There is a chill in the air. I have seen some of the early indications that
the trees will soon be ablaze with the brilliant colors of Fall. As we turn
the page on another racing season, what changes have we made to the path we
are walking in life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
At the end of the season we need to take time and look back,
reflect on what we’ve done. We need to look at where we were and where we
are now. Did the changes we make lead us to the right place?
We make many changes in life but they all do not work out the way
we intended. We think we know what to do, but sometimes we fail to see the
entire picture. Take a moment to step back and see the path you are walking.
I think some of our greatest moments are when we acknowledge the
significance of the small steps we take in life. Think about the little
things that you have done this year. The things you have done that have
enabled you to grow and advance, not only on the track but in your walk with
Christ. Maybe this was the year you started reading your Bible every week or
even every day. Maybe this was the year you made an effort to attend chapel
service or a local church. Maybe it was the year that you made the effort to
talk with God on a regular basis.
Don’t make light of the things in your life that are truly
significant. We all our guilty of not placing the right importance on
seemingly little things, but it is the little things that add up to make
significant changes in the direction of our lives. I am reminded of Paul’s
words to Timothy;
2 Timothy 4:1-8
(New Living Translation);
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus,
who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his
Kingdom:
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and
wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell
them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a
clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good
News,
and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The
time of my death is near.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained
faithful.
And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge,
will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but
for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
These were not only the words
Paul wrote to encourage Timothy they were the same words one of my mentors
shared with me as I entered into ministry.
T. Marshal Thompson was a wise man who had seen many things in his
life. He helped me overcome the desire to please men instead of pleasing
God. He encouraged me to be a little bolder in my faith. He listened to my
fears and helped me overcome them. Little things that helped me become a man
dedicated to serve Jesus.
T. Marshal is home now, but his memory is as alive as if he were
still here. He helped me focus on the little things that, when you add them
up, become significant things in life. He guided me through my doubt and
showed me the hand of God on my life.
As we reflect on the things that we have seen and done this past
season I ask you to think about those who have helped guide you. Those who
have encouraged you to make decisions that were beneficial to your life.
Those who provided the resources you needed to continue on.
It is easy to continue on without remembering where you have been
or who helped you get to where you are, but I suggest it is more beneficial
to reminisce a little. Take a look at the baby steps you took. Remember who
was holding your hand as you took those steps.
With another season winding down there is more racing to do.
Without the help of many others we wouldn’t make it to this time of the year
and still be able to race. To enter the homestretch each one of us needed
the support and encouragement of someone. To take the little steps that add
up to a giant leap, someone needed to walk by our side. Take time to say
thanks and acknowledge what others have given so that you could pursue your
dreams.
Our VMRS Chaplain reminded me of this verse this week, I am
thankful for God’s willingness to lead me.
Proverbs 3:5-6;
Lord, I trust in you with all my heart and I won’t rely on just what
I understand.
In all my ways, I will rely on You, because you will direct me in the way I
should go.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
OFF WEEKEND - As many
know there are precious few off weekends during the season. When my wife and
I looked at the schedule and planned a couple of family gatherings, this
past weekend looked like a winner. Then the weather had its say.
Sometimes it is difficult to balance everything when the schedule
is changed. What went from a quite weekend with a couple of visits locally
became full weekend zigzagging from one track to the next with a couple of
important family events mixed in.
I didn’t get to everything I had originally planned on, but I was
able to make my wife’s dad’s Seventy-fifth birthday party and a reception
that my wife and girls planned for my niece’s upcoming wedding. Thanks for
understanding.
RIVERHEAD A THROWBACK RACE - With the car count down due to
the reschedule the decision was made to scrap the heats and run 200 laps
like the old days. This was a vintage Riverhead Race, lots of side by side,
banging and bumping racing. It was a classic Riverhead race to the end.
And in the end there was some controversy. With the race extended
for a green, white, checker finish leader Ryan Preece had his hands full.
His car was going away and Jimmy Blewett had saved enough to challenge him
for the win. On the green flag Blewett beat Preece to the line and received
a black flag from the officials. With Riverhead being only a quarter-mile it
is pretty hard to lift and let one car pass you without allowing the whole
field by. Blewett crossed the line first but Preece was awarded the victory
because of the black flag.
This was a difficult finish to a great race. We have seen this
before and unfortunately we will continue to see it as long as the rule
states the leader must cross the line first on the green flag. There are
many opinions on the issue but I think the general consensus is that the
rule as it exists may need to be adjusted.
If we go back to the race starting on the green flag we then have
to deal with the controversy of jumping the green, who fired first. I have
seen that rule take victories away from the leader because they fired too
soon to protect the lead they fought for during the race. Maybe the solution
is putting the leader out front and doubling up the cars behind him. Then
when the green flies the race is on, the leader gets a car length on the
field to protect the lead they built up during the race.
In the end there can only be one winner and rules are in place to
define the boundaries of the competition. We will always have different
opinions as to what the rules mean and how they should be applied. Not
matter how hard you try there will always be a different way of looking at
things.
NEMA NOTES - Tara shared with us last week about the
challenges they faced as a family and race team. As the teams assembled at
Beech Ridge to run a rare double she had this to add. Here are some of her
notes.
Racing two full races back to back reminded me of the earlier days
when we would race down south at one track on Saturday then off to another
track Sunday then back for work on Monday! Beech Ridge is extremely
organized, what a great show they put on! We kept Kathryn updated
continuously, she even gave her input on set up!!
At the drivers meeting I talked about our hearts and how the heart
is a symbol of love and in the bible it says God is love. When we listen to
our hearts or what God tells us then it's always good, even though it can be
hard. Love encourages, builds up, serves, perseveres and endures. When we
let our secondary emotions take over like anger, envy, pride, bitterness,
rage, it’s never good and they discourage, tear down, hurt and disappoint.
Sometimes the right thing isn’t always the easiest thing to do!
As an example of someone listening to their heart (God) I read to
them a portion of the story of Keith giving up his ride for Greg at
Waterford two weeks ago. I even got a laugh out of most everyone at what
Keith said about the two headed quarter (I knew they were listening!) it was
a great weekend and it was clear God’s presence was with us.
VALENTI MODIFIED SERIES AT STAFFORD - As Stafford Motor
Speedway closed out their Friday night shows for the 2012 season the VMRS
was in town to finish up some business. Bobby Somers shared his thoughts.
It was a return at Stafford Motor Speedway with 26 Valenti Modified
Racing Series cars on hand this cool Friday evening. Could the 09 of Tommy
Barrett make it three in a row? Have other teams figured out the Millis, MA
strategies to upset their trend? As we got started one car was lost early in
practice, placed back in the trailer due to mechanical failure for a second
week in a row, the 17 of Todd Owen.
Not long after John Spence Sr. announced that the 25 was having a
tough season on lap 17 the 25 of Rowan Pennink slowly made its way around
into the infield with a blown engine. The 00 car of Ted Christopher set the
pace and held his ground up front battling with 2 Jon Mckennedy, 20 Doug
Coby, 5 Chris Pasteryak. As the battle was fought some contact caused the
nerf bar to rub on the 00. Several cars held their ground following, waiting
and watching for the tire to blow. On the Back straightaway, lap 67, it
happened and a caution was thrown. With 13 laps to go it was a very close
battle of the win. This was the last race of the evening, the fans wrapped
in blankets, but no one was leaving their seat. The duel in the final laps
of the evening saw McKennedy taking the checkered flag followed by Pasteryak
and Coby.
After a couple of weeks off the next stop is Seekonk. Hope to see
you there.
PRAYER NEED - We ask at this time to please join us and keep
one of our MRS track officials, Bobby Mac and his wife Robyn in your
prayers. Robyn going through some testing/chemo for cancer in the next
couple of weeks and needs us to lift her up.
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
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
See our on-line Apparel
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Check our home page
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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***
September 19
EARL & PAM KRAUSE- The Area Auto Racing News Assitant to the Editor and
columnist/ ARDC PR Director/Announcer and budding TV racing personality
along with his best friend wife have their 42nd anniversary.
September 21
SONNY & AMY STRUPP- Grandparents of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the #24
Micro-Sprint celebrate 65 years together.
September 22
JOSEPH & JUTTA ARENA- This Kensington, CT Riverside Park Speedway couple
have their 20th anniversary.
September 24
JIM & MARIE BARNES- These Long Island race fans celebrate 25 years together.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY- This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway
couple have their 39th anniversary.
.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 19
BILL GUERTIN- President and co-owner with Frank Ferrara of former Whip City
Speedway in Westfield, MA.
SCOTT LOVELADY- Hartsdale, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
JOE HOUDE- Millbury, MA LM driver.
GEOFF BRANSCOMBE- A son of NASCAR KNPSE team owner/driver Babe and wife Deb.
JIM BRODERICK IV- "Bubba," Sprint car driver; son of Jim and Debbie.
September 20
BRYAN WALL- Derry, NH Road course KNPSE driver.
SCOTT NEWELL- East Windsor Speedway Modified driver.
LANCE NORICK- Oklahoma City, OK NASCAR CWTS driver.
SCOTT WEAVER- Shelby, NC Dash Series driver.
KYLE GRISSOM- A son of NASCAR driver Steve and wife Susan from Gadsen,AL.
September 21
RICHARD CHILDRESS- Welcome, NC famous KNPSE/CWTS/NNS/NSC team owner.
ARIE LUYENDYK- Holland born, Scottsdale, AZ infamous IRL retired driver, now
TV commentator.
STEVE HODDICK- Cheektowaga, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
CURTIS MARKHAM- Fredericksburg, VA NNS/NSC driver.
GARY IULG- Retired Upstate NY driving great.
September 22
FRANK COZZE- Wind Gap, PA dirt Modified ace.
TOM MAUSER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
JEFF ZUIDEMA- No. Brookfield, MA ProStock driver.
TIM MROWKA- Torrington, CT semi-retired asphalt Modified driver.
JEFF ZERELLA- Former Fiore Gulf Racing NASCAR WMT team crewman.
JASON LaHUE- Son of White Mountain Motorsports Park LM driver Don and wife
Robin.
STEVE BOTTCHER- Son of Lehighton, PA dirt Mod driver Bobby.
SONNY STRUPP- Grandfather of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the #24
Micro-Sprint.
September 23
TOMMY SIGMON- Hickory, NC LMSC driver.
BILLY LAWSON- NC Modified driver.
TYCE CARLSON- Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
September 24
BOB CRAMER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
GLENN ALLEN, JR.- Cincinnati, OH NNS driver.
COREY LaJOIE- KNPSE Driver and son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating
founder/owner and NNS Champion Randy and wife Lisa.
ROB BRANNON- Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist for
Christian Rock group "WARFARE".
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN- Crew Chief for the former NASCAR KNPSE team driven by Kelly
Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH- NNS crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil NNS Team manager
Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA- Tom's River, NJ Quarter Midget driver.
***IN THE SHOP***
ROBYN MAC - We ask you to please join us and keep one of
our MRS track officials, Bobby Mac and his wife Robyn in your prayers. Robyn
going through some testing/chemo for cancer in the next couple of weeks and
needs us to lift her up.
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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