note-worthy

The last several weeks seemed to have been packed with so much going on, and the next several weeks will be the same.  Seriously.  That is why I want to share just some note-worthy things with you that are going on around my life.

I am grateful for all God is doing, what He has done and the things He will do in the days ahead.

Proverbs 3:27  NLT  

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

One of my favorite ministries happens at the speedway in our community.  Two times each year NASCAR comes to town, and our group gets to serve race fans.  Long days.  Even some struggles.  But some sweet ministry took place at Martinsville Speedway through Raceway Ministries Martinsville.  More than 100 people attended our worship service.  1,000’s of fans were saved with refreshments and with ADA golf cart rides.

Philippians 2:8  NLT 

He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Easter is one of the best and sweetest times of the year for the church and christians.  We had some guests and some good times.  And we got to celebrate the horror of the cross (yes, celebrate) and the fact of the empty tomb that gave way to our salvation.

Psalm 127:3  NLT  

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

And our daughter Ruth and family visited us around Easter.  How sweet to have our grand children with us and enjoy time with our church.  Some of our favorite times and making memories.

Ephesians 6:2  NLT  

If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

One of the things that was good but hard in the last month was the sell of dad’s home.  It was the final thing to close out his estate and our saying good bye to him.  Our mom passed away in 2015, and dad passed away in 2021.  I miss them both.  Seeing the house gone was tougher than I thought.  

1 Corinthians 9:22-23  NLT  

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

And what is coming next?  In one week a group from our church and many other churches will converge on some of the coal mining communities of West Virginia to serve them in the name of Jesus.  And the following week I head back to Cuba to serve with the sports ministry staff there.

Pray that these efforts will do all God wants to do… to lead others to Him.

These are just some note-worthy things, personal highlights if you will, going on in my life.  Seems like these are full days, and they are.  But God is good.  May we stop and see how good He is even today!

"It's rotten work," Ren says. His tail swishes nervously. He has the demeanor of a sad scolded puppy even though no one's scolding him.

False looks up from where she's placing down mud blocks in accordance to the roads that Ren lined out. Ren's theatre kid behaviour must be kicking in now, because to call her work rotten is dramatic and almost insulting.

"It's not rotten to me. There's stuff I would call rotten work, but this is no where near it."

False places down another block. Ren obediently shuffles out of the way.

"Rotten work is when I'm at a tourney and no one's listening to my strategy so I'm left all alone, but then they use my strategy and we actually win while everyone ignores me. Rotten work is when someone sabotages me and I'm the one left to sweep away the pieces. Rotten work is when someone attacks me on purpose and I'm the one who has to apologise for being mad and pacify everyone else. This?" False pulls out another mud block, "is building. And building is not rotten work."

Ren cautiously observes what False is doing, then also pulls out his mud blocks. He moves a few steps forward so he's placing blocks, but out of her way. "It's still work," he admits. "A lot of work, in fact."

False is nonplussed. "But that's what builders do, don't they? And I am the Minister of Transport."

Ren laughs, but it's a quiet laugh. He pauses like he's hesitating, then he mumbles,

"I'm a lot of work."

Now it's False's turn to pause. Her hands continue with placing the blocks, because that's what she does. Building. Grinding. Helping friends out. So on and so forth.

"It's peculiar work for sure," False says, her tone light. "Picking up your stuff when you spontaneously explode. Bugging you about MCC. Teaching you basic colour theory. You can't get orange from blue, Ren. It sadly doesn't work that way."

Ren chuckles at the jab. "Worth a shot, eh?"

False coughs. "Yeah, like I said, peculiar work. But it's fine. I like doing peculiar work because I'm a peculiar person and you're a peculiar person. But together we are normal. Very normal indeed."

Ren considers it. "What if I don't want to be normal?"

"Then we won't be normal."

"What if I want to be normal?"

"Then we'll be normal. Or at least pretend to be."

Ren laughs. "That doesn't make any sense."

False smiles wryly. "Come on now, Ren, when have I ever made any sense?"

He shoots her a grin. "But you're like the most sensible person in the Neighbourhood!"

False lets the silence hang between them for comedic effect. "... No."

"No?"

"If I were sensible, I would've left the Neighourhood long ago."

"Hey!"

"Just kidding. That's why I'm not sensible. That's why I like not being sensible. Besides, I'm not the one who organised the ministry or planned the roads. You did. You're the one with the vision. I'm just following it."

Ren looks around the paths and his tail wags in excitement. "But you're contributing to the vision! I saw the bits and pieces you added! It looks great, by the way!"

False nonchalantly continues placing. "Yeah, you see, that's part of the peculiar work. You draw up the canvas and I edit in the details. It's like how we did the raceway last time."

"Yeah, but I haven't grinded as hard this time around. Too busy with my permit, my dude."

False giggles. "Would you call getting the beacon permit drawing a short straw?"

"I mean, I was the second to die in Demise, but you won and everything worked out in the end, so I don't mind." A pause. "Also gives me a chance to kill those dastardly withers as revenge for all the times they defeated me."

"Right, it's a lot of work to kill them, never mind farm them."

Ren sighs deeply. "There's definitely a lot going on. Especially those buttons, man."

False glances up. They're both still doing the roads. She watches Ren shift up a step and place down a mud brick slab.

"Yeah, but it'll be worth it. I'll buy your beacons. Actually, you can go do your buttons. You can kill some withers. I'll take care of this."

She can almost hear his apologies— sorry that she's doing the roads that he was supposed to do, sorry that he didn't reply to her messages, sorry that he's the way he is.

(And maybe he picks it up too— the way she actually means "I'll take care of you". He always seems to instinctively know what she means under her contradictory and confusing words. In the same way she instinctively knows what he means.)

Ren softly chuckles. "It's peculiar work."

"It's peculiar work especially if it's me, and especially if it's you—"

False sets down a mud brick slab right next to the one Ren placed. Just one slight push, and the pattern of the bricks align like they'd been inseparable from the get go. The corner of her lips quirk up.

"— but that's why I do it."

i wish these startwi items were real...

im at thte music shop n i see that on one of the shelves is a startwi x doll brand collab n im like omg i need this

its 70$

but then i go to an aisle n theres lotsa toys OF MY (PREVIOUS) INTERESTS

n theres startwi x shopkins too

I HAVE NO MONEY

but apparently its an aisle that has the most things on its shelf n they were announcing when its gonna open

it opens n people grab stuff but in like 5 mins its done

then i see thru the shelf theres a girl tryna take nudes of herself in the store

n im like no!! dont do that! n shes like idc!! so we start to freaking pack each other.

i go first but then i leave before she can start n i end up in my schools campus ministry.

i complain abt the girl

i go back cuz i wanna see the precure items

TIMESKIP WERE IN A FOREST BUT ITS WINTER

IM NOW KASUMI BANdORI

n i have nanami help me

SO IM GONNA SCARE THIS KId

so like theres a spiderweb net hanging on some trees

so the girls walking shes not scared

but since im kasumi bandori i do a scary vampire voice and absolutely scare the crap outta her

then it gets revealed that it was kasumi behind it all w the help of nanami

nanami runs away

cut to a racecar race where theyre talking about the greatest journalist that ever lived he would stand on the actual raceway an get pictures from there

cut to freaking miraulous ladybug where shes like taking a portal to hawk moths home

hes training n he sees her

he chases her but its like a training montage so the horse man races him

JUTE'S STORY is as interesting as the material itself. This plant grows mainly in a warm and humid tropical climate on fertile soils - in Bangladesh, India, Egypt, China and Algeria. Jute is a grass that reaches a height of 1.5-5m. Jute is still harvested by hand, since special headers and combines have not yet been created for harvesting rough-stemmed crops, the roots of which are 30-50 cm in water. Jute was known in ancient India. It is first mentioned in the sacred Vedas. Then the Indian population wore mainly jute fiber clothing. For millennia, the jute tree has been cultivated in Assam and other provinces in southeastern India. For the first time, jute fiber became known after the colonization of India by Great Britain. The first experiments on obtaining yarn from jute were carried out in Scotland. It happened in 1832. True, not everything went smoothly - the modernization of textile equipment was required. Bangladesh is currently one of the main suppliers of jute in the world. More than 80% of the highest quality jute fiber is produced in this eastern corner of the world. Two-thirds of the fibers produced here are used in the local industry, the rest is exported. there are about a hundred jute factories in Bangladesh. They produce ropes, cords, twines, sacks, bags, fabrics, jute carpets, mats, jute insulation, carpet base and other useful products in large quantities. By the way, in Bangladesh there is a separate Ministry of the Jute Industry. It is engaged in the development of new areas of use of the material, new varieties of plants, the aesthetic form of jute are being developed. (at Tulsa Raceway Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFfPR1rnElx/?igshid=1rdmymbksh4bh

New Post has been published on http://techcrunchapp.com/bubba-wallace-fans-at-talladega-we-were-there-for-him-nbc-sports-misc/

Bubba Wallace fans at Talladega: ‘We were there for him’ - NBC Sports - Misc.

As engines fell silent and drivers climbed from their cars, another sound emerged Monday at Talladega Superspeedway.

It started with a couple of fans chanting.

“Bub-ba! Bub-ba! Bub-ba!”

Soon more joined.

“Bub-ba! Bub-ba! Bub-ba!”

Lydia Diaz, a 30-year-old mother of two and Walmart employee, yelled so much that her head began to hurt, but she kept chanting Bubba Wallace’s name.

Diaz was among a group of about 15 Black fans who came from Atlanta to support Wallace, a day after NASCAR stated that a noose was discovered in his team’s garage stall at Talladega.

The FBI later said that no federal hate crime was committed against Wallace because the noose had been there since Oct. 2019 and there was no way to know back then that his team would be in that particular stall this year. A NASCAR investigation could not determine why the pull down rope for the garage bay door was fashioned that way and who did it.

MORE: Recent events leave Bubba Wallace hopeful but also wore out and frustrated 

In the stands with Diaz on Monday was fiancé Mel Rose and friend Brionne Horne. Also there was Errin Bentley and Greg Drumwright, a senior minister at the Citadel of Praise Church and Campus Ministries. Bentley had called Drumwright, telling him about the noose found in Wallace’s garage stall and asked Drumwright to help organize a group to go to Talladega.

When the race ended, Wallace was so far away on pit road from the stands that Daiz said he looked “a little like an ant” to her. But the group continued to chant Wallace’s name.

“I heard the Bubba chants, and I looked over and I see a decent amount of African Americans sitting in the stands,” Wallace said. “I was like, dude, that’s badass, that’s awesome. I guarantee you that was their first race. I felt obligated to walk over there, I wanted to walk over there. I wanted to kind of share that moment with them.”

He did. Wallace slapped their hands through the fence and thanked them for being there. 

“That was an epic moment for me,” said the 36-year-old Bentley, a restaurant employee. “That was an out-of-body experience.”

It was a bigger moment for the sport, said Brad Daugherty, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing and the only Black owner of a full-time Cup team.

“When I saw those fans leaning against the fence, I thought, man, this is awesome, this is what we need,” Daugherty said. “We need the symbolism of people not being discouraged to come and participate in our sport.

“It made me feel great. I’m so excited. I’m telling you, the folks at NASCAR better watch out. I’ve got about a hundred people that I want to get garage and pit passes for. It’s going to be big. They want to come to the racetrack.

“It’s going to be great to see a sea of color as well as being embraced by our Caucasian brothers and sisters while we’re there. Maybe we can get back to this being about race, but the human race.”

———————

They call Drumwright Pastor Greg. His church is in Greensboro, North Carolina, but his ministry is where healing and justice are needed.

He went to Brunswick, Georgia after Ahmaud Arbery was killed by a white man while jogging.

Drumwright was in Minneapolis where George Floyd died after a since-fired white police officer had his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Drumwright traveled to Houston for Floyd’s funeral.

Drumwright then went to Atlanta after a since-fired white police officer shot and killed Rayshard Brooks.

Never did Drumwright expect he would go next to Talladega, Alabama.

But Bentley felt something had to be done after seeing the reports about the noose.

“I felt like if I was to be just like the other millions of people that say I’ll let somebody else handle it, then I’ll become part of the problem,” Bentley said. “It’s really that simple to me. That is really a big major problem that we have, whether it’s Black Lives Matter, whether it’s human rights, civil rights or anything of that nature, someone is always trying to pass something over to somebody else.

“Nobody wants to take responsibility. Nobody wants to stand up and be the face. Too many people are afraid. That’s part of the problem. I want to be a part of the solution.”

For as much as NASCAR has progressed with diversity, its past and stereotype cast a long shadow over the sport. When Drumwright organized the group to go Talladega on Monday, he and others got calls from friends and families urging them not to go.

“This far into 2020, it is still a commonly held belief that Black folks are not safe in an overwhelmingly white space in the Deep South,” Drumwright said.

It had been less than two weeks that NASCAR announced it was banning the display of the Confederate flag at all its events and facilities. Just the day before they were at the track, a plane flew over the speedway towing a Confederate flag and the message to Defund NASCAR.

When the group with Drumwright stopped at a Dollar General store in Alabama to purchase supplies for posters to take to the track, he said “we were literally told by local residents, you all need to be careful … but we were also told, we are glad you are here, We needed you all to come here. Thank you for being here.”

Fans who made the trip to Atlanta to Talladega Superspeedway to support Bubba Wallace. Among those pictured are Errin Bentley (far left) and Lydia Diaz (green shirt). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

———————

Drumwright wore a black shirt that read “We Still Can’t Breathe” on it. Horne was among a few in the group who wore a Black Lives Matter shirt. The message on Bentley’s shirt stated: “We march. Y’all mad. We sit down. Y’all mad. We speak up. Y’all mad. We kneel. Y’all mad. We die. Silence.”

The posters they carried included those that stated:

“We stand with Bubba”

“We Bang with Bubba”

“Let Freedom Ring”

“Take Your Knee Off Our Neck”

When they arrived at the track, they saw a tent set up not on track property selling Confederate flags.

“It’s still difficult to look at it,” Horne said of the Confederate flag.

Those in the group admit to getting stares, eye rolls and seeing some people look away after they arrived at the track.

But those that made the trip to Talladega also said they were warmly welcomed by fans.

Horne, a 20-year-old student at Georgia Southern, said a fan came to members of the group and asked to take a picture with them.

“After that, it was like family after family after person after person kept asking us to take pictures (with them), showing their support and their love for what we were out there doing for the Black Lives Matter movement,” she said. “That, I feel like, completely changed the fear, the anxiety we had walking into Talladega.”

Bentley, who had never been to a NASCAR race before Monday said he was more afraid going to Talladega than any time he has protested in the streets. Bentley said after attending Monday’s race, he would encourage Black fans to go to a race and support Wallace.

“I would tell them don’t be afraid,” he said. “If they were afraid, you don’t have to afraid anymore.

“As long as we are afraid to do something, we don’t have any control. We don’t have any fight. You’ve got to have courage, you’ve got to have heart, that will to want. (Wallace) needs our support. We need his support.”

NASCAR Cup races this weekend at Pocono Raceway, July 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and July 12 at Kentucky Speedway will be held without fans. The next race scheduled to have fans will be the July 15 All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, which will admit up to 30,000 fans.

Drumwright, who wants a meeting with NASCAR leadership, said he is looking to organize a larger group for the Bristol race.

Diaz, a mother of boys ages 2 and 3, said it was “mission accomplished” for the Talladega trip but acknowledges more can be done in society.

“I’ve been out here for the last month, fighting for everybody to be equal so my kids, when they are older, they can go wherever they want and they do whatever they want and they don’t have to worry about nobody judging them because of who their father is or who their mother is or the color of their skin,” she said. “That’s what I’m out here for, honestly, every day.

“I wanted Bubba to know that we supported him for that noose that was found in his garage. I wanted him to know that we were there for him.”

This hits hard for me. Ill never forget the chants, I’ll never forget this image! pic.twitter.com/x8nVLdvsWz

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) June 26, 2020

Follow @dustinlong and on Facebook

KUHN: SPIRE MOTORSPORTS TO SHOWCASE GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS, BON SECOURS, IN NASCAR CUP SERIES DARLINGTON DOUBLEHEADER

BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 8, 2020) — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Bon Secours will be featured aboard Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 when the NASCAR Cup Series returns to action at Darlington Raceway May 17 where veteran Reed Sorenson will handle the driving chores. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, the presenting sponsor of the 2019–20 Swamp Rabbits season and one of the top healthcare organizations in Upstate South Carolina, has partnered with the Swamp Rabbits to extend a message of gratitude to healthcare workers and a message of health, safety and security to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, the fifth-largest Catholic health care ministry and one of the United States' 20 largest health care systems. "We’re excited to continue to support frontline healthcare workers and also have a good working relationship with the Swamp Rabbits," said Matt Caldwell, President of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. “It’s always great to recognize the real frontline heroes in healthcare, especially in times like these.” The NASCAR Cup Series has been on hiatus since it last competed at Phoenix Raceway nearly two months ago as the United States and countries around the world grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the partnership, the Swamp Rabbits, Bon Secours and Spire Motorsports will participate in The Real Heroes Project, honoring healthcare workers through the power of sports. The Swamp Rabbits livery will adorn the hood, rear quarter panels and tail of the team’s Chevy Camaro.

The Real Heroes Project recognizes and honors the spirit of front-line healthcare workers who have stepped up during the global emergency, placing themselves in harm’s way to care for those battling the COVID-19 virus. Sorenson's name will be covered with tape, and replaced by Stacey Anne Wilson, a registered nurse who joined Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in 2017. Wilson, a Clemson University School of Nursing graduate, cares for patients in the Intensive and Critical Care Units at St. Francis Downtown in Greenville and plans to graduate with a doctorate in nursing from the University of South Carolina later this year. “The Swamp Rabbits are thrilled to partner with Bon Secours and Spire Motorsports to salute healthcare workers who answer the call during these unparalleled times,” explained Swamp Rabbits president Todd Mackin. “We have a unique opportunity to highlight the amazing and selfless work we’re seeing across the healthcare industry and we’re proud to embody the work of Stacey Wilson through The Real Heroes Project. At the same time, we’re eager for the Swamp Rabbits fan base to see their logo showcased on a national level.” The hashtag #TheRealHeroes will be displayed on the hood and above the rear window on the No. 77 entry. The Swamp Rabbits logo on the hood of the machine will sport a protective mask to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety guidelines. “Spire is proud to showcase two of our properties and a major partner in the battle against COVID-19 when the NASCAR Cup Series gets back to business in two weeks at Darlington Raceway,” offered Spire Motorsports co-owner T.J. Puchyr. “We have a unique opportunity to integrate the Swamp Rabbits partnership with Bon Secours into The Real Heroes Project. It’s hard to imagine where we’d be in the fight against COVID-19 without the hard work and dedication of healthcare professionals like Stacey. We’re grateful to express our gratitude with this unique platform.” The NASCAR Cup Series gets back to work Sunday, May 17, and Wednesday, May 20 with a pair of races at the legendary Darlington Raceway. The May 17 400-mile race will be televised live on FOX beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The first of back-to-back Cup Series contests at the “Track Too Tough To Tame” will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The second race will be contested under the lights three days later beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT., where FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the race live. #RABBITSRISING# SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Support the Swamp Rabbits and get the best price on tickets for the 2020–21 season. Take part in team events and get some sweet benefits, starting at just $450 per seat, or just $12.50 per game. GEAR UP! Check out the brand-new "Greenville Strong" and "Our State" t-shirts, with proceeds going to the ECHL's COVID-19 Relief Fund, or the GGHA, depending on the shirt design. Head to the Hop Shop online today and give 'em a look. Read the full article

Anti-street racing <b>event</b> makes debut at MB2 Raceway in Sylmar

Anti-street racing event makes debut at MB2 Raceway in Sylmar .... The “Beat the Heat” event is similar to the one that MotorGospel Ministries ... from Google Alert - event https://ift.tt/2PFbvee

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8: Power Lifting

Covertly chasing the title of the World’s Strongest Street Magnum

I grew up in NYC — a great city, but arguably the worst place in the world to be a gearhead. From high school on, I had to satisfy my hunger for horsepower with everything I could learn from books, magazines, and later, the internet, along with occasional road trips to a car show or the track. The upside of all that armchair enthusiasm was that when I relocated to Los Angeles three years ago, I knew exactly what I wanted in a project car — powerful, American, rear-wheel drive, all that for sure — but there were a few more X-factors I was looking for too.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to oddballs — the obscure comic book character that only appeared a handful of times, the underground metal band with only one EP. My taste in cars is no different, so it had to be something a little off the beaten path. I also wanted something that would spark gas station conversations with other gearheads, while remaining largely invisible to civilians. And it had to function as a daily driver and family car.

This is what 763 lb-ft of “rear wheel” torque does to 275/40R20 radial tires when Max Nichols rolls on the boost.

I’d loved the Magnum SRT8s since they first came out — that a mean-looking modern American V-8 wagon even existed was truly cool. The Magnum ticked all the boxes on my mandatory requirements list — with the added bonus of being based on a popular platform with lots of aftermarket support.

My concern was whether I could find a clean, low-mileage Magnum with no major issues after all these years. Poking around online, I stumbled across a well-cared-for example in my preferred color (black) with only 19,000 miles on the clock in Austin, Minnesota. After a couple phone calls with the owner, I took a leap of faith and soon the car was on a trailer headed to me in L.A. When it arrived, I was thrilled. The wagon looked even better than the photos I’d seen and was a blast to drive.

To all the world, this black Magnum SRT8 looks perfectly stock. We can tell you from experience, however, that this Magnum is far from original in terms of performance.

I started out doing all the things you do when you’re just dipping your toe in making a car your own — Mopar CAI, Corsa Xtreme cat-back and a DiabloSport 91 Octane tune. That was fun … for a while. A mechanic friend put me in touch with “Viper Dan” Cragin at Specialty Performance in Alhambra, California. Dan and I hatched a plan to wake things up a little. A Mopar transmission-programing upgrade and AMG blue-top solenoids made for some more lively shifting and a Wavetrac LSD with a 3.55:1 ring-and-pinion allowed for proper burnouts and a little more out-of-the-hole grunt.

The car remained in that state for a while, serving as my daily driver and providing a lot of smiles per gallon. My twin daughters have always liked calling cars by name, so the Magnum clearly needed one. My wife suggested Magnus — after Magnús ver Magnússon from the old World’s Strongest Man TV show — based on the similarity to Magnum and connotation with power. It stuck and that’s what my family calls the car to this day.

The striking Hemi Orange engine coloration continues from the factory coil pack covers to the 2.9L Whipple Screw-style supercharger that kicks out 812 rwhp. The underhood area is neatly appointed and stops traffic at the local Cars & Coffee when Max pops the hood.

I’d heard that if I wanted to make serious modern Mopar power in SoCal, Adam Montague at SpankinTime Motorsports was the guy to see. I drove from L.A. to his shop in San Bernardino to sit down with him and formulate a plan — the first of many such trips I’d make over the next couple years. We decided to go with a 2.9L Whipple twin-screw supercharger sitting on a custom-built 393 stroker with a Crower custom-grind blower cam, CNC-ported heads, a BBK 95mm throttle body and Driveshaft Shop 1,400hp axles.

This setup proved to be good for 717 rwhp and 673 torque on 91-octane pump gasoline with 12-psi boost. I ran 11.49 seconds at 124 mph at Famoso Raceway on street-legal drag radials — that’s a pretty solid effort for a full-weight family wagon and a lot better than the mid 13s the car ran from the factory.

Max’s Magnum isn’t just for the track. Whether he’s driving his twin daughters to their soccer games or headed for the track, everything he needs fits within the confines of this cool and very fast wagon.

Next, SpankinTime installed a Southern Hotrod War Viking NAG1 transmission, a ProTorque 3,000-stall converter, Fore Innovations fuel system, Black Ops 1,300cc injectors, and an E85 tune. Also added were a custom SpankinTime icebox for the supercharger, a Driveshaft Shop two-piece driveshaft, and a set of Race Star wheels wrapped in Hoosier rubber. This setup really tied things together. It dyno’d at 786 hp and 717 lb-ft of torque, and I ran 10.63 seconds at 133 mph on 15-psi boost.

To allow for more boost, Adam custom fabricated a stand-alone eight-rib belt setup, which runs the blower up to 17 psi. We also upgraded to the 102mm Whipple throttle body and added JBA mid-pipes to the otherwise stock exhaust. Following these most recent upgrades, the car dyno’d at 812 hp and 763 lb-ft of torque and ran a 10.27 at 137 mph at Famoso — driving there and back.

The factory suspension is great for Max’s daily drive, but to get the next level of performance, he has some plans in the works to drive this Dodge into the 9-second quarter-mile club.

What’s next? The car runs 10.2s on stock suspension, so it’s hard not to wonder if some help in that department might get it into the 9s. We’re going to add some Lakewood drag shocks soon and possibly a 15-inch rear brake conversion with a bigger tire down the road. We’ll see.

The exterior remains completely stock, as I dig the stealth-mode approach. Understanding that the car came with a 425hp rating from the factory, I think it can still be considered a sleeper. I’ve chosen to keep it as quiet as possible to continue the stealth theme. There’s a nice, low rumble when driving down the road and you can hear the cam, but I’m too old for a look-at-me obnoxiously loud vehicle.

Max retained the factory Magnum wheels, 9 inches wide and 20 inches tall for street driving.

I wanted the engine bay to feel like hidden treasure underhood, thus the Hemi Orange blower, the custom-painted coil-pack covers, and the Billet Technology billet accents. I’m particularly fond of the old-school hot rod lettering. It was hand-painted by sign painter Lorenzo Rams at Workhorse Sign Co. in Hawthorne, California. The quote is from Flannery O’Connor’s 1952 novel, Wise Blood, which was adapted into a film directed by John Huston in 1979. It’s the same line used by the band Ministry for their song, “Jesus Built My Hot Rod.”

This car is my true daily driver. I drive it to meetings, to pick the kids up from school, wherever. My now 8-year-old twins love it and have been known to say “Boost, daddy. Boost!” and I’ll give them a little taste to make them laugh. I like to joke that it’s for when you need groceries right now, and rest assured that my kids are never late for soccer practice!  —Max Nichols

When you’re making big power, the transmission can become the weakest link in the chain. The Southern Hotrod War Viking NAG1 five-speed transmission is a favorite with the fastest late-model Mopars today.

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Max Nichols, Pacific Palisades, CA

ENGINE Type: 393-cid Chrysler Hemi V-8 Bore x stroke: 4.070-inch (bore) x 3.7950-inch (stroke) Block: factory 6.1L block Rotating assembly: 2618 forgef CP Carrillo pistons, forged Molnar turbo connecting rods, forged Molnar crankshaft Compression: 9.5:1 Cylinder heads: modified factory 6.1L SRT8 Magnum cylinder heads, CNC-ported Camshaft: Crower custom blower camshaft, 0.585-inch lift, 226-degree intake duration, 228 degrees on exhaust side Induction: 2.9L Whipple twin-screw supercharger painted Hemi Orange, 102mm Whipple throttle body, SpankinTime custom 8-rib stand-alone belt system with 3.125-inch pull to generate 17 psi of boost, Fleetrunner eight-rib belt and Spankin’ Time custom intake icebox, Fore Innovations full return-style fuel system running E85 fuel, Five-O-Motorsports Black Ops fuel injectors Oiling system: Melling high-volume oil pump Exhaust: stock exhaust manifolds, JBA mid-pipes, Corsa 4-inch polished tips Ignition: factory stock ignition Cooling: factory original cooling system with Moroso aluminum coolant tank Engine/vehicle built by: Adam Montague, SpankinTime Motorsports, San Bernardino, CA,

The interior is very much as delivered with the factory gauges, console, and seating.

DRIVETRAIN Transmission: Southern Hotrod War Viking NAG five-speed automatic, one-piece Driveshaft Shop custom two-speed unit Shifter: steering wheel-mounted AMG paddle shifters Rearend: 2006 Dodge 215mm differential, 3.55:1 gearing, Wave Trac Posi, Driveshaft Shop 1,400hp axles

CHASSIS Suspension: factory original, front and rear Steering: stock power steering box Brakes: stock Chrysler Brembo disc brakes Paint: factory Black

WHEELS & TIRES Wheels: 20×9 SRT8 Chrysler wheels (street); 17×4.5 (front) and 17×9.5 (rear) Race Star Drag Stars (track) Tires: 255/45ZR20 (front) and 275/40R20 (rear) Nitto NT555 G2 (street); 27.5×4.5/17 Hoosier front-runners and 28×10-17 Hoosier bias-ply slicks (track)

Jutting from the back of the steering wheel and within easy reach are a pair of paddle shifters that ensure perfect shifts at exactly the right moment.

With the Hoosier bias-ply slicks in place, the quarter-mile times drop quickly. Note that the Race Star Drag Stars wheels fit neatly around the factory Brembo brakes.

Key to picking the Whipple supercharger was generating big power and keeping everything underhood. This looks like a factory installation — it’s just that clean.

This custom SpankinTime icebox keeps intake pressures cool, which is critical to making the huge power generated by this supercharged 393-cid Mopar powerplant.

Everything about this installation is well-thought-out, including proper fuel flow, oil pressure, and state of electronic engine tune

This custom bracket, built by Adam Montague of SpankinTime Motorsports, keeps the eight-rib serpentine beltdrive in perfect alignment to retain boost pressures even at high rpm. The engine currently sees 17 psi of boost.

Not visible to the naked eye are the Fore Innovations full return-style fuel system and the 1,300cc Black Ops fuel injectors.

Not only is Max the driver, he’s also the pit crew. Here he bolts up the Hoosier front runners in prep for a serious drag run.

With its racing shoes in place, the Black Magnum looks more the part of a serious muscle car than its usual daily driver role.

The Magnum exhaust is made up of factory exhaust manifolds with JBA mid-pipes. The only visible exhaust components are these Corsa 4-inch exhaust tips. This car is amazingly quiet at idle.

Black license plates are all the rage in California these days, a throwback to 1969, the last year they were issued until now. The classic plate on a black Magnum is a nice touch.

This is the side of the Magnum most stop light competitors will generally see. Max wanted his Dodge to retain the stealth appearance — that is until his “Magnús ver Magnússon” side comes out.

It takes merely the flick of a toe to send the factory radials up in smoke when you’re packin’ this kind of power.

The post 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8: Power Lifting appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

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“I don’t want a pickle...I just want to ride my motorcycle.....”

Holy Roller Riders ~ As the great Arlo Guthrie sang “ I don’t want a pickle, I just want to ride my motorcicle” Happy New Year to all our friends and fellow riders, wanted to check in with you all. Praying that this email finds all of you happy and healthy in 2014! Rebecca and I wanted to let you all know how much we love and appreciate you and look forward to riding with you in 2014. A look back at 2013, we made some new friends and reconnected with old friends, we enjoyed great food, fellowship and beautiful weather. To cruise some of the most beautiful roads in the world. We really are blessed to live in Northern CA. In Nov., Mark turned us on to a food drive through RSA in Windsor. We helped them raise about 200lbs of food and $200.00. We got to feel what it’s like to take laps at Infineon Raceway, what a treat. I would say it was a win/win for everyone. If anyone has something on their heart that they would like to see happen, etc. places to ride, charity’s that we can bless in 2014, please let us know. Looking forward to what God has in store for us this year. Be bold for Jesus and make a difference in someone’s life today! Blessings to all, Tom & Rebecca   1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Laura Flanders: I love you guys and the fun rides that you plan.  I look forward to riding in 2014!!Holy Rollers: 

We love you, Laura!  Thanks for your faithfulness to the ministry and the rides. Tom will be planning some fun rides for 2014!

Regrann from @stephen_gunter - February 24, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Racers and the General Public are asked to please note the following. 1.  The NDRC Night of Champions Awards Ceremony has been postponed to Saturday April 14, 2018 at Waterfalls in Kingston. This awards ceremony will include the presentation of awards and prize money for the 2017 Series Champions, plus trophies and prize money for Full Throttle 4 & Full Throttle 5 2017 event winners and runners-up. Invitation and additional information will be released soon. 2.  Test & Tune 1 scheduled for March 11, 2018 and Full Throttle 1 scheduled for March 18, 2018 are both cancelled. Accelerated development of Vernamfield by the Ministry of Transport & Mining has resulted in the unavailability of the airstrip to facilitate racing as per agreement announced in December 2017. 3.  The 2018 NDRC Drag Racing Season will begin with Full Throttle 2 on May 30, at NDRC Speedway @ Ken Jones Aerodrome, Portland. Additional information including event ASR’s, Press Releases etc. will be issued in due course. 4.  All events in the 2018 NDRC Drag Racing Championship series will be held at NDRC Raceway @ Ken Jones Aerodrome. - #regrann (at Dung a Town)

ministry at the speedway

It was over 222 years ago that I first had the opportunity to serve with the Raceway Ministries Martinsville team, and it is an incredible opportunity.  Since then I have had the honor of serving with Raceway Ministries in various ways.  It is an honor to share Jesus with race fans at the speedway.

This stuff happens at races all over the world.  There are men and women giving their time to serve the racing community.  They offer worship services, counseling, refreshments, Jesus conversations and more.  I have met so many people committed to making a difference in a place where few others will go.  

In Martinsville our team offers several different things, and it is also a blessing to work along side the leaders and team of Martinsville Speedway.  Sunday morning before the race this weekend there will be a worship service for race fans.  We will have a team of cart drivers helping fans with special needs.  One of my favorite things are the conversations we have with people from so many different places.  Talking about Jesus never gets old, and you might be surprised to know that many people are so open to talk about him.

Why go to the speedway?  There are plenty of reasons not to go.  The race is on Sunday and keeps our volunteers from attending their own church.  Often it is cold or raining, really hot or even snowing.  There are also plenty of reasons to go to the speedway.

1 Corinthians 9:22  NASB

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

Romans 5:5  NLT

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Isaiah 35:3  NLT

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.

Telling people that God loves them is something that we can do in many different ways.  Serving people opens the door to help others see and hear God.  Our lives offer hope to those in need.

Join us at the speedway.  Come serve with us if you would like.  But please pray that many will hear about God’s love for them, and they will allow God to change their lives.

NOTE: this e-devotion was first shared several years ago and remains true as we begin another weekend of ministry in Martinsville

#GENERATIONX #BMXMINISTRY #MXMINISTRY Jeff Hembre road like a Champion for Jesus Christ today coming off four week old injuries to his arm, shoulder and neck he still placed 2nd at Tulare Raceway today then we took off to Sunday Night Church in Hollywood, CA. Praise the LORD. God is moving. All eyes on Jesus. Great riding Jeff, and praise God He's given you great life saving faith in Jesus Christ. Sunday March 25, 2017 #ReadTheBible #smart (at BMX Ministry)

opportunities

Romans 1:10  NLT  

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.

We all have opportunities.  Do we take them?

There are opportunities around us.  Do we see them?

And even more, do we care about the opportunities?

Paul prayed for opportunities, as the verse above states.  He had his eyes open and was asking for a chance to use his story to help others.  We have the same opportunities.

This week is just one of those for me.  It is time for the work of Raceway Ministries at Martinsville Speedway.  When the world comes to our town, I believe Jesus wold have us in the mix of things taking opportunities to share about Him.

Colossians 4:5  NLT  

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

The way we live often opens opportunities.  When people see our faith, doors will open, conversations will start, questions will be asked, ears will be open to hear, and lives will be changed.  Look for opportunities.  Look every day.

Luke 21:13  NLT  

But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

Be careful not to miss them.  We can enjoy life, have fun, not be so serious and seize the opportunities God gives us.

Live it out.  Walk through the door.  Have the conversation.  Look around you.  See what God is doing and go where God is leading.  Those are the opportunities that I believe God is giving you and me!

I am grateful.  Well, you have heard me say it numerous times.  But right now all I can say is “thank you” to God and to some other who are on my mind.

Thank you to people who remember and push forward.  You know these people.  They are the ones who remind you of your purpose, who give you encouragement, who show up most often and more.  We all need these kind of people.

I Thessalonians 5:11  NLT  

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

I am thankful for our team at the speedway who served long hours, during hot temperatures and in tough situations.  We have a great partnership with people at our speedway, we have some folks who donated items needed, and we have a bunch of awesome volunteers who keep showing up.

1 Corinthians 16:18  NLT  

They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.

Finally for this Monday, I am grateful for what God does.  He still changes lives.  He still gives grace and forgiveness.  He still works no matter if we are tired, skeptical or even complaining.  He is God, and I want to make Him known.

One of the best ways to let others know your heart is to say “thank you”!

thankful for raceway ministry

Psalm 86:12  NLT  

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,

Simply today is the overflow of what is on my mind coming out of a busy and fruitful weekend.  God really is good.

Our team serving at Martinsville Speedway has been able to help race fans during Nascar events for more than 30 years, and I have been part of it for 22 of those years.  What an amazing and blessed time each race.

This weekend was the same.  There seems to always be difficult weather, but we got through it.  Friday evening brought a pretty bad storm, but God watched over the property and all the people.  I am thankful for His protection over our team.

There is no telling how many people we have been able to serve with refreshments, guest services and were a part of the worship service.  Each conversation that included talking about Jesus.  There were lots of those conversations, and that is what we prayed for.  I am thankful for each one and pray that each person gets closer to God.

We had some of the best team members that worked with us.  Volunteers came from a long way off and from near.  Many drove the ADA carts.  Many worked under our tents serving refreshments and giving out materials.  It takes every one of those precious people, men and women, who worked hard and gave their time and energy.  I am thankful for each one.

The worship service went so well.  The group Branches shared music and testimony pointed all those who stayed and those who stopped by for a few minutes in the direction of God.  These ladies are such a blessing and making a difference as they share Christ.

The staff at the speedway allow us to partner with them to see that race fans are served.  Yes, we accomplish some tasks that they have to have cared for, but we also get to talk to people about Jesus, give out Bibles and make a difference in so many lives.  I am grateful for this relationship and the honor of serving together.

But what I am really thankful for is that God is working.  He continues to work.  He continues to build a great team.  He continues to meet needs.  He continues to encourage so many, including me, each time we are able to serve.  God is so good!

Ephesians 5:20  NLT  

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

share the good news

Once again our team has the honor of serving at Martinsville Speedway this weekend through Raceway Ministry Martinsville.  We are committed to loved people because of a few important reasons.

First, God loves people.  Second, people matter to God, and third, lots of people are coming to our community.  We have been blessed with an opportunity to share.

Did you hear that?  We have an opportunity to share about Jesus.  And it is the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus, that we get to share this weekend.

Mark 8:35 NASB

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

 Have we accepted what God has given us?  The GOSPEL is the single most important part of our faith.  This is a very simple truth that we get to share with others.

 Easter was this past weekend, and it we learned about Him … Jesus is the son of God sent to the world to deal will our sin by the grace of God.  He lived on earth as fully man and fully God after being born of a virgin, making him uniquely perfect.  He was killed by being placed on a cross.  Three days later Jesus rose from the dead.  Now he is in heaven because His work of salvation is complete.

 That is the good news.  That is the most important of all the pieces of what God has given us. Without the Gospel we would not have the salvation that we talked about this week.

 We are uniquely called, as God’s people, to share with people that need the Gospel.  And God loves people.  The Gospel must be at the center.  Without it we miss our reason for existing, we lose our power, and we are empty of our God given purpose and useless.

  Romans 1:16  NASB

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 May we share what is most important as we interact with people each day.  Why?  Because God loves people!