In memory of our very good friend, Rev. Pat Evans

SPRING CLEANING

March 26, Tolland, CT--- It’s that time year again, time to clean up after a long winter. The snow has melted and revealed the hidden dirt beneath it. Spring gives us a time to look at our life and cleanup the things that we have hidden. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Ask yourself, what do I need to cleanup in my life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The new racing season is on the horizon and the teams and crews are putting the finishing touches on their rides. The thing I like the most about the spring is the newness of everything. Everything is fresh and new. The racecars reflect the hard work over the winter, no dents, no scrapes, no battle scars. Everything has a fresh coat of paint and looks like new.

That first pit party of the year lets us walk around and admire the machines that will do battle out on the track. They look too good to race. You almost are afraid to run them and damage all that work. Everything is ready; let’s race.

Another thing that comes with the beginning of the race season is the Easter Sunday Holiday. Easter is a celebration of life, new life through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Just like that racecar that spent the winter in the shop being rebuilt, Jesus spent three days in the tomb and rose on the first day of the week. His resurrection gives us the hope of new life. Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins and rose from the dead victorious over death so that we would not have to fear it. Through Jesus we receive forgiveness, a clean slate, our sins forgiven and the penalty for those sins removed. Peter writes about this new life; 

1PETER 1: 3-9, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

God had mercy on us and provided for us an opportunity for a new life through Jesus Christ. Peter points out that we will suffer grief and trials. Think of them like races. We have to run the race and when we run the race we will encounter some set backs. When we run the race we will have to make some difficult decisions. When we run the race we will have to decide who we will honor with our choices, God or us. All this accomplishes one goal, to prove your faith genuine.

Some of us say we have faith. Some of us say we have accepted Christ. However, let’s face it until we are challenged, until we are stretched beyond our capacity we really do not know who we have placed our faith in. James noted that we need to demonstrate a faith that can save us. That means that we need to depend on God to get us through the challenges we cannot handle. If we trust God then that is who we have placed our faith in and the result will bring honor, glory and praise to Him.

Like a race, we face challenges; setup, flat tires, fender rubs, and bent sheet metal. How we respond to those challenges determines how well we prepared for the race. Peter tells us there is no better way to prepare to run the race of life than to place your faith in God through Jesus, more valuable than gold. He also encourages us to live differently. 

   1PETER 1: 13-16, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 

Look at your life like the race season. Right now no race has been run and each driver is tied in the standings. Set yourself apart from the field. Decide to choose the hope and abundant life that comes with accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. When the race in life takes the checkered flag will you be in victory lane? Take this time to begin the race with a clean slate, accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. God Bless, Rev. Don. 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

It was released this week that Jerry Marquis and Joe Brady would join forces. I talked with Jerry last week and he was genuinely excited to have the opportunity to run the full season with a car that can compete for the championship. The #00 ride has seen some of the best sit in the driver seat and now will have a former champion at the wheel. Jerry worked very hard to put together a ride for 2007 after the #4 ride went away. As the season approached some wondered if it would happen. It did and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what Jerry and Joe can do. These two are hard working and quit is not in their vocabulary. I think they will see success in 2007. Great to see both of them back running for the title.

You’ve heard of The Blues Brothers but this is no Jake and Elwood story. Instead of Chicago the New Jersey contingent of the Blewett Brothers, John and Jimmy, will run together at Thompson Speedway in the Sunoco Modified division.  TS Haulers will field the cars for both. It should be interesting how it shakes out when they both are going for the win. The subject was broached but there was no consensus as to what the team protocol will be. Either way I think it is safe to say if you don’t have a good car you will be singing the blews.

This weekend the Connecticut racing season gets underway with the Budweiser Nationals at Waterford Speedbowl. A familiar name to the modified scene will give the command to start engines, Bob Potter. I’ll be heading down there to take in some of the action. This marks the first race under new promoters at Waterford. Bill Roth and his partner are looking to return the track to it’s former glory. Improvements are being made as we speak and as the season goes on more are planned. If you haven’t been there in a while make your plans now to get things started.

A little over two weeks before the Whelen Modified Tour takes to the track at Thompson Speedway. The Icebreaker is scheduled for April 14 & 15. Many of the questions surrounding who will, who won’t and who will drive for who should be answered.

Whelen VP Phil Kursze will give the command to start engines at this years Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway. Whelen Engineering has lent their name to not only the North and South Modified tours but also the Weekly Racing Competition now called Whelen All-American Series. Whelen and Phil have been friends to race fans and short track racing for quite a while and I am glad they are being recognized with this honor.

Another notable Grand Marshal Richard Petty will do the honors at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Richard and Goodys will celebrate their rich history in racing history. I remember the first time I met Richard. It was at NHIS and we climed up on the #43 hauler to say hello. He turned around and said in a stern voice “who said you guys could come up here” He couldn’t keep up the act and that trademark smile returned to his face. Richard has always been a great ambassador for NASCAR racing and I am sure he will have a good time at Martinsville.

I am looking forward to getting back to the track this week. I hope to see you there. 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 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*** 

            March 29

BOBBY & DONNA LABONTE- The Corpus Christi, TX driver of the Interstate Batteries WC team and wife have their 15th anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            March 28

BOB BREVAK- Ashalnd, WI ASA/ NASCAR Truck Series driver.

JAKE SMULLEY- Jake is the step-son of Big Diamond Former Promoter Fritz Roehrig and son of Fritz's wife Krista. He was also Frit's right-hand man at the track.

            March 29

DOUG HEVERON- Liverpool, NY BGN driver/spotter.

JEFF SCHMETZLE- PA Sportsman Modified driver.

JOE ROSENFIELD- Mass. ProStock driver.

RON FOX- Retired CT Modified driver, dad of Plainfield, CT Modified driver Tom.

STEVE GEORGIADES- Crew Chief brother for brother Bobby's Stafford/Thompson Modified team.

JOE CUDNIK, JR.- Crewman on the Enfield, CT Brad Hietala Modified team.

SHAWN HOULIHAN- BES Flagman, NASCAR official SMS and TIS Flagman, son of WMT driver Dick.

THE REV. BILL WAUGH- RWJM Western PA Coordinator and Chaplain, also Pastor at the Greensburg, PA Church of the Brethren.

            March 30

MARIO ALBERTO- This AMSRA Micro Stock rookie at MVS and son of writer Dino from Lehighton, PA.

            March 31

RON SMOKER- Upstate, NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.

S.J. EVONSION- East Hartland, CT Whelen Modified tour driver/Crew Chief for son.

FRED SCHIELE IV- Son of Riverhead Raceway regular Fred III.

WILLIE CHARETTE- Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.

MARYANN GRECO- Widow of the late Stafford Modified driver George.

BRENDAN JONES- Manchester, CT Brad Hietala Modified fan.

BETTY DENNIS- The mom of Laura Dennis from Appomattox, VA a Jamie Tomaino WMT fan.

            April 1 NO APRIL FOOLS

JIMMY PHELPS- This driver of the 99J New York dirt Modified from Baldwinsville, NY celebrates.

JARRETT SENG- Orefield, PA Micro Sprint driver. Recognize the car by Bible verse Hebrews 12: 1-2 on it.

SCOTT HOUSTON- BGN Crew Chief from Hickory, NC; a son of retired BGN great Tommy.

FRANKLIN HIETALA- Dad of Enfield, CT Modified driver Brad.

MARTY NOLL- Scranton, PA NASCAR BES driver.

GEORGE MAYLOTT, JR.- Jim Spencer fan.

            April 2

JOHN SWANSON- Concord, MA NASCAR BES driver/Crew Chief.

DAN PARDUS- Daytona Beach, FL NASCAR driver.

ED WATSON- Mt. Vernon, WA NASCAR West driver.

JOHN R. JANISITIS- The son of the late Waterford and Seekonk Public Relation Director in the 70's and 80's, John Janisitis and wife Ruth.

            April 3

JOE BUSCH- Norwich, CT Tri-State 4 cyl. Kart driver.

MIKE HURLBERT- Lynden, WA NASCAR West driver.

MIKE KOST- New Jersey born and raised Nextel Cup team member.

LISA RAINONE- Wife of NASCAR BES driver Anthony.

TIARA BUSCH- Kart driver Joe and wife Fran's daughter is 16.

SHANE CONNOLLY- Son of Endicott, NY NASCAR WMT driver Tim is 19. 

*** IN THE SHOP ***

”WILD” BILL SLATER- Bill had open heart surgery recently at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Everything went well and he is recovering in a rehab facility. He has a couple months of recovery time ahead of him, but is handling it well. Keep Bill’s recovery in your thoughts and prayers. Cards can be sent to Bill at: 12 B Bluefield Dr., Manchester, CT 06040

*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***

DANNY LOECHER- Younger brother of Buddy, Bob Parks crew chief, passed away after a strong battle with lung cancer. He was 49, a few days before he was to celebrate his 50th birthday. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of condolence can reach Buddy & Shirley Loecher, 3918 Middle Country Road, Calverton, Long Island, New York, 11933

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT  06084

          ON-LINE STORE--- For the Racing With Jesus Ministries On-Line Store,

Long Island Motorsports News encourages you to patronize our fine sponsors---

Disclaimer:  Views expressed by columnists and all others on this website are strictly their own, and may not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the management of Long Island Motorsports News.