August 2, 2011
The past week has been a very tough week on the racing community we lost Jeff Schrum at the young age of 47 Jeffs career was short but made a big story for sprint car racing we will miss him and his skills both as a driver and builder. Grandad Wheeler finished his race of life this week he had a much longer career in racing but in that time gave western Pa. many drivers to keep his love of racing alive for a long time,both of these men were giants in their time and we would all profit by studying them .
We will miss you both but also be able to learn from lives well lived. I will have more on both of these special men and their gifts to the racing family.
In Christ
Chaplain Bill
Where do you put your focus ?
July 22, 2011Focus is not just the name of a car made by Ford Motor Co. it is much more than that it is what will cause you to overcome many issues in your life.
Judy and I have been tested for the last 3 years and have had to focus on her health and where did we put that focus no other place but Jesus the Christ we have never taken our eyes off of his promise and don’t intend to change regardless of the circumstances.
When Peter steped out on the water he was able to do so because he focused on Jesus but after he had been there a while he began to look at the circumstances ,high winds,rough water,storms all around him and the result was he began to sink why,because he took his focus off of the one that kept him afloat,does this make sense to you?
Judy and I walk by faith but the faith we walk with is because we focus on Jesus and once we are out of the boat we don’t forget the power it took for that first step we will keep walking by faith and that faith takes action so we will walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
We serve the great God not just a god small g if you serve any god beside the God of the universe you need to examine your life and ask Jesus to come into your life and make you new.
Serving and trusting Jesus
Chaplain Bill & Judy
Thanks Mercer Raceway Park & Lernerville Speedway
July 3, 2011Over the last 17 odd years I have been honored to serve many tracks and racers so as I share my thoughts in this blog or whatever you want to call it bear in mind in no way do I want to slight any track or racer or fan.
With that as my disclaimer I will attempt to say what I feel from the heart .My love of racing really began at Pulaski Speedway in te 50s where Putzi and I would sneak in to watch the races we were hooked and the hook has never been removed and let me say it has been wonderful.
Mercer was my next place of enjoyment and provided all I could want then came the era of raising a family and being a provider for my family that is when my racing was put on hold for many years but would remain ever present in my mind ,I wanted so much to be involved but just could not make it happen .
Fast forward to the late 80s and my brother Mike and wife Rose began a journey that took them any place there was a Sprint Car race and I do mean anyplace ,this renewed my desire to be back at the tracks,1991 Vern Hawley and Hickory Speedway and a man that needed what I could do in the welding area and then allowed me to pray at the track.
The future was decided right there and even expanded with occasional nights at Mercer for my good friend Howard as well as fill ins at Sharon, whenVern sold Hickory Butches bought Mercer and I was invited to be there and have been there ever since thru the Emig ownership and now the Altman/ McCandless partnership I will always count Mercer as my home and will serve there as long as I am needed.
Lernerville Speedway was always a place I admired when Mr Don Martin was there and and also a place I never envisioned being a part of on any long term basis but because God is in control he had other plans and for the last 4 years it has been my friday night fever I have forged many friendships there and want to thank anyone that has made it so plesant,thanks Gary,Helen,Linda just to name a few and who could forget Smokey,I will remain there as my friday night track with no idea of changing.
I also had the pleasure of serving TriCity Speedway for almost 3 years but because of their change of nights am not able to be there and I want them to know I miss it very much but pray for their continued sucess.
As I finish this ramble of words let me say Gary Lernerville is my friday track as long as you need me thanks for the opportunity to serve the race family at Lernerville.
Mr.Bill Altman,Mr.McCandless Mercer RaceWay Park will continue to be my Saturday track and as I said before will always be home unless Pulaski Speedway opens again and that is about as likely as the gas prices going back to 26 cents a gallon so I guess you are stuck with me.
Serving Christ at the tracks
Chaplain Bill
