IN THE HEAT OF THE BATTLE

August 5, Tolland, CT--- The heat of the summer has set in and the last few weeks we have been in the heat of the battle. What does it take to be able to endure the heat and walk through the fire? What do we need to be victorious in the heat of the battle? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

The K&N Race at Columbus was on of the hottest I can remember. It seemed standing still was enough physical activity to bring about drops of sweat. I talked with some of the drivers and asked them how they deal with the heat in the cars. Keep in mind that these cars don’t have all the fancy cooling devices you would find on the cars in the upper division.  

The comments were interesting, they shared that when they are running, concentrating on driving and racing they don’t notice the heat, but the moment they stop the heat hits them like a brick. In the heat of the battle we are so focused on the task at hand we don’t realize the environment we are surrounded by. 

That happens so many time in our lives, we get so focused on what we want to accomplish we fail to see what is going on around us. That can be a good thing if we are focused on serving God and doing His will. I remember the words that Isaiah the prophet shared with us from God; 

Isaiah 43:1b-3a; “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;  

God lets us know that when we face the challenges of living life he is there to help us through. When we are in the heat of the battle he will deliver us. Why? Because He is our Savior! 

We have faced many challenges this past week and the summer heat is only one of the challenges. But we need to remember that it is God who we need to depend on to help us through. He has redeemed us.  

Live with confidence in your service to Him and focus on what is important to God. God can help you face the flames in the heat of the battle and not be burned. I will expand on this in the next few weeks. I am looking forward to exploring this with you.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

RIVERHEAD GETS WARMED UP- The summer heat was in place as the Gladiators arrived at the coliseum to wage battle in their 600 horsepower chariots. The heat race gave us an indication of the main event night hold in store; hard fought, paint swapping, tire rubbing and the bumping and banging that made this place famous. 

When the dust settled hometown boy, Justin Bonsignore broke through with his first victory on the tour. In doing so he put behind him many of the challenges he has faced in his sophomore year touring with the Whelen Modifieds.

I missed victory lane and the celebration; there were other issues to deal with on this night. Many thanks to her fellow spotters and the medical staff in Riverhead as Julie Stefanik experienced some health issues during the race. With Mike at her side she is undergoing tests with the hope of identifying the issue. When I headed back home she was alert, resting and not all that excited to be confined to the hospital. Please keep Julie and Mike and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers. 

As I walked out through the emergency waiting room another familiar face was there, Bryon Chew, with swelling on the back of his hand from an earlier encounter with his steering wheel as a result of a tangle on the track. Just some precautionary x-rays, but I am sure this was not his first choice of ways to spend the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Riverhead has a way of helping us define our priorities and this night would be no different. It would help us determine what is truly important in life. When Mike Stefanik pulled off the track in the middle of the race, ran to his wife’s side and rode to the hospital with her, he set the standard high. He let us all know the place family should have in each of our lives. 

WATERFORD REMEMBERS- Rev. Ray reported; It was a hot afternoon when Rev. Dan Petfield and I arrived at Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT.  We were there to support Deb Marvuglio and the NEMA family's 2nd Annual Shane Hammond #37 Memorial event.  #25 Kieth Botelho won the main event while #81 Andy Barrows won the NEMA Lite event. 

The day turned out to be perfect racing on Nostalgia Night as many fans arrived also to watch the Pintos and Chevellels of the 70's and 80's from tracks like Danbury and Riverside compete in heated competition.  It seemed though, the question to us of the day was, "What did you guys think about that prayer at NASCAR last week?".  That's for another column. 

Rev. Dan added; It was definitely an honor to be invited to be at Waterford for the Shane

Hammond Memorial Race. I see a lot of opportunity for Deb and Tara to minister and watching both of them work to bring honor and glory to God with the NEMA midgets was a blessing. I closed the drivers meeting in prayer, but Deb read a poem to the drivers that came from the heart. It definitely set the tone for the race that evening, but also honored her son Shane. The NEMA drivers drove that race to remember a friend and fellow competitor.  

We had a moment of silence before the invocation to remember John Hoyt - the MRS race director who tragically passed away on Friday, but the evening was to remember Shane. I thank God who gave Ray and me the opportunity to minister for him on this evening. 

Thanks again to the folks at Waterford Speedbowl who made the evening of racing special. We look forward to seeing you down the road. 

THE NAME CHANGES BUT THE TRACK IS THE SAME- Chuck checked in from the Mid-West with a race report from Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis (LORI) aka ORP aka IRP: 

Saturday marked the 30th anniversary of the first Nationwide Series race at this little track, and also apparently the last.  The night was filled with nostalgia, and bittersweet memories.  This first race was won by Morgan Shepherd, and he is most certainly still the crowd's favorite driver here - garnering the biggest cheers when introduced.  Morgan pulled to the infield after 35 laps - tires and engines are just too expensive on this series, and he may be retiring for good soon, himself. 

I got several chances to talk with some of the young men from the East series, Lewandowski, Dillon, Bayne, and saw but never got to talk with two Truex's.  Trevor Bayne is certainly front and center with the press, cameras, and fans, but this young man still puts God where he should - first and foremost.  Jack Rousch spent most of his time with his young guns - he really looks like a concerned father taking care of these young men.  

The night before, Austin Dillon had a good night in the truck race - almost a great night.  In the ending laps, Todd Bodine appeared to run up straight into Austin and put him in the wall, as though he didn't know he was there.  Truth is, he didn't.  Todd took the blame right away and made sure to go find Dillon after the race. It was great to see Austin and Todd talking about the event in quiet, calm discussion - obviously sharing a lot of respect both ways.  Coming off his first win in Nashville, and winning the Pole in Indy, this young man near the top of the points list is not through yet. 

We had a slightly tamer version of the invocation today, but everyone is still talking about the invocation at Nashville.  Seems to me, this much interest in prayer has to be a good thing.  God doesn’t expect us to come to him perfect - he just wants us to come to him.  The flag jumper was really at his limits with the wind, and if you watched closely, you see a few teams scattering (me included) as he swooped in at over 50 mph for his landing.  I think I still have his footprint on my head!  It wasn't on TV, but we also had a parade lap by the 911 memorial, carrying steel from the WTC.  Everyone still remembers and this group makes sure that continues. 

The Trevor vs. Ricky show was sure taking shape, running one and two, and with Edwards right behind, It looked like a Rousch tri-fecta in the making.  Unfortunately for Jack, a blown engine put Trevor behind the wall and set up a green-white-checker that let Brad Keselowski take home the hardware.  

I got to meet the newest MRO chaplain, Steve, and he is actually doing double duty as they are also short a Cup chaplain.  Seems we all could use a few more good men in this business - pray about it, and if you are called - talk to us, there are opportunities everyway to share our faith. 

WORKERS NEEDED- Rev. Dan commented; “I find Chuck’s comments regarding the lack of chaplains interesting. I was at Lebanon Valley last Sunday night and Brian Carter, of the World Racing Group, asked if somehow a chaplain would be able to travel with the World of Outlaws Sprint cars. This is heavy on my heart, as well as on Ed Harkin’s heart - he is the Finish Line Ministries chaplain for the Dirt Modifieds and Lebanon Valley. Keep this in your prayers as there is a real need. 

VALENTI MODIFIED RACING SERIES FAMILY- It is with a heavy heart that I report the loss of John Hoyt, series director. It was a shock to everyone when the word filtered out last Friday and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone connected to the series. John did an excellent job guiding the series in its development years and was just beginning to reap the fruits of his labor. Please lift the entire series and John’s family up in your prayers. They get back in action this Saturday night at Beech Ridge; it will be a challenging night. 

Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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" Check our home page www.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. 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***

August 6
RICH and PAT DURANTI - This LM driver from the Waterford Speedbowl and his wife celebrate 34 years of marriage.
August 7
SCOTT & HEATHER PUNCH- This NNC crewman and wife in Claremont, NC have their 11th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

August 3
GREG RAY- Plano, TX IRL driver.
BOB MARTI- Crewman on the 57 WAAS Modified at Stafford.
CAROL SAVLUK- Wife of former Modified driver, Wayne, of Lisbon, CT.
JOANN SCHERER- Sister of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Eric Beers.
DILLON ZACHARIAS- The son of Modified driver and part of the track management team Rick and wife Pam.
BRENDA VENTH- Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George Venth.
August 4
BILL SLATER- "Wild Bill" of East Hartford, CT Stafford Motor Speedway staffer and retired great NASCAR Modified Sportsman driver in the 60's and 70's of the famous CT Valley Rocket "V-8."
JAMIE AUBE- Charlotte, VT NASCAR Former KNPSE driver, three-time champion and now crew chief.
SHAWN PARKER- NH driver, son of Parker's Express Trucking owner Ted.
JEFF GORDON- Multi-time Nextel Cup champion driver of the Hendricks Motorsports.
August 5
DON SCERENCITS- Northampton, PA AARN Subscrition Sales Field Rep.
KIP STOCKWELL- Vermont based NASCAR KNPES/late model driver and now farmer.
RICH WOODLAND, JR.- Templeton, CA NASCAR West driver.
KEVIN LITTLEFIELD- Salem, NH fabricator/crewman on the former #77 NASCAR KNPSE team.
JACK FLOWERS- Charlotte, NC NSC writer.
KYLE GUENNETTE- Son of Fairfield, CT fan "Fast Eddie".
ELISABETH MINTER- A daughter of Martinsville, VA WODY Radio's "Uncle Wendell" and wife Deloris.
August 6
EDDIE MARSHALL- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
CRAIG RAUDMAN- Redding, CA NASCAR West driver.
JEB BURTON- Son of former NSC driver Ward and wife Tabitha.
DEBBIE DIONNE- Wife of Gary, both of Acton, CA RWJM Counselors and Gary a Hollywood car stuntman and RWJM West Coast Coordinator.
August 7
BRUCE D'ALLESANDRO- East Hartford, CT former Riverside Park and NASCAR WMT driver.
AL HANNA- CT based alchohol Funny Car driver.
RICHIE YANETTA, Sr.- Of Bridgewater, NJ, the father of Go-Kart drivers Rich, Jr. and Jeff.
August 8
JACK SPRAGUE- Concord, NC NSC/NNS/CTS driver.
CHARLIE PASTERYAK- Lisbon, CT NASCAR WMT/MRS driver/owner.
LORIN ARTHOFER- Bath, PA Mahoning Valley Speedway based Modified driver and proud dad of driver Jason.
TOMMY ELLIS- Retired Richmond, VA BGN driver.
GREG TOMAINO- Brother of Howell, NJ popular NASCAR WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
SAMANTHA HOWARD- A daughter of retired Waterford Speedbowl LM driver Tom and wife Carol.
JERRY TOMARCHIO- Former driver at East Windsor and Flemington.
BRIANNA PAGE- This quarter midget driver at the Garden State Quarter Midget Race Club at the Wall Township Speedway.
MICHAEL DRANSFIELD- Another Garden State Quarter Midget racer.
August 9
CHRIS KOPEC- Massachusetts based crew chief for son Dylan and former Mod driver.
BRITTANY TOMAINO- Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver Jamie and wife Cheryl's daughter.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT  06084. You may contact Rev. Don Rivers at Don@RWJM.com.

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