KNIGHTROUS~Pastor Jeff Knight

WEEK 10-3rd

2009-07-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

Week 10 took place on the 5/8's track where speeds are high and getting through the turn fast is key to straightaway speed more than ever. The crate motor cannot make up the difference for an ill handling car.

Practice.
We had a decent practice. The car was pretty stout all day, especially getting into the corner. I could hold the thing wide open for a long time. We made some changes to help the car get through the center and off the corner.

Qualify.
We had a marginal qualifying effort, 4th. I thought we'd be better, but the balance wasn't quite right and it got loose off of turn 2. Although we were on .2 seconds off fast time we knew we had to work on it a little more.

Trophy dash.
Started on the pole, but discovered a loose plug wire the moment the green flag dropped. Bummer. We were 3rd. My fault. The engine builder stopped by the pits and I wanted him to check the plug to make sure we were tuned well. It didn't go back together right.

Main.
Started on the pole again, but car was tight in turn 1 and surrendered the lead. Falling to second I realized I hadn't heard from my spotter about 3 laps in, which is abnormal. Well, his radio failed. I am rolling in 2nd without mirrors (they slow me down) and I have no
spotter. I surrendered 3rd.

We settled into 3rd, a crew member on the infield took over spotting, and the race sorted out.

A caution came out on lap 12. We thought we had spotter fixed, but not quite. On the restart I got hosed. One car made it three wide in turn one and I was in the middle. Without a spotter I was bouncing off cars; 11, 94, and 16. By the end of turn 1 and 2 I was sixth. Yeah.

It was time to put my head down and battle. I was a little aggresive moving to the front because the leaders got a big jump. I didn't have time to dilly dally in 6th. My car was not hurt and I needed to wheel it forward.

I picked off 5th and then 4th and then 3rd. I caught 2nd who was having the run of her year. Natalie was fast and although I caught her she was strong where I was strong. It took me too long to exploit her cars weakness because I was really tight from center off.

With 4 laps to go I got to her inside going into turn one, but couldn't close the deal. She was bad fast and finished 2nd, I was 3rd.

I was especially pleased with the team performance, both cars in the top three is a first for us.

I was super pleased with Natalie. She drove well and proved she can run up front. She will be strong the rest of the year provided she keeps her car healthy. Very good job Natalie.

My crew is great and made some sacrifices to get up front this weekend. We've got some work to do in the shop to catch the 00 car of Naima Lang, but we are up to the task.

Next race is July 25th. 125 laps for us on the big track. I also have the opportunity to run 175 laps with the ASA Tour. If there were a sponsor out there interested in climbing on board for this race weekend we could race 300 laps together. Leave me a comment on here if
your interested.

Sent from my iPhone

TERRYL AND KAT

2009-06-30T01:06:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Guam on Sunday, landed in Guam Monday evening. We had a great rehearsal dinner on Monday night and the wedding was Tuesday evening. They setting was spectacular, the couple adorable. They wanted me to share a couple pics I took with the new I phone. I got a video also,gotta love my new iphone!!!

WEEK 9-STRANGE

2009-06-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

Edits: 6/30/09 from Guam. That'll teach me for writing on the plane, and then sending to the blog. I've got to edit for grammar and spelling...sorry.

We had a great car on Saturday, the best this year. I felt like we had a shot at the win more than any other race in '09. Steve, my crew chief, was out of town, and Tony Smith, a friend and team member of Jeff Barkshire's crew, filled in as crew chief for the day.

He and Steve put together a game plan, and it was successful. We qualified 2nd. Instead of a heat race we had a 5-minute hot-lap session. The car was better, so we gave it some more of what we did earlier.

As we lined up for the main the Street Stock class was under yellow because a hole opened up on the track, chunks of asphalt were breaking apart. The SS race ended and the officials thought we might be able to
run, but the hole on the front stretch was big. The track crews did their best to fix it, but it was right in the groove off of turn 4.

I started 6th. The first laps I was saving my stuff, staying clean and picking off positions. The yellow flew as we were coming to the stripe, lap 5. I was 4th overtaking 3rd and Natalie was 1st, she started outside front row, when the caution came out.

The caution flew because the hole opened up big time with softball size rocks punishing our cars. It was a dangerous situation for drivers and fans. Imagine a rock getting into the cockpit or one bouncing like a ball off a car and into the stands, bad deal.

The night ended and I thought, "Oh what might have been." I really appreciate the track taking care of us this night. It is yet to be certain how this race will impact the season as NASCAR will have to decide what is fair, but the speedway offered us some tires for later in the year which they didn't have to do. I also understand the fans were given some half price tickets for another show.

It's too bad Snohomish county won't pave their race track. It's a convoluted deal, but with the revenue the county makes off of racing I'd think they could fix the best track in the NW. Sadly, If they don't fix it racing days at Monroe are numbered, an industry cannot survive long when it's infrastructure is crumbling.

Did you know that fire departments train at the speedway? Police departments also train at the track. The county exec and council authorize many ton trucks to run drills on a very old surface loosening the bond between asphalt and subsurface.The track is an asset to our county generating serious revenue for Monroe and Sno-county.

It's not our 2800 lbs race cars hurting the track surface. It's the years of neglect by the county. Maybe Fred Meyer will let us race in their parking lot?

Sent from my iPhone/edited on my PC

THIS IS REALLY GOOD!

2009-06-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

I saw this yesterday...it challenged my "jumping."

The African impala has the ability to stand still on all fours and jump over 8 feet high, as high as 13! It can go 30 feet out! If it can't see where it's going to land, it won't jump... it has no faith. It will only jump where it can see... which is why it doesn't jump over 3 foot zoo walls.

God has given us gifts... what's the 3 foot wall in front of us that we aren't trusting God helping us to overcome? What's keeping us from going higher and further with the gifts God has placed in us to advance His Kingdom?

Kris Kross said, "Jump, jump!" ... Cypress Hill "Jump up, Jump up, Get down, Jump Around!"

We've got to jump... take our gifts the world.

Don't sit in religion, get up and jump!

INTERN GRADUATION

2009-06-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

It is that time again. Every year this time we graduate another amazing class of interns. This year is no exception. Don't miss the opportunity to honor those students who pour so much of their lives into our church.

It starts at 7pm. See you there.

QUENCH

2009-06-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

Quench is in full swing!

People are giving out H2OOOOYEAH all over the place. A lot of great stories about thankfulness. Keep it up, giving away water is a great opportunity to serve people.

Don't be worried about persecution. One story I heard a guy said, "I'd rather go thirsty than drink Jesus water." I thought for goodness sakes bro, it's not Koolaid, but suit yourself.

Get out there and give away some H2OOOOYEAH!

THE WHITE KNIGHT

2009-06-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the time lapse video we made while getting the White Knight ready last month. Enjoy.

WEEK 8-3rd

2009-06-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

Week 8 was on the 3/8's track at Evergreen Speedway. The forecast threatened for rain, but the rain held off. I was excited about weekend.

I qualified 2nd and started the heat outside front row. I struggled on the first lap getting a good start, but by lap one I had a 2 wide battle that lasted the entire heat race. I was on the outside of the 34 for 8 straight laps, much needed for me. I learned a ton running the second groove. I finished the heat 3rd.

The main I started last row outside. The car was strong early, Naima and I got to 1st and 2nd. We had a caution on lap 15. My tires cooled, and when we went green again my car developed a push. Turns out the right rear tire lost some size, alot of size. The car didn't turn as well after that, but I held 2nd place until the final restart, green, white and checkered. I had tough battle with the 06 car at the end of the race.

Entering turn three, coming to the checkers the 06 got into me and I missed my mark. My car turned, but then we had more contact, taking my momentum. The 06 beat me at the stripe, I finished 3rd.

All in all it was great Saturday for team 70. Next week is a 3/8's race again. Big track in July.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

2009-06-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

There were about 250+ people at Schools out for summer last weekend.
Father's Day Car and Bike Show was off the hook. Pastors often comment about how Father's Day is a least attended day of the year, but for the last six years Father's Day is one of the best weekends of the year for TRC.
Become a fan of Quench on the Quench facebook page. One day in and there are 71 fans...
Jeff B, who goes to The Rock is a huge race fan. He'd been telling me about how it's a bit tight this year financially, so he hadn't seen a race. This Saturday I show up at the track and he is there, but not as a fan. He is dressed in a yellow fire suit volunteering to help the sweep crew, who clean up the racing surface. I was so impressed by his passion. Very cool.
There were so many responses to the message yesterday at church. I can't wait to hear about how many responded to give their lives to Christ.
If you are old enough you will remember this song. It captures the message from yesterday. Check it out.

I had a very special person to me, who was coming out of a hard time, at church yesterday. God can do anything, including pull people out and rescue them from the wages of sin.
Pray for Little Miss Seven Addison. She has an ear infection. She was pretty mad about it on Father's Day cause she wanted to go and race go karts with dad.
I am thrilled about the momentum at The Rock Church, Lake Stevens and Monroe!

WEEKEND PREVIEW

2009-06-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Big weekend ahead...

First, Father's Day, it's my 2nd! We have the 6th annual Father's Day car and Bike show at The Rock Church. Don't miss this once a year church service, and after party.

Second, Launch of Quench. We are giving away 20,000 bottles of H2OOOOOOYEAH this summer. Come this weekend to get your cases.

Third, Mid Season Championships at Evergreen Speedway. It was one year ago this weekend that I won my first race, pretty excited about Saturday night.

PURPOSE-WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

2009-06-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Knight

When I was searching for my purpose I wanted to do something that mattered. The closer I got to His presence, the more comfortable I was being a Christ-follower, the more I wanted to do something that impacted the world for him. More than anything I realized I didn't need to be a pastor to impact, I could have been whatever my heart desired. Sometimes that's the problem, we think we must be in the ministry to do the ministry and impact the world for God. My recommendation, know God as best you can, and be OK with who he's made you; at that point, he will reveal your purpose.

"Purpose-driven" has become a term widely known in recent years, made popular by Pastor Rick Warren, but at the core there is not a better way to live. Since the beginning of time purpose has been on the mind of the greatest achievers. Those who discover their purpose are those who live the high life, they are the most satisfied achievers of the day.

So how does one discover their purpose? How do you know when you land on what you are called to do? What about purpose?

Jer 1:5, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

This scripture tells us a lot about Jeremiah, that he was a prophet, but maybe even more about God.

God knew Jeremiah before he was born (God’s relationship with us).
God set Jeremiah apart to do something (God’s approval upon us).
God appointed Jeremiah a prophet to the nations (God’s purpose in us).

If he can do it for Jeremiah, He can do it for me, and you!

If you’ve been living long enough then you are doing something, maybe by choice, accident, or ignorance. You’re giving your life in a direction. Let’s not fret because of where we are, let’s look at how to get to the center of God’s purpose.

First, where is your relationship with God? I’ve not seen someone find their way to meaningful purpose without first acknowledging their relationship with the Lord. To have a relationship with the Lord where your purpose is defined will require you to look to the one who came to the earth for the express purpose of you finding you. When you find the relationship that's been available all along, you'll begin to unlock the mystery of your purpose.

Second, did you know God approves of you? Not because of what you do, but because of who you are. When Jesus showed up at the river to be baptized God said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” It wasn’t about what Jesus had done, or was about to do, God was pleased with him because he was his son. Until your heart is in the right spot concerning the father you’ll struggle with “being” in relationship with him.

Rom 8:29, "God knew them before he made the world, and he decided that they would be like his Son..." NCV

Consider taking the step, get into relationship with the Father who’s known you before you were born, then be at ease, set apart, to do something with him; finally, you’ll find and harness what you’ve been looking for, purpose.

God has called you to a great purpose, I can’t tell you what it is, but I can tell you this, “It will line up with your relationship with God and his blessing upon your life.” It will draw you nearer to him and unleash his approval on you.

See, often we want the destination, to know our purpose. But the sum of the parts is what brings us the whole. If I knew everything God called me to do, I’d probably turn him down on his offer. Instead, I pursue a relationship with him, then I learn to "be" set apart and approved by him, at that point purpose reveals.

WHAT AM I READING RIGHT NOW?

2009-06-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

Killing Cockroaches is on our Support Team reading list right now. Tony Morgan is a personal friend and has a lot of great stuff to say about practical elements of accomplishing the mission of the church.

A Short History of Christianity is a fantastic read, exhaustive, but not too much. Knowing where we come from as Christians answers so many questions, and reinforces the fact God does amazing stuff with fallible people.

You may think I'm off a bit with this recommendation, but you'd like this book. Christianity for Dummies is a great resource book. Months ago I picked up the Bible for Dummies because I was trying to say something complicated with clarity and precision, and usually the "books for dummies" have a knack for boiling it down to the essentials. Christianity for Dummies is the same way, it boils it down to the essentials, I'd recommend it to any person as a resource, not because they are dummies. I actually think it would make a good discipleship class for new believers.

Axiom is a leaders leader book. I love the short bursts each chapter provides. Makes for great reading in the summer.

THE MOST IMPORTANT

2009-06-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

I admit, I have a unique perspective on family, I won't go into the details other than to say I know family will ultimately determine a huge portion of my, and your, life trajectory. It starts when we grow up with mom and dad around, but it doesn't end simply because we move out/marry, we just change roles.

The Nucleus of your family: you, mom, dad, brothers and sisters. You're designed to be really close. You spend hours waiting on mom to get her hair ready; meanwhile, your sister pesters you because you ate the last bowl of Lucky Charms. The nucleus of the family is where your life really begins. As a father of a 15-month old I see how HUGE my role is in her life. I want her to be happy in life, so I make sure to smile as often as possible around her. Happy dad equals, happy grad.

Melinda and I want our little girl to know what it means to have an affectionate marriage, so we make sure to show affection to one another with her around, within reason of course. I want our daughter to have the drive to keep climbing even when she can't, so I don't always rescue her and give her what she wants. Sometimes her frustration because she can't climb to the top of the couch is exactly what she needs to climb to the top of the couch.

I want a worshipper in our family, and you will hear worship music on our stereos, often. I want a laughable-have-a-good-time family, and we rock out to Life is a Highway by Rascal Flats. I want a healthy family, so we walk, exercise. I want a God fearing family, so we pray together, read the bible and study.

I want a daughter who loves church, so I make sure we are not only at church, but doing church right along side the leaders. I want a daughter who has a great attitude, so I don't have nanny's and babysitters with bad attitudes.

I am a part of a nucleus, my family. Melinda, myself and Seven will determine the course of our lives more than anyone else, so we take good care to make sure we are headed in the right direction. Before us three, it was my parents, me and my sister, our nucleus.

At the end of my life if I've built a great church, everybody loves me, but my nucleus is missing the key ingredients, then I've failed. If you've built a great company, but your nucleus is distorted what have you really gained? I say, take care of the nucleus part of your family.

If the nucleus of your family is healthy than the rest of the "cell" will be healthy also. Parents, grandparents, uncle, aunts, cousins, nephew, nieces, and all the rest that make up the components of your family will flourish.

So make your "nucleus" the most important part of everyday.

EVERY PERSON NEEDS A PASTOR

2009-06-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Knight

Being a pastor is not something I do, it's who I am. I chose the work of the ministry because I knew the Lord was choosing me to engage and impact people through the local church. I do not consider myself a professional in the sense that it is a "job," I would do it for free. I am a husband, I love my wife; I am a father, I love my daughter; and I am a pastor, I love the people in my church, most of them. BIG SMILE! That last part is funny right there.

Who is your pastor? Really, who is your pastor? If you do not have a pastor I won't throw myself out there and cheaply say, "I'll be your pastor!" Why? Because who your pastor is may determine more about where you are headed in this life and the next than you can even imagine. Everybody needs a pastor!

I can tell a lot about a person who has a pastor, here are some signs...

I know you have a pastor because there is something about you that desires more from life.
I know you have a pastor because you're generous with your energy and resources, you are the first to help our friends.
I know you have a pastor because I hear about Jesus operating in your life, you are continuously offering me a no pressure invitation.
I know you have a pastor because you talk about your church, how cool it is, what the mission is, how it has impacted you, and why you are a part.
I know you have a pastor because you know the source of your happiness, and even though you have a bad day now and then you recover.
I know you have a pastor because occasionally you surprise me with some really good wisdom for my life; although, I may not always tell you how you've impacted me.
I know you have a pastor because you talk about the message from church, I've seen your bible, you even quote it, but you don't know that I know it also.
I know you have a pastor because you keep loving me when I'm unlovely.
I know you have a pastor because you have a heart for the hurting, homeless and helpless.
I know you have a pastor because your heart of compassion is contagious and I want to help you do what you do.
I know you have a pastor because you care about your church, all churches.

I could go on and on. I think a good pastor sets the course for peoples lives! When the Word of God goes into action it unlocks the potential of God for your life. I know you have a pastor because you've been offended, and stayed; confronted, and cried; rewarded, and shrugged your shoulders thinking, "not me." I know you have a pastor because I can tell the difference between someone who does and who does not.

Those who don't have a pastor are uncertain about what will happen when they die, they have none to ask the hard questions, and none to listen to for answers.
Those who don't are often searching from relationship to relationship looking for meaning, but only finding more emptiness.
Those who have no pastor, they are not sure who they can trust, where can they share, yet, life would be so much more powerful if there were someone to impart to them.
Those who have no pastor struggle to find the amazing things in life that are so available through a relationship with God.

Pastors have a way of getting us to grow when it's not the right time, stretch when we are at the max, run when we felt like we should walk and give more than we thought we could. A good pastor is like a good coach, they have the ability to get a little more out of us than we thought we had within. Somehow, someway, it's probably the anointing on them, they can lead us to the top of mountains.

My pastor makes me believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, in myself and in what he and I are called to do together. Sometimes I can't get my mind around it, but again, that's how I can tell I have a pastor, there is always some element of my life a little unsettled, unanswered and always longing for more of what God wants from me.

And that is why every person needs a pastor, because life is too short to live alone and believe in nothing.

So how about it, Who is your pastor? If you don't have a pastor I'll offer to take you where few dare to go in this world. To really know the Lord and live the life he has for you out loud. Let's begin this weekend, at The Rock.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

2009-06-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

I am really fired up about our summer outreach called QUENCH! This week we pick up 10,000 bottles of water to give H20000000yeah to a thirsty person this summer. I am believing for people to have great ideas, concepts and stories about giving water away.
I am really godly proud of our teams at the church right now. Last week Melinda met with a gal who was brand new to the church. She said the rap song so ministered to where she was at in her life. Melinda was able to pray with her and something broke off of her. The floodgates opened and she received some serious healing. Very cool.
My daughter is getting so fun. We laugh for hours. I think for every time I say no to her I want to say yes to her a thousand times. She is getting so big, walking all over the place, it's too much fun!!!
I had a weekend off from racing this past weekend, so Melinda and I spent a day on the lake. That was very cool. Seven was unsure of being in a boat, so we had to hold her for the first hour, but then she understood how fun it was. All she wanted to do was get in the water after that. Jenny and Ryan grabbed some KFC and met us on the water for dinner. When I was a kid my mom and dad would do that with Melinda, myself and Jenny. It was a fun memory.
I started running again her recently. I got a new friend that does marathons and runs a ton. I don't know if I could ever do a marathon, but I'm inspired to dust off the shoes and get after it again. I ran quite a bit last summer, and did a 4 mile event on Labor Day. They say that before you train for a marathon you should run at least 3-4 miles 3-4 times per week for 1 whole year and after that you can train for the marathon.
Looking forward to the Father's Day Car and Bike show at The Rock this weekend. Very excited to see the entry's this year. $1,000 for best in show. That's a pretty good prize!!!
I really appreciated Francis Chan message today, God is Strength. It really hit the sweet spot.
Anyway, it was a great weekend!!!

BIGGEST DECISION OF ADULTHOOD

2009-06-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

The relationship with your significant other, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or fiance if your engaged, By Jeff Knight

This relationship is the most impacting relationship in your adult life. Mom and dad take you to the age of adulthood, but after that life usually involves your significant other! There is probably not a more important decision for you to make in your life than who you are going to marry! Did I say marry? You bet I did, because if you are of age to be married, not married but acting married; or if you are not of age to be married, but acting marred; you quite possibly are already like an ice cube in the boiling water, change forever!

For the rest of your life this person is going to impact every decision, emotion, day, month, year, season and etc. This person will decide with you the color of your car, toothbrush, hair, house and dog. They will be a part of your triumphs, when you are on the high point of life. They will be a part of your crashes, wrecks and days you feel like a joker.

Your spouse best take you up, to your potential. They better love you where you are at, support where you are headed, disagree when you are mediocre and cheerlead when you are excelling. If you were born an ice cube with a destiny you better not marry a pot of hot boiling water!

A few suggestions on how to stay out of the hot h2o from the start...

Include trusted friends, family, your pastor in your decision before you even start a relationship with someone. They may see what you can't or are unwilling to see.
Really take the time to get to know someone before giving your heart away. Don't awaken love before the right time. Do so and you'll pay with heartbreak.
Wait on God. It might seem like a century, but God's best comes in His time.
Pray. My wife prayed for her husband the entire time she was growing up. Nothing wrong with advanced prayer.
Know who you are. I hate it when I hear about a story where someone marries and ten years later they separate because they say, "I'm having an identity crisis." Identity? Seriously, after ten years, your identity is not your own anymore, it belongs to other people. Know who you are before you start so you don't wonder who you are when who you are belongs to more precious ones, your kids.
Take your time. You've got the rest of your life to be married. Make sure you do what you gotta do before for you say "I do." I hate it when a married person turns to their spouse and says, "I'm sorry, I just gotta do this..." No, you're married now, you lost the privilege to do what you wanted to do when you wanted to do it. Now what you do is a part of who you are, and you're married.

A few suggestions if you find yourself married, but your the ice cube and the kitchen counter is room temperature.

Get back to the basics. Laugh, love, fun, tenderness, value, sympathy, empathy, wholeness, sex, food, fellowship, laughing, you know the things that made this marriage in the first place.
Mediocrity creeps into every relationship. Sit down with your spouse and look around, what do you see that is mediocre about your marriage/surroundings? Get it out of your marriage, now!
Prayer. Sometimes, at night, I will walk our property praying for my family. My prayer life is less than perfect, but that's what makes those moments when I intentionally pray for Melinda so powerful. Like the times when I reach across our bed after she is asleep and I pray a blessing over her.
Serve. In our culture the focus is on getting our personal needs met, and serving has become a foreign word. Instead of demanding simply serve your spouse. If they act surprised by your service it's a clue you can serve more. If they act thankful it s a sign they really appreciate you. If they don't care, you may need to get some help.
Get help. Marriages go through difficult times! Don't sit home and hope that it will get better. Get help if your marriage is struggling or damaged. You might as well admit that things aren't perfect and pursue God's best now instead of waiting until help is the only option, yes? Thought so.
Excellence. Stop surrounding yourself with anything other than excellence. We don't use the "d" word in my house, it's not an option. Stop lowering your standards to what you see on television, or in a friends relationship or someones life. They are not you, you are not them. Put excellence on everyday.

The person you marry will significantly impact every area of who you are the moment the ink drys on the marriage certificate. Best to be hooked up with a spouse who is taking you where you both want to go!

ICE CUBES IN BOILING WATER

2009-06-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Knight

Put an ice cube on the counter, what do you get? A puddle. Put it in boiling water, what do you get? More boiling water. An ice cube must be surrounded in the right environment, 100% of the time!

My life is no different. If you put me in a mediocre world, you'll get a mediocre run-of-the-mill ordinary man. My surroundings and environments determine who/what I can become. There is no escaping it.

I grew up in a home that had no recollection of the Lord until I was eight years old. At that point, mom and dad found Jesus as their savior and we started attending church. A few months later, I asked Jesus into my heart. I was the product of my surroundings. I know countless people who believed in God as a child simply because mom and dad did, there's nothing wrong with that.

When I became a teen it was the first time I recall questioning my faith, but not in a way like I wanted to rebel and live a different way, I wanted to know why I believed what I believed. It was also the first time in my life where I had teachers and influences challenging what I believed, why I believed. As I went to college it was the first time it seemed like there were a lot more people around me that didn't believe. As I grew it was tougher and tougher to know what I needed to know and be who I needed to be because my surroundings had changed drastically. Until the day I surrounded myself with true purpose. When I grabbed onto God's purpose for my life all the influences changed, so did my surroundings.

Back to the ice cube. The ice cube is never ready for the boiling water! It must not jump in! The ice cube is never ready for room temperature. Likewise, I am never ready to be surrounded by a bunch of mediocrity. I am never prepared for it. If I venture to the wrong environment I better tell someone where I'm going because more than likely I'll not be coming back the same!

So what am I saying in this post? I am saying that who you spend your time with, where you spend your time at; both determine your future. Paul said it this way, "Bad company corrupts good character." It's the truth. I must continuously be aware of who I am surrounding myself with, or I better watch out because the essence of what I am will change when the heat gets turned up.

Week 7-7th and 3rd

2009-06-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was a double header at Evergreen Speedway. We had two 50-lap mains scheduled, so it was set up to be a great night of racing.

In the first main we were all lined up on the front stretch and the command was given to start the engines. As I started my engine all was normal. I put the car in gear and began to roll out when there was a "pop" sound, the steering completely changed. I rolled to the pits while the other cars were scuffing tires, sure enough, I had a power steering line come apart at the fitting. I told the guys to put the hood on, cause it was time to man up and drive the car without power steering, which is not impossible by any means, but no easy task either.

I turned the quickest lap of the race on lap nine, but on lap 31 I would have some misfortune. We had restarted a lap earlier, and I was battling with Naima on the inside. He was outside of me coming off of turn two. As I picked up the throttle I got a bit loose, Naima and I got pretty close and I couldn't save it without wrecking us both. The car slid down the back stretch sideways, I hit the inside wall pretty hard. The main was over for me, the left side suspension was tore up bad.

I drove the car to the pit and jumped in a crew members Nissan and headed for the shop. At the shop I dug through piles of the "weapon" parts to get the things we needed to fix the car. Once loaded I headed back to the track where the guys had most of the bent suspension torn off the car. They worked feverishly to get the thing back on the track. The officials changed the schedule a bit so our race would be last. It was just the time we needed to get back out there.

I raced the second main from the back, sure enough I turned the fastest lap of that main also in lap 7. The car was decent, but I spun early and spent a few laps catching the field. I think that wore my stuff out pretty good because when I needed to pass some cars I didn't quite have what it took.

Late in the race there was a caution and I was able to close up on the field. At that point I got a chance to race for 2nd. Coming to the white flag I got up under the 06 car, but couldn't make the pass stick in turn 1. I finished the 2nd main 3rd.

All in all it was a pretty exhausting day. I really owe any effort this weekend to the crew who graced me when I crashed and they put it back together fast. Thanks to all the guys who helped and loaned me parts to get back on the track. Racing is a great sport because even your closest rivals will help when you are in a pinch.

We have a week off from ES and then we are back the following week. See ya then.

D4D interview

2009-06-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

The other morning I was on "The Morning Drive," a national radio program talking about NASCAR's Drive for Diversity. The link for the show is embedded in this post. It's always a ton of fun to do live radio and tv.

Week 6-4th

2009-06-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a high and low couple of weeks in the team-seventy camp, from the loss of a car to the fastest lap I've ever turned on the 5/8's at Monroe. I am really proud of the effort the Total Velocity Race Team puts in week in and week out, but there was something special about the last couple weeks.

Practice.
We unloaded on Saturday after working right up until the very last second on the older car, the White Knight. We had spent the better part of every night for the previous two weeks meticulously going over every component, nut and bolt, even cut some stuff off with the plasma cutter and welded other stuff on (I could tell ya, but then I'd have to...you know the line).

First practice went off and I was breaking in the engine (rebuilt from the destroyed car), the brakes and making sure the car felt alright before coming up to speed. I hadn't even got the thing out of 3rd gear when I was on the radio, "This thing in darting to the left and right, it's not stable. Something is seriously wrong." After a few laps the practice was ended because another car wrecked and they had to clean up the track.

We got back to the pit and I was calmly freaking out. It was that feeling of not wanting to freak out, but being really nervous things were going to be really awful all day. After we'd worked so hard I wanted to push the limits and have a great night, but I wasn't comfortable in the car, not good.

Steve, my crew chief, came up to me and said, "I need you to get your head screwed on straight, tell me what the car needs and let's get it fixed." I did just that. The guys went to work. They tightened every moving component on the car. We run our tolerances real close so a little wiggle here or some play in that joint there and I can feel it. They went through the whole car with a fine tooth comb, checking everything. Good news, they found some stuff. That's the one bummer about not being able to test a newly prepared car. When you test you can double check stuff over and over, but because it was race day we only had 2 practices, then it was time to qualify.

Qualifying.
Let's just say Roger and I talked about how I was going to drive my car during qualifying. We went over it a couple times. He told me to trust the car, that it would stick. My first lap was a 23.2, which matched the fastest I'd ever went in the other car before it was wrecked. My next lap was a 23.066 which was the fastest lap I've ever turned on the 5/8's by 2 tenths! I was jacked! I believe that lap is the 4th quickest qualifying lap with a crate motor on that track. I already hold the 3rd and 4th quickest lap ever with a crate motor on the 3/8's (someone took the time to research those stats at mylaps.com).

Trophy Dash.
I qualified 2nd and made the trophy dash. We changed over to some practice tires, but didn't adjust the car for those tires. It wasn't very fast for the dash and I finished the dash in 4th.

Race.
I started in 4th position, 2nd row outside. I got a decent start and settled in 3rd place for a while. Joe Constance was just ahead of me with Travis Bennet out front. I made the pass on Joe coming off turn 4 early in the race and got to 2nd. Travis and I then checked out by about a straight away on the field. For a while I closed on him, but he was too good that night. We just maintained the separation, about 8 car lengths.

Part way through the race I developed a push in the center of the corner. Little did I know it would be the beginning of the end of my charge to the lead. The push in the center became a push into the corner, and eventually a push on exit also. I surrendered 2nd place after a restart to Naima cause the car wouldn't turn very good, and then late in the race Dan Moore got me getting into turn 3. I ended up 4th on the night, which was great.

We got back to the pits and looked the car over. I was amazed to find a separated tire. The right front rubber had actually peeled away like a banana peel revealing the cords of the tire. The tire was losing air as a result, and I finished with just about 10 lbs. instead of the 30lbs. target. At that point I was thankful for 4th place because a blown RF tire usually results in meeting the outside wall.

Overall.
The race day was a huge success. We had a good showing, some really high moments, especially qualifying. For my guys to build a car in two weeks, unload it from the trailer, qualify 2nd and go the fastest our team has been around that track with a crate motor is a testament to the many great people who make our race team work.

The last two weeks were trying, to the core. I wanted to throw in the towel on the season after the "weapon" was killed in the crash and fire. The loss of that car challenged me, and everyday working to get back to the track was, at times, labor some.

All in all many people made this weekend possible; my crew, the few friends who came up to me and gave me a present to help rebuild, my sister and Ryan (he is quite the decal remover), and the support of so many. I was reminded about Eric Liddel the runner whose story was told in the movie Chariots of Fire. When challenged Eric said this, "I know God has made me for a serious purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

I've felt that way these past weeks. My purpose is to build the local church and serve the Lord with everything I am. At the same time He made me fast, and when I race, I too, feel His pleasure." See ya next weekend.

A BLOG BREAK

2009-05-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Knightrous.com reader,

Jeff here. There is a lot going on in "the camp" right now. Numerous irons in the fire all at the same time, so I'm going to take a blog break. I will be back next week. In the meantime continue Seeking First and expect big things. There are people who need Christ, mountains to climb, lands to occupy, races to win and whatever other metaphor you can think of. There is so much to be done, this week I am dedicating myself to doing all I can do.

Pressing the Mark,

Jeff Knight

Week 5-10th

2009-05-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

Well, let's start by saying it wasn't quite what I had planned for this weekend. I'll post some pictures to give perspective.
This picture was practicing on Friday. This weekend was the first race on the 5/8's mile oval (big track) so we spent a few hours getting the car just right. And just right it was. It was bad fast after practice.

This picture is the side of the car that hit the fence on Saturday. I was doing a wedding on Saturday for the owner of Trinity Construction who is sponsoring my car this year. Usually I don't do Saturday weddings during race season because of the conflict, but I made an exception for Brandon and Taylor as they are supporting my racing in a big way this year.

As a part of my plan I wanted Roger to shake the car down and scuff tires in the first practice session. When I arrived at the speedway practice hadn't started yet. I suited up, but decided to let Roger drive the car because I was really excited about him being in that car; after all, it was a Habich built race car. For me to have him drive it meant a bunch to me, and even though things went wrong I know he was excited to drive it also.

Here's a picture of the inside of the car where the fire destroyed the windshield and cockpit. You can see the fire retardant all over the place corroding any parts that remained intact.

Anyway, Roger went a 24.3 on his first lap, then 23.4, then 23.3, then 23.3 again. He came on the radio and said, "Car is a little tight in." Afterward he told me that it was fast, and he hadn't even got the tires heated up in 4 laps. He felt like the car would have been a sub 23 second car on Saturday, that's fast on the 5/8's.

As I watched him come off turn four and go down the front stretch he was hauling. I turned to see who else was coming off turn four and watched them down the front stretch, but as I looked I noticed the red was out, meaning all cars stop. I look back to turn three and saw James Mugge, who Roger was behind, but Roger wasn't there. I looked to turn one and that's when I saw the smoke. The car was on the bottom of the track burning to the ground.

Roger blew a right front tire going into turn one. He was moving at well over 100mph when he hit the wal. The fuel line broke off the motor and the sparks from the mangled chassis ignited the fuel. The car began to burn while sliding across the track with Roger unbuckling the harnesses, removing the steering wheel and dropping the window net. In fact, Roger got clear of the car really quick. The fire crew went to work to put the flames out, it took 8.5 minutes.
Here's the car on Sunday night, motor out. What I was most concerned about is my friend Roger. I wanted to know he was ok. He was dropped off at our pit. I looked at him and asked, "Are you ok?" He answered, "Are you ok?" Shoot, it's just a race car, sure I was disappointed, but mostly thrilled that Roger was ok. A little sore, but ok.

In the background of the pic above you can see the "White Knight," last years car. I will either drive that car, or find another. The White Knight, though a good car is nothing compared to the "Weapon" who took his last lap on Saturday. Yes, I know, it's a bit strange, but we name our cars, most drivers do. I think it's because you spend so much time with them, they become friends. Like Wilson in Cast Away with Tom Hanks. An inanimate object becomes a friend, well so do our race cars. Is that strange? maybe so...it's true though.
Here is a few parts I am trying to clean. Most of what you see is junk, burned, melted and wrecked. In fact the car is a total loss. I will save about 15-20% of the parts, but the thing is done. I will put it out in the field, cover it with a tarp and start fixing it next winter. Until then, we've got to get something going for the next 5/8's race in two weeks.
A few of the team came up to help me salvage what we could, but there wasn't much that wasn't either destroyed by the impact, the fire or the corrosive fire retardant. Really, it is pretty much junk.
Here is the back end of the car where the fire was hot. The fuel cell is the red thing, and it is swollen like it was going to explode cause fire was up there. By midnight Sunday I got the car stripped down, at least what was worth getting off. The wiring harnesses, a few lines, gauge cluster, and other stuff is just sitting there, it's eery.

One thing that made me laugh was the water temp gauge. I had a gauge fail a couple weeks ago. We got the new gauge on Friday night, put it on on Saturday morning, and it's junk.

Well, I need to give a shout out to my teammate in purple, Natalie "Showtime" Sather. Seriously, I was given a car to drive by Chris Preston, which I was so thankful for, but it wasn' t my car and the last thing I would want to do is have to fix someone car, so I drove it for 20 laps and pulled it in. Then I climbed up in a pickup and watched Showtime do her thing. She drove the wheels off her car. I was really impressed with how she raced. I better get on my game now because my A car is junk and my B car is going to need some work to catch her!

Here's to better days racing. I figure that may be the most expensive fire I've ever funded! LOL. Really, 8.5 minutes of burning, divided by one late model stock car, equals; well, you don't even want to know. But should you want to help fund and build the next one, I'll tell ya!

It's been an interesting season for me so far this year. Good things are ahead for the 70 camp. You find out what your team, crew and yourself is made of when adversity finds your door. I intend to pass this testing! See you at the track in a couple weeks.

SEEK FIRST (4/4)

2009-05-14T10:43:00.001-07:00

Fasting is a spiritual discipline which yields extraordinary benefits. I can think of many key times where fasting played a monumental role in challenging my spiritual life to take another step. Like the time when I knew Melinda was going to be my wife, I fasted 7 days. It was winter quarter finals week my freshman year in College, and I drank only juice for 7 days. It was challenging and tough, but then it became empowering and overcoming. My goal was to purify my life, so I could be led by the Lord and not my "feel good" tendencies. It worked, and since that time I've used fasting to empower, overcome, reflect, focus and seek.

This weekend I am challenging everyone to the Seek First Fast. This fast is designed to break the back of recession off of individual lives, families, businesses and churches. Personally, I am fasting for my family, The Rock Church and many of my friends churches. In addition, I'm drafting up a list of churches, businesses, and names to fast for throughout this time. If you want your info on the list get me an email to Jknight@trclife.com.

This fast will not be food related; instead, it's about making some financial sacrifices. Yet, I plan on making some of my sacrifices around food because fast food and eating out costs money. My goal is to cut $75/week off my food budget and Seek First with that money by giving it. I also plan on getting rid of premium television like the movie channels, and ordering movies directly.

With only a few more days left until I make the commitment on Sunday I am looking to get my Seek First Fast amount to $200/week. Melinda and I are talking about where we would shave the budget for 40 days. Perhaps there is an option to cutback on some fuel costs, not buy Starbucks, fast magazines, or whatever the sacrifice may be. I just know fasting yields huge benefits, and I expect this fast to break the back of recession off households, The Rock Church and the many businesses and business leaders I get the chance to lead.

There is still time for you to get on board with the Seek First Fast. For further details you can click here.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

2009-05-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Mom's Day. I really appreciated the wife and mother in my home delivering an important and well delivered word.
Melinda, you ROCK!!!
Weekly, I think we are really blessed to have such amazing talent in our media and worship departments. These teams work really hard, volunteers. Really proud of each of you.
Wednesday night prayer and worship will go this Wednesday! It's been awesome the last two weeks and I am super excited about this one.
Have you decided to get involved with the SEEK FIRST FAST? We are fasting to break the back of recession off our households and God's house. If there were ever a time to fast, now is the time. Spiritual disciplines, like fasting, break physical barriers.
I am really thankful for grace. If anyone knew how disappointed I was after Saturday nights race it was Pastor Ron. He was in the pits, taking care of me as I was venting to some of the officials. I really appreciate the team we have. There is no way a man could race cars and encounter the emotions that I do without having a great supporting cast of leaders around me. Thanks team.
Lake Stevens Campus, off the hook! You are growing and will be mighty!
It's great to see the sun again, please don't go.
Well, I have to mow some grass tonight. Blessings.

Week 4~7th

2009-05-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

This weekend at Evergreen Speedway reminds me of a chant we used to sing in High School. It was the cheer that was off limits for the cheer squad. The teachers would not join in. Parents would look at us students like we were aliens from another planet, but we would yell it at the top of our lungs every time the whistle blew in a way that was absolutely incomprehensible.

This Saturday a call was made on myself and 2 other cars on the track that was worthy of our ridiculous cheer. This call was comparable to the other team picking up the football, running to their end zone, dropping the ball in their own end zone and the other team recovering for a touchdown. Only it wouldn't be a touchdown because the referee would interpret something different. Now you remember? "Nuts and bolts, Nuts and bolts, we got screwed." Maybe I shouldn't, but I'm saying it because never in my athletic, racing, competitive life have I been so mistreated by a "no call."

Here's the scenario. My car was good. Really good, 2nd fastest of the night after all was said and done. On lap two the 48 car made an in-completable move by going beneath the 78 car, making it three wide. As I was behind the 06 and outside of the whole wreck-in-the-making I checked up to avoid the impending spin. Sure enough 48 hits 78, and 78 spins right toward myself and the 06 who were outside of this amazing display. Well, to avoid the wreck myself, the 06 and the 42 went up and over the banking of the small track and onto the big track. I've done this before, always results in the caution flag. I've seen this done 100 times in my years going to Evergreen Speedway, always resulting in a caution.

You guessed it. As I drove my un-spun, uninjured race car down the back stretch under the impression the caution was flying Steve comes over the radio and says, "the green is out, GO, GO, GO!" I was like, "SERIOUSLY?" I couldn't believe it! I was on the back stretch of the big track with two other cars, another was spun out and there was no caution. 4 of the nine cars that started the race, 3 of the top 4 at the time of the wreck were missing, and nobody saw it fit to throw the caution. I entered the track 2 laps down by lap 4. MY NIGHT WAS OVER!

I raced pretty hard trying to see how hard I could run the car and for how long. Truthfully it was pretty fast and I was left only to wonder what if. I was frustrated, talking in my helmet, to my spotter, and crew.

The night ended withe one really high note. Natalie got her first top five. Very proud of her.

Practice.
I ran a 17.2 in practice. Car was really fast.

Qualify.
I qualified 17.6 for 4th. I don't know what really happened there.

Heat Race.
Started 4th finished 3rd. I got gathered in a big wreck on the front stretch. Thankfully Dr. Scott my chiropractor goes to the church, he fixed my sore neck up today.

Conclusion.
Next week is the 5/8's race on the big track. We've got some testing this week and are ready to get after it. I have hope Evergreen Speedway is getting things worked out. I spoke with the Director of Operations and the Promoter about what happened. Both assured me that the officiating will be dealt with, which I appreciate. Nevertheless, when we work as hard as we do on these cars, having the chance to win taken from you do to subjectivity is a hard pill to swallow. Anyone got any water?