.
His heat victory put him on the front row with a car that had what
it needed to end up in Victory Lane . The only thing that remained was to
run the race. I talked with Tom Fox after the feature and he explained that
if Bug had won a race previous to this night he would have been handicapped
to twelfth position. Sometimes when we don’t win, God has a plan to give us
a greater victory. God has a plan and it is good!
The rest, as they say, is history, wire to wire, green to checker,
from the front row to the penthouse, Bug drove his socks off, and his right
rear tire, with the inspiration of his brother cheering him on he brought
home the victory. First win, Best win, greatest feeling you will ever know.
NEMA Chaplain, Tara Stoehr added these thoughts;
“Unfortunately I didn't know Shane as well as some of you, however,
I do remember his contagious smile and how he had hope, peace, courage and
perseverance in spite of his circumstances, in spite of his trials and in
spite of his daily physical pain. Friday we prayed about being thankful and
giving thanks in all circumstances.
1Thesolonians 5:16-18, Be joyful always; pray continually; give
thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Shane personified
gratefulness and a positive attitude in the midst of his journey. It's no
coincidence that the foundation's name is the Shane Hammond BELIEVE
foundation. Because of the encouraging young man that Shane was it seems
evident that he believed in the only One that can give hope, the only One
that can give peace, Christ Jesus!
For those of you who didn't know Shane I encourage you to talk to
his family and those that were closest to him in order to keep his legacy
alive and to honor God. I truly believe that Shane is in a better place
where there are no more tears no more sorrow no more pain no more sickness
nothing but God's pure love, joy, peace, hope and happiness, in immeasurable
amounts that are far beyond what we can comprehend.
Revelations 21:3b-4; They will be his people, and God himself will be
with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."
Deb, Bug and Jack
congratulations! Words can't describe the emotions and loving support that
were felt as you embraced and received such a fitting and deserving award.
Congratulations Chris and Tammy your perseverance paid off!
Way to go Bug - we love you guys! God's Blessings to all,” Tara
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
BOBBING AND WEAVING
THROUGH THE STORM - As is the norm in August, getting the race in means
having to endure the ever changing weather. Thursday there was no problem at
Thompson, Friday we pushed the envelope at Stafford to get most of the show
in and Saturday at Waterford the pumps came in handy to get things in order
to run the race.
LEE USA AND SEEKONK NOT AS FORTUNATE - Friday night at
Lee the Supers were the only feature run and Saturday at Seekonk the Valenti
Modified Racing Series fell to the weather and with the season winding down
this one will not be rescheduled.
The VMRS gets back in action this Saturday night at Mad Dog in
Winchester , NH . They always put on a great show, be sure and get out there
to see them.
LIVE FROM BRISTOL - Make your plans now, if you can’t get to
Bristol you can catch the Whelen Modified Tour race live on Speed channel,
Wednesday night at 6:00. We will be trackside, but it is great to know that
those who can’t make the trip will have a chance to see it. Although it is
always better to be there in person, having the option to watch it on TV is
something we rarely enjoy. Take the time to let Speed know you appreciate
it.
FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT - Several weeks ago we came on
board and sponsored a lap in the Shane Hammond Memorial. No one except Deb
and I knew what position, what lap and what race we choose, seventh position
on the seventh lap in the NEMA Lites race.
Well when lap seven came I turned to Tara Stoehr and let her know
that we put up some sponsor money for this lap and then told her it was
position seven. She figured out pretty quickly that her daughter Bethany was
in that position on the track.
It was a blessed night for the girls as Kathryn was asked to be the
assistant starter and loved the view from the top of the flag stand. Dad
Greg didn’t fair so well dropped a valve and had to retire early from the
feature.
PRAYER NEED- RITA CRISTINI - Aunt of Stafford SKMod driver
Matt Galko, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. They are evaluating the
situation and discussing treatment options, please keep her, her healing and
the entire family in your thoughts and prayers.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Headed out to Bristol for the WMT
race Wednesday night and then back for Thompson, Stafford and Waterford on
the weekend. Make some plans to be there and enjoy some live racing action.
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.
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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 23
JIM & PAT SPENCER- The former driver now TV personality from Berwick, PA and
lovely wife share their 32nd.
August 25
TOM & SUE FEARN- The Feeding Hills, MA ProStock championship and Latemodel
driver and wife have their 15th anniversary.
JOE AND KAREN cIVALI- Parents of WMT driver James and Joey celebrate thier
33rd.
JOHN & RUTH TAGG- proud grandparents of T.I.S. modified driver Brian Tagg
and SK Light Modified driver Troy Talman celebrate 56 years together.
August 26
BOB & LISA CLASETTA- This Vernon, CT auto racing industry Sales Rep. and
wife have their 40th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 22
STAN FRIESEN- Owner of NY's Lancaster and Ransomville Speedways.
NICHOLAS GRAVEL- One of ProStock driver Gege and wife Lisa's children in
Groton, MA.
TIFFANY FULLER- A daughter of NNS/WMT driver Jeff and wife Lisa.
GAGE MICHAEL COLEMAN- The son of former Waterford Speedbowl Modified Team
owner Danny, and future driver.
CHELSEA BREHM- Mechanicsburg, PA. Jr. Champ Kart racer and Daughter of Merl
Brehm.
August 23
STEVE PARK- E. Northport, LI, NY NSC/NNS/CWTS/KNPSE/WMT winning driver.
KENNY WALLACE- NSC/NNS driver from St. Louis, MO
ED KENNEDY- Coppell, TX ARCA/NASCAR KNPSE/NASCAR retired WMT driver.
ANDREW McILRAVEY- "Big Mac" is a 1960's Plainville, CT Stadium driver, now a
regular at Stafford, Waterford and Thompson. True to his heritage you can
spot him by his plaid shirts. I am told this year is lap 85!
NICOLE TRACI- Accord Speedway dirt Sportsman driver.
DORIS BRADLEY- The mother-in-law of Steve Wood from Oakh urst, NJ.
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.
SHARON TALMAN- very proud mom to SK light driver Troy Talman & Spotter to
nephew Brian Tagg, T.I.S. mod driver.
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 division
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.
***IN THE SHOP***
RITA CRISTINI- Aunt of Stafford SKMod driver Matt Galko,
was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. They are evaluating the situation and
discussing treatment options, please keep her, her healing and the entire
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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