Long Island Motorsports News - Racing With Jesus Column

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

HONOR THE FATHER

June 20, Tolland, CT--- How was your Father’s Day? Did you take the time to remember your Dad and acknowledge him? How about your heavenly Father, did you thank Him for everything He has done for you? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Father’s Day is another time when we seek to recognize one of our parents. Let’s face it without either one we would not be here. God’s idea of parents is not necessarily held by the world today. As we discussed last week, God created the family with certain roles and responsibilities. I hope and pray that your Dad understands his responsibility and has tried to honor God in his leadership of his family.

Dads are an interesting lot. I was talking with one Thursday night at Thompson, as he described what it was like to watch his son race, you could see the pride on his face. He has retired from racing and now has to watch. For him it is difficult because he would love to be there, side by side, racing with his son.

Then there was the Limited feature at Thompson that saw a father follow his son across the line in a one-two finish. I couldn’t see inside his helmet but I would be willing to bet that dad was full of emotion and pride at watching his son’s achievement. His son had just won his first feature in the division and dad had a front row seat.

We all remember Dale Sr. as he watched his son and his driver, Michael Waltrip, lead the Daytona 500 out of the last turn. The day would take a sudden and tragic turn a few seconds later, but that didn’t remove the joy a father had for his son.

Joey Logano gave his dad a victory for Father’s Day, his first as he became the youngest to win on the NASCAR national divisions. Tom and I have talked many times about how difficult it is standing by, watching and wanting your son to do well. The road for Joey is been laid out and the pressure is on him to show he has what it takes to fulfill the promise. Joey went a long way to helping his dad relax and enjoy the ride.

Scripture tells us to honor our father and mother and it will go well for us. The Fifth Commandment says;

Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Honor is an interesting word and I thought we might try to understand it better. What does it mean to honor someone or something? At the very least it means to recognize. It means to acknowledge. It means to respect. When we honor someone we show them that we understand what they have done and we are grateful for the opportunity it provided for us.

Last Thursday night I was talking with Jason Cunningham, public relations coordinator for the Whelen Modified Tour. As we watched the Sunoco Modified feature. It was a particularly rough race with the beating and banging that has become commonplace in the division here and elsewhere. He has been researching the history of the Modified Tour as NASCAR honors 60 years of Modified racing. He mentioned an article in this month’s Speedway Illustrated that tells of a different era when drivers had a respect for one another and contact was the exception and not the rule.

In an excerpt from Bugsy!, the Life and Times of Bogs Stevens, comes an Etiquette Lesson. Bugsy was quoted to say “Even the worst driver can run into another car.” What he is saying is that it takes a good driver to drive around someone. A driver who has respect for the equipment and other drivers. In his day, Bugsy said there were unwritten rules and everyone abided by them. Passing was done by driving around someone not through them. They had the right of way until you got to their door and they could see you. Then they were expected to relinquish the groove. That did not mean they didn’t fight for position; they did, side by side not nose to tail. When you didn’t have the car to get it done you fell in behind, finished the race and lived to race another day. Bugsy said some of his best days in racing were those side by side battles. If you get a chance read the article and then the book. Maybe we can get back to that kind of racing someday?

This helps us to understand what it means to honor someone or something. The unwritten rules were respected. The drivers raced with an understanding of them and they were not broken intentionally because someone thought he deserved to be in a better position. That is where honor starts, in your heart, when we think we deserve something we haven’t earned we start moving away from where we should be.

Honor is about putting someone above yourself. It is about caring for others and what they have done before you care about what you want. There are many people that deserved to be honored. I think of all those who gave their life for our freedom. I think of those who have paved the way for me to enjoy the opportunities I have. I think of my Dad, he wasn’t perfect and in many eyes didn’t do anything honorable, but for me he taught me respect. He taught me fairness. He taught me how to honor others. That is enough for me to say thank you.

I wonder if we have lost our way? Have we become so self centered that we don’t have time to stop and honor those who came before us, those who paved the way, those who sacrificed their life for ours. I am not just talking about our dads, I am talking about anyone who, in the past, has done something that has helped you attain the life you enjoy today.

We honor God the Father because He created us; He gave us life. He holds our future in his hand. He provided a sacrifice for us so that through the blood of Christ our sins could be forgiven. He cares for us. He loves us.

Take some time this week and reflect on your life, the things you have the things you enjoy. Take some time and honor those who gave so much so that we could have life. God Bless.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

100! The numbers were in order Friday night at Stafford. Friday 13, car 13, 100 lap SKMod Feature, 100 victory. TC had it come together in historical fashion when he became the first driver to win 100 features at Jack Arute’s house. Jack’s son was on hand to commemorate the moment and present Ted with a sign officially naming a grandstand after Ted Christopher. Ted was truly humbled by the moment and thanked everyone for being a part of his career.

Love him or hate him TC can drive. I have noticed that as he approached 50 he has started to settle down a little. He is more calculating in his driving style, but don’t underestimate him when he needs to come through the field, inside, outside or in the dirt, TC is coming to the front. Congratulations Teddy on getting to 100.

THURSDAY NIGHT THUNDER- The roles reversed themselves this week. Thompson and Stafford enjoyed perfect weather while Waterford fell to showers and rain on Scout Night. But there was plenty of thunder at Thompson on Thursday night. The Mod feature was a challenge at best to stay clean. I am pretty sure that each car had paint or rubber on it that didn’t belong to them. It was a blue-collar race if ever there was one. Keith Rocco came home the victor with a few bumps and scrapes but none the worse for wear. The victory will improve his position in the Whelen All-American Racing Series National Standings.

1992 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR- for Jeff Fuller. Jeff the 1992 Whelen Modified Tour Champion will be honored at the track where he enjoyed his most success, Thompson International Speedway, when the Tour returns this Thursday, June 19, for a 75 green-flag only lap event. Jeff won one-third of his tour victories less than a half-hour from his Auburn, Ma home. Jeff went on as many have done to race in NASCAR national touring Divisions but never attained the success he had close to home. I am sure it will be good for Jeff to come home again and we look forward to seeing him Thursday night.

The racing Fullers keep true to their racing heritage as just this last Thursday night two of them can still be found turning wrenches in the pits at Thompson. Jimmy and Rick both were lending a hand to the next generation of racers. I think it’s great to see them and I am sure it encourages those young drivers to have them there to help.

This week we get back to action on Thursday night at Thompson with a new twist on a Tour race, 75 laps of green flag racing. I am not sure one way or the other on this one. I would like to see the race long enough for pit strategy to come into play because I think that is what sets the tour apart for the weekly racers. I would also like to see a minimum of green laps run so that there is a guarantee that we will see some racing action.

I am sure of one thing, I will be there to see how it plays out and I hope you will be there also. After that I am headed to the sailboat in Maine to get away from the noise and soak in the sun, but not for long. NHMS is coming up next week and we are excited to see what the new owners have done with the place.

JOEY “THE JET” PAYNE TALKS SAFETY- Friends and Fellow racers, I’d like to thank Oswego Speedway, their Safety crew and the Big O fans for being the best at what they do. Saturday’s crash was one of my worst in 24 yrs of racing. The impact was horrific, so bad my teeth were hurting. Aside from that my ribs, legs and jaw were badly bruised. I have to Thank the Strong gang for putting together such a safe car. Two years ago I nearly died in my NEMA Midget, if it wasn't for having the Cadillac of seats, The Joie of Seating, I probably would have been dead.This weekend I wore my Safety Solutions Hybrid Rage head and neck device for the second time, and boy am I glad I did. After the wreck at Stafford I swore I would be safer racing. My brother Johnny sells the devices for Safety Solutions and Being the old school racer I am I shrugged it off, saying "ah I'll be ok," I owe Johnny a lot of Thanks. In Saturday’s wreck, the throttle stuck and the second or two it took to hit the wall I pulled back on the pedal so hard I have the top of my right foot bruised. It’s easy for everyone to say "He should have just hit the kill switch," well I'll tell you that was the last thing I thought of as the wall approached. I did try to hit the switch off on the steering wheel as I hit the wall but just couldn't, I didn't want to let go of the wheel. The Hybrid Rage did its job and to be honest my head and neck are remarkably feeling great.

Let’s use this crash as a wake up call to everyone! Drivers use the safety devices!! I feel it really saved my life. On the other side I feel that the track and clubs should make kill switches on the brake pedal or the toe strap mandatory. It’s a cheap fix compared to losing a friend. Believe me I have lived through it. I know all this safety stuff isn't cheap but you can’t put a price on life. Thank for reading
The Jet
Joey Payne

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 andJesus 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 19
SKIP & LOIS MATCZAK- The Ellington, CT SuperModified team owner and wife make it 41 years together.
CHRIS & LORI HALSTEAD- Point Pleasant, NJ ProStock driver at Wall Stadium and wife celebrate anniversary No. 9.
June 21
DENNIS & PAT PUNCH- This Hickory, NC Wolf Head's Oil NNS Public Relations/ Team Manager pro and wife have their 24th anniversary. Dennis is also ESPN's Dr. Jerry's brother.
June 23
STEVE & ESTHER DEVINE- This Lebanon Valley Speedway Modified driver and wife from Danbury, CT complete 24 laps together.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

June 18
GIL HEARNE- Hueytown, AL born retired multi-time Wall Township Speedway Modified champion.
JOE MAMMOLITO- Long Island retired Modified Series driver.
GAYLE FERREE- From Saxonburg, PA is the wife of Ed; championship Big Block LM dirt driver.
June 19
SCOTT RIGGLEMAN- Howell Township, NJ ARTS Truck championship driver.
June 20
remember- Rev. Pat's bday
JERRY COOK- Six time NASCAR Modified champion from Rome, NY, now in the Safety Department of NASCAR in Charlotte, NC.
RON HORNADAY, JR.- Palmdale, CA NNS/CTS driver.
DAVID HUTTO- Rock Hill, SC NASCAR driver.
JODY TANNER- Portland, OR NASCAR West driver.
BRIANNE LEHMAN- The daughter of Smithville, OH AARN columnist "Doc" Lehman.
DAVE SUKUP- A son of retired Midget owner, Joe Sukup, of Schodack Landing, NY.
TYLER HEARN- Son of famous dirt Mod driver Brett.
June 21
CHRIS JONES- New Milford, CT NASCAR Modified driver.
BOB SLOTTER- PA asphalt Modified driver.
PHIL PARSONS- Detroit, MI Former driver now TV commentator.
JUDY WIBBELSMAN- The wife of RWJM advisor Dick, down in Gainesville, FL.
June 22
JAY SAUTER- West Salem, WI born, Mooresville, NC NASCAR CTS/NNS driver.
DAN JIVANELLI- Hampton Bays, LI Riverhead Raceway and Legends driver.
JEFF WARD- Glasgow, Scotland born, now San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
RED SEAVER- Stafford Springs, CT member of the Brad Hietala WAARS SK Modified team at Stafford.
PAT JONES- Enfield, CT Hietala fan.
June 23
ROGER TREICHLER- Retired D.I.R.T. Hall of Famer.
MELISSA RESNER- Wife of Riverhead LM team owner Richie.
June 24
HUT STRICKLIN- Former NSC driver.
JIM BOWN- Portland, OR NNS/CTS driver/ team owner.
CLAUDE BOURBONNAIS- lle Perrot, Quebec IRL driver.
PETER DANIELS- Lebanon, NH ProStock/Modified/CWSE driver.
HENRY ST. JOHN, SR.- The father of the proprietor of Jewett City (CT) Service Henry, Jr.

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.

Long Island Motorsports News, your source for racing coverage, is updated daily.