I appreciate those of you who contacted Interstate Batteries and asked them to reconsider dropping the NHRA program, I can't thank you enough for your loyalty. As of yesterday we have tickets for 10 races this year and I have every intention of continuing our program to honor our Troops and their families, but I want to remind you that without Interstate Batteries we would have never had the ability or the vision to start such a ambitious program.
Interstate Batteries gave me my first opportunity to go racing. In 2004 I attempted to race full time, being realistic about my finances I had set a deadline at the Indy race (traditionally the time when sponsorships were set) to obtain sponsorship. I felt God was going to use me at the races but I also didn't want to lead my family into financial disaster. With high hopes I went to Indy,(a race that still hold the record of Most disastrous race of my career) My teammate crashed and totaled his car, I missed my flight I was flown into a hurricane. It took several days to get home.
I remember sitting crying at my computer, not because I was going to give up racing but because I thought I had misunderstood what God was calling me to do. This was the biggest leap of faith I had ever taken and now to realize that I was wrong about God's plan for me was devastating. But I wanted to stick by word and began planning what to do next? Race local? Bracket race and get seat time etc.
Then Pow.....I got the call that Interstate Batteries was going to sponsor me and Mac Tools was going to help me with some tools. It was incredible!!! God came through with a big YES. Sometimes when we see a dead-end it is really for the best. I got to know at a deep level that I would walk away from something I loved if it was in God's plan. I know God knew that but until I made that decision I didn't know if I could. Then God brought the provision to go racing.
To get sponsorship for Super Comp is pretty rare. To get it when your new or not a Big Dog in the sport is unheard of. Yet Interstate hung in there with me. I didn't deserve that, but they had faith in me and my team. Racing for Interstate has taught me a lot, as you know I work with a lot of ministries, Military Ministries, Bill Glass Prison Ministries, Texas Justice Foundation, My House Ministries, Welcome Home Troops, Luis Palau Ministries to name some of them and the one thing I found out after I because involved was that Interstate Batteries had already supported them at some level. I have worked with them for 4 years now and I am still surprised to find out how many people have benefited from the generosity of Norm Miller and Interstate. These guys are the good guys and that is why I have tried so hard to show them that their trust in me is not misplaced.
Whether or not I carry their logo on my car I want you to know that these are the guys that provided a supply of batteries to our guys in Iraq when they had none. 10 days door to door (if you want full story e-mail me) They provided Household batteries for care packages, they have done more for me and my team than I could ever have dreamed of.
I have to look for every opportunity to grow as a team, there is much to do this year, and I appreciate the outpouring of support but this might just be God closing one door so another can open. I certainly will continue using Interstate Batteries, not just because their great batteries but because I know the good that is done through this Company. I will continue to be friends with them and I am sure will work with them again if not through racing them through the ministries we both love. Trust me I am NOT done racing and I am not going to let the troops down. This ain't nothing but a thing, Just remember "The future is always found in front of you, never looking back."

Thanks again for caring,
Tina