Some Things to Ponder
I spent some time this week helping out at a midget driving school and also with the NEMA family as the remembered a couple that meant so much to Midget Racing, Gene and Marilyn Angelillo. I also met some Vintage Midget drivers, one I wanted to share with you. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I had just arrived at the credential booth with Ray when a lady tapped me on the shoulder to thank us for publishing the Racer’s Bible. She shared that she had received a copy as a gift and was thrilled. She showed it to her husband and now he is reading it. She introduced herself to us, Dottie Mann. He husband is, among other things, two-time NEMA champ Johnny Mann.
We talked with Johnny as we looked at one of the vintage midgets on display near the celebration tent set up for NEMA at Waterford. He was there to compete in the Vintage race, compete at the age of 83. From the smile on his face you would have thought this was his first and he was excited to get out there. He shared his memories of the glory days, the smile never left his face. He truly had found joy and contentment. He, along with his wife Dottie, has seen many a race day and many a track but based on the look he had on his face they were all like the first time.
As I thought about all the places and experiences they shared I wondered how much he had learned. I wondered; had they found the secret? Have they found peace? There is a verse in Scripture that came to mind;
Romans12:2; Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Somewhere they had found God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. Their attitude was in direct contrast to the ones I observed later in the pits. Their minds were not set on Earthly things, but on things above.
We all need to do a little transformation. We all need to think a little differently. With that in mind I thought we would have a little fun this week. I received an email titled “Reflections from the Seat of My Tractor.” Read them, reflect on them, smile and laugh, it is good for the soul.
“The best sermons are lived, not preached.”
“Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.”
“Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.”
“Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.”
“Words that soak into your ears are whispered…….not yelled.”
“If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.”
“The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.”
“A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.”
“Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.”
“You cannot unsay a cruel word.”
“Every path has a few puddles.”
“Most of the stuff people worry about, ain’t never gonna happen anyway.”
“Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
“Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.”
“Always drink upstream from the herd.”
“Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.”
“If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.”
“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.”
“Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.”
“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.”
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WEEKEND TRIPLE HEADER AND THEN SOME – I spent a whirlwind weekend traveling around the state taking in whatever racing action there was to see. I am thankful to live centrally located to the three circle tracks in Connecticut. It provided for some great opportunities to get out and meet some folks last weekend. As you know I took some time off for vacation last week, we had a wonderful time, thanks. This week was full throttle.
Thursday found me on my way to Thompson as they wind down the weekly racing season. They are still struggling to get the car counts up, it has been a tough year for them. Thursday night went pretty well with Danny Cates taking down a thrilling Sunoco Modified Victory.
Then it was off to Waterford for driving school. No, I did not have to go back for a refresher course; I was helping out The First Turn Midget Driving Experience, http://www.theracedepot.com/The_First_Turn_Midget_Driving_Experience.htm and the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation, http://www.shanehammondfoundation.org/ as they held a Midget Driving School for two days at the Waterford Speedbowl.
It is a wonderful event that gets potential drivers in the cars and on the track. It is also a great tool for parents to see how their youngsters are progressing along in the development of their racing skills. Bobby Seymour is an excellent teacher and the entire crew put on a great experience.
The plus to all of this is that the proceeds go to help the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation. Shane’s mom, Deb started the foundation to help drivers learn how to be safe and to have the proper safety equipment. The foundation assists those who need help in buying the proper safety equipment.
The event was a complete success, 15+ students/drivers experienced the thrill of driving a midget, received some expert guidance and had a wonderful time. I also was able to take a few laps and had a wonderful time. Thanks to all who participated and made this vent a success.
Now it was off to Stafford for the Modified Racing Series Shark Cycle 100. This proved to be a race that many put on their calendar, as the field was full with a few whose cars didn’t make the show. In the end TC ran away with the victory followed by Ronnie Silk, Rowan Pennink, Jeff
Malave and Chris Pasteryak. I think they will be back.
Saturday morning I headed back to Waterford to finish up the second day of the school and to be with the NEMA family as they remembered Gene and Marilyn Angelillo with a memorial race and dinner.
As fate would have it Russ Stoehr mad a late race pass and came home with the victory in Dumo’s Desire, the car Gene and Marilyn had fielded for over 30 years. Daughter Laura Kibbe now leads the team and this was a fitting end to a wonderful remembrance of Gene and Marilyn.
We are off to NHMS this week as both tours are in action, but I will be getting my road work done. Don’t be surprised to see me at Thompson and Stafford. I leave you with this bumper sticker I saw while traveling on the road;
“Organization is for those who are too lazy to look for there stuff.”
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/store. 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 17
DICK & JUDY WIBBELSMAN- Gainesville, FL RWJM Advisor and Counselor wife share their 43rd anniversary.
BOB & CAROL PRATT- The brother of dirt Mod driver Richie Pratt and wife share their 33rd anniversary.
September 19
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 40th anniversary. September 21 SONNY & AMY STRUPP- Grandparents of Bill Darcy of Darcy Racing and the #24 Micro-Sprint celebrate 63 years together.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 15
BILL WILSON- Fuquay Varina, NC Dash Series driver.
VENETTA NARDUCCI- Wife of Greg, WMT fan.
RONNIE MILLER III- Son of Camp Hill, PA Susky fans Ron and Arleen.
September 16
BOB BRUNNELL- Peru, NY NASCAR KNPSE semi-retired driver/ team owner.
TOMMY CLOCE- Canton, NY NASCAR WMT/NASCAR KNPSE driver, son of well-known team owner, Ed.
TIM ZOCK- Youngsville, PA NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BILL DUGGAN- Belmont, NH LM driver.
DARREN BRASSFIELD- Los Galos, CA IMSA GT driver.
JOE BRADY- Stoughton, MA legendary #00 NASCAR WMT team owner.
TARA MENSCHNER- Daughter of Wall Chaplain Bob Menschner.
September 17
PAT SPENCER- Wife of driver/TV personality, Jimmy.
DENNIS SAVAGE- Lisbon, CT Producer/Host of TV’s “God’s Masterpiece.”
DEREK FELTENBERGER- The son of Grandview/ Big Diamond flagger/ photographer Mike and wife Mena.
September 18
BORIS SAID III- Carlsbad, CA NASCAR CWTS/NNS/NSC driver.
LOU CICCONI, JR.- The famous Aston, PA ARDC and more Midget driver.
FRANK JASHEMBOWSKI- Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway dirt Modified driver.
LARRY VASSAR- Southington, CT ProStock team owner.
HAROLD BURDICK- Danielson, CT go-kart driver/owner and Stafford Motor Speedway announcing team member.
STEVE RUBIN- Owner of the New Thompson Speedway excellent food concessions from Needham, MA.
HENRY ST. JOHN- Proprietor of Jewett City Service in CT.
SHARON OKULA- Wife of Wayne, Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and Charger Driver for #67 -Riverhead Raceway
September 19
BRUNO BRACKEY- the original ‘Flying Mailman’, who has more wins on Long Island than any other driver,turns 90. Bruno was driving Legends cars throughout the Western Tier of New York well into his 70s.
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 KNPSE 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 KNPSE driver.
SCOTT NEWELL- East Windsor Speedway Modified driver.
LANCE NORICK- Oklahoma City, OK NASCAR CWTS driver.
SCOTT WEAVER- Shelby, NC Dash Series driver.
KYLE GRISSOM- A son of NASCAR driver Steve and wife Susan from Gadsen,AL.
September 21
RICHARD CHILDRESS- Welcome, NC famous KNPSE/CWTS/NNS/NSC team owner.
ARIE LUYENDYK- Holland born, Scottsdale, AZ infamous IRL retired driver, now TV commentator.
STEVE HODDICK- Cheektowaga, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
CURTIS MARKHAM- Fredericksburg, VA NNS/NSC driver.
GARY IULG- Retired Upstate NY driving great.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
ERIC SAUNDERS- Son of Hoosier Tire’s Irish Saunders had a motocross accident and is in the hospital in Indianapolis. He has some medical issues and is in need of our thoughts and prayer. As soon as I get an address to send cars and letters I will forward it along. Please keep Eric and his entire family in your prayers.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM