Miles of Smiles Blog

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2023 Miles of Smiles Season Review

The MoS season started on the streets of St Petersburg, FL with the IndyCar Series and made stops from coast-to-coast throughout 2023 wrapping up with the SVRA series at COTA in Austin, TX. We never know for sure what a season is going to bring in regards to guests, relationships, partners, and events, but 2023 was a powerful year and we are so grateful for all God did.

We want to thank all of our Host organizations for without them, we’d have no way of finding guests in the areas we are traveling to. We had some hosts such as Western Christian HS (Long Beach) & Metropolitan Ministries (Tampa, FL) we’ve worked with for several years while adding some brand new ones such as Richland County Children Services (Mid Ohio) and the Timothy Hill Academy (Nashville). We had former MoS guests Craig and Ellen Lauer (Gateway) and Enoc Chavez (Laguna Seca) who have become go to hosts for events in their area join us again this season. Long time KR friend and partner, Jeronimo Guzman helped the group from Fostering Together have an amazing day at Road Atlanta. We then had the chance to cheer on Jeronimo in his IMSA series debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway later in the season. We enjoyed partnering with Brookville Road Community ChurchWoodland Terrace, & the Indiana Army National Gaurd join us for events leading up to the Indy 500. Youth Reach Houston helped us wrap up the year again with an outstanding day at COTA in Austin, TX.

 There are so many individuals and organizations that help us do what we do throughout the year. Firestone Racing came through again this season with helping with tickets to many of our Indy Car events. They also added a new part of the day where guests are taken into the Firestone Tires garage and given an insider tour of what goes into keeping Indy Cars gripped to the racing surface. Team Sting Ray Robb were gracious hosts all season and always made time for our MoS guests. Sting Ray, we can never thank you enough for speaking boldly about your faith and sharing what it’s like to be behind the wheel of an Indy Car - we will be fans of yours wherever God leads you. Trevor Mitchener of Dale Coyne Racing led tech talks at most races, giving our guests a look behind the scenes at safety devices the series has put into play. He’s been doing this for several years now but stepped up in a big way this season in helping us with radio frequencies so the groups could listen in to Sting Ray and the crew - how awesome is that!! KR Managing Director, IMS Radio Network Driver Analyst, Indy Racing Experience 2 seater driver Davey Hamilton made time every chance he could to do meet and greets with our guests.So many people from different teams, series, and organizations made events days our guests will never forget!

 We get to do some pretty cool things during the course of a Miles of Smiles event, but the real reason we are at any event, is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all those we come in contact with. One of the highlights of this year, was being invited to join in the celebration of one of our Nashville guests. Tony has an amazing story at the age of 16. We feel strongly that God has big, big plans for Tony. A short time after attending the MoS event in Nashville with the group from The Timothy Hill Academy, Tony gave his life to Christ and accepted Jesus into his heart. We had the joy of celebrating with Tony at his baptism in late September. This made all the long travel days, time zone changes, planning struggles, and attacks by Satan so worth it.

 Without the prayer support, financial support, volunteer support, and donations of each of you, we could not further The Kingdom of God and reach out to those we come in contact with. It takes a solid team and proper resources in place to do all this in a way that honors God. We do not take lightly what we have been called to do in our mission at Kingdom Racing to Deliver God’s Word Through Motorsports.

We thank God first and give Him all the glory!

 We thank each of you for a wonderful 2023 and ask that you join us in praying for wisdom and direction for an even stronger 2024.


 God Bless,

Team Kingdom Racing


 

2023 Season Kickoff

MoS 2023 kicked off last weekend at the Firestone GP of St Pete. Young men from Metropolitan Ministries enjoyed a VIP day at the race track. Sting Ray Robb, Davey Hamilton, Trevor Mitchener, Doug Boles, Jake Query, Mitch Fink, and Jason Holt took time to make the group feel like rock stars at the track. What a lineup!!

We cheered for Sting Ray in his Indy Car debut and were not disappointed as he had a solid weekend on track. He also did a great job of sharing with the boys about his faith and what really is most important in life.

KR supporter Tom Gasparetti provided lunch and KR volunteer Forrester Morgan provided paddock tours. You both are such a huge blessing to so many! Thank you for your heart and generosity.

We introduced a new communication system which allowed members of the KR team to speak through headsets so the MoS VIPs could hear through their private earbuds and Racing Electronics scanner. This also allowed them to listen in on Dale Coyne Racing's Sting Ray Robb and his engineer during their on track sessions. One of the young men who has an interest in broadcasting, was given the mic during qualifying and he called one of the sessions for the group and did a great job! These new devices have already made a big difference during this first event. Thank you @RaceSherpa for all your advice and direction in helping us get setup in the off season.

God gave us a “God wink” as we checked into our Air BnB and looked down to see “Wheldon 2015” inscribed in the concrete on the sidewalk. Up until a few years ago, Dan’s wife and boys lived in the house next door. The “Smile” of Miles of Smiles, is in honor of Dan and his ever infectious smile. Dan is missed but he is still inspiring us to keep sharing smiles and God’s love with those we come in contact with.

Thank you to all who prayed, donated, and supported us in this first of many events this season.

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2022 Season Review

Proverbs 4:25 “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

2020 and 2021 were in the books, and we were not sure what 2022 would look like as people started to venture out and life began to return to a semblance of normality. Our mantra has always been, “show up and let God lead.” So, we planned for a full season, showed up, kept our eyes up, and God blessed with 9 MoS events.

Event 1: Indy Car Streets of St Petersburg - partners Metropolitan Ministries
Event 2: Indy Car Streets of Long Beach - partners Western Christian Schools
Event 3: Indy 500 Practice Day 1 - guests of Tim and Christy Carrie
Event 4: Indy 500 Practice Day 2 - partners St Francis Health Services
Event 5 :Indy 500 Practice Day 3 - partners New Palestine Barbershop
Event 6: Indy Car Streets of Nashville - partners Yes Ministries
Event 7: Indy Car World Wide Technology Raceway - partners former MoS guests & now host Craig & Ellen Lauer
Event 8: Indy Car Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca - partners former MoS guest & now host Enoc Chavez
Event 9: SVRA COTA - partners Youth Reach Houston

We plan MoS events months in advance, but our timing is not always God's timing. We saw His hand in every event. We had moments where we were wondering what was going on when all the plans would fall through for an event. Then, a phone call, an email, a social media post, a “chance encounter” with someone, would connect us to the individuals God had been preparing for the event all along.

Here is one of the amazing God stories from 2022. Days before one of our events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, the group we had lined up fell apart due to some family complications. The next day we received information of a family from Mooresville, IN whose lifelong dream was to come to the Indy 500. Although we were not able to offer them a trip on race day, we extended an invitation to be our Miles of Smiles guests for an Indy 500 practice day. The Jarrett family accepted, and God put things into place we would have never imagined. Indy Racing Experience offered an event car ride around the track for Jeff and Beth where they topped out at 120 MPH. Once they got out of the event car ride, the legendary Mario Andretti did a personal meet-and-greet with the whole family. After having lunch with Ed Carpenter Racing at the Kingdom Racing hospitality unit, Mr Mark Harder opened up one of his Gasoline Alley suites for private access by the whole gang. Garage tours, pit road tours, autographs, and VIP treatment made it a day the Jarrett’s will never forget. We continue to pray for healing for Jeff from his cancer and the many other physical ailments he struggles with but a lifetime friendship was started that day.

Partnerships were renewed and strengthened. Up and coming driver Sting Ray Robb expressed interest in the off season of 2021 in wanting to do more during MoS events. This saw him doing more than just meet & greets with guests but spending quality time with a group of teenage boys at Long Beach, sharing his faith with them and praying with them. Our guests at Laguna Seca celebrated with him in victory lane as he earned his first victory in the Indy Lights series. Sting Ray was an integral part of MoS this season and we are forever grateful to him.

New partnerships were started as God brought us together with new volunteers, new financial supporters, and new relationships to enhance and grow MoS events in upcoming years. We gained new support from places we were not expecting such as the United Kingdom. God works in amazing ways, and we marvel at His power each year.

We thank all of you that prayed with and for us, sacrificially gave of your finances, volunteered your time, donated tickets and various other items, and showed God’s love to so many throughout 2022. We cannot reach those God brings to us without the help and support of all of you.

Sunshine, Racecars, & Gods Grace

We partnered with Western Christian HS for the 2022 Acura GP of Long Beach for Miles of Smiles Long Beach style. The group of 5 teenage boys, Mr Voortman & Mr Sperrazza, teachers at Western Christian, and one of the boys dads hosted as all were treated to an awesome VIP experience.

Firestone Racing provided tickets for our group. Thank you for your continued donations and support of the Miles of Smiles program.

Max Pappis of Indy Car race control spent some time explaining how his direction and advice to drivers during practice and qualifying sessions helps them have the potential for less altercations during the race. This was after we saw him having a learning moment with a young drive and his race strategist. Thank you Max for taking time out of your busy schedule.

Trevor Mitchener from Dale Coyne Racing spent a lot of time with us showing how the driver David Malukus' helmet, HANS device, ear buds, and steering wheel help him stay safe on the track and keep him safe. By the end of his tech talk, quite a crowd had gathered with us to listen in on his expertise. Thanks Trevor for doing an amazing job! The boys loved it.

Sting Ray Robb was at his first Long Beach race ever and still made time for our group. He started at the @Andretti Autosport transporters and shared with us what a regular race weekend looks like for a driver. It's amazing what these drivers and teams go through in their day-to-day lives to perform at the level they do.

Back at the Stadium Super Trucks (SST) paddock and hospitality area, we met up with KR Managing Director and Indy Car legend Davey Hamilton. Thank you to Davey and the guys at the HU for serving up lunch for the group. Davey talked to the group about getting up when you get knocked down. After his accident in 2001 he had asked God many times "Why me?" Davey always does an amazing job of challenging our MoS groups to follow God and work hard to achieve your goals. He spent time telling stories, signing autographs, and getting pictures with all boys in between driving the Indy Racing Experience 2 seater and broadcasting on the IMS Radio Network. Thank you Davey for your kindness and generosity!

Davey Hamilton JR spent some time showing them the ins and out of the SST truck he was going to be racing in later in the day. Thanks DJ for spending some time with us!

After watching DJ run in the SST race we met back up with Sting Ray at the HU. Sting Ray shared his testimony with the group and the importance of having Christ living inside of you. For those of you that don't already follow Sting Ray on his social media, please take a few moments to follow him at insert his handles. Thank you Sting Ray for sharing from your heart and making an impact on those around you.

Next time you are at the race track, check out the front nose cone of Sting Rays Indy Lights racecar. You'll see the Kingdom Racing logo he's running on it this year. Thank you SR for all you are doing for The Kingdom as well as Kingdom Racing!

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayer, volunteer, and financial support. Lives are being changed and hearts impacted through your generosity.

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MoS Road Atlanta

We kicked off the 2021 season with some great racing action and an amazing MoS event at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. We partnered with a group of foster kids and parents from Fostering Together. The group had a day filled with meet and greets with drivers, team owners, series officials, and crew members. There was a victory lane celebration with official SVRA medals being presented to each MoS guest. To say the day was a success would be an understatement. Thank you to the SVRA, Jeronimo Guzman and Tuaty Racing, Fostering Together, and the countless number of volunteers that made this event such a huge success.

Miles of Smiles 2021 Preview

After what seems like an eternity since our last MoS event back in 2019, we are super excited to get back to our Miles of Smiles events in 2021.

Here are the planned events for 2021.

  • March 27 - SVRA - Road Atlanta
  • May 18 - 21 & 24 - Indy Car - Indy 500 Practice
  • June 26 - SVRA - Mid-Ohio
  • July 4 - KotW - Colorado National Speedway
  • July 17 - TBD
  • August 21 - Indy Car & Indy Lights - St Louis
  • September 19 - Indy Car & Indy Lights - Laguna Seca
  • September 25 - Indy Car & Indy Lights - GP of Long Beach
  • September 25 - SVRA - Virginian International Raceway
  • October 23 - SVRA - Savannah, GA
  • November 6 - SVRA - COTA
  • November 13 - KotW - Irwindale
  • December 4 - HSR - Sebring
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Miles of Smiles, 2020 Preview

The 2020 season is upon us! The long, cold, winter off season has finally come to an end.  Join us this year in the most exciting season of racing and outreach events ever for Kingdom Racing.

We are finalizing our schedule soon so keep watching our Facebook Page, Twitter account, and Instagram pages to keep up with the latest events for Kingdom Racing.

God Speed!

2019 In Review

We are so grateful for the 2019 season that God allowed us to have. After hosting multiple outreach events with foster care organizations, competing in 4 SVRA events, 1 half marathon, and God opening extraordinary doors in the Indy Car series where we could do outreach events at 6 events across the nation, we want to offer our sincerest of thanks to each of you. Those of you that have prayed, volunteered, donated financially and gave gifts for the Miles of Smiles guests, we could have not reached any of these without you. These beautiful glimpses are what brings joy to our mission at each and every event.

God Speed as we journey into 2020 and beyond!

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2019 SVRA Road Atlanta

Thank you all for your prayers and support! It was a really good weekend overall. We can’t say enough positive things about the great city of Savannah and the hospitality we experienced. If you were not able to come out this year, put this SVRA event on your calendar for next fall. It is a picturesque, exciting, and just all around great time for the family. The sights and sounds of these beautiful classic machines are so worth it, too.

Due to weather, all 43 entries started the Sunday race together. We started P1 in our class, and we LED and SET the fastest race lap in the Sprint race! We passed some tough competitors and fought hard. Unfortunately we experienced a mechanical issue and had to finish several laps down. We are still so proud of our team’s efforts, and we can’t wait to come back next year! To God be ALL the glory.

2019 SVRA COTA

The Kingdom Racing team competed at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX this past weekend as well as hosted Miles of Smiles guests. This was the second race for the “new” 1964 Sting Ray Corvette, and crew chief Matt Barton and team was still working on getting some of the bugs worked out. Even with the bugs, driver George Del Canto turned in a quick time of 2:36 in the Friday qualifying session around the 20 turn 3.427 mile race course That time is 5 seconds faster than any laps he had turned in prior events driving the #33 Ford Mustang.
The 20 minute sprint race on Saturday had George starting 14th overall and 5th in class in the 38 car field and finishing 11th overall and 4th in class. High track temps caused some handling issues but it was a solid run for George in the #86 Sting Ray.

The KR team also hosted a Miles of Smiles group on Saturday, partnering with BeReal Austin, which is part of Upbring. We have worked with Upbring on several events at COTA in years past, but this was the first time with the BeReal group. Mike Burke did an amazing job of hosting the group as they began the day hearing the history and mission of KR to “deliver God’s Word through motorsports”. After getting an amazing view of the race course from high above in the COTA Tower, the guests received a Texas BBQ lunch in the paddock followed by a tour of a $2.2 million RV! Wow! The competitive juices began to flow as they made their way to COTA Karting, and set some fast laps of their own. Rumor has it, someone in the group was so hot on the throttle, they ended up going through the wall barriers and into the tire barriers! After cheering on George during the sprint race, the group got the chance to meet up with him and the rest of the team and get up close to the racing operation. The best part of the day though, is when we get to share what God has done in our lives and for us through the sacrifice of His son for our sins. Mike and George both have huge testimonies and we were thankful to have Mike host the group and dedicate his time and resources to an amazing MoS event.

As Sunday morning rolled around, KR driver Davey Hamilton started the 60 minute endure race and turned in a quick time of 2:34 before a mechanical issue forced an early exit for the team.

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2019 IndyCar GP of Portland

We were honored to spend our day with some youths from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Vancouver, Washington. Today was a sunny, fun, and informative day for all. Many kind friends stepped up to share racing knowledge and, most importantly, the love of the Lord. Thank you ALL for your prayers! All glory to God.

2019 GP of St. Louis

We have had such a wonderful Miles of Smiles event at World Wide Technology Raceway! We thank you for your prayers today. We are honored that Davey Hamilton, Sting Ray Robb, and Firestone Tires Firehawk took time with our group! They have busy schedules but they love bringing joy to others. We are so grateful!

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2019 SVRA of Indy

Here are some photos of the SVRA and Miles of Smiles event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We had SUCH a blessed weekend. Our lives were touched by some dear friends who came out to see us race and have fellowship. This is always a very special time as it gives us an opportunity to reconnect with our MoS Family AND race at IMS. A fantastic time was had by all. Thank you KR Family for your prayers and support!

2019 Indy 500 Day 2

Wow, folks. God heard each of your individual prayers and blessed our Miles of Smiles guests immensely with moments of joy and fellowship. We THANK YOU, Kingdom Racing Family, for your prayerful dedication during this season. We are humbled by your love!

Last Thursday we hosted a father and son from Traders Point Christian Church. They were able to spend some quality time with us and take in the unforgettable sights and sounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Our host and friend Tom Roberts did a wonderful job pulling this day together. Thank you, Tom!

Our Monday Miles of Smiles wrapped up our Month of May outreach events at IMS. Our guests were from Woodland Terrace of New Palestine hosted by Caralee Griffith, Brian Friedrich, and Mike Tate. Our guests were military veterans who served during World War II and the Vietnam War. Our senior guest jumped from an airplane on her 93rd Birthday! She said she would do it again because it was so much fun! Another guest turns 91 on race day. What a great day to have a birthday! A special thank you to Sage Karam, Matt Barton, Jason Kelly Holt, and Ed Carpenter for taking time from their busy schedules to talk to our group.

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2019 Indy 500 Day 1

This week has been filled with so much joy, prayer, stories of hope, stories of struggle, tears, smiles, and the hand of Christ on very unique situations. We keep the uniqueness of situations between our guests and the Lord, but we want to encourage you to keep praying for our outreach and to know with ALL of your hearts that JESUS hears your prayers! We are seeing Him in action. We have had quite a memorable week here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We are so grateful to the teams that open up their hearts and show us hospitality and a few minutes of their time. Special thanks to our good friends Davey Hamilton, Brian Goslee, Al Unser Jr., Logan Gomez, Matt Barton, and David Byrd for spending time with us. We are so thankful as well to our hosts Brandywine Community Church Tuesday and Wednesday, our own Tim Carrie and Christy Carrie. Here are some pictures from earlier in the week. More to come! We love you all!

Team Stormy

500 Festival Mini Marathon with Team Stormy

What a kickoff to Miles of Smiles for Indy 2019. Team Stormy, although quite wet and soggy, finished the 500 Festival Mini Marathon in 2 hours and 32 minutes with Stormy leading us across the finish. We could not have done this event without the support and help of Team Heart and Sole based out of Columbus, OH. Thank you to Ed Borland and Mark Gardner from TH&S as well as the dedication of Levi and Mandy Scott and Jay Chenoweth.
A special thank you to Parasol Photographics for taking pics and videos to document this awesome day. We didn't get stormed on, we brought The Storm!!!!! Way to go Stormy Cushing and Team Stormy!!!!!

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