Truly Inspirational
It was with mixed emotions that I received the news this past week that Warren Kluthau went home to be with the Lord. I was glad he was home, without pain and suffering, but I was saddened to know I would have to wait a while to talk with him again. Through the years Warren has always been close to RWJM and during the time he battled for his life he came to know the grace of God. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I remember the day Warren called with the news that he was facing a terminal illness. In life we all are certain of one thing, death. But we would like to see it come when we have lived a full life. That is not always the case. Warren shared with me his plan was to beat the odds, he would fight with everything he had.
He spent days in a come only to come out and live again. With the new lease he had been given he thanked God and vowed to proclaim His glory. During one call he asked if he could ride in the RWJM pace car at the Turkey Derby. I said yes and you could see the smile through the phone.
Wall Stadium honored Warren that day and I felt especially honored that I could drive him around the track as he waved to the fans. Warren had been so much a part of the fabric of Wall Stadium, it was good to see them give him something back.
The next year Warren upped the ante, if he could come to the Turkey Derby he wanted to drive the RWJM pace car. No problem, the keys ate yours. He fulfilled that wish also.
Warren shared on many occasions how much Rev. Pat and Racing with Jesus Ministries meant to him. He talked of how it helped him find his way in life. Of how he was able to come to a place of peace, peace with himself and peace with God. He thanked us many times for being there and lifting him up in prayer. During the most challenging time of his life he was the strongest in his witness, he was truly inspirational.
I am reminded of Paul’s conversation with God about the thorn in his side. He asked God to remove it. God responded;
2 Corinthians 12:9; But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That was Warren in a nutshell. Warren continued to get stronger and boast even more of the power of God. He wanted everyone to know that he had died but God gave him back his life. He wanted everyone to know that he was now committed to tell anyone who would listen the good news, Jesus saves.
I will see Warren again. It is comforting to know that he has been reunited with his good friend Rev. Pat and I am sure they are doing some laps in the pace car.
To Warren’s family and friends, thank you for allowing us to be a part of his life. He was an encouragement to me. Whenever the phone rang and it was Warren on the other line I knew that he was going to lift me up with his spirit. I will see you again one day my friend. God Bless.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
NHMS AND THEN SOME – The focus of the oval racing world this past week was at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and we were honored to be a part of it. God had plans for us and we enjoyed the tremendous hospitality of the speedway. Thank you.
Personally I am thankful for a great crew, they made it possible for me to do a little extra traveling this weekend. Dan, Scott, Gary and Derrick made it possible for James Standley, Design 500, and myself to rack up as many miles as we could on a rental car in one weekend.
The plan was NHMS, Thompson, NHMS, Stafford, NHMS, Boston. Weather played a roll Thursday night and Thompson pulled the plug early. No mater we still made the trip south as we were prepared to do, we just did it at a much more leisurely pace.
I didn’t realize Thursday night was such a big dinner night, we figured we should head south for dinner and waited until we were in Massachusetts to stop and eat. We stopped at four different places and drove by several more only to find a wait at each one. We gave up and finished the ride home. My wife prepared some good home cooking and it was great to sleep in my own bed.
Headed back on Friday with overcast skies and falling rain, but when we got to the track things were already hopping. We had the K&N Chapel, Dan, Gary and Derrick handled the race and James and I headed back south to Stafford arriving just before the features were run.
We met up with Scott and Ben who do an excellent job at Stafford each week. As you know Phil Satkowski is down with some medical issues and Ben has stepped up to the plate and is filling in for him. Please keep Phil in your prayers, if you would like to send him a note of encouragement I am sure he would love to hear from you. His address is, 192 Brimfield Rd, Holland, MA 01521.
With that accomplished it was time for some sleep and an early wakeup call. With WMT practice on the track at 8:00 we needed to leave before the sun made an appearance. We made it, a few minutes late but the practice session was delayed so the mods hadn’t gone out yet. God is good.
We had chapel, I brought the invocation and then I had to do a little road work of my own to do. As Ryan Newman ran, yes ran, no golf cart here, from the cup garage to take his spot on the starting grid I ran along side, took his hand and prayed with him. Dan was also waiting for him when he arrived at his car. We do our best to make sure everyone is covered in prayer before they head out to race.
With the WMT race in the books it was off to Logan so James could catch a flight back to the west coast. He dropped me off in Nashua where my wife and I headed out to do some camping. From the sound of revving engines to the silence of a pine forest, two very different extremes. I’ll have some comments on some of the things I observed for you next week, for know have a great week.
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. 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” 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***
September 22
JOSEPH & JUTTA ARENA- This Kensington, CT Riverside Park Speedway couple have their 18th anniversary.
September 24
JIM & MARIE BARNES- These Long Island race fans celebrate 23 years together.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY- This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway couple have their 37th anniversary.
September 27
BRAD & LINDA HIETALA- The proprietor of Reliable Welding in Enfield, CT / Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Mod driver and wife have their anniversary.
JEFF & JENNIFER PEARL- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver from Colchester, CT and wife share their 11th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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 NNS driver.
COREY LaJOIE- Son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating founder/owner and NNS driver Randy and wife Lisa is now driving in the CWES.
ROB BRANNON- Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist for Christian Rock group “WARFARE”.
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN- Crew Chief for the former NASCAR CWES team driven by Kelly Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH- NNS crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil NNS Team manager Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA- Tom’s River, NJ Quarter Midget driver.
September 26
JOE NEMECHEK- Lakeland, FL Sprint Cup driver.
PAUL DURANT- Manteca, CA IRL driver.
LINDA AUSTIN- Fromer scorer for the NASCAR CWES #5 team owned by Barney McRae.
SHERI FULLER- Wife of No. Boylston, MA former NASCAR WMT team owner, Bobby, one of the famous Fuller racing brothers.
CLAY PURVIS- Son of Clarksville, TN NNS driver Jeff and wife Susan. MARY BETH WIBBELSMAN- The grown-up daughter of RWJM Advisor Dick and Counselor wife Judy of Gainesville, FL.
September 27
WARREN ALSTON- A friend of RWJM, NASCAR Official and Christian brother.
BERT MARVIN- Colchester, CT Modified driver.
DAN ORBST- Potland, OR NASCAR West driver. BRUCE TAYLOR- Seekonk, MA NASCAR WMT and ProStock driver.
JOE TRUDEAU- Chaplin, CT retired Modified driver.
DOREEN COLSON- Wife of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran.
JUSTIN CUSACK- Son of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway President Glenn.
KRISTEN MONTVILLE- The daughter of Solhem Racing NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT crewman Chuck.
PAM KRAUSE- The wife of AARN’s Assistant to the Editor/ Columnist, Earl.
September 28
KIM BAKER- Road Racer, part-time NASCAR CWES driver from Springfield, MA.
JACKIE ARUTE- The President of Stafford Motor Speedway and TV Sports announcer.
TYLER LEWIS- The son of Holland Speedway Charger Driver Mark and brother of Mark’s Crew chief son Christopher.
September 29
PAUL RADFORD- The legendary “Ferrum Flash” Modified and LMSC driver from Ferrum, VA.
TIFFANY BRODERICK- The youngest daughter of Brookfield, CT NASCAR Modified driver Jim and Debbie.
BRENDA BLAIN- Wife of South Killingly, CT ProStock driver David.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
MICHAEL PARES UPDATE- I received this update on Michael’s condition from his wife Carol and wanted to pass it along. Michael went to the surgeon Monday and the infection doctor Tuesday, both said legs look good. They were very impressed. He doesn’t need dressing on the legs anymore only an ace bandage. Still 6-8 more weeks before he can put any weight on them. The infection doctor said the IV infusions (antibiotic) is until Oct. 4 and the antibiotic pill until Nov. 9. As of now after the antibiotics are done they have to wait 3 months to see if the infection comes back, if it does he’ll need surgery on that leg, if it doesn’t then he’s clear.
The Pares family does have some needs, if the Lord leads you to help please contact us and we will be able to let you know how best to help. They are very appreciative of all prayers and support of the racing family. Continue to lift them up in prayer.