Teach Your Children
One thing NHIS brings to our attention is family. More times than not we see entire families come to enjoy racing and compete as families. We even bring our families to minister and help us out during the four-day event each summer and fall. The question came to mind this weekend, how are we teaching our families, specifically our children, the right way to conduct themselves and handle themselves? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You do not have to look too far to see how the racing tradition has been handed down from generation to generation. Many times there is as many as three generations of family represented at the track. In a few cases that climbs to four! Grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Think about that for a moment, four generations of a family enjoying the same sport at the same time in the same place. We are not only a racing family but we are families racing. It makes me feel good to walk down pit road and see grandmothers rooting their grandchildren on.
One of the things that I think is important in life is that we pass our passions on to our children. Then and only then can they understand what makes us tick. They don’t have to have the same one, but they will know us better and our relationship with them will be all the more stronger. That is what the secret is here, building the strongest relationship with our families as possible. I think racers have some of the most supportive and strongest families I know.
You and I know that that always isn’t the best formula for agreement and peace, but that’s what makes us family. We don’t see eye to eye on everything but we are always family. In fact when we can work through the disagreements and still stay together it makes us stronger. Running away, as is the habit, never solved anything. Working things through and still remaining together solves many things.
I can only think of one other place that the entire family is together and that is in church. I have to be honest with you though, I think there are more families together in racing than in church. Maybe we need to work on that a little.
I saw many sites that caused me to pause and take note this weekend, let me share a couple with you. I saw a dad with two young boys in tow. When I saw them they were resting, one of the little ones was asleep on dad’s shoulder. They came to watch the WMT with dad and because of the rain their day was extended a little. Dad loved the modifieds and wanted to share that with his boys. He was willing to carry them around so that they could share in his excitement. As I rolled out of the tunnel, leaving the track after the race to check on an injured driver there was dad, one son asleep on his shoulder and the other in tow holding his hand. They had seen what they had come to see and were heading home. A little weary but content to have spent the day with their dad and there was no doubt how much he loved them.
I saw these two together several times over the weekend, many times they were sharing a ride on a golf cart. Never did I see the child out of the embrace of the father. Even as they sat idle, waiting to head to the next task the young boy enjoyed the hug of his dad. They were at the track together and dad was bringing his son along to share in the experience.
Let me point out that neither lamented the extra burden of bringing their sons along. In fact, by the look on their respective faces they welcomed this task. I am sure there were times it would have been easier not to have the little ones tag along, but you couldn’t tell based on these two dads.
Scripture speaks to the role we need to play in our children’s lives. We need to love them and teach them. In fact it is the father’s responsibility to accomplish that.
I had the pleasure of having one of my three daughters with me this weekend to help me. I hope she saw me doing the right things and learned from me the right way to live. I am proud of her and the woman she has become. I thank God for blessing me with my children and for covering all the mistakes I made as a father.
Ask yourself this week, am I teaching my children the right way to live? Am I showing other children the right way to live? More things are learned by watching others, remember to set the right example in everything you do. God bless, have a good week.
An interesting sponsor was carried by the number 84,
After Friday, it was on to Saturday.
Saturday was a long one. We had driver’s meeting and chapel in a steady rain with hopes it would clear for the 1:00 start. Everything was in place except the weather. During the delay I had the opportunity to do a radio interview with Jerry from WOXO. We did the invocation and sang the anthem but the constant drizzle would not let up. The schedule was changed the trucks took center stage and the sun came out. Donny Lia had the opportunity to drive a truck sponsored by Whelen Engineering. Whelen used the opportunity to promote their three NASCAR divisions that they sponsor, The Whelen All-American, The Whelen Modified and The Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Phil from Whelen said it was the first time a competitor in one division promoted other NASCAR divisions. Leave it to Whelen to be first again.
Donny had a good day, he finished 20th one lap down. Donny jumped from his truck to his modified and continued to race.
The mod show took a little while to get going with some early cautions that took out several cars. At one point we had six drivers in the infield care center for the cursory check before being released. At about lap 35 the race started and what a race it was. For the next 40 laps the mod did what they did best, use the wide surface and excellent traction to put on a display of racing and position changing that we have come to know and enjoy. The race was won by pole sitter Todd Szegedy followed closely by Ronnie Silk, Donny Lia and Bobby Santos. Let me emphasize closely, you could cover the top four with a blanket.
Jimmy Blewett came home fifth with the hearts of the entire modified family riding with him. Jimmy did a tremendous job this weekend. He headed to NHIS following Jamie Tomaino and if you have seen the back of Jamie’s hauler you know that Jimmy couldn’t help but know his brother John was with him the entire way.
Before the day ended Dan and I had the opportunity to record a Birthday wish to “wheelchair” Jess. She is the young lady that sits in her chair with her mom outside the entrance to the cup garage. She is celebrating her 30th birthday, ten more than the doctors predicted. Her mom attributed that to the love she has received from the racing community. Happy Birthday Jess!
Danny Sammons received a left foot injury in the Mod race but nothing serious. He was transported to the hospital as a precaution.
I have more but my space is running short, Dan and I, with help from Elisabeth, Debbie and Amanda were able to minister to so many. We left NHIS encouraged and excited about what God has for us in the future. 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***
EARL & PAM KRAUSE- The Area Auto Racing News Assitant to the Editor and columnist/ ARDC PR Director/Announcer and budding TV racing personality along with his best friend wife have their 36th anniversary.
September 20
CHARLIE & MIMI MITCHELL- The veteran racing writer for the “Norwalk (CT) Hour” and wife make it 49 years together.
September 21
SONNY & AMY STRUPP- Grandparents of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the #24 Micro-Sprint celebrate 60 years together.
September 22
JOSEPH & JUTTA ARENA- This Kensington, CT Riverside Park Speedway couple have their 15th anniversary.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY- This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway couple have their 34th anniversary.
BILL GUERTIN- President and co-owner with Frank Ferrara of Whip City Speedway in Westfield, MA.
SCOTT LOVELADY- Hartsdale, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
JOE HOUDE- Millbury, MA LM driver.
GEOFF BRANSCOMBE- A son of NASCAR BES team owner/driver Babe and wife Deb.
JIM BRODERICK IV- “Bubba,” Whip City 250cc Micro Sprint driver; son of Jim and Debbie.
September 20
BRYAN WALL- Derry, NH Road corse BES driver.
SCOTT NEWELL- East Windsor Speedway Modified driver.
LANCE NORICK- Oklahoma City, OK NASCAR CTS driver.
SCOTT WEAVER- Shelby, NC NASCAR Dash Series driver.
KYLE GRISSOM- A son of NASCAR driver Steve and wife Susan from Gadsen,AL.
September 21
RICHARD CHILDRESS- Welcome, NC famous BGN/NNC team owner.
ARIE LUYENDYK- Holland born, Scottsdale, AZ infamous IRL retired driver, now TV commentator.
STEVE HODDICK- Cheektowaga, NY NASCAR BES driver.
CURTIS MARKHAM- Fredericksburg, VA BGN/NNC driver.
GARY IULG- Retired Upstate NY driving great.
September 22
FRANK COZZE- Wind Gap, PA dirt Modified ace.
TOM MAUSER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
JEFF ZUIDEMA- No. Brookfield, MA ProStock driver.
TIM MROWKA- Torrington, CT semi-retired asphalt Modified driver.
JEFF ZERELLA- Former Fiore Gulf Racing NASCAR WMT team crewman.
JASON LaHUE- Son of White Mountain Motorsports Park LM driver Don and wife Robin.
STEVE BOTTCHER- Son of Lehighton, PA dirt Mod driver Bobby.
SONNY STRUPP- Grandfather of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the #24 Micro-Sprint.
September 23
TOMMY SIGMON- Hickory, NC LMSC driver.
BILLY LAWSON- NC Modified driver.
TYCE CARLSON- Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
September 24
BOB CRAMER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
GLENN ALLEN, JR.- Cincinnati, OH BGN driver.
DEANE MERCIER- Racing radio personality and Stafford Motor Speedway announcer from Norwalk, CT.
COREY LaJOIE- Son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating founder/owner and BGN driver Randy and wife Lisa is 14.
ROB BRANNON- Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist for Christian Rock group “WARFARE”.
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN- Crew Chief for the NASCAR BES team driven by Kelly Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH- BGN crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil BGN Team manager Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA- Tom’s River, NJ Quarter Midget driver turns 18.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM