The “Carwash Mike” hard luck awards this past weekend at the Fall Nationals went
to Hawaiian Dean Freitas on Friday and then Sacramento’s Willie Croft on
Saturday.
Freitas on Friday lost a rear end after hot laps and was forced to
scratch for the remainder of the night. He then drove to Sacramento to pick up
enough spares for Saturday’s action. Friday’s hard luck award was worth $500.
On Saturday Croft had to pull out the rear end & change the torque
tube prior to the dash, which he went on to finish 3rd in. Croft was then
running 3rd in the feature, but had the U-Joint break on lap 2, putting him out
of contention. It was a tough break after he had finished on the podium the
previous night.
Thanks to everyone’s graciousness though we were able to
get the “Carwash Mike” hard luck award up to $900 for Saturday!!!
“I
definitely want everyone to know how much I appreciate this,” said Croft. “We
were really fast all weekend so it was a shame it had to end like that. I had to
replace a lot of parts last night so this hard luck award will really help. I
want to thank everyone who donated because this is a great.”
Big thanks
to the Iowa Racing Family for getting the ball rolling with the hard luck award.
I can’t thank everyone else enough for their donations as well. The racing
family is so awesome and it was pretty cool how much we were able to collect at
the Fall Nationals. So once again to everyone that donated, thank you all a
bunch!!!
Also thanks to all who came and supported the bbq on Saturday in
memory of Carwash. Was nice to see everyone there and I had a blast being able
to hang out with everybody.
Dianne Durica also made the announcement
during the bbq that next year’s King of the West Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial will
have the fast time award named in honor of “Carwash Mike.”
To make it
even better, World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers and wife Robyn are donating
$500 to the “Carwash Mike” fast time award for the Bradway Memorial in 2012.
The last three years we have been able to get the fast time award over
$1000 and we are already off to a good start for next season.
Also thanks to Silver Dollar Speedway promoter Dennis Gage & announcer Troy Hennig for the hospitality. Not many tracks around the country would do what they did this past weekend and it is much appreciated.
- Gary Thomas on Oct 02, 2011
- Article Date: 10/2/2011