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

IS YOUR HEART IN IT?

June 7, Tolland, CT--- There are many things in life that we enjoy doing, some more than others. But what is it about certain activities that make them so desirable to us that we are willing to give up other things to do them? What is it that you want to do more than anything else? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Racing is something not everyone understands. Racers, true racers will sacrifice almost anything to race. Some will sacrifice everything. You have heard it said, to make a small fortune in racing you need to start with a big one.

Racing doesn’t corner the market on sacrifice but for us it is one we understand. What is it that would drive us so much that we would drive all night, race, and then drive all night to get back home? Or sleep twelve people in a room for four. Or head out on Wednesday morning and race, repair, race, repair, race, repair for several nights in a row without regard for even the day of the week. Where am I? Stafford, it must be Friday.

We lose sight of the day and time, we are here to race and when this one is done we pack up and head to the next one. Do you know why the family that races together stays together? If they don’t they won’t see each other.

I always think of the Bouley family when I think of families that sacrifice to race. When we headed out to breakfast Saturday morning about 6:30, who did we meet coming in? The Bouley dually, after an all night ride just to race. I watched as they made the best of what they had. George, Bev, Kim and Scott would give and have given everything to put Team 26 racing in the field.

Scott timed into the field in Twenty-sixth spot, the same as his number. George just shook his head in disbelief and wondered aloud how well Scott could do if he had a new motor and some decent equipment. Then a smile comes to a proud father’s face as he shares in his son’s accomplishment despite the odds and a 9:1 tired power plant. The Bouley’s have heart and no one can say anything different. They give everything they have and some things they don’t to race, to compete.

What about us, is our heart in it? Maybe not racing but I am sure there is something in your life that you are passionate about. Something that will move you to sacrifice? Something that makes you willing to put everything aside and pursue?

God desires that your service to Him be that something. God desires that we would want to demonstrate His love for others more than anything we do in our lives. He tells us in his word that unless our mind and our heart is in it we miss the relationship that will save us. Read what the writer of Romans says: 

Romans 10:8-13, But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

Two components are necessary to know God, It must be in your heart and you must say it with your mouth. We say a lot of things with our mouths that we don’t believe in our heart. It is pretty easy to spot someone who is doing something that their heart isn’t in. As servants of God that should never be the case. In fact, if our heart isn’t in it we are not saved.

Did you see the promise contained in these verses? Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will not be put to shame and will be richly blessed. The first part of that blessing is the fact that we are saved. The next part comes when we tell others. We are given the opportunity to participate in the lives of others. Not just participate but the opportunity to help them find the abundant life that God offers. The writer goes on to explain; 

Romans 10:8-13, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

When we say it and believe in our heart we then can share it. If our heart isn’t in it not only do we lose but other’s lose also. We have a great responsibility to not only confess the name of our Lord but to believe it in our heart. Our lives are not the only ones who depend on it.  

Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news! 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

Our trip down to South Boston Speedway was an adventurous one. Dan and I were joined by out favorite sidekick Kenny. We encountered a little rain but for the most part, the trip went well. We even had a chance to experience that Southern Hospitality that those below the Mason-Dixon Line have become so famous for.

About 3:30, Saturday morning as we traveled down I-85 about an hour from SOBO one of Virginia’s finest wanted to see the new RWJM Pacecar and the lights provided courtesy of Whelen Engineering. I was at the wheel and the officer inquired if I had any reason to be traveling at a rate of speed that would initiate this type of meeting. Many thoughts crossed my mind as we had been on the road since 6:30 the previous evening, we were within an hour of stopping and catching a few hours of shuteye before the day officially began, but I thought better of it and replied, “No sir.” His next question deviated from what I have been told is the traditional line of questioning, “What kind of lights do you have in this thing?” We proceeded to go through the Talon front lights the Dominator rear light bar, the LED’s and the strobes. At his urging, I turned them on and we admired how they illuminated the early morning darkness. He thought they were great but suggested that I add the lights that attach to the side mirrors, like his, for the complete effect. I’ll have to pass that request along to Phil at Whelen and see what the options are.

As we talked about the lighting a blessing passed by. Let the record show if you see a police car with it’s lights flashing and a pace car with it’s lights flashing and you are traveling down the highway approaching them, slow down. In a flash a car flew by far exceeding any speed I had attained with the new Ford Fusion Pacecar. The officer handed me my paperwork, told me to be careful and left to pursue the aforementioned offender. I guess the moral of the story is that there is always someone out there worse than you are but that doesn’t give us the right to break the rules. I am thankful for the blessing the Lord sent my way and I was careful and attentive as I had been reminded to be for the rest of the trip.

We rolled into the track and found a suitable place in the parking area for motorhomes and proceeded to catch some shuteye. Have you ever bought a new car? They take you through a little tour of the options and how everything works so that you can operate safely. They always forget to mention one thing or another. We discovered one of those items, much to the determent of our stealth arrival, when we opened a door after locking the car and the lights started flashing and the horn started blowing. Frantically we searched for the sequence of pushed buttons that would silence this noise that pierced the early morning quiet. Finally, after what seemed like an hour we discovered that if you put the key on the ignition and turn the car on the noise stops. We committed that to memory and it only had one reoccurrence on the trip home in a rest area somewhere in Maryland.

We started to stir a little after 6 am and were met by SOBO General Manager Kathy Rice. She was touring her facility before the gates opened at 7 am. She loved the new Pacecar and requested that we lead the parade laps that evening before the main event. We were thrilled to oblige. Kathy also found time in her busy day to attend Chapel service. Kathy set the bar that served as an indicator of the hospitality we would receive throughout our time at the track. She is one who leads by example. I can start to understand their motto, America’s Hometown Track. We are looking forward to our next visit.

SOBO is home to some popular names like Burton and Sadler but the pressure this weekend would fall on the shoulders of one who carried the name Sellers. This is the home track of Whelen All American Series National Champion Payton Sellers. I guess when you have a grandstand section that carries your name that qualifies as pressure. Payton didn’t disappoint. Being the last car to go out and qualify he put his #83 Clarence Steak House Chevy on the pole. He then dueled with Sean Caisse and Matt Kobyluck side by side for many of the 150 laps before settling for second after two late restarts went to Matt Kobyluck. Let the record show racing can be exciting without the all the bumping and banging. Matt and Payton had barely a scratch on the sides of their respective cars despite dueling side by side for twenty or so laps on the tight confines of the 4/10’s mile South Boston circuit. They competed against each other in one of the most exciting races yet but they didn’t cross the line and abuse one another. Great racing guys. 

Chuck McNeil sent this report from the Midwest, if you remember Chuck was our Weekly Chaplain at Thompson Speedway when his job took him to Indianapolis. He is in the process of seeking out opportunities for RWJM in the midwest.

The 2007 Car and Bike show of Gasburg Baptist Church is in the books.  RWJM had a presence there this year.  I showed up in my ‘purple’ and spent a great day visiting and talking with folks.  It was good to talk and to have an opportunity to share the Good News.  Although Chevelles and Corvettes were the norm, two sprint cars from the area were there as well.  I got some good insight into the local tracks and race schedules and may have some new opportunities soon.  Had a good talk with Ajaye Royal’s team, Ajaye was at work. That’s all for now. 

Our BES Pastor Rev. Dan also shared this; I talked to Rusty Bissell last night - the pastor from the church in the Adirondacks. He says I caused quite a stir up there when I parked the Pacecar in the parking lot while I was speaking. It seems a local owner of a bar down the road drove by and stopped to take pictures. A couple days later, he saw the pastor’s wife in a store and had a lot of questions about what was going on.
I drove the car to that store last Monday. When I came out, a man was taking pictures of it and I was able to talk to him about the ministry. On the way home from Memorial Day weekend, I was parked in the outlets up on Queensbury and had others asking about the car, taking pictures of it. And this is only what I saw - who knows who was looking at it while I wasn't there.

The pace cars we drive don’t only serve as functional transportation for us they also help to open up discussions and spread the Good News. Thank you for helping us get out there and proclaim it.
With the trip to SOBO behind us this weeks drive promises to be shorter. While the WMT takes a few weeks off the BES makes it’s annual visit to Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday night. Dan and I will join our Track Chaplain Rick and Dan’s wife Deb as we minister to the racing community. In addition you will find me out on the Island Thursday participating in the Tom Baldwin Memorial at Bellport Country Club. I am looking forward to participating and supporting the charities involved. From what I have been told there is still some room for participants and spectators. If you can make time for it, sign up, I hope to see you there. Have a great week, Rev. Don.

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*** 

            June 6

SCOTT & LISA JAMES- This couple from Canterbury, CT who helped lead this ministry in the past and currently serve as ministry advisors have their 14th anniversary

LLOYD & LINDA MOORE- This Unity, ME driver and wife have their 34th anniversary.

            June 7

REV. DON AND LYNDA RIVERS- The RWJM President and WMT Pastor and wife celebrate their 27th anniversary.

            June 10

MARCEL & LYNN L'ETOILE- This retired driver and proud parents of Massachusetts ProStock driver Frank, share their 39th anniversary.

 ***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            June 6

RANDY PORTER- Greenville, SC BGN and Greenville Pickens Speedway LMSC driver.

JIM HAILEY, JR.- Winston-Salem, NC Tri-County and Caraway Speedways LMSC driver; son of Richard Childress Show Car Team Manager Jim, Sr.

BILL "TIGER" PERRY- Seekonk Speedway Sportsman driver.

WENDELL & CAROL KILCOLLINS- This husband and wife from Stafford Springs both celebrate. Wendell is a retired Modified driver, now Crew Chief for Willie Hardee's WAAS Modified team.

DON MARKS- Grandview Speedway track photographer.

KATY COLSON- Daughter of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran and wife Doreen.

VICTORIA ACKERLY- The daughter of Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway Modified driver Ray is 11.

            June 7

DENNIS DEMERS- Shelburne, VT NASCAR BES driver.

RAY HORNER- New Jersey asphalt Modified driver.

TIM DAMIANI- Pennsy Modified driver.

ANTHONY DAMIANI- A son of Tim's is 13.

JIM BOARDMAN- Maynard, MA LM/NASCAR BES driver.

MIKE SWAIM- Archdale, NC LMSC driver.

CHUCK MONTVILLE- Crewman on the Ralph Solhem Danny Sammons driven NASCAR WMT team.

LESLIE LaJOIE- Wife of two time BGN champion driver Randy.

MARTIN SCHIFF- Wayland, MA proprietor of Sponsor Development of Reston, Ent., husband of Wayland Travel's Jane.

JOEL MARTIN- Son of Concord, NC NNC photographers Gary and Judy.

BRIDGETT JIVANELLI- Daughter of Riverhead Raceway driver Dan.

KELSEY BABB- Daughter of Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver Bobby and wife Carla is 16.

ZACHARY D'ALESSANDRO- Agawam, MA son of Ingrid and former Modified driver and current WAAS Modified crewman Ron is 11.

            June 8

JOE BUCHEK- Binghamton, NY retired Modified driver; We-Go Racing Fan Club activist.

SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC wife of Gary.

KRISTEN LABONTE- Daughter of Nextel Cupp driver Terry and wife Kim.

JON MAYLOTT- Enfield, CT Lebanon Valley Speedway RWJM Counselor, hockey coach and CT District Commissioner for Youth Hockey.

            June 9

BILLY BIGLEY, JR.- Naples, FL All Pro Series driver.

RON D'ALESSANDRO- Agawam, MA former Mod No. 124 owner/driver at the now closed Riverside Park Speedway and current DWRS Modified crewman.

TY BERGER- A past Advertising Director for "National Speed Sport News" from 1969 to 1978 and always involved in racing from Kutztown, PA.

            June 10

JOHN SNEAD- Oxford, MA former Modified driver.

STEVE DARNE- Woodbridge, VA LMSC driver.

NICOLE MICHILOWSKI- Daughter of Lebanon Valley driver Mark and wife Robin is 16.

            June 11

KENNY TROYER- Rochester, NY asphalt Modified driver.

KRISTA HOWARD- Daughter of Waterford Speedbowl faithful Tom and wife Carol is 17.

            June 12

BRAD LEIGHTON- Center Harbor, NH NASCAR BES driver.

LEE SHERWOOD- Waverly, NY NASCAR BES/Modified driver.

SCOTT WOLF- From Freeport, NY a Riverhead Raceway driver.

MITCH POOLE- Lebanon Valley Modified driver.

PAT FEZZA- Riverhead Raceway Tech. Inspector. 

*** IN THE SHOP *** 

JON McKennedy- Jon is recovering nicely and if he can get his car back together he will be at Thompson for the next WMT race.Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. 

*** NEW BEGINNINGS *** 

VINCENT (VIN) HILLIARD- 68, of Wareham and a former longtime resident of Framingham, died Saturday, June 2, 2007, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Vin was a good friend and fellow photographer of Howie and Mary Hodge. They go back to the NASCAR North days when no one heard of NASCAR. He was also an avid fisherman. The funeral will be held Wednesday, June 6, at 9 a.m. from the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St. (corner of Union Avenue), Framingham, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen Church, 221 Concord St., Rte. 126, Framingham. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, June 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, keep those in the racing community who have lost a good friend in your prayers.

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.