Memorial Day Holiday Weekend For Joe Rokos Consists Of His Home Track; Cherry Raceway

Interlochen, Michigan (Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012):

Joe Rokos was in action twice over the weekend of May 18-19th beginning at his home track of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake Michigan on May 18th for Opening Night 2012 / Best Looking Car contest at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked dirt oval. Rokos knew going into the night and into the entire season at Cherry that he’ll have a target on his back all season long as the Defending UMP Modifieds Track Champion.

After winning his heat race, Rokos was in a long battle with West Michigan veteran, John McCaul throughout the 20-lap Feature and in the end, Rokos would settle for second. “It was nice to get back on the track at Cherry. The car was real good all night. It was nice to pick up the win in the heat. Starting on the outside front row at cherry is usually the best starting spot in the field, but Friday was an exception.” The Interlochen, Michigan driver explained.

“The track was definitely bottom only come feature time. McCaul is a good runner and when he jumped to the early lead I knew that it was going to be tough to get by him,” The 29-year-old continued. “He ran 20 laps with no mistakes and I had to settle with second. The mid race battle with Collin Thirlby was sure fun, that was some real tight close racing. We’ll get them next week.” He added.

The following night, May 19th was at the ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Michigan. After transferring into the Feature due to a somewhat rough heat race, the crew worked hard to get the car back into race condition for the Feature. “The track still had some wet spots in Qualifying and I slipped off the track in turn three. So we started deep in the heat and the car was working good until a mid-race caution came out and Andy Sprague and I made contact as the yellow came out.” He explained.

“We bent a center link, idler arm and a rim. So the J.R.R. Got it fixed for the feature and started 13th . We got up to seventh and the car was great, but the track was one lane on the bottom. I needed a caution. Two weeks in a row starting deep at Merritt and the race goes green to checkered.” Rokos Laughed.

For the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, Rokos will race one time before taking the rest of the weekend off as he’ll return to Cherry on Friday, May 25th. Looking down the road, Race #2 in the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Presented by Lane Automotive is on Saturday, June 16th at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Michigan.

For the remainder of the 2012 racing season, Rokos’ white #77 Joe Rokos Racing / Rocket by Ruhlman Racecars entry will have sponsorship support and decals from: Gilboes Lock & Safe as well as Magnum Solvents, Thirlby Automotive, CRM Inc. Powder Coating, Allstar Performance, Westside Beverage, Cooter Thunder, Rokos Construction, Bell Racing Helmets, Ultrashield Race Products, Ron Coyne Tool & Machine, Tim & Pam Tank, and M.P.H. Promotions.

To learn more about Joe Rokos and the Joe Rokos Racing Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2012 season, go to the new website at: www.joerokosracing.com You can also e-mail JRR at: hotrodracing77@yahoo.com and don’t forget about the Joe Rokos Racing Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com/joerokos77