One thing NHIS brings to our attention is family. More times than not we
see entire families come to enjoy racing and compete as families. We
even bring our families to minister and help us out during the four-day
event each summer and fall. The question came to mind this weekend, how
are we teaching our families, specifically our children, the right way
to conduct themselves and handle themselves? Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You do not have to look too far to see how the racing
tradition has been handed down from generation to generation. Many times
there is as many as three generations of family represented at the
track. In a few cases that climbs to four! Grandfathers, grandmothers,
fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, Think about that for a moment, four generations of
a family enjoying the same sport at the same time in the same place. We
are not only a racing family but we are families racing. It makes me
feel good to walk down pit road and see grandmothers rooting their
grandchildren on.
One of the things that I think is important in life is that
we pass our passions on to our children. Then and only then can they
understand what makes us tick. They don’t have to have the same one, but
they will know us better and our relationship with them will be all the
more stronger. That is what the secret is here, building the strongest
relationship with our families as possible. I think racers have some of
the most supportive and strongest families I know.
You and I know that that always isn’t the best formula for
agreement and peace, but that’s what makes us family. We don’t see eye
to eye on everything but we are always family. In fact when we can work
through the disagreements and still stay together it makes us stronger.
Running away, as is the habit, never solved anything. Working things
through and still remaining together solves many things.
I can only think of one other place that the entire family is
together and that is in church. I have to be honest with you though, I
think there are more families together in racing than in church. Maybe
we need to work on that a little.
I saw many sites that caused me to pause and take note this
weekend, let me share a couple with you. I saw a dad with two young boys
in tow. When I saw them they were resting, one of the little ones was
asleep on dad’s shoulder. They came to watch the WMT with dad and
because of the rain their day was extended a little. Dad loved the
modifieds and wanted to share that with his boys. He was willing to
carry them around so that they could share in his excitement. As I
rolled out of the tunnel, leaving the track after the race to check on
an injured driver there was dad, one son asleep on his shoulder and the
other in tow holding his hand. They had seen what they had come to see
and were heading home. A little weary but content to have spent the day
with their dad and there was no doubt how much he loved them.
I saw these two together several times over the weekend, many
times they were sharing a ride on a golf cart. Never did I see the child
out of the embrace of the father. Even as they sat idle, waiting to head
to the next task the young boy enjoyed the hug of his dad. They were at
the track together and dad was bringing his son along to share in the
experience.
Let me point out that neither lamented the extra burden of
bringing their sons along. In fact, by the look on their respective
faces they welcomed this task. I am sure there were times it would have
been easier not to have the little ones tag along, but you couldn’t tell
based on these two dads.
Scripture speaks to the role we need to play in our
children’s lives. We need to love them and teach them. In fact it is the
father’s responsibility to accomplish that.
Ephesians 6:4, Fathers, do not exasperate your
children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the
Lord.
We need to teach our children what is right, what is of the
Lord. We need to help them to see this by living in a way that honors
God. Teaching is not just about telling your children what to do.
Teaching is more about showing them how to live. We cannot follow the “
do as I say not as I do” motto. We need to be living examples of the
lessons we want our children to learn. We can talk until we are blue in
the face but our children won’t listen until they see us living the
right way.
I had the pleasure of having one of my three daughters with
me this weekend to help me. I hope she saw me doing the right things and
learned from me the right way to live. I am proud of her and the woman
she has become. I thank God for blessing me with my children and for
covering all the mistakes I made as a father.
Ask yourself this week, am I teaching my children the right
way to live? Am I showing other children the right way to live? More
things are learned by watching others, remember to set the right example
in everything you do. God bless, have a good week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
So much goes on in such a short few days at NHIS it is hard
to comprehend it all. The schedule starts on Thursday with practice and
qualifying, then the Haulers are moved from the cup garage to the
infield. Friday sees the cup and trucks come in and take over for most
of the day with our first chapel of the weekend in the early afternoon
and the Busch East taking the track to close out the day’s action. They
did a tremendous job in their race with Joey Logano winning ahead of
Sean Caisse, who trails in the point standings by 171. The drive of the
race went to Jamie Hayes who had engine failure in practice and started
21 with only a couple of laps of practice. He drove to a fifth place
finish. That is quite an accomplishment when you really didn’t have time
to set the car up. In between we had the WMT picnic in K lot. I think we
need a golf cart!
An interesting sponsor was carried by the number 84, Freedom
Village , a place for troubled teens located near Watkins Glen, NY.
Freedom Village is, at any given time, home to 150 to 200 young people,
ages 14-21, who need and want help with various aspects of their lives.
Many have been involved in drug and alcohol abuse, have attempted
suicide, or lived in abusive home situations including physical,
emotional and sexual abuse. Some have turned to lives of crime after
their families and society abandoned them. Freedom Village gives them a
Christian based place to get things back on track. For more information
see their website at
www.freedomvillageusa.com.
After Friday, it was on to Saturday.
Saturday was a long one. We had driver’s meeting and chapel
in a steady rain with hopes it would clear for the 1:00 start.
Everything was in place except the weather. During the delay I had the
opportunity to do a radio interview with Jerry from WOXO. We did the
invocation and sang the anthem but the constant drizzle would not let
up. The schedule was changed the trucks took center stage and the sun
came out. Donny Lia had the opportunity to drive a truck sponsored by
Whelen Engineering. Whelen used the opportunity to promote their three
NASCAR divisions that they sponsor, The Whelen All-American, The Whelen
Modified and The Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Phil from Whelen said it
was the first time a competitor in one division promoted other NASCAR
divisions. Leave it to Whelen to be first again.
Donny had a good day, he finished 20th one lap down. Donny
jumped from his truck to his modified and continued to race.
The mod show took a little while to get going with some early
cautions that took out several cars. At one point we had six drivers in
the infield care center for the cursory check before being released. At
about lap 35 the race started and what a race it was. For the next 40
laps the mod did what they did best, use the wide surface and excellent
traction to put on a display of racing and position changing that we
have come to know and enjoy. The race was won by pole sitter Todd
Szegedy followed closely by Ronnie Silk, Donny Lia and Bobby Santos. Let
me emphasize closely, you could cover the top four with a blanket.
Jimmy Blewett came home fifth with the hearts of the entire
modified family riding with him. Jimmy did a tremendous job this
weekend. He headed to NHIS following Jamie Tomaino and if you have seen
the back of Jamie’s hauler you know that Jimmy couldn’t help but know
his brother John was with him the entire way.
Before the day ended Dan and I had the opportunity to record
a Birthday wish to “wheelchair” Jess. She is the young lady that sits in
her chair with her mom outside the entrance to the cup garage. She is
celebrating her 30th birthday, ten more than the doctors predicted. Her
mom attributed that to the love she has received from the racing
community. Happy Birthday Jess!
Danny Sammons received a left foot injury in the Mod race but
nothing serious. He was transported to the hospital as a precaution.
I have more but my space is running short, Dan and I, with
help from Elisabeth, Debbie and Amanda were able to minister to so many.
We left NHIS encouraged and excited about what God has for us in the
future. Have a great week.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at
www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer
and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part
of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request
Page
www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail.
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
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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 36th anniversary.
September 20
CHARLIE & MIMI MITCHELL - The veteran racing writer for the "Norwalk
(CT) Hour" and wife make it 49 years together.
September 21
SONNY & AMY STRUPP - Grandparents of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the
#24 Micro-Sprint celebrate 60 years together.
September 22
JOSEPH & JUTTA ARENA - This Kensington, CT Riverside Park Speedway
couple have their 15th anniversary.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY - This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway
couple have their 34th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 19
BILL GUERTIN - President and co-owner with Frank Ferrara of 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 BES team owner/driver Babe and wife
Deb.
JIM BRODERICK IV - "Bubba," Whip City 250cc Micro Sprint driver; son of
Jim and Debbie.
September 20
BRYAN WALL - Derry, NH Road corse BES driver.
SCOTT NEWELL - East Windsor Speedway Modified driver.
LANCE NORICK - Oklahoma City, OK NASCAR CTS driver.
SCOTT WEAVER - Shelby, NC NASCAR Dash Series driver.
KYLE GRISSOM - A son of NASCAR driver Steve and wife Susan from Gadsen,AL.
September 21
RICHARD CHILDRESS - Welcome, NC famous BGN/NNC team owner.
ARIE LUYENDYK - Holland born, Scottsdale, AZ infamous IRL retired
driver, now TV commentator.
STEVE HODDICK - Cheektowaga, NY NASCAR BES driver.
CURTIS MARKHAM - Fredericksburg, VA BGN/NNC 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 BGN driver.
DEANE MERCIER - Racing radio personality and Stafford Motor Speedway
announcer from Norwalk, CT.
COREY LaJOIE - Son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating founder/owner and BGN
driver Randy and wife Lisa is 14.
ROB BRANNON - Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist
for Christian Rock group "WARFARE".
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN - Crew Chief for the NASCAR BES team driven by Kelly
Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH - BGN crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil BGN Team
manager Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA - Tom's River, NJ Quarter Midget driver turns 18.
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