Joe Rokos Ends 2012 Racing Season – Looking Ahead To 2013 Campaign « modFURY :: open wheel dirt modifieds….in a FURY! :: Video, Photos, News, Results, Live Event Coverage, and MORE! :: Dirt Track, Circle Track, Open Wheel, Modifieds

Joe Rokos Ends 2012 Racing Season – Looking Ahead To 2013 Campaign

#77r Joe Rokos - Interlochen, Michigan. (Joe Rokos Racing Photo)

Interlochen, Michigan (Wednesday, October 17th, 2012): As the 2012 racing season comes to a close for Joe Rokos and the Joe Rokos Racing Team, the Interlochen, Michigan driver has had time to reflect on the just completed year in his UMP Modified while looking ahead to the fast approaching 2013 racing season and an emphasis on the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour.

“Next season the plans as of right now are to cut the racing program back a little bit and stay away from points racing. However we will have the main focus of the Michigan Dirt Cup.” Explained Rokos. “That is the only thing we will be looking at Points Wise. After the rough season we had this year and all the equipment we broke I think a season of jumping around and trying to get the fun back in it is in order.”

“I have been racing since I was 14 usually two days a week all summer long, I am now 30 and it’s taking a toll on me and my crew.” He continued. “I love the sport and there is no way I’m giving it up, but I just need to regroup and start having fun with it again. We got to remember that it is a Hobby, a rather expensive and time consuming Hobby, but a Hobby never the less.”

He then added; “So with the Michigan Dirt Cup races and the bigger paying races in the area where there will be a great car count, that where we’ll be at in 2013. We will probably make a few trips to Cherry Raceway and Merritt Raceway to shake out the bugs and try some new things, but I don’t want to get in to a weekly points race.” He remarked.

The teams’ last two races of 2012 were at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan on September 22nd and Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio on October 6th. At Berlin, Rokos made a bit of history by winning the first Official race on the temporary dirt track overlaying the 7/16 (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval as he walked away with the first Qualifier Heat Race for the UMP Modifieds.

“The first dirt race in 50+ years at Berlin and yeah it was a Heat Race, but I won it! That’s something I’ll always remember that’s for sure and with it being in front of the huge crowd there and the World of Outlaw Late Models Series there too, that was really cool,” Rokos said.

“We were to start 12th in the Feature, but we got rained out and we couldn’t make it back out for the make-up race the following week. But man that track was a lot of fun. We just don’t see much of that around here in Michigan. Its fun when you can open the car up and see what its’ got. It’s too bad we got rained out we had a real good car and was really looking forward to running the main.

Two weekends later at Eldora, there were a whopping 130 UMP Modifieds on the grounds and Rokos was sixth quick in his Qualifying Group and 36th overall. In his Qualifier Heat Race only the top two would transfer into the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds Nationals Feature and Rokos just missed the last transfer spot which relegated him to the second of four B Features which only transferred the top three out of each.

After stating on the outside of the front row, Rokos would finish fourth, just missing the final Transfer spot into the A Feature. “What can I say; it’s by far one of the best facilities in the country and they go above and beyond to make the racing surface the best it can be. The UMP Fall Nationals race is a great time. Great competition great racing, the only problem is when you get over 130 cars and close to 90 of them are the some of the best in the country it makes for a long night.” He explained.

“When you line up for your Qualifier Heat or B Main and look around the race you are in, it would be a fantastic A Main anywhere in the country.” Rokos added. “We did way better this year at the nationals than we did last and plan on being back next year to make the show. Special thanks to my Sponsors and Crew and the fans for sticking with us in such a rough season.” He ended.

Throughout the 2012 racing season, Rokos’ white #77 Joe Rokos Racing / Rocket by Ruhlman Racecars UMP Modified carried sponsorship decals all season long 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 sponsorship opportunities for the fast approaching 2013 Racing Season as Rokos sets his sights on the 2013 Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Championship, check out the team website at: www.joerokosracing.com You can also e-mail JRR at: hotrodracing77@yahoo.com for more information and don’t forget about the Joe Rokos Racing Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com/joerokos77

–
Matt Prieur
Founder / President
M.P.H. Promotions – DeWitt, Michigan
mprieur@mph-promotions.com
www.facebook.com/MattPrieur
www.twitter.com/mattprieur
1 (989) 277-4351

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