Sticking Together
We face many trying times in our lives. Some of them bring us to the point of breaking. How do we manage to get through them? How do we continue? What is it that makes it possible to keep things focused and moving in a positive direction? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The racing season is young but already we have had to deal with more than our share of challenging times. We have lost a good friend in Shane Hoffman. He inspired us to continue on even if the odds were stacked against you. He did more with less, but had that trademark smile and attitude that let you know he could conquer the world.
Then a few weeks ago we lost truly a special man in Dave Rowe. Dave was not just a car owner, he was a cheerleader and friend. He invested his resources in the lives of others to give them a chance to live out their dreams. He did it in such a way that it showed those around him what was truly important in life. For Dave it wasn’t about acquiring things it was about making a difference in people’s lives. Dave had such a positive influence on the lives he came in contact with. You could see him coming and he had that smile. He didn’t consider himself above you, in fact he would do anything for you if you needed it.
He also loved to celebrate the accomplishments of life. Dave would take the time to live in the moment. Tomorrow will take care of itself, let’s enjoy the day. The Davidson Racing Family is a testament to the way he included and cared for everyone. There are many memories of those celebrations and Dave was right there celebrating with you. Dave let us know it is okay to enjoy life and celebrate. His life helped us stop, look around and reach out to those who needed a hand.
It is always difficult to move on with life after we lose someone close to us. We grieve their loss and want them to be back with us. We understand that those who knew God and accepted Jesus are in a better place and we will join them there one day, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get through today. Where do we turn when we need to carry on?
We need to rely on each other. We need to stick together and encourage one another. Sometimes we need to pick each other up and help get through the difficulties. We also need to watch out for each other. When things in life challenge us, sometimes we turn from the right path and start down a road that leads to ruin. We all need to watch and reach out when we see this happen.
I am reminded of a passage in the Old Testament that helps us understand the responsibility we have to each other.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-12,
There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless–
a miserable business!
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
The writer of this book was a wise philosopher. He held a position as a judge and observed the lives of many. He recorded his conclusions in this book for all of us to learn from. He comes to the conclusion many times that the pursuit of things that don’t honor God is like chasing after the wind.
If we take a look at this scripture we see a man working hard to attain great wealth and then one day realizes that he has no one to share it with. He realizes that it is meaningless without someone other than himself to benefit. He comes to a clear conclusion; it is meaningless.
It is meaningless because it is selfish. Selfishness doesn’t honor God and if we live our life focused only on ourselves we will get to the end and regret that we didn’t reach out to someone along the way. We will be empty inside. We come to the sad realization that you can’t take it with you. They don’t have a trailer hitch on the hearse.
So the writer concludes that two are better than one because they can encourage each other, they can reach out to each other and they can stand up for each other. The last line helps us understand that three, together, can withstand almost anything.
Sticking together is the way God created us to live. Life isn’t worth living if it is lived alone. Together we can endure the tough times without being broken. Together we can travel through life on the right path. Together we live the most abundant life.
This week take a look at those around you. Make note of those who you look out for. Also make note of those who look out for you. Take a moment and say thanks to those who cover your back and help you through life. God Bless and have a great week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MOVING ON UP- The Jefferson’s coined the phrase but some young drivers have put things in place to take a step up the ladder.
SEAN CAISSE returns to the driver seat in the HRE racing ARCA/REMAX car at Kentucky Speedway. HRE gives young drivers a chance to compete and prove themselves and Sean is excited about the opportunity. He sat down with Todd Bodine and learned some ins and outs of the track and is looking forward to racing on the longest track he has ever raced on, 1 ½ miles. “Todd sat down with me and he went through the track, step by step. I couldn’t ask for a better driver than Todd to give me advice,” said Caisse, who has raced at Dover, Iowa and Loudon. “Kentucky Speedway will be the largest track I’ve raced on, so the technique Todd pointed out will really help me with things like straightaway speeds.”
Looks like Sean had a great run taking down the pole and running consistently in the top three all day. The race went extra distance to finish under green and Sean got caught up in someone else’s mistake. He finished a disappointing 28th completing 106 of the final 112 laps. Sean proved he has what it takes to go fast and maybe this will lead to other opportunities.
RYAN SEAMAN- Ryan has landed the opportunity to drive on the Craftsman Truck Series for Lafferty Motorsports. Seaman will make his debut May 30 in the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover International Speedway. Ryan is familiar with Dover and this should give him some help in his first ride for Lafferty.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT RACING ON THE WMT?- RYAN PREECE is expanding his horizons, Ryan will be behind the wheel of a full-fendered car for the first time. Ryan’s racing career so far has been in open wheeled cars, but this high schooler will take the plunge at Iowa for car owner Maxie Bush in the Camping World Series East/West joint event. Ryan said he is putting in 500 laps a day on his simulator so he should know the track. Over 55 cars have entered the event so a few won’t make the grade. Ryan has proved he can qualify through winning his first Pole at Stafford in the Sizzler.
BOB MENSCHNER ON THE ROAD- Our Wall Chaplain is not taking his time away from racing lightly. He is headed up to Oaklane in Pennsylvania to lead the young racers and their families in Chapel. When the QMA Region 2 States Race that usually was held at Wall moved, so did the Chaplain. I received a call this week from Tony Lofton and he asked if Bob would be willing to come up on Memorial Day Weekend and help out. We know Bob will do a great job for them.
RAIN HAS DAMPENED THE START OF THE SEASON AT STAFFORD- With the first two nights of the weekly racing season at Stafford rained out they will give it a try again this week. They have moved the New England Dodge Dealers Late Model 100 to Friday June 27 to give teams a chance to get things going a little before the big event. Save some gas and money by heading out and watching some local racing action this weekend.
THOMPSON SEES WITH NEW LIGHTS- Thursday night’s practice has been moved to a later time slot to allow the drivers and teams to experience the new lighting system installed at the track. They will run practice from 5 to 9 pm. This will also allow for some adjustments to the lights before racing begins on the May 22. The new lights should only serve to enhance the racing excitement at Thompson, again take the ride to the local track and experience your racing live and in person.
JAKE JACOBS- I usually list these in the Checkered Cheers but this one requires some immediate attention. Jake, as some of you have heard passed away early Saturday morning at his home in Mooresville. It was ruled a massive heart attack. Jake was our friend and long-time crew member at Andy Santerre Motorsports. He was only 52 years old and leaves behind a wife and five children. The family is in need of immediate financial support and if you are able please send a donation to Karen in lieu of flowers. The family will be hosting an informal memorial service on Tuesday, May 13th from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the family home. A second service will be held in Massachusetts after school is out in June. Cards and well wishes along with donations can be sent to the family:
Karen Jacobs , Roy, Erica, David, Mitchell and Collin Jacobs, 184 Powers Hill Road, Mooresville, NC 28115
Please pray for the entire family at this difficult time.
This week finds Dan, along with wife Deb, attending the graduation of their daughter Stephanie from SUNY Cortland. I will be headed to Dover to do a wedding and maybe get a chance to drive on the Monster Mile. Chuck, Gary and Paul will be headed to Iowa to cover the Camping World Series event there. 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***
May 17
DAVE & KATHIE DUPUIS- The mom and dad of Rene, accomplished lady NASCAR Modified driver have their anniversary.
May 18
HOWARD & MARY HODGE- This Manchester, CT racing photographer couple share their 46th.
JIM, JR AMD GINGER HAILEY- The NC LMSC driving son of Richard Childress Show Car Team Manager Jim, have their 14th anniversary.
TONY & ELIZABETH DIAS- This Riverside, RI ProStock driver and wife celebrate 23 years together.
May 19
EDDIE & ANN DENSIESKI- This Riverhead NASCAR Modified driver and wife share their special day.
JERRY AND DEBBIE LILLQUIST- This former Thompson Late Model driver and wife, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC, have their 35th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 14
GARY NAPOLITANO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
FRED VORDERMEIR- “The Big Apple Kid,” West Hempstead, NY Modified driver.
BUDDY BLACK- NC NASCAR Modified driver.
TONY RAINES- LaPorte, IN NASCAR NSC driver.
STEPHAN GREGOIRE- Neufchateau, France born, now Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
DENNIS WOOLDRIDGE- Riverside, CA LM driver.
May 15
SHANE HMIEL- Former NASCAR driver.
ED ST. ANGELO- Barrington, RI Modified/ProStock driver.
NANCY CLARK- Wife of Long Island NASCAR modified driver Dick.
WES BENASH- Marlton, NJ son of Bridgeport Speedway Handicapper Bob.
PETE McCLUSKEY- Pete McCluskey Builders sponsor of Wall Township Speedway’s George Andretta’s ProStock and #1 fan.
May 16
DOUG FRENCH- Farmingdale, NJ occasional NASCAR Mod Series driver, proprietor of DFA, close friend of WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
PETE PAVONE- Bridgeport, CT DWRS Modified driver.
GEORGE ANDRETTA- Neptune, NJ Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver/ Modified team owner,
STEVIE REEVES- Speedway, IN NNS driver.
TOM TAYLOR- Lodi, CA NASCAR West driver.
GARY DANKO- AARN Brian’s brother, racing radio host, Waterford announcing staff.
JARROD LEHMAN- Son of AARN columnist Doc and wife Carol.
May 17
JOHN McMULLIN- Daytona based Film Producer.
JIM POWERS- Seekonk Speedway co-announcer.
JANIE DANKO- Owner of the Waterford Speedbowl John Faulkner LM.
May 18
ROGER OXEE- Riverhead Raceway competitor.
GARY LaMOUNTAIN- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
May 19
MATT HUTTER- Chardon, OH NASCAR CWES/NNS driver.
JODY RIDLEY- Chatsworth, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
DALE CAMPFIELD- Apalachin, NY former owner of Shangri-La (Tioga) Speedway.
SYLVIA CRUNDEN- Wife of CT ProStocker Brian.
May 20
BOB MENSCHNER- Wall Township Speedway’s RWJM Chaplain from Waretown, NJ. Keep up the good work.
MIKE STEFANIK- Coventry, RI Whelen Modified Tour and Camping World East multi-time champion and current WMT driver.
TONY STEWART- Rushville, IN born, now in Columbus, IN Joe Gibbs Racing/Home Depot NSC driver.
ERIC NORRIS- Redondo Beach, CA NASCAR West/NNS driver.
FRED SCHIELE- Riverhead Raceway regular.
ASHLEY FULLER- A daughter of Karen and NASCAR WMT champ Jerry Marquis of Enfield, CT.
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