At Caraway Speedway Again...

This past weekend we were back at Caraway Speedway for the fourth race on the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour schedule.

It was a bizarre weekend for weather, we encountered sun, clouds, thunderstorms, rain, hail, sleet, and snow...ranging from almost 70 degrees down to 30 degrees. What a weekend for our rental car to be a convertible, eh? Oh well!

We headed east on Friday afternoon, getting into Greensboro, NC right around midnight. The pit gates were not opening until after lunch on Saturday, so we had some time on Saturday morning to 'goof around' and rest up from the drive.

We made our way to the racetrack just after 2:00pm on Saturday. This gave us about two hours before the NWSMT practice started to post devotionals at everyone’s haulers and 'hang out' with everyone prior to cars hitting the track. This weeks devotional hit on Matthew 6:25-34. If anyone is ever interested in reading these letters drop me a note and I will forward them on to you to check out.

Immediately after practice we headed to the drivers meeting. We are continually made to feel welcome with the series at each meeting, and closed it in prayer after the series director finished his deal. After the drivers meeting everyone headed back to their cars to put fresh rubber on them and roll them over the scales. We found ourselves in a few more conversations.

I was also asked again by the track announcer at Caraway Speedway to present the Invocation. This is the third time in the past two years I have been invited by them to pray prior to the race and I gladly obliged. After I finished praying with all of the NWSMT drivers on the starting grid Michelle and I headed up to the announcers tower for the pre-race invocation.

Prior to praying, the announcer asked me to share a few words about what Motor Racing Outreach is all about. Of course I was pleased with the opportunity, and as I finished sharing my 'elevator story synopsis' I invited all of the fans to stand as we went to God in prayer.

Unfortunately, following the invocation, the racing never got underway. What was at one point a light mist turned into a heavy downpour, leading to the cancellation of the race. Bummer!

The race has been rescheduled, however due to many numerous commitments that we cannot break on the rain date, we will be unable to make the rescheduled event. Our only reprieve in knowing we will miss the race is knowing that the 'bulk' of our day is spent before race-time, and the rain-date will be just the race. It is still very difficult to miss the event.

Our next scheduled race with the NWSMT is again at Caraway Speedway in July. Next weekend we will be at the Season Opener at the Music City Motorplex at the TN Fairgrounds. (Their season opener was also rained out last weekend!!).

Greenville-Pickens Speedway...

This weekend we were at stop 3 with the NWSMT in Greenville, SC. This was a tough weekend for us for several reasons. Being that this was our third straight weekend out of town, our energy tank is begining to run low...and the bitter cold weather that pushed through this weekend didn't help things much. Thankfully we found ourselves in a relaxing hotel in the quaint downtown Greenville area. We were able to 'slow down' when we got in town Friday and enjoy ourselves for a bit before we hit the track on Saturday. Not that being at the racetrack isn't enjoyable for us...it was just a nice change of pace for a day!

We arrived at the racetrack shortly before 2:00 on Saturday and proceeded to post devotionals on all of the teams haulers with the help of Michelle. The walk down the line of rigs took a little longer than normal, as more and more conversations are developing through this. I always enjoy writing, and it is encouraging to know I can use this 'gift' for such a purpose. One really cool conversation was a direct result of this...you'll have to take my word for it!

The cold seemed to keep everyone 'hiding for warmth' throughout the day (at least it did us!) That being the case we weren't out and about as much as we normally are, but we still managed to find ourselves in some really good conversations with people. I wish I could tell you more about these 'conversations', but I feel it would be best to just stick with the broad term...but trust me they are worthwhile!

Following the drivers meeting we closed in prayer, and the drivers all found there way to their cars to prepare for qualifying. We sat by the scales as the cars rolled through tech, and noticed that several cars are now sporting the "Motor Racing Outreach" decals that we handed out in Nashville last week. One driver even brought a different car to Greenville, and asked for a few more stickers to put on his other car.

Prior to the race I made my way down the grid praying with each driver before their race. I really love this time to get to pray individually with each team, it is a very intimate time to get alone with God for just a few moments before they strap into their cars. More and more crews are beginging to warm up to me praying on the grid as well, as they gather around and pause while I pray.

It was kind of wierd being out of Church on Easter Sunday to drive home from our trip...but I can't help but think that Jesus would rather us be doing such a thing. We did have 'church' on our way home in the car. It doesn't matter 'where' we worship...does it?

Michelle, isn't she wonderful...

I just have to say, my wife Michelle is great!!

She attends every race with me and stays involved in our ministry...because she wants to.
She takes care of our house for us while I work on other things...because she wants to.
She helps proof read everything I type...because she wants to.
She encourages me and my dreams...because she wants to.
She loves me REGARDLESS of what I may do...because she wants to.

She doesn't complain.
She doesn't whine.
She doesn't dread.
She doesn't fight.

She just loves.
She just supports.
She just encourages.
She just does.

So I just have to say my wife Michelle is the best, no one makes her spend all of her time at the racetrack with me, she just does it because she wants to. How great is she!?! I love her!

(((if there are any typos in this, it is because she didn't know I was posting this!)))

NASCAR Modifieds in Nashville...

Music City was the backdrop for our second race of the season with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. It was a two day event with practice and qualifying on Saturday and the race falling on Sunday. The ASA Latemodels and CRA Latemodels were also finding their place in Nashville for the weekend as well.

When we arrived at the track Saturday afternoon we immediately began hanging our devotional letters on all of the teams haulers...we wanted to get them posted prior to all of the teams heading up to pit road for practice since we only had a brief window before practice began.

Once practice got underway we hooked up with a friend of ours from Louisville, KY who we met at the MROA conference in Charlotte earlier this year. He was in town with a CRA team that was racing this weekend, so we spent some time in their teams rig with him and his wife. It was great to connect with him and exciting to hear about the doors God is opening in his life.

Saturday also consisted of a lot of conversations with people around the track, as well as presenting the Invocation prior to the scheduled ASA race on Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning we got an early start arriving to the racetrack around 9:30. We had some time to have a few brief conversations as well as remind a few people about the Chapel Service we were holding at 10:45. Following the Modifieds drivers meeting 30+ of us gathered around as I shared a brief message on Palm Sunday. To me there is no greater high than sharing the gospel at the racetrack.

We also had a videographer at the track on Sunday with us. He is working on a commercial for "The Ultimate NASCAR Tailgate Party" at Full Life Assembly of God, as well as gathering footage for a ministry video for Michelle and I. He has a tremendous amount of talent in what he does...if anyone is in need of video services check him out www.kevincopeland.com.

Prior to the Modified race Raymond Rizzo, our other Chaplain at the Motorplex, presented the Invocation at the main stage and I prayed with the Modified drivers individually after they were introduced. Raymond was a huge asset and help to us throughout the entire weekend. Following the Modified race Raymond and I took part in the driver introductions for the CRA series that was also racing on Sunday.

All in all it was an outstanding, productive weekend. It can be hard attempting to summarize everything that happens in a two day period of time...but if you want to know more, just ask!

Next weekend we will be in Greenville, SC with the NASCAR Modifieds, and Raymond will be working the season opening weekend at the Music City Motorplex.