Believe
We are inspired by the people we come in contact with in our lives. Many have inspired us by overcoming tremendous difficulties to persevere and make a difference. Think of some of the people that have inspired you to continue giving everything you have for the benefit of someone else. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you know this past weekend we participated in the Shane Hammond Memorial at Waterford Speedbowl. The NEMA family took the opportunity to honor the life Shane lived and the inspiration he provided for many.
Shane worked hard and struggled to climb the racing ladder. He also faced many personal issues along the way. You wouldn’t know it to see the smile on his face. Everyday for Shane was a victory. He didn’t look forward to tomorrow, he was just fine with today and the opportunity he had.
Shane’s mom, Deb Marvuglio, shared in an article for FlatOut by Chris Romano, about the fateful day when at 15 Shane needed emergency surgery for a brain and spinal tumor.
“There was no guarantee he’d have the use of his arms, legs, respiratory system. So we made a pact before he went into surgery that when he came out I’d ask him to wiggle his toes. And when he came out he was able to that and we both cried.”
Shane’s struggle to race didn’t end that day it had just begun, the physical therapy, the exercises, the pain, Shane didn’t give up his fight to live as normal a life as possible. His motivation to race carried him through those challenging days. He felt he needed to do the everyday things, school, work, or no one would let him race.
Deb shares about those days, “He fought everyday of his life through pain. For seven years we tried everything…. And he never gave up.”
“He is my inspiration. As a mother, you see your son in pain every day of his life, it wears you down, don’t get me wrong. It was tough and that’s why I have to walk the walk I’m walking now because I watched him walk it. I know he’d be disappointed if I didn’t say I can get through this and I can turn something negative into something positive because that’s what he did with his life. He never complained. There were people for years that stood side by side with Shane and never knew he had surgery, never knew he had a deficit.”
Shane set a tremendous example for us to follow. He showed us that life is to be lived, not on the sidelines but in the race. I am reminded of that passage in Hebrews that has provided so much encouragement to me;
Hebrews 12:1-3;(new living translation) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Shane inspired his mom to persevere even when the odds are against you. His inspiration gives her the strength she needs to face each day. Some ask how she can continue in racing and working so closely with the sport. She does it because of what she learned after Shane’s accident. She has now championed an effort to educate and equip racers with the necessary understanding and equipment to be as safe as possible out on the track. You can help through the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation (www.shanehammond.org)
I leave you with this thought as we think about those who have inspired us to live our life in such a way as to reach out to others. As we remember those who have provided for our needs. As we remember those who have helped mold us into the people we are. Don’t just walk through life when you can fly!
ISAIAH 40:30, (NIV) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT- Two brave men of God; much like Moses and Aaron, plodded through the wilderness of the Merritt Parkway Wednesday evening. Dan coming from the South and Ray driving from the North with his praying navigator wife, Sandi. Even as sheeting rain and gusting tornado winds pounded our cars, dodging fallen and falling tree limbs, we made our rendezvous in Westport and the great RWJM car exchange.
Dan only made it onto the Parkway a couple exits and was at a dead stop while fallen tree limbs were cleared away to make one driving lane open at least. As I eventually headed North with the Pace Car, I stayed in the passing lane just in case another tree decided to shed its limbs!
Praise God, the mission, though in jeopardy at times, was accomplished and hopefully it won’t be a rain out Saturday night for the Shane Hammond memorial race.
Rev. Ray
SHANE HAMMOND MEMORIAL CHASES THE RAIN AWAY- Despite the weather’s best effort to flood the place, the crew at Waterford did a tremendous job getting the facility ready to run. A great big thank you goes out to Tom Fox and his crew.
With both the NEMA lites and NEMS Midgets in attendance the entire NEMA family was on hand to remember Shane and remember the inspiration his smile brought to them. In a gesture that won’t soon be forgotten Matt O’Brian retired his old helmet and had each driver in attendance sign it. He presented it to Shane’s mom during the driver’s meeting so that it would be a reminder of this special night.
Matt spoke of the admiration he had for Deb and her ability to go on despite the loss. He spoke from the perspective of both a racer and a parent. His heartfelt comments and gesture made this night even more special and helped us, a family, remembered the boy who thought he could fly.
Russ Stoehr brought home the emotional victory for Dumo’s Desire, a victory that, in itself, was a victory for the memory of Gene and Marilyn but with the added significance of being the first annual Shane Hammond Memorial made even more celebrated.
The night wouldn’t be complete without Randy Cabral, Shane’s best friend, in Victory Lane, as he brought home the victory in the NEMA Lites. This was also the first visit to Victory Lane for car owner Paul Scally. A memorial night to be remembered!
REV. SCOTT REPORTS IN FROM THE RICKY MILLER MEMORIAL- Well I thought it couldn’t get any better with the Modified Racing Series after 3 great races in a row but boy was I wrong. Saturday nights show at Canaan Fairgrounds in New Hampshire was worth an ESPN Classic nomination. Once again the MRS had a good field of 28 cars trying to qualify for the 100 lap Ricky Miller Memorial race. The fans came out in droves to give there support to the Miller family and Northeast modified racing.
There was great racing the entire night and Eric Goodale was the class of the show but with 11 to go the caution waved and you knew it was going to be an exciting finish. Holdridge started on the outside and Dwight Jarvis and Jon McKennedy were in the second row. With 9 to go Jarvis got around Holdridge to set up some of the best and cleanest racing I have seen all year. Jarvis did everything he could to get by Goodale but just couldn’t pass him. On the last lap coming out of 4 they were door handle to door handle with Eric Goodale winning the closest finish in MRS history for his first win.
This week the MRS will have a much needed off weekend so I will be making the trip to Riverhead for the Whelen Modified Tour. Make sure to make your way to Beech Ridge the following Saturday and you will see that Modified racing is still the best racing in the world.
DOUBLE HEADER THIS WEEKEND- We will be making the rounds this weekend as the K&N Pro Series returns to run at one of the favorite haunts of the old Busch North Series, Lee Speedway. It will be interesting to see how some of these teams tackle this classic bull ring.
Then it is off to another bull ring, Riverhead, for the Whelen Modified Tour. This trip is made even more special when you consider what the fans have done to increase the incentive for teams to come to the Island. LI Maniac has been in the purse raising business for a couple of years now and this year he has continued that effort. I am told there will even be some tow money for non-qualifiers.
Make the double header a family adventure and plan on joining us.
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***
August 2
PAUL & ROSE TEETER- From Ithaca, NY, this NY Antique Race Car enthusiasts have their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 28
REGGIE RUGGIERO- Berlin, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, JR.- Massachusetts ProStock driver.
SAMANTHA JARRETT- Holyoke, MA photographer Gracie Ryan’s grandaughter.
JESSICA LARSEN- A daughter of Linda and Joe, NASCAR Mod Series official.
July 29
PHIL KURZE- Director of WHELEN MOTORSPORTS, sponsor of the WMT,WSMT and WAAS, a big fan of modified racing.
ROB OVERTON- Olivebridge, NY Eastern Limited Sprint Series driver.
PETE ORR- Miami, Fl NNS team owner, former driver.
REV.DON RIVERS- RWJM President and Pastor of WMT.
July 30
MICKEY YORK- Asheboro, NC NASCAR driver.
PENNY DEGRE- Whitinsville, MA NASCAR KNPSE writer.
TYLER WILSON- Son of James and Janai Wilson, Grandson of Wall Chaplain Bob Menschner.
July 31
BILLY RUSSELL- Hudson, NH long-time crewman on the Dion Bros. NASCAR KNPSE team with driver Dave Dion.
TAMMY O’BRIEN- Boyertown, PA crewman for the Grandview Late Model X4 driven by Lou Egrie.
SONYA CLAY- The lady who heads up the Dale JR Pit Board Charity out in Gustine, CA. Visit the site at www.dalejrpitboardcharity.com August 1
BOB KESELOWSKI- Rochester, MI NSCS & NNS driver.
ALAN CHAPMAN- Elmira, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
FIL MARTOCCI- NSC’s FiLmar Racing Team owner.
GLORIA HANNA- Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fan.
LISA ROMANO- This lady is in Appomattax, VA, the sister of Laura Dennis and another huge Jamie Tomaion WMT fan.
CONNOR McELEARNEY- The son of Riverhead LM driver Paul and wife Michelle of Commack, NY IS 10.
JIM BARNES- This Long Island Kyle Busch fan celebrates his big day.
August 2
ROBIN LaHUE- Wife of Northfield, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) driver, Don.
JOHN FITZGERALD- Happy 5th to this son of Riverhead Enduro and demo regular Terrence and Christine.
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 is 9.
BRENDA VENTH- Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George Venth is 10.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
SPARKY- A young 600 Micro driver who had a bad crach down in Hamlin, PA. He is making progress in his recovery but needs our prayers. Please lift him and his family up.
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