Weedsport, NY — September 22, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
2008 marks nearly a quarter-century of Super DIRT Week support from the famous Freihofer’s Baking Company and this October marks the 24th straight year Freihofer’s will be sponsoring the Rite Aid 200 “Rookie of the Race” Award.
During its infancy the award granted the race rookie $1,000. Freihofer’s sweetened the pot to $1,500 in 1990 and just two years later the company handed out $2,000. Sweetening the results has not been hard for Freihofer’s bake goods over the years. They produce excellent pastries and cookies. This year’s rookie winner will again have to be sharp all weekend long as the rookie award depends not only on race results, but also on qualifying in time trials.
Past winners of the Freihofer’s award include 1992 recipient Frank Jashembowski, who made quite an impression winning the Freihofer’s Rookie of the Race Award as well as leading lap 100, to earn an additional $10,000. In 1999 second-generation standout Ronnie Johnson (father Jack Johnson won the Eckerd 200 in 1984 and ’79) started 30th and took home Rookie of the Race accolades after finishing 4th in the 188-lap Big-Block Modified main. David Hebert started last (46th) and finished 25th in 2002 to become the first Frenchman to earn the coveted first-time award and pocket two grand from Freihofer.
In 2006, Chad Phelps wrote more history as captured the inaugural “Win And You’re In” Big-Block/Small-Block Super Shootout at Cayuga County Fair Speedway to earn the 45th and final starting spot in the Rite Aid 200. Last autumn completed a break-out year for Keystone State driver Shawn Reimert as the Oley, Pa. race rookie advanced from 29th to finish 16th and garner the popular Freihofer first-year award. Super DIRT Week ’08 runs October 7-12.
Since 1884, four generations of the Freihofer family have maintained founder Charles Freihofer’s commitment to the freshest, purest ingredients in their baked goods, and dedication to their customers. The quest for innovation tied to its home-style imagery has been a cornerstone of their success. And today, Freihofer’s http://freihofers.gwbakeries.com is part of the George Weston Bakeries family, the home of all the fresh baked brands America has loved for generations.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.advanceautoparts.com.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
