Fall 2025 Newsletter
It's Never Too Late
Executive Director Eddie Baugher
Facebook Flash
A message received by Jim Jack
Loves Lost, Love Found
Chaplain Tammie Smith
Patches
Chaplain Jack Blossman
Young Ambassadors
Chaplain Lori Cutter
Rockcrawlers Never Cry
Chaplain Tom Campbell
Ladie's Day
Chaplain Karen Thomas
It’s Never Too Late
Executive Director Eddie Baugher
It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through the race season. My wife Kelly and I have already covered thousands of miles this year, following the NHRA drag racing series from coast to coast. In that time, we’ve had many opportunities to build relationships and share God’s love with people at the track, in our home, and out on the road. It’s a lot of work, but God has truly blessed our efforts, far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
After chapel at a recent national event, a man approached me and said he hadn’t been to a “religious service” in over 30 years. He said he felt God telling him to be there that morning…so he came. I’m thankful he listened to the Spirit’s prompting! I don’t know his entire story, but I pray he doesn’t wait another 30 years to go to church again. I pray he continues to listen to God, to earnestly seek Him, and do amazing things for the Kingdom.
Maybe, like a lot of people, he’d intended to go to church on numerous previous occasions but just never made it. Maybe he just kept saying, ‘Next week, God.’ Maybe he had a bad experience in church and vowed never to return. Whatever the reason, he’d been absent from God’s house for three-plus decades, but – praise the Lord – he came that Sunday!
This encounter reminded me of the importance of listening to and being obedient to God’s prompting, no matter the timing. On that particular Sunday, the man could have easily dismissed His “divine nudge” or thought to himself, ‘It’s been too many years, God – why should I go now?’ But I want you to know, it’s never too late. It’s never too late to be obedient, and it’s never too late to heed the Lord’s calling – no matter how many times you may have ignored Him or said, “Nope, not today, God!”
C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia and is considered one of the most influential Christian authors of the 20th century, didn’t come to faith in Christ until he was 30 years old. In the Bible, Abraham was 75 when God called him to leave his home, and Moses was 80 when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
As for me, I couldn’t see God using me – a drummer – in full-time ministry. Although I had a music scholarship, I dropped out of Bible college after just two years. After moving to California, I went to work with my dad and learned to lay brick. During that time, I found my love for graphic design and opened a sign shop. And that led me to becoming a racetrack photographer and later volunteering with RFC as a chaplain (a strange path, I know).
But then, at 47 years old, God did something amazing: He called me to enter full-time ministry with RFC. I could have dismissed it as just a crazy idea; after all, our sign business was doing very well and growing. Was I willing to give it up? And on top of that, it would require Kelly and me to up and leave our home and family in Oklahoma and move to Arizona.
But just like the man who came to chapel that Sunday found out, it’s never too late! God was patiently waiting for him, He was patiently waiting for me, and He is patiently waiting for you.
Maybe you can relate. That man was fortunate; God gave him yet another opportunity, and he took it! As long as we have the breath of life in us, it’s never too late!
So, what’s God saying to you? Is He calling you to serve, to go, to give, to read your Bible, or – maybe like the man in my story – to get back into church? Just maybe He’s calling you to surrender your life to Him.
Whatever it is, don’t wait another day to answer His call!
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Facebook Flash
A Message Received by Chaplain Jim Jack
“You might not remember, sir, but you had a big hand in helping me out a long time ago. I put a few bucks in a [chapel offering] envelope and submitted a small prayer request, and I got back a handwritten letter which nearly brought me to tears. It was a turning point that had a massive ripple effect. Just wanted to say thank you. Sometimes it’s the smallest of things.”
Loves Lost, Love Found
Chaplain Tammie Smith
I’ve been covering events at Carolina Dragway on and off for about 13 years and have served the NHRA Summit Super Series Bracket races for three years now. Two years ago, I met several new-to-me teams that found a home with the bracket program after Atlanta Dragway closed. One team stood special in my heart – Floyd and Paige Brown, a father-daughter combo.
Five years ago, my husband Jay went home to be with the Lord, and I was devastated. Floyd’s wife had also gone home two years prior. My heart just broke for Floyd, Paige, and her sister Candice…the whole family. I understood the painful “front row seat” of the loss of a soulmate and parent. When I prayed with Floyd and Paige in the lanes and held their hands, I felt I knew them; I knew their emptiness.
A year-and-a-half went by. I felt like I wanted to talk to Floyd on a personal level, but, man – was I terrified! Being a female at the track, I’ve gone out of my way to stay above getting “caught up in anything.” All I could think about was how reaching out could turn into a nightmare. But I reminded myself, ‘I am a ministry.’ And Floyd and Paige always showed up for chapel service.
God spoke to my heart: ‘If you’re going to talk to Floyd, you have three races left before five months of downtime.’ I got brave enough to speak to him at the next bracket race. I really expected him to reject me and never prepared for a conversation beyond, “Can I talk to you?” He asked, “About what?” At 16, I would’ve known what to say; at 62, I was CLUELESS! But I had to tell the man something, so I replied, “I don’t know…I just figured we both like drag racing and we’re both navigating the homegoings of our spouses.” It was a starting point.
We connected online, and that quickly progressed to two- to three-hour phone conversations. Floyd and I were amazed at how much we had in common. Labor Day of 2024, we “decided to be a couple,” keeping our relationship quiet to avoid gossip. He’s brilliantly cared for my reputation and supported my ministry.
Floyd proposed at their first race at Carolina this year! We were married at the starting line of the dragway on June 28th, with RFC Chaplain Ashley Allen performing the ceremony. Thank you, RFC, for allowing me to serve – had I not been approved as a chaplain some 15 years ago, none of this would’ve taken place. What a dream come true to find love again! Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep pushing. God has a plan!!
Patches
Chaplain Jack Blossman
My wife Donna and I recently served at the East Texas Motorcycle Madness in Henderson, TX. In addition to racing, a biker rally was going on at the other end of the complex. During our break time on Saturday, we walked around the rally, fellowshipping with the attendees and inviting them to our Sunday chapel. We also made a point to stop at the booths of some Christian biker clubs who’d set up there. After visiting and explaining how we were serving at the event, a number of people told us they wanted to attend our Sunday service.
Following chapel, several members of the clubs approached us about getting a photo to capture all the “back patches” in a display of unity within the biker world. Once the picture had been taken, we all gathered and prayed for each other, that God would provide open doors to share the Gospel and allow us to be an influence for Him.
It was quite an honor to pose for the photo with these brothers in Christ and have them attend our RFC service. The Lord has always been faithful in making Donna and me comfortable ministering to bikers, and we trust that feeling comfortable in an area of ministry means we’re right where He wants us to be.
Young Ambassadors
Chaplain Lori Cutter
Jax Witherow, an 11-year-old micro racer at Adobe Mountain Speedway in Glendale, AZ, sought me out to request RFC decals for his car. His mom Ashley mentioned Jax learned about RFC two years ago when they were racing on a Sunday at a UTV event in Victorville, CA. Since they were away from their home church, they attended the RFC chapel service, and Jax has been an ambassador for RFC ever since!
rockcrawlers never cry
Chaplain Tom Campbell
I’ve known “Joe” for over 20 years. Competing against each other in “the old days,” we’d never been close but respected each other as fellow competitors. Recently, we stood side by side watching an unlimited course at Katemcy Rocks Offroad Park in Mason, TX. Joe moved in a little closer and asked me how to know if he was saved.
We talked for several minutes, and then it was time for him to suit up and drive. I watched his run, and afterwards we talked some more. Eventually, he had to help his son get ready for his time on the course, so I went back to the ministry table I’d set up and bagged up an RFC Bible, a racer’s edition Upper Room devotional, a Romans Road tract, and a couple of brochures, along with my RFC business card. I took the bag to Joe and told him to call, text, or email me if he had any questions.
I prayed for Joe weekly until I saw him at the next Texas event. He came up to me during tech inspection and gave me a long bear hug. He told me he’d read everything I gave him and had prayed and asked Jesus to save him! He was crying…I was crying…Rockcrawlers never cry!! I asked about his son and the rest of the family, and Joe said he was “working on that.”
I’ve sometimes had doubts about my ministry being God-ordained, mostly due to chapel service attendance (or rather, lack of). But I pray for the Holy Spirit to precede me to the events where I serve and allow me to speak God’s words. Well, He spoke to me in Texas! So I’ll keep pressing on, “tired and strung out from the road,” running the race until it’s finished, being obedient, and trusting the Lord!
Ladie’s Day
Chaplain Karen Thomas
Having been a racer’s wife for 40+ years, I was always fearful of the track. Ladies’ Day was an idea I had about seven years ago after I became a driver and realized that I was safer at the raceway than on the interstate! I wanted to create an environment for women to experience racing with their own special day at the track, complete with a loaner helmet.
We were excited when Greer (SC) Dragway, a historic 1/8-mile WDRA-sanctioned track, came on board to host the event. I thought it might be hard to recruit participants, so I sold the idea of learning to accelerate properly when passing a vehicle or entering an interstate via an on-ramp.
My husband David and I organized and promoted the event, held on July 19th at the Dragway, and we attracted 20 participants! As we’re both chaplains, it was only natural for God to be a focal point of the event. The theme for our Ladies’ Day was patience. We all know waiting is difficult, but it’s required if we want to do our best. Focusing on fear, insecurity, and challenges, we looked to God’s Word for His provision of peace, reassurance, and calm, both on the track and in daily life. A devotion and prayer were an integral part of the welcome, and to appeal to the women, we included breakfast, goodie bags, and sponsor introductions (like who they could trust for car maintenance, etc.). I truly appreciated the husbands and dads who served as instructors and track workers. In many cases, they were also encouragers!
Taking their turns in the driver’s seat for a run down the track, there were many smiles and feelings of accomplishment, accompanied by comments like, “I need a faster car!”
This four-hour event can easily be replicated at other tracks and extended to a full day/weekend, including chapel, RFC Kids programming, and dinner/social time. If you would like information about holding a Ladies’ Day at a track near you, email me at drthomasgc@aol.com.
Field Notes
I’ve been around the Radio-Controlled Drag Racing League since 2017 and race my own cars when my schedule allows. On Saturday evening at the Summer National at Lonestar Dragway in Grand Prairie, TX, I had the opportunity to talk with a young man toward the end of the event, answering a couple of questions he had about things in the Bible. This led into an almost hour-long conversation that allowed me to pour and invest the word of God into “G.” He reads the Bible, and I was able to bring him to different scriptures to answer his questions, show him new ways to study God’s Word, and offer advice. It was such a great time and conversation! The League asking me to come out for this event was surely a God moment for me, and I give Him all the glory!
– Chaplain Clint Parker
My local dirt track is nicknamed “Church of Dirt,” as its location is known to be a highly “religious” area. As the season’s events were being planned, it was brought to my attention there’d be a Sunday race, and the promoter (who’s a Christian) asked if we could do a chapel service prior to the races. “Everyone calls the track Church of Dirt, so let’s give them church!” he said. After heavy rains the day before, the pit area and track needed a lot of work for Sunday’s racing, and the crew got to work early. A couple minutes before service, all equipment shut down and work stopped, and 31 people came to participate in chapel. It was awesome!
– Chaplain Shawn Klassen
During “load-in” as the racers get in line, I have opportunities for more intimate conversations. I recently had a racer tell me of a long-time friend who’d passed away just hours earlier. We prayed for her family and friends left behind (including him, of course). We later prayed together again before he made a run down the track. This was the first time he desired prayer before running, saying he was “changing his ways.” Wow! God is good! The ministry of presence often becomes spiritual work!
– Chaplain Matthew Miller
Working a memorial boat race at Dexter Reservoir in Lowell, OR, “J,” one of the drivers, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior as I towed him to the starting line! We had time to talk while waiting to put him on the holding rope.
– Chaplain Dan Kirkman
I see the RFC ministry reaching people at the tracks from all walks of life. I had someone come up to me tonight and say they never step foot in a church house, but every race, they look forward to coming to our chapel services at Rockingham (NC) Raceway.
– Chaplain Ashley Allen
Photos From the Field
RFC materials on display in front of Chaplain Carol Smith’s ‘33 Ford Sedan at the Antelope Springs Car Show in CA
Chaplain Chris Sonterre prays with Super Pro racer Sam at Rock Falls Raceway in WI.
At Penwell Knights Raceway in TX, Chaplain David Ruebush prays with drivers in the pits.
At the Mid-Season Championship in Callahan, CO, Chaplain Dean Cummings prays with a Dirt Late Model driver.
Chaplain Jim Spoonhower gives the invocation at Perris Auto Speedway in CA.
At the Cavalcade of the Stars in Norwalk, OH, Chaplain Norm Witte prays with Super Comp driver Nathan Prose.
At the Eastern Conference Junior Dragster Finals in Bristol, TN, Chaplains Scott Griffith and Dave Fernandez pray with a Junior driver.
Chaplain Ted Peterson prays with a Grand American Modified driver at the NASCAR weekly race at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono.
Chaplain Dan Kirkman baptizes James Collett at the CDBA boat race in Lowell, OR.
Chaplain Kevin Cooke prays with Jr racer Kole Paone at the Region 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Reading, PA.
Crafting fun at an impromptu RFC Kids session at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing series at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis
Chaplain Lori Cutter gives the invocation at the opening ceremonies at the High Limit Racing sprint car race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
At Bradenton Motorsports Park in FL, Chaplain Russ Elzy prays with cyclist Mike Fulks and his son.
Chaplain Frank Castagnetti blesses the racing teams and vehicles at a ceremony for the Quirit ohana (family) at Hilo Drag Strip in HI.