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7th Annual Friends of Mike Night
New Egypt, NJ (July 3, 2012)
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When the month of July rolls around at
New Egypt Speedway, it can only mean one thing….‘Friends of Mike’ Night
is approaching. For the past 6 years New Egypt Speedway has paid
homage and honored one of racing’s most dedicated fans. Saturday,
July 28 will amazingly be the 7th consecutive season
that NES has held this most memorable event.
Whether you’re a
fan, driver, or another race track you can rest assured that you know
just what ‘Friends of Mike’ is about and how special of an event it has
become over the years. This year’s version of F.O.M. will be no
different, as more twists and turns have been added to put on yet
another unforgettable moment at New Egypt Speedway.
No matter if
you knew who Mike Rogie was or not, it’s almost guaranteed that you will
feel like you did after Saturday, July 28. Mike was a special
person to many as he lost his battle with cancer in July of 2006.
Every year his friends come together for a day of remembrance and give a
little back to the sport that Mike so dearly loved.
For the
third consecutive season the mighty modifieds will wage war in a 100-lap
battle for F.O.M. supremacy. There have been several formats in
the past 6 years that have seen 9 races run with 8 different winners
(2008 saw 4-20 lap events). What’s even more interesting is that
three of the 8 winners had never previously won a feature event at NES
and for two of the drivers it was only their second career triumph.
Brian Godown won the inaugural 2006 race taking home the 30-lap
$5,000 second career win. In 2007 it was Keith Hoffman claiming
$7,286 for a 38-lap dramatic victory. 2008 saw the format switch
to a 4-20 lap program, where it was Rick Laubach, Tim Tanner, and Tad
Cox scoring $2,000 victories. In the final 20 lapper it was Keith
Hoffman winning his second F.O.M. race for a $5,000 pay day. Then
in 2009 it was the track’s all-time feature winner Billy Pauch taking
home a whopping $10 grand in the 60-lap affair. In 2010
second-generation chauffer Willie Osmun took the 100-lap checkered flag
for an astounding $15,000 for his first-ever career modified victory.
Last season saw another second-generation driver take home top honors.
Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY invaded for an NES record paying $20,000
victory.
F.O.M. isn’t just about putting up $$$ for the modified
feature. The heat races have always paid well throughout the
history of this event. Last year each modified heat race paid an
unheard of $1,000 each to the five winners. The NES support
divisions also get to show what they’re made of in front of the capacity
crowd. The Sportsman and Outlaw Stock divisions will race for
extra money throughout the night as well.
Most recently, the
‘Rogie Rumble’ has become a fixture during F.O.M. Night. The fans
get to vote for who they want to see battle in the one on one match
races. Five ‘outsiders’ vs. 5 NES regulars will call out who they
think they can beat to claim the top prize of $1,000 and the Rogie
Rumble trophy. In what could be the most entertaining portion of
the program, Duane Howard was left the last man standing in 2012.
Howard went on to finish second in the 100-lap main after winning his
heat race. The Pennsylvania hot shoe collected $7,000 for his
F.O.M. efforts last year.
The Friends of Mike are currently
looking for sponsors of all the laps for the features of the 4 weekly
divisions. The Crate-1 Sportsman will run their F.O.M. race on
October 27th. Of course ALL money raised goes
directly into the purses for the drivers. Through the efforts of
many, Mike’s friends have been able to raise over $103,000 in the past
six years and hopefully this year is no different.
With the great
fans not only at New Egypt Speedway, but in our sport of Dirt Track
Racing as well, is why this has all been 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 contact Danny Serrano
(609-433-4487) the organizer of the event. There is also a FREE
BBQ from 2pm to 4pm for everyone to enjoy in the turn 4 picnic area.
*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. Any donation checks can be made out to New Egypt Raceway
c/o Friends of Mike.
We know times are hard and the economy isn’t
the greatest but with everyone’s help we can make sure that his race
continues to grow and remains very special to those who are a part of it
every year since its inception.
Once again THANK YOU to everyone
and we will see you on JULY 28!!!!
Sincerely,
Danny Serrano &
ALL of Mike’s Friends |
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