James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2008 Samsung 500 Qualifying: Texas Motor Speedway (April 4,
2008)
Michael McDowell was a few weeks into his first season as a
NASCAR driver when he became the central figure in one of the sport’s wildest
crashes. While qualifying at the 2008 Samsung 500 for Michael Waltrip Racing in
the #00 car, McDowell hit a patch of the oil-absorbing agent known as “Speedy
Dry” and lost control. Traveling over 200 miles per hour, he hit the protective
wall head on and rebounded back towards the track. His car went airborne;
violently barrel rolled eight times, and finally landed on its wheels.
With the engine on fire, McDowell incredibly emerged from
the wreckage unharmed and waved at the shocked fans as he walked to the
ambulance.
“For me to walk away from that wreck is unbelievable,”
McDowell told reporters outside of the infield care center. “I just thank God I
was able to do that.”
Despite the positive attention that came from his time in
the spotlight, the next several years turned out to be an equally tumultuous
ride. McDowell took the track for no less than ten teams in all three of
NASCAR’s major divisions and on a handful of occasions came close to winning
races but never could quite find his way to Victory Lane.
“My career has been one big trial after another,” McDowell
told Christian Sports Journal. “I’ve raced for a lot of start and park teams
and I haven’t always been able to race at a competitive level. There were times
when I showed up at the race track and wondered why I was even doing this.”
But in each of those moments he was able to lean on what he
has described as his “life verse.”
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
In 2016, McDowell experienced increments of success while
enjoying his most extensive time yet in the Cup Series thanks to a continued
commitment from Leavine Family Racing. He even won his first NASCAR race at
Road America in a one-race deal with Richard Childress Racing. He then ran the
Cup Series full-time for the first time in his career in the 2017 season.
“I’ve had some great runs,” McDowell added. “I’m very
thankful for that opportunity. This sport is crazy. There are so many ups and
downs. If your faith is determined by your circumstances, it’s never going to
work.”
Dear Lord, we thank You for all the things You bring us
through. We thank You for the verses You give us in Your word that we can hold
onto. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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