Being Thankful
This time of year brings back some memories for me. I remember those who I am thankful for. Take a look around are there people you are thankful for? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
November brings us the celebration of Thanksgiving. We also begin the celebration of the past season with banquets that honor our champions. Who are some of the people you are thankful for during the racing season? Volunteer crew members come to mind, the folks that gave so much of their time to help others race.
I think of a friend and fellow chaplain, Rick Satkowski. Last year about this time we attended the Stafford Motor Speedway Banquet together. He did the blessing that night remembering everyone who contributed to making the season a success. He also thanked God for a safe racing season. As Rick and I drove home that night we reminisced about the trips we had taken together, seminary classes and our time with Racing with Jesus Ministries.
A few days later Rick went home to be with the Lord. We need to remember that our time here is short. Don’t take for granted the help and sacrifice of others; especially those who do it for free.
Sometimes in life we don’t know where things will lead. Rick did a favor for someone and one thing led to another and we ended up in the garage at New Hampshire. There we met Brother Pat and he invited us to come along and participate in Chapel. The rest as they say is history.
I remember the first night we sat in the pace car at Thompson Speedway. As we led the Whelen Modified Tour through the parade laps we were like kids in the candy store. God really means it when He says He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams. Rick and I felt blessed that night and every time we were allowed to minister to those who race. We knew this was where God needed us to be.
I know God has a plan and reason for everything. He used Rick’s willingness to serve others as the door of opportunity to get us involved. God then used me to step up to the plate when Brother Pat got sick. I am where I am today because of God’s plan and the willingness of others to be used by Him.
I am thankful for having a true friend like Rick. Our relationship was ordained by God and God had his hand on it. I will miss him. There will always be an empty place next to me in the pace car for Rick.
Philippians 1:3-6, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Remembering those who make what we do possible is an act of worship. When we honor those who follow God’s call, we honor God. Know that God will not leave anything undone, He will complete it.
Make an effort these coming weeks to say thanks to those who serve you. Make it a point to let those people know how much they mean to you. Remember all those who have given so much for you.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
JOHN BLEWETT III MEMORIAL NORTH SOUTH SHOOTOUT- Has it really been seven years? Dan and I missed the first event but have made each one since. As Dan and I paced the field in the RWJM Pace Car we reminisced about how far we had come. We are always welcomed with open arms in Concord and made to feel right at home. Thanks to everyone at C & C and Concord Motorsports Park for their hospitality.
This year we drove to Concord with the newly wrapped Dodge Pace Car; the unique feature of the new wrap is the commemorative hood. On the hood are the faces and names of those that have been lost recently to the racing community. Thanks to Chris Zacharias for the inspiration and perspiration behind the theme.
Two of those remembered had a history at the NSS, John Blewett III was the inaugural winner and first repeat champion, winning the second year also. Because of his connections with the event the name was updated to remember him.
Brian Pack was a southern modified driver who enjoyed competing at Concord not only with the other drivers but along side his dad Gene. It was a special moment as Gene and his wife came over and took some time to reflect.
The hood was meant to honor those who contributed to our love of racing. Others on the hood include Stub Fadden, Tom Baldwin Sr. and Shane Hammond, all loved the sport of auto racing. The hood proved to be popular during the pit party as we were able to help some folks remember those they loved to see compete. The car will also be on display at Motorsports 2010 in the Racing with Jesus Ministries Booth.
Before the invocation I was asked to speak to those assembled about the tragedy at Fort Hood. The civilian police officer who shot the gunman and one of the soldiers who died were from the local Charlotte area. Please allow me to reiterate, we need to start standing up for something or the freedom we enjoy will be taken away. Please don’t think someone else will, do it yourself. If you want America to return to its past glory we all need to make our feelings known. I thank God for the country he gave us.
SPEAKING OF GIVING THANKS- A few weeks ago Shane’s mom with the help of Bobby Seymour and others held the first driving school connected with Shane’s foundation at Waterford Speedbowl. She sends her thanks.
How do I begin to thank Bobby Seymour of Race Depot and First Turn Racing, Terry Eames of Waterford Speedbowl and Tom Fox the Director of Operations at Waterford who hung with us all day. HOW? How do I thank all the volunteers who made the day possible, not only possible but made it an AMAZING day and to operate as smoothly as it did? How do I thank Norm Marx with all his photo taking so we all have memories of the day?
This is where I begin; posting it on the internet. I don’t have everyone’s names, addresses or emails. What I can say is that as a mom, a promoter of the event I was humbled by the thanks, the smiles and the way to go attitudes that surrounded me. I can’t begin to thank everyone, especially the drivers that committed to coming and actually showed. Many with no deposits required, (heck) we barely had time to pull it together.
I am pleased to say this will be an annual event and if possible we will do it more often, perhaps Spring and Fall. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Lastly as my son Anthony strapped me into the Mikitarian #9 with me in his( Shanes) suit & helmet and, embracing Shane’s racing gloves, I entered the track and someone else took over. I just drove like, I knew what to do, it was incredible. Don’t ever drive faster than your angel can fly…..but my angel is a speed demon and I came off the track with a new appreciation of life, speed, racing & love.
God Bless all of you.
Deb Marvuglio
Shane’s mom
Shane Hammond Believe Foundation
Fr. DAN NEEDS OUR PRAYERS- Fr. Dan Bitsko, former Riverhead Chaplain recently had a serious stroke directly after he accepted an award from the Smithtown Historical Society. Father Dan was taken to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown for treatment. He was operated on and in critical condition for many days. Friday, Father Dan was awake and recognized those around him. He is ready to enter the long and difficult road to recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.
BACK TO CONCORD- Rev. Dan and his wife Deb will make the return trip to Concord this weekend and represent RWJM at the combined Touring Series Banquet. I am sure he will have a full report for us next 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***
November 11
MIKE & JULIE STEFANIK- The West Greenwich, RI multi-time NASCAR WMT, including 2006, and NASCAR CWES champion and wife/GM of Koszela Speed Warehouse share their 25th anniversary.
FRANKIE AND BOBBIE SCHNEIDER- The Old Master and his wife celebrate 21 years together.
November 15
DON & ROBIN LaHUE- This Vermont couple, he a driver at NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park, have their 32nd anniversary.
November 16
BILL III & JANET BRICE- This racing official and wife (aka Mother Goose) have their 17th anniversary.
JERRY & LINDA VENNE- This Bow, NH media person and wife have their 39th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 11
BOB POLVERARI- Riverside Park Speedway multi-time Modified champion, retired NASCAR Modified Tour and TVMOD hotshoe.
BRIAN WEBBER- Long Island NASCAR CWES driver.
BARRY BODINE- CTS driving son of Geoff.
ROY PAYNE- Alvin, TX ARCA driver.
GEORGE SAVARY- Retired Massachusetts former Modified driver, and top Mini Modified threat.
MIKE RYAN- Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES crewman, brother of photographer Gracie Ryan.
BOBBY CAVALLERO- Farmingdale, NJ Wall Township Speedway and Sprint Cup fan turns 11.
November 12
JOHN ANDERSON- Southington, CT retired Mod driver.
RYAN OLSEN- Son of No. Haverhill, NH CWES Owner Mike and wife Vicki is 11.
November 13
KENNY TREMONT, JR.- West Sand Lake, NY Lebanon Valley Speedway based Modified driver.
TRACY GORDON- Strong, ME CWES driver.
RICK MILLER- Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Mod driver.
RENE CHARLAND- “Da’ Champ”, retired four time NASCAR Sportsman champion and dad of Fonda driver Rick.
TOMMY PORTER, JR.- Savannah, GA All Pro driver.
LOUIE MAIETTA- Brother of multi-time Beech Ridge LM champion Mike, Sr.
ROGER SAVLUK- Lisbon, CT Savluk’s Service partner.
November 14
DAN MESERVEY, JR.- West Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
CHRIS CARLSON- Modified crewman from Danbury, CT.
LEE HENDRICKSON- Former Mod driver/owner dad of Lawrenceville, NJ Wall Township Speedway Modified driver Wade.
BENTO WILLIAMS- Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Lee Greenwood’s great nephew is 19.
JIM YOUNG- The proprietor of www.RACESONGS.com and the writer of all those famous theme songs for tracks and drivers and divisions, including Racing with Jesus Ministries.
November 15
JOE BERTOTHY- Joe has helped many a racer with by giving of his time and financial support, but he has also helped many come to know Christ as their Savior. Thanks for your special gifts to the racing family, enjoy your special day.
DICK THOMPSON- Martinsville Speedway VP of Public Relations.
JAMIE MILLS- Milford, DE Bridgeport Speedway Modified driver.
TIM MANGUS- Tioga Speedway based NASCAR WMT driver.
STEPHANIE BAKER- Daughter of Baker Carburetion’s Steve and Sue.
DELORIS & ELISABETH HOPE MINTER- The wife and daughter of Martinsville, Va WODY Gospel Radio’s “Uncle” Wendell.
LAUREN GEORGIADES- Daughter of Steve, Crew Chief for brother Bobby’s CT Mod turns 16.
JEFFREY MAHER- East Windsor fan “Chipper” turns 17.
November 16
TERRY LABONTE- Corpus Christe, TX Retired Hendricks NSC driver.
MIKE GROFF- Los Angeles, CA IRL driver.
ROBERTO GUERRERO- San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
BO GUNNING- Bethlehem, CT Former WAARS Modified driver and ’98 and ’02 Stafford champion.
FRED DUMACHOWSKI- Neshanic Station, NJ East Windsor, NJ Modified driver.
PHILIP SMITH- NC Modified driver.
GEORGE KENT- Horseheads, NY Modified asphalt driver.
PHIL BARIL- NH ProStock driver.
BOB SCHERER- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
RAY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME retired LM great driver and proud father of driver Billy.
CORINE SCHAFFER- Grandview Speedway Mod driver Rick and wife Donna’s daughter is 19.
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