New Egypt, NJ (July 14, 2011) – YES… It’s going to happen again!  Can you believe that the 6th annual Friends of Mike Race is just around the corner?  I cannot believe that this will be the sixth time that we have all come together as a group to support the sport that we all love.  “The Friends of Mike” clan will be back out in full force come Saturday, July 30th at the New Egypt Speedway honoring their good friend Mike Rogie. Mark this date on your calendar as this is one race you do not want to miss. 

This year’s lucky winner in the modified division will once again take home a whopping $15,000 first place prize. However, the all important Heat Races prior to the 100 Lap event will provide plenty of excitement as the drivers will be competing for an unheard of $1,000 first place prize money.  The Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks will also have their chance to shine on July 30th as both divisions will also race for and increased purse in both their feature and heat races. As always, Friends of Mike Night will have the most intense racing of the year take place in front of a packed house.

Who is Mike Rogie you ask. Mike was one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. He grew up just outside of New Egypt in Cookstown, NJ less than 7 miles from the speedway. Mike was a diehard race fan, a great cook, a huge sports fan, but most of all… Mike was a great friend. Unfortunately Mike is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on with many of his friends especially the ones in Section 6.

Mike Rogie was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2005... He passed away on July 29, 2006.…he was only 38-years-old. “Mike fought until the very end just like I knew he would. He showed tremendous courage and never once complained,” expressed Jim Gauze. Gauze and Rogie were best of friends who met on McGuire AFB where Mike worked as a civilian and where Gauze has just recently retired from the U.S. Air Force.

With Mike’s health declining by the week his friends wanted to do something to honor him in the sport that he loved. And that is when “Friends of Mike” was born. On the day when Mike Rogie was to be recognized for being the great person that he was, how ironic was it that this would have been Mike’s last day on earth with us.

The “Friends of Mike” have single-handedly collected nearly $95,000 in the five years this race has taken place. The race fans themselves have turned sponsor for the evening. Where has the money gone? “We wanted to give something back to the drivers since they are the reason why we come out to the track,” said Danny Serrano, who was also good friends with Rogie. “It started with just a handful of close friends chipping in some money for the drivers. Every year more and more people are realizing what this event is about and hopefully 2011 will be no different.”

Last year the “Rogie Rumble” was added to the annual event.  Well, it’s safe to say that it’s back this year and will once again pay $1,000 to the last man standing.  Fans will be able to vote prior to the July 30 as to see just who they want to see compete in the ever-so-popular 1 on 1 Modified Match Races.

Every year the “Friends of Mike” is run in conjunction with a HUGE Chinese Auction for everyone to participate in. This year will be no different. Hundreds of framed pictures, collages, collectibles, and plenty of racing paraphernalia will be won by all the lucky fans who are involved. So everyone is more than welcome to come out and support a great cause, give back to our racers, and take home some great prizes.  There is also the Friends of Mike Annual Picnic/BBQ.  Many fans donate a great amount of food to be cooked, with soda, water, and snacks.  The BBQ is FREE for all those who support this wonderful day at New Egypt Speedway.

Every single dollar that is raised will go directly to our NES drivers on this night. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. None of this would be possible without the great people in racing that have contributed over the past five years!

The Friends of Mike are currently looking for sponsors for all the laps for the features of the 4 divisions.  The Crate-1 Sportsman will run their F.O.M. race on 10/29/11 as they are not scheduled to appear that night at NES.  Of course ALL money raised goes directly into the purses for the drivers.  We’ve raised over $95,000 in the past five years and I hope this year is no different.  With the great fans we have, not only at New Egypt Speedway but in our sport of Dirt Track Racing as well, have all made this possible.  Please don’t forget about the HUGE Chinese Auction that takes place throughout the day where fans win hundreds of fabulous prizes and thousands of dollars are raised to add to the night’s purse.  If there are any items you would like to donate to the auction please let us know.

*Reminder*

The lap that is sponsored is not lap-leader money…the money is used to help pay the increased purse for the features and heat races.  Each lap costs $100 to sponsor.  Any donation checks can be made out to New Egypt Speedway c/o Friends of Mike.

Once again Thank You to everyone and we will see you on JULY 30!!!!

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FRIENDS OF MIKE MODIFIED RACE

Total Purse $48,000: 100 Laps Plus $1000 to Win Heats

1-$15,000   5-$2,400       9-$1,200   13-$700   17-$500   21-$400
2-$5,000     6-$2,000     10-$1,000   14-$600   18-$500   22-$400
3-$3,300     7-$1,600     11-$900      15-$500   19-$500   23-$400
4-$2,700     8-$1,400     12-$800      16-$500   20-$500   24-36-$400

$250 Gambler Fee:  If a driver puts up the $250 "Gambler Fee" and wins they will win $20,000!!!  All Drivers placing in the top 10 will receive their Gambler Fee back on top of the purse money already earned.

Heat Race Winners All Receive $1,000… All Heat & Feature Positions Determined by Draw 1 ON 1 Modified Match Races… Participants Voted on By the Fans Prior to Race Night - 5 NES Regulars vs. 5 Outsiders Plus 2 Wild Card Drivers (1 Regular vs. 1 Outsider) Based on Time In Heat Race… Last Man Standing will win $1,000 & Trophy        

FRIENDS OF MIKE SPORTSMAN RACE

Total Purse $7,000: 20 Laps Plus $250 to Win Heats

FRIENDS OF MIKE OUTLAW STOCK RACE

Total Purse $3,700: 20 Laps Plus $200 to Win Heats

FRIENDS OF MIKE CRATE-1 SPORTSMAN RACE

(Date 10/29/2011)

Total Purse $4,500: 20 Laps Plus $200 to Win Heats