DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY

I've been in South Boston, Virginia participating in a great NASCAR program called Drive for Diversity (D4D). Here is an article on the program at NASCAR.com.

I traveled here with two other TRC'ers, Darin Stordahl and Roger Habich. Obviously my passion to win people to Christ and win races on the track has built some great relationships, and now after years of dedication to racing the dividends of opportunity are all around.

For instance:

• We traveled to Lowe's Motorspeedway last weekend to watch the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races. I had the privilege of meeting Joe Gibbs who is a Hall of Fame coach in the NFL and the owner of 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Teams. We talked about his book Racing to Win and the fact that I pastor a church and race cars. BTW...it was the first Cup race I've ever seen live.
  
• When Dale Jr. wrecked in the race I was 10 feet from his car as they repaired it in the garage!
• We walked pit road and got to hang out in the garage area before and after the races.
• I also got to watch the race from the top of a NASCAR Hauler, so I could see the whole track from the infield while looking down on all the pit crews and the support equipment. Unbelievable experience.
• This morning I was on Sirius NASCAR radio talking about The Rock Church, Total Velocity Motorsports and Evergreen Speedway.
• We are here with some of the finest short track race teams in the country like Hamilton Jr and Sadler Racing, Addis Racing, DEI, MacAnally Racing and others. There are 25 drivers competing for 14 sponsored rides, Total Velocity Motorsports are one of those rides.

It is rather amazing that after all these years serving racers as an owner, driver, friend, pastor or even parts supplier (loaning out our stuff to others) I can't believe the opportunities. When I got involved with racing it was because a friend asked me. Now, years later, it's because I've developed a genuine passion for the sport and authentic admiration of the people.

It's humbling to be a part of...seriously...very humbling. Big thanks to Darin Stordahl and Roger Habich for including me in their dreams all these years. Hopefully I get a chance to help a D4D driver accomplish their dream of being a race car driver.

93 LAPS TO GO

Last night I led my first race! That's right, I started on the pole and led the first 7 laps, and now I just have to figure out how to lead the next 93 and I will win. It was a blast being out in front with clear track ahead. I was screaming to the guys on the radio, "I'M LEADING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER..."

It doesn't matter what it is. It could be business, raising children, leading a church, or whatever, being out in front of the pack is exhilarating. Congrats to all the mom's, dad's, business and church leaders who work hard everyday to be the best.

10 COMMANDMENTS OF DRIVING

Have you all seen these? The Vatican has decided to weigh in on our use of the road by issuing the Ten Commandments of Driving. Here they are--as if Moses himself drove them at 180 mph on the autobahn.

The “Drivers’ Ten Commandments,” as listed in the document:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

While we're at it I have a few I think are important:

• Thou shalt accelerate and match the speed of traffic before merging.
• Thou shalt turn off signal after completing turn or lane change.
• Thou shalt remove cheesy bumper stickers like, In Case of Rapture... or My other car is a... or I'd rather be... or anything promoting a band.

"Cars may not be an expression of power and domination..." Well, I am in trouble because for six years we have been building cars for the express purpose of dominating at the local track on Saturday nights.

What will this official list of commandments promote? I think they send a strange message and minimize the Biblical commandments of "love the Lord your God...and your neighbor as yourself." Does anyone else think these commandments are a little over the top? Maybe I don't get it, are we now saying cars are a vice that can send us to hell? I agree with the message, but I think the method of calling them "commandments" is way over the top.

CAR 76: RAIN OUT

We were ready for some good racing on Saturday night! Unfortunately some inclement weather blew through and ice fell from the sky in the form of hail followed by a torrential down pour. The track was soaked and racing slicks don't grip real well in the rain.

Here are some pics from Practice!

SWEET PICS

My racing family. Thanks Melinda for always letting me chase my dreams, in life, with God and on the track...

June 21, 2008, My first win!!!

My buddy Mike, Never forget you man...

The 2008 T...

Me and my life coach, Shandel Slaten...


My first trophy, 3rd place ASA Northwest Tour...

My first race ever, September 2006...

Submit your own caption...I was thinking, "Hold on Dan, this things is alive..."

Mark helped on Saturday at the track. He gave his life to Christ in March of 08 and has not looked back...this is why we race...

I love it when fans bring cookies to the track, they get to sit in the car...thanks Terry and Susan...
My Crew Chief, Steve Craig. Crew Chief and Driver Communication is essential...

Dan and Will, pre-race prep...

A quiet moment before the race...

Thanks for a great year Noland...

John in action...

Hanging out with Will and Scott...

Race Party...

In the pit...

Great Sponsors...

In the pits...

Night racing...

Flat out on the 5/8's back stretch...


Jeff Knight, Pastor of The Rock Church, entering turn 3 at Evergreen Speedway.

The 70 car under braking..

The 70 car through the center and starting to throttle up for corner exit...