Final Post
 

I have made the decision not to post anymore unless it is a get well, a birthday wish, an update on Chase, defending false accusations about our race team, or reflections from the good ole days. I am done posting on topics about how to improve our sport, save our sport, or anything that has to do with bashing or belittling people. The reason I am doing this is because I am trying to get my life where I believe it needs to be. That would be putting God first, family second, and racing falling in some where down the line. While standing on the fence waiting for the B mains at Paragon tonight I was pondering my life and if I was really getting it right or was racing still coming before God and my family. About that time someone came up to me and asked me about my posts I have been putting on here. By the way he agreed lol. It hit me like a ton of bricks all I have been thinking about since these post's have started is this site and the purse thing. I am still ate up with racing and it's crazy that I let this purse thing eat me up so bad. Yes I know it is wrong but in the end what does all of this really matter? Nothing. All that really matters is our faith, our family and our health. For me I should just be happy that I know that I am saved by Jesus, I have a great family, and I have my health. I am not going to let this racing thing get me any longer. I am still going to go but I am going to just enjoy it. As long as we have fun and Chase is safe that is all that matters. If they fix the purse's great that would be awesome. But I am done worrying I have spoke my peace.

P.S. No promoters, Sanctioning bodies, or Fans have called me or PM'd me. I have had no rude comments that have made me make this decision. I am doing this for my self and encourage all of us to think about getting our priorities straight and not let this Internet and racing eat us up.

Also if any Promoter, Sanctioning body, or Fan would ever want to talk to me for any advice or help I am more than willing to help in any way to make this sport better as long as it doesn't get in the way of my priorities. So you can call me or PM with any questions. :6:

Thank you all and God Bless

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin,

That is one of the greatest posts I have read on here in a while. I know exactly where you are coming from though and I have also been feeling that way here lataly since I have a baby on the way.

I thing I really hate is that I will not be able to read anymore of your posts and all of the wisdom you have about racing.

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin,
1st off I want to apologize if I brought up something in the other thread that got you thinking about prize money & sanctioning bodies, etc. I do not know you personally but will come and introduce myself to you next time I see you and Chase in the pits. I think you have a lot of knowledge on this sport and I value your opinion a lot because you have been there and done it! CShuman and yourself are the only 2 drivers I see voice their opinion openly and as a fan of this sport I commend that! These are the types of drivers / owners that I want to support, I will tell you that much!

Your decision to have fun and enjoy the sport is the best thing you can do right now. You have a wonderful son that is a star in his own right and you need to sit back and enjoy the moment..... I respect your decision but I will miss your insight on this board!

I truly wish you and your family all the best luck in the future Kevin and you are a true hero in a lot of peoples eyes!

Jason Watt

Re: Final Post
 

For what it's worth, I thought you purse payout comments in the thread in question were very well thought out. They were very logical and lMO would go a great ways forward to making this form of racing viable.

I always enjoyed your comments and respect your wishes

Best of Luck

Hubie

(ps - it's all good)

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin, I will miss your knowledge and honesty on this board,but I can agree with you 100%. I also have considered cutting back on my posts other than the ones you mentioned. Some take this thing too seriously. I have always respected you,Richard, an Chase for all you do for the racing comunity.I still hope to see you at the tracks.May God bless you and your family in the future. Dave

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin, I wish you and Chase all the best in your future racing endeavors. I will also miss your knowledge, wisdom and insight on the sport of auto racing on the board. In the past I have been an advocate for higher USAC purses, and from time to time I have become out spoken on the subject on this board. I applaud you for sharing your opinion.

Safe racing,

Patti

Re: Final Post
 

The way I see it Kevin, is that if God IS 1st in your life thats all that matters.

Everything else will take care of itself. No matter what you do for a living (and I would say your a racer) thats just where God has lead you. I know you (and your family) have always been a insperation in my life although I haven't been able to race full time like you do, but when I am thinking about racing (which is most of the time) its people like you I want to be around. I think Ive been around more christians since I got involved with sprint car racing than anything else Ive ever done.

Maybe thats why I LOVE it so much?

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin I think you know that I back your thoughts 100percent I have the same feelings for putting GOD out front in everything that makes us all better I promise. Good Luck in the future and GOD Bless you, Your FREIND I HOPE, Butch Wilkerson #1:22::22::11;:11;:8::8:

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin you are just having " poster remorse ". You have proven yourself a good Christian man many times. Besides if God didn`t want you to have an opinion he would have had Moses chisel it in stone.

Re: Final Post
 

I started as a fan in 77, saw three drivers get killed, the last was GP. The racing was so much better back then. A good friend was hurt at Ascot. We would spend our time with him at the hospital instead at Disneyland. We hit all of their two day shows. This is what it's all about. Friendship. I do miss what we had 70's early 80's. Not what we have now. I can say I seen America and this sport!

Not very many can say that in here.

Good luck in what ever you do! Risky.
I'm retired to. When I'm down to three race weekends. Third of it was at my home track Calistoga last weekend.
Joe

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin,
This is the post of the decade. So many people on here type before they think or hide behind a "name", on subjects and matters that really have nothing to do with family and or life. You have never done either one. The discussion you and I had at Lawerenceburg was nothing short of showing God's wisdom thru you. Not only did it leave an expression on my youngest son (and fire me back up) but he could not quit talking about it thru out the evening. Thank You for your boldness. You and your father have always been a great example of racing and a racing family and for that I thank you. As for changing that now for the real Father is awesome.

God Bless
Kenny Jr.

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin,

Truer words couldn't have been written. Like you I've found myself pondering about my priorities when I'm covering a race (which I've done now for 13 or so years) for the newspaper. It hit me around mid-season that I was putting racing in front of everything (including my 8-year old son) and I didn't like the way I felt. That's why I'm going to take a long, hard look at things over the Winter and decide if I want to continue on doing what I used to "live" to do. I remember when Steve Butler and I were talking one time during an interview and he said that he got to the point that he "felt guilty when he wasn't racing and just as bad when he was at the track." In the last couple of years that statement has made more and more sense to me than I would have imagined. Kudos to you. I always enjoyed when you would visit Kokomo and like the others have said, you have proved that you are a Man of God.

Good luck with everything.

Brett

Re: Final Post
 

I totally respect your decision Kevin but I hope you do realize that your knowledge shared here may have saved a life or several over the years. In safety, Setup and Sportsmanship. Thats Gods work too.

Take care, See you at the track and God Bless!
Chuck

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin we TOTALLY agree with your post. God first is the only answer. Thank you for your bold witness.

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin,

I couldnt agree more, I kinda came to a similar conclusion earlier this year, when I was hit in the eye with the rock that almost blinded me, but I am blessed enough to still have my vision, and I really thought about the whole racing thing and life in general, I love race with every inch of who I am, but I also realized that nothing I ever do in a race car will matter as much as God, my family, and close friends. Realizing this has made a lot of things that used to really get to me seem so trivial. But, thanks for sharing your opinions, they are always welcome.

Re: Final Post
 

Kevin, I completely understand your feelings. I lived and breathed racing for roughly 26 years and finally said, it's time to enjoy other things in life. I have been to maybe 6 sprintcar shows all year and while I enjoyed them I could have easily enjoyed doing something else with family or friends. I found this yesterday but it goes along with a lot of what you are saying.

Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers....

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous 'yes....'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed..
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car..
The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.


Spend time with your children..

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.