Daytona Race of Champions Oct 23-25

I warned the members of Daytona Sportbikes who were filling in as pit crew for several of the team challenge racers at the Daytona Speedway for the 2009 CCS race of champions, that even though we have a plan for pit stops and rider changes for the 4 teams we were serving, be ready for everything to get messed up and all the bikes to come in at once. And sure enough, 20 minutes into the race, 3 of the teams came in on the same lap! One bike was losing its transmission so we began stripping engine covers, and two bikes came in for fuel with only one quick dump between them, so the pressure was on. This weekend was important to the racers, but what the racers did not know, is how special it was for the guys that were helping out in the pits. The bike was up on stands in no time, at the hands of a man going through a rough divorce with several young children. The fuel was being dumped by a guy who turned down his experimental chemo treatment so he could be at the races. And each of the others, quietly struggling to understand painful relationships and where the trail of life is leading them, carried out their pit duties, drawing comfort from the bond of friendship at the track.

It's easy in the world of racing to look at ourselves as "just another race team," but the more I stood back and watched as the men we have been swapping leather with in the turns, and sharing the hope of Christ with in between the race trailers these past 4 years, the more I could see the character of Christ shining through many of the faces I met. Racers thankful for the visits in the hospital when their needs were greatest. Men who once raged with hearts of anger and anxiety coming up in kindness and sharing thanks for the words of wisdom and care they received. Race officials struggling with illness and personal battles, grateful to God for the encouragement given to them when they expected none. Guys who used to think only of themselves, honoring God and giving thanks to Him, while standing on the podium in Victory Lane! Lives touched as God's Holy Spirit poured out of us into them. More than once, racers from far away places came up to me and mentioned Joe Cotterino or Don Elfstrom and the impact that has taken place in their lives from the encounter or friendship.

So as I stared at my friends working the pits or screaming down the superstretch, it brought great comfort to know that their struggles, through faith in God can make them into stronger men, and there is hope, even for those who are quietly raging on the inside but putting a good show on the outside, that God has a plan to reach them. If you think about it, the greatest obstacles to bring the truth of our Savior to these guys is their pride, or our ability to be relevant and genuine. As the weekend wound its way down a couple serious crashes happened Sunday afternoon. One of the racers is still in the hospital with a broken hip and two broken legs. Hospitals can sometimes become very crowded, lonely places, especially when you are the better part of a thousand miles from home. But as his body heals, I hope this racer's heart recognizes that God has a purpose for him beyond the track, reaching men in a crowded yet lonely world, with hope.

As the racers left and the speedway grew quiet on Monday, the young girlfriend of one of the guys from our Daytona sportbikes family who had been helping us pit, was killed on her motorcycle by a careless driver. The temporary crowns and trophies of men, do not compare to the prize of eternal life through Christ, keep sharing this hope CSBRacing.

Art Lohman.