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

WHAT IF…

April 16, Tolland, CT--- Have you ever played that game of Monday morning quarterbacking? We rehash the decisions made and wonder what the outcome would have been if different choices were made. How about in your life, have you spent some time wondering what if? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What if you didn’t pit and tried to finish the race on old tires? What if you didn’t try to pass on the outside? What if you were more patient? What if we raced differently would the outcome be different? Certainly, every choice we make is exactly that, a choice. We have to analyze the options and pick the choice that best accomplishes the desire of our heart.

Racing is full of choices, split second decisions that are made in the heat of battle. Someone once said you will know someone’s true character when they have to make a difficult decision under pressure. When that happens, our true heart is revealed.

Do you know what makes golf different from other sports? You penalize yourself. You are not only the participant, but the referee. When someone is willing to lie to themselves or cheat themselves by not following the rules they are capable of almost anything. Do you want to know someone’s true character? Take them out golfing and see if they count every stroke. If they don’t lie to themselves there is a better than average chance they won’t lie to you either.

Sometimes we think we can fool people. We think we can make the decisions that please us, work to our advantage and then ask for forgiveness later. That is just selfish. I wonder what would have happen to us if Jesus made His choices that way.

What if Christ decided not to come? What if Christ decided not to die for us? What if Christ decided not to rise up from the grave? What if…?

God cares for us and wants to have a relationship with us. Do you know how I know that? I know that based on His actions toward me. The decisions God made that concerned me and the life I live. Let’s take a walk through some scripture and see what it says about God’s character. 

John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Philippians 2:6-8, Who (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 

Matthew 26: 36-39, 44, Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

  He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 

God sent His son, He gave His life, but at what cost? Look at the words from Matthew’s Gospel; Jesus was troubled, sorrowful, overwhelmed with the decision He had to make. One account says that he was so intense he sweated drops of blood. He wanted to bypass this part of His mission but He submitted Himself to His Father’s will. He did the right thing under intense pressure. He did it not for Himself, but for you and me.

What if we started to make decisions in our life the same way?

How much would it take for us to make a decision that benefited someone else and meant grief and pain for us? I am reminded of those people who serve not for the money but to change the life of others.

She stood there working the graveyard shift cleaning the cuts of a drunken man who fell and cut himself on some glass. He smelled like it had been a while since he last bathed and the stench was overwhelming. She maintained her focus and worked to clean the cut on the side of his head. His breath was bad, his hair greasy, his cloths dirty, but it didn’t matter.

Someone spoke up and said, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”

Without looking up from her task she responded, “Neither would I.”

What if we took the same approach to serving others? What if we had the same attitude as Christ? Would it make a difference? Would your life be changed? Would we change the life of others?

Christ gives us the power to change lives. When he left this Earth and gave His disciples final instructions he made two statements, “All authority on heaven and earth belong to me.” And I will be with you always.” With those words He gave us the same power and authority He possessed to change the lives of others. We need not worry about the circumstances behind the situation. We need only to care more for others than we do for ourselves. What if?

Ezekiel was asked “Can these bones live?” The answer was only if the Lord God breathes the breath of life into them. Where does that breath of life come from? It comes from our willingness to care, to reach out, to minister. Take a look around you. How many dead bones do you see? How many lives are on the road to nowhere? We have the power and authority to change that. What if? 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

Weather interrupted the opener for the Whelen Modified Tour, The Icebreaker. One out of two isn’t too bad except when it comes to two day race shows. Saturday was a good early spring day and all the scheduled events were completed. With a major storm on the horizon, Thompson announced at the end of the day that the Sunday portion of the show would be put off until this Sunday. The early postponement allowed the teams to remove their equipment on Saturday night instead of in the rain on Sunday morning. I for one am hoping for a warmer spring day this Sunday. The preliminary forecast is for 61.

It is always neat to come back from the winter. Over 45 teams were ready to attempt qualifying. During practice Reggie took an awful lick. It seems a housing failed, radiator fluid spilled out and he spun driver’s side into the wall collapsing the entire left side. I spoke with him and he is fine, just a little sore.  He will need the week to rest up but that won’t be an option as the team works to get the backup ready for next Sunday.

Richard Savory, who is driving the #21 for Art Barry, was also involved when he had no place to go and ended up driving over the top of the #14. He broke out a backup car and was able to qualify. Reggie was awarded a provisional starting position.

There are some teams still looking for sponsorship to be able to compete the entire season. The #00 of Joe Brady and Jerry Marquis could use some help to make the entire season a certainty. Also Jamie Tomaino finds himself without Perth Amboy Spring on the side of the #99 for the first time in many years. Jamie is dedicated to the tour and has missed less than a handful of races since it’s inception. He would welcome your name and resources on the side of his machine. Let the record show that Jamie turned a good qualifying lap and made the field on time. He has struggled to get the handle at Thompson for the last few events and it was a shot in the arm for this team.

All in all it is good to get back at it again. We will have chapel before the drivers meeting next Sunday. Look for us to start at about 10:45, just before the driver’s meeting at 11:30. Please get the word out.

Looks like an exciting race is setting up for the Busch East Rookie Title, 10 drivers so far will go for it. Names that include some of the best up and coming names in the sport; names that include the likes of Earnhardt, Longo, Austin, Davis, Hernandez and others. Lee Roy, the series director had this to say;       

 “Expectations are high for our Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award contenders,” said NASCAR Busch East Series Director Lee Roy. “As a group, they are young but experienced and backed by solid teams.” 

“One of the most interesting things we’re seeing this year is that drivers are backed by “Teams of Tomorrow.” Owners are looking at an even bigger picture today. Their focus has expanded to form entire crews they think can work their way up the ladder together as a unit. That’s a pretty strong endorsement for our entire series.” 

I am excited to see what happens. These guys are young and need to learn how to get things done. It will be interesting to see how the season shapes up for them.

Look for another rookie of sorts to run with the series when they head to Iowa. Kevin Harvick will be in the field as the series make it’s inaugural visit. It isn’t the first time for a cup regular to run on the Grand National Series but it certainly isn’t something that happens everyday. We’ll see how he does. 

RC Roper won the race but the battle continues. Over the Easter weekend RC and his Victory is Jesus team won the USA Sprints race at Charlotte County Motorsports Park. The battle against cancer continues as he enters treatment this week. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 

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*** 

            April 19

JIM & DORIS TROMBLY- The Pit Steward and Credentials manager wife at the Hudson (NH) Speedway have their 37th anniversary.

            April 21

JAMES & IONEY WARNER- This Martinsville Speedway infield staffer and wife, both close friends of Rev. pat, celebrate their 9th anniversary.

            April 22

ROGER & MELISSA HORVATH- This NY ELS Sprint driver and wife have their 12th anniversary.

J.J. & KELLY MICHAELS- This Small Block Modified driver at Fulton and Utica-Rome Speedways in New York and his wonderful wife Kelly share their 8th anniversary.

            April 23

PAUL & MICHELLE McELEARNEY- This veteran Riverhead Raceway LM driver and wife have their anniversary today. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            April 18

GEOFF BODINE- The oldest of the racing Bodine brothers of Chemung, NY.

JIM HAWKEY- Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.

ROBERT TYLER LABONTE- Son of NNC driver Bobby and wife Donna is 12.

CHELSEA MARQUIS- A daughter of Enfield, CT NASCAR BES/WMT driver Jerry and wife Karen is 10.

            April 19

JACK ROUSH- NNC/BGN/Trans-Am multi-team owner.

ROBERT YATES- Noted engine builder, NNC team owner.

BOB AILES- St. Johnsbury, VT LM driver.

            April 20

ED SPENCER III- Berwick, PA NASCAR Cup/NBS driver Jim's nephew.

RON BARFIELD, JR.- Florence, SC NASCAR CTS/ All Pro Series driver.

DON DesROCHER- Retired Riverside Park Speedway driver.

RICH PAWLICH- Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.

FRANCIS STODDARD- NNC Crew Chief for Boris Said.

BILL BALSER- Norton, MA veteran photographer.

            April 21

JIM BRODERICK- A close personal friend of Rev. Pat's from Brookfield, CT on semi-retirement from WMT and Sk mods and concentrating on son Bobba's carreer.

KEVIN GRUBB- BGN driver.

RANDY GLENSKI- NY D.I.R.T. Mod driver.

STEVE BARRICK- Flemington, NJ President of Program Dynamics which produces weekly programs for track all over the East Coast.

STEPHANIE SHAW- Wife of Center Conway, NH BES driver Dale.

            April 22

BOB HOWARD- Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR West driver.

            April 23

ROBBIE CROUCH- Burlington, VT's "Tampa Tornado" retired NASCAR BES/LM driver.

JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC BGN driver.

P.J. JONES- Rolling Hills, CA Indy car/ NASCAR Truck series driver.

CHUCK GAFRARAR- Team Penske fabricator.

AL ROBINSON- World-wide race announcer and Storyteller extraordinaire.

J.J. O'MALLEY- Al's buddy and the PR Director at Watkins Glen Speedway.

BOB PRATT- A brother of AARN Advertising Manager Joe, NJ Mod driver Ed and uncle of sportsman driver Richie Pratt, Jr.

MICHELLE McELEARNEY- The wife of Commack, NY Riverhead LM driver, Paul.

            April 24

RICK SCHAFFER- Woxall, PA all-time winningest Mod driver at Grandview.

HERMIE SADLER- Emporia, VA BGN/NNC driver.

ED FLEMKE- Southington, CT NASCAR WMT Modified driver/ chassis builder.

CHERYL MARKS- Grandview Souvenier Stand Manager.

LINDA GOLDEN- Daughter of retired Midget owner Joe Sukup from Schodack Landing, NY.

WALTER NEWCOMB- Keeper of the cup, this Long Island WMT crewmember has his big day. 

*** NEW BEGINNINGS *** 

RUTH NALE- Grandmother of AARN photographer Dave Nale passed away this past week due to an illness. Keep Dave and the entire family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of sympathy will reach Dave Nale and his family at 225 Pond Rd., Felton, PA 17322

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

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.