Baby Froman!

Save Nashville Speedway

While I know some of you may be aware of this, others of you may not. The racetrack at the Fairgrounds is at a high risk of being demolished at the end of this season. The lease ends in 2008, and has not been renewed...and a consultation firm was hired to discuss future uses of the land the speedway currently occupies.

The Fairgrounds have been a part of my life since I was 8 years old, a part of Michelle and My ministry for the past 4 years. And while that does not seem like that long ago, the racetrack has been a fixture in Nashville since well before I was welcomed into this world! I felt my call to ministry sitting in the grandstands of that sacred speedway, and God’s word is going forth in the lives of many because of that track.

Families have come together at that facility. Legacies have been made at that facility. Precious moments of auto racing history has been wrote at that facility. To tear it down would be to tear down a special place in the lives of countless people.

I ask that you all take a moment to sign this ‘save the speedway’ petition. Save Nashville Speedway Petition I know it may not mean much to you...but to those that it does mean something to, it means everything.

You may also learn more by visiting www.savenashvillespeedway.com

Unashamed

Amazing video.

Awards Ceremony

This past Sunday evening our 2007 race season drew to a close at the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Awards Ceremony held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

This was our first time back together with this community since our season ending race in October at Caraway Speedway. It was quite enjoyable to be back amongst the familiar faces of the many friends we’ve developed over the past year. We were able to spend a significant amount of time catching up with people prior to, and after the awards ceremony.

During the ceremony/dinner, we were seated with the Director of Motorsports for Whelen, as well as with a few other NASCAR dignitaries. Conversations floated, and it was interesting to hear some of the stories from Champions Week in NYC from the week prior that a few of our dinner mates had attended.

Our role in the evening was minimal, however the Master of Ceremonies, Mike Joy, did read a short thank you to Michelle and I for our efforts with the series. Mid-way through the ceremony I was also asked to pray over the evening, and over the meal we were about to enjoy. There was also a small jest from George Silberman towards us regarding the unlikelihood that the series would return to Nashville next season.

Following the ceremony one of our drivers mentioned to me that the previous week he had been posted the question asking if he had any rituals or superstitions that he would carry out before each of his races. His reply was, “No, not really. Just Kyle and I pray before every race.” Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.

Despite it being a short, fast trip…it was quite enjoyable, and we found it to be quite productive relationally.

We look forward to seeing what 2008 will hold.

Music City Motorplex Updates...

I haven't blogged on it much this year, but in between our travels with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Michelle and I have been in the midst of our FOURTH year of ministry at the Music City Motorplex at the TN State Fairgrounds...WOW!

Looking back to the first two years that Michelle and I were at the Motorplex and seeing where things are today is just amazing. There is a renewed, heightened sensitivity towards God throughout the community...and it has been humbling, yet exciting to be used as a funnel in this community, sharing the goodness and fullness of his Grace.

Two years ago Michelle and I held our first chapel service at the Motorplex, one person was in attendance. For the remainder of that season Michelle, one driver, and I paused a few moments after each drivers meeting to look at God's word.

Fast forward two years. Two weeks ago another Motorplex race fell on a Sunday, to which Raymond, Michelle, and I organized a chapel. Well over fifty of us gathered together, sang Amazing Grace, spent time in prayer, and then looked to God's word. That is not something that you see everyday at a racetrack. That is God working in peoples lives.

We have also been thankful to have Raymond Rizzo as a part of the team this year. At the end of 2006 we realized that our schedule was becoming bigger than we were. Through our friendship with Raymond, we developed a ministry relationship that was nothing short of a God thing. Raymond has connected with people Michelle and I couldn't connect with, spanned bridges we thought couldn't be spanned, and been a creative, motivational go-getter in the ministry.

I can't fully capsulate what has transpired over the past 4 years at the Motorplex, and how God has acted on behalf of so many people. For those of you who know what I went through the year and a half leading up to our ministry at the Motorplex, you are probably just as astounded and amazed as I am. For those of you who don't...ask me sometime!

I wish I could put it to words...but one day in Heaven, we will all see the importance of this ministry.

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Championship Race

The championship race for the NWSMT was held at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC…our sixth visit to the track this season.

Prior to the race we met up with a friend of ours who now works for Petty Enterprises for lunch with him and his wife. We had a great time of sharing and encouraging each other in Christ…and just hanging out! After lunch we went our separate ways…however they did meet back up with us later in the evening back at Caraway Speedway.

We arrived at the track around 2:30PM as people were signing in, and haulers were entering the track. Upon arriving we pulled out our letters and trusty blue painters tape and hit the row of haulers taping up the last devotional of the season, which was centered on Philippians 3.

Much to our dismay, practice for all of the support divisions that would be running along side our race began seemingly the moment they pulled the last trailer across the track…and the noise would not stop until five minutes prior to our drivers meeting.

There is normally a window of time when we are hanging the devotionals that we are able to talk and interact with everyone…however the noise hindered any conversations from developing leaving us going trailer to trailer with a smile and a wave.

I know we were at a racetrack and it is to be expected, but it was just so loud throughout our entire day at the track that there was not a lot of one on one interaction with anyone. It really hindered us in a way that we had not yet encountered this season.

As soon as the motors quieted we went straight into the drivers meeting only to resurface to the noise of qualifying upon exiting the building. The few moments of peace and quiet that we did have around the facility were the moments that I was praying with drivers on the line.

Another clean race brought to a close the 2007 NWSMT season. What a year it was…we welcomed someone into the family of Christ, we prayed over many needs, we shared the word of God, and we opened ourselves up so that the goodness and love of Christ could flow through us. How blessed and privileged we are to be utilized in such a unique fashion.

We have a few more local ‘gigs’ as well as two banquets left on our schedule before the smiling faces at the airport car rental counters stop seeing us walking through he doors for the winter…time to recharge, relax, and re-energize for another season of God’s work.

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150 :: Caraway Speedway

Our second to last Mod race of the season was at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC this past weekend.

We again had a late night Friday night as we hit the road after work on Friday and rolled into the Microtel parking lot around 1:30AM. Our trip in was good...smooth sailing the whole way! We've had a few traffic jams over the course of the year that we've sat through, so every 'clean' drive is a good drive!

We got to Caraway Speedway around 2:00 after a killer meal at an Indian buffet we found in Greensboro. The gates opened at 2:00 at the track, so we did end up in a slight traffic jam of haulers trying to cram into the tiny infield of the track. By the time we finally waited our turn to drive through and park all of our teams were already unloaded with some rolling through tech.

In the letter this week I drew from a verse in Psalm 46, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth." I paralleled the verse to a song I heard this week by blues artist Jonny Lang called "Red Light". Jonny's song dives into the depths of the thoughts that can transpire as we sit at a "Red Light". I extrapolated that thought further to say that we need more "Red Light's" in our lives to be still and know that He is God.

Michelle helped me to tape up the new devotionals and pull down the old ones from the previous week that were still left hanging on some of the haulers. And as the day progressed, so did the conversations.

Every week our NASCAR tour director graciously welcomes us as he welcomes the various guests that are also with the series that weekend. He doesn't have to, people are getting to know us now, but it is a great sign of 'welcomeness' (is that a word??) and appreciation for our traveling to be with the series. He has been outstanding to us over the course of the past two seasons. Following the meeting I led us in a short prayer, thanking God for His blessings and asking His guidance in our lives throughout the course of the evening.

Following the drivers meeting we were treated to an excellent meal again by one of our teams. Roast Beef stew, homemade coleslaw, and homemade cobbler. Need I say more...?

About thirty minutes prior to the race I began to walk up and down the front stretch of the track praying with each driver as they greeted fans and prepared to strap into their machines. As was true with our last race at Caraway, as I was praying with the last driver I heard my name called over the track P.A. system with an invitation to the start finish line to present the invocation. Obliged.

The rest of the evening went smooth. There were no major incidents on track. I say no "major" incidents knowing every incident is major to the team it is happening to...but God's protection was upon every driver, crewmember, official, and fan throughout the evening.

We headed back home Sunday...and will turn around and head back to Caraway in just a week and a half for the final race of the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified season.

Southern National 150 - Kenly, NC

Last weekend was the Southern National 150 with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour way east in Kenly, NC.

After a long hike across Interstate 40 Friday afternoon we nestled into the Wyndham Hotel around 11:30 PM and settled in to get rested up for the next day. Our hotel was a little further from the racetrack than normal, so when we finally made our way to Southern National Raceway Park all of the teams were already unloaded and beginning to prep their cars for practice.

The devotional this week for the teams was from the book of Lamentations in the Old Testament...God's grace being new to us everyday. It is refreshing to know that every day we wake up is a new day. Our mistakes, temptations, misjudgments, and errors from yesterday do not have to follow us around...because God's grace is fresh if we open our lives to Him.

As Michelle and I walked through the pits posting the letters we had some really good conversations. We were also encouraged to have a few people comment on the previous weeks letter that we posted. We never really know if people are stopping to take the time to read the devotionals, or if they are just cluttering their tool boxes.

As the afternoon progressed we had some uplifting exchanges with some, and opportunities to encourage others. It was really a fun day.

The driver introductions were conducted a little differently this week. All of the drivers were paraded around the track in the back of trucks, similar to the driver introductions that you may be familiar with in the Nextel Cup Series. That being the case I had a very limited amount of time to pray with each driver before the race. Half of the drivers I prayed with in the bed of the pickup trucks in groups of 2 to 3, the other half I rushed to pray with as they strapped into their cars.

When all was said and done we found ourselves at the end of another safe night.

We have two more races with the NWSMT this year. Pray that God will continue to funnel through us at the last remaining events of the season.

Caraway Speedway Southern Modified 150

For our third event within eight days we returned to Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC.

The race was Saturday evening so we hit the highway right after work Friday afternoon...eventually rolling into Greensboro, NC and hitting the sac at about 2:30am. We finally mustered up the strength around 11:00am to roll out of bed and begin to make our rounds and make our way to the racetrack. We arrived at the facility about 30 minutes after the gates opened as the teams were offloading from their haulers and setting up.

The devotional we posted this week drew from a passage of scripture in Ephesians 5, expressing the magnitude and depth of God's love for us, and in turn how we should "love like that". I love how "The Message" described God's love for us, 'His love was not cautious, but extravagant'. Michelle helped me post the letters again at each team's hauler, and we were able to open quite a few conversations in the process of doing so.

Throughout the day at each track we visit, we experience one continuing love/hate relationship. We love to look forward to meal time, but hate to look forward to eating a steady diet of concession stand food! We were blessed this week to be treated to a freshly prepared meal straight off of the grill of one of the teams. If you have ever had to base your nutritional well being on what you can order from a concession stand you'd understand what a blessing this was! (No disrespect to the men and women who very graciously work the stands at the various racetracks we visit, they are all awesome individuals).

As the afternoon progressed, a member of the community and I carried over some previous conversations regarding a lifetime commitment to Christ, and he made the commitment to follow Christ with his life. Praise God!

Just prior to the race I walked out onto the front straightaway to pray with our drivers as they were lining up their cars on the track for the start of the race. At Caraway, I would typically do this during the fan autograph session, but since that was not taking place at this particular race that was the most feasible time for me to be able to pray with each driver. Just as I was beginning to pray with the last driver on the line I heard my name summoned over the P.A. to head to the start finish line to present the invocation.

We have developed somewhat of a relationship with the track announcer at Caraway, and whenever we are present he invites me to present the invocation...I'm quite honored with that and gladly oblige.

The race was again another smooth one, with minimal incidents throughout the 150 lap race. God's hand has definitely been watching over our drivers, crewmembers, and officials this season.

This weekend we head to Kenly, NC for our next event at Southern National Raceway Park. This race is the furthest from home for us, as we will be logging about 1300 miles round trip. Pray for God's continuing safety and provision as we make this trip...and that we would be vessels of His love and Truth.

Ace Speedway :: DMC Auto Exchange 150

Today we were at race two of our double-header weekend at Ace Speedway in Elon, NC.

After using yesterday to regroup from our 13 hours at Martinsville we headed to the track ready to be at it again! We made it to Ace just after 11:00 AM as our teams were unloading and beginning to prepare for practice. Once we settled in Michelle grabbed the letters and I grabbed the tape and off we went to post our second devotional for the weekend.

Being that today is Labor Day, in today's devotional I shared from the wisdom of King Solomon and his thoughts in finding joy in our toil on earth. Later in the day I had a crew member stop us and thank us for the devotionals at the track...and that he always looked forward to reading them. That really blessed us to hear.

The day was a lot more relaxed that Saturday and Michelle and I just hung out for the post part, and found various conversations as the day rolled through.

We were the third race on the schedule this evening, so during one of Ace's preliminary races I began to walk through the infield praying with each driver as the prepared to get strapped in. This is always one of my favorite times of ministry at the track...and I also believe it is one of the most meaningful times to the drivers.

Tonights race was much cleaner than Saturday's as we ran 150 laps with only one caution for a single car spin. Everyone was able to roll their cars onto their haulers in one piece!

I did learn a valuable lesson tonight. When you are attempting to congratulate a driver in victory lane wait until after the celebrating is complete! I found myself in the midst of a cola and Gatorade shower! Live and learn!

Tomorrow we return home to TN...and I must say with all of the miles we have logged over the course of the past two years it is by God's gracious hand that we have never experienced any troubles on the highways.

We'll be home for a few short days before we saddle up and head back east to Caraway Speedway for next Saturday's race.

Martinsville Speedway :: Whelen Made in America 300

Our double-header weekend kicked off Saturday in Martinsville, VA at Martinsville Speedway for the Whelen Made in America 300 (a combination event with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour).

We arrived at the track just prior to noon, arriving to a very busy infield. There were 53 cars on hand attempting to qualify into the 43 starting positions available to them. Upon arriving Michelle helped as we began to walk through the garage area posting our first devotional of the weekend on the Southern Modified teams' pit carts. The devotional shared on the topic of us finding our ability to accomplish and overcome things in our lives through Christ...not on our own apart from Him.

While Michelle and I travel with the Southern Modifieds, there is another organization that ministers to the Northern Modifieds, Racing With Jesus Ministries. Dan and Don with RWJM had planned a joint chapel for our two communities to be held just prior to the drivers meeting on Saturday. Don's message extended the hope of salvation to a community still healing from the circumstances of the past few weeks (Dan led us in a time of prayer and I presented the afternoon's scriptures). Around 40 of us gathered together for the service...and one young lady committed her heart to the Lord following the service later that afternoon.

Following chapel was the drivers meeting to which the remaining activities of the day were laid out to the large field of competitors. In an end to the meeting I led the two communities in prayer.

As the afternoon progressed the field was narrowed down to the 43 teams that would start the race and the cars were lined up along the front stretch for a fan autograph session prior to their driver introductions. During the introductions, Dan, Don, and I stood behind the stage to pray with each of the 43 drivers following their introductions.

Throughout the race there were a few accidents that warranted a few trips to the infield care center for a few various drivers, but we praise God that everyone that was brought in walked out that evening.

It was a very long night, as we finally left the track after midnight...but I can think of few other places I'd rather be!

A Peaceful Reminder...

This evening we went by our new house to check on the construction and see how things were coming along. As we walked through checking out the frame, roof, and electrical work that have been completed we stumbled across a neat reminder that God is a vital part of our home. The picture above was of the cover that one of the construction workers pieced together for our electrical box. What a great reminder he left for us!

Have a great Lord's day. Little hot, but he will take care of that.

John 3:16 shows the way to peace of mind and heart. Just call on Him and he will help you through every day

Bowman Gray Stadium

This weekend we were at the small bullring Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. Bowman Gray Stadium is located at Winston-Salem State University. The racetrack doubles as a football field. If you could, imagine a normal 17,000 seat football field. But instead of the traditional running track circling the field, it is replaced with a flat asphalt racetrack. It is quite a facility.

We arrived at the stadium about thirty minutes prior to the gates ‘officially’ opening which allowed us some time to settle in and spend some time catching up with some of our officials as teams arrived and began to unload.

Along with us this weekend traveled my parents. They are huge supporters and contributors to our ministry so we wanted to bring them along with us to see what our time at the racetrack with the NWSMT is like.

As we settled in my dad and I began to walk the haulers and post this week’s devotional letter as Michelle and my mom settled into a nice shady spot! In the devotional letter this week I placed an emphasis on prayer. I drew from James chapter 5 in the devotional, and explored the topic of the power that we tap into through prayer. The NWSMT has an online message forum where I post a bi-weekly devotional and have been working through the book of James so it was a nice continuation to the devotionals the community can access online. We spent just over an hour walking the haulers and talking with drivers and crewmembers as we hung the devotionals.

The tour qualified on Friday night so our Saturday schedule was somewhat condensed. We had two short rounds of practice, as the cars were not impounded following the previous evenings qualifying session. Following practice was our drivers meeting to which we closed the meeting in prayer.

During driver introductions I was able to connect with a few individuals and talk with them at a little more length than what I normally do. I had a great conversation with one of our photographers who had lost both his grandmother and grandfather over the past few weeks. I was able to highlight God’s goodness in all situations as he shared about the ‘good things’ that have come through their passing. He recognized several ways that God worked throughout the situation.

There was a support race to run prior to the NWSMT race, so there was only going to be a short sliver of time for the cars to be lined up on the track prior to the race. That being the case I used the time during the support race to pray with each driver in his hauler. I knew they would be rushed, as would I, so I took this time in order to have a more ‘relaxed’ encounter.

The race is what you would expect in a tiny bullring track like the Stadium. We just praise God for no serious threatening incidents. We also thank God for safety on the roads as we traveled.

Race 5 - NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

After a long two and a half month break for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour we found ourselves in Asheboro, NC for race five with the NWSMT. Over the past few months we have spent time at the Music City Motorplex, as well as taking quite of a bit of time for 'leisure travel'.

This weekends race was an abnormal Friday night event so we packed up and headed east Thursday evening. Along with us traveled Raymond Rizzo, another MROA Chaplain whom we have partnered with at the Music City Motorplex. Since the 'Plex had an off weekend this weekend Raymond saddled up and headed east with us as well.

We arrived at Caraway Speedway just around 2:00 on Friday afternoon as the gates were opening to allow the haulers to enter and unload for tech inspection. Upon signing in and heading into the track we had a lengthy conversation with a former Motorplex worker who is now a scorer for the NWSMT. As the conversation wrapped up we hit the row of haulers to post our regular devotional on the teams pit carts/haulers.

In this weeks letter I pulled from Galatians 5:1 and John 8:31-36, speaking of the spiritual freedom we receive through Jesus Christ. This is always a good time to keep in front of and mingle with the many crewmembers that I may not otherwise cross paths with throughout the day.

As the afternoon went on we had a few various conversations and were also able to catch up with an individual whose relationship we have really been nurturing. Following practice we attended the drivers meeting and I closed out the meeting in prayer. In attendance at the meeting was the track announcer at Caraway Speedway, and we arranged with him to have Raymond present the invocation during pre-race ceremonies that evening.

About 35 minutes prior to the race I began walking the 21-car field on the front stretch, praying with each driver individually as they mingled with fans and prepared themselves for the 150 lap race that was ahead of them. As Raymond offered up a prayer, and the command was given to start their engines the cars rumbled off...for the most part closing out our evening of ministry.

Following the race we did catch up with just a few drivers before calling it an evening. We praise God for His watching over us on the highways to and from these events...and for allowing us to be used to share His goodness in such an exciting way.

The Ultimate NASCAR Tailgate Party at Full Life A/G

Just a few pictures from the Ultimate NASCAR Tailgate Party at Full Life Assembly of God. For those of you who were unable to make it, we had an incredible service! The band Over Ashes led us into a time of worship, race driver Jason Hogan shared his powerful testimony, and many people were able to hear the good news of the redemption of Jesus Christ through the service!