RIVER GLADE, NB (April 30, 2014) – Management at Petty International Raceway are pleased to announce they will host a weekend event dedicated to the memory of fallen racer Mike Stevens, who was from nearby Riverview. The weekend of September 20 & 21 is one Maritime race fans will want to circle on their calendars with plans to attend the inaugural Mike Stevens Memorial 150 Weekend, presented by Petty International Raceway, sponsored by R. Stevens Mechanical. “The Stevens family are honoured that this event will be held in Mike’s memory,” said Mike’s mother Janet Stevens. “Michael meant so much to so many, especially his family, so it is important to us that this event is being held at a facility owned and operated by families who were both his fellow competitors and his friends.” Mike Stevens wife Sharon echoed his mothers sentiment. “I was Mike’s biggest supporter,” said Sharon Stevens. “It was our life. I was at the track and in the shop with him all the time.We had the wholehearted support of both the Stevens and James families; everyone enjoyed it and everyone supported it.” Mike Stevens, a multi-time winner on the regional pro stock circuit, passed away last August after being involved in a crash during a race at a track in Prince Edward Island. His life, and his tragic passing, left a mark on the Maritime racing community. He was honoured posthumously with a post-season Driver of the Year Award, a Most Sportsmanlike Driver Award, as well as in having an award – the Mike Stevens Crew Award – named in his honour. Moreover, thousands of dollars was donated to a trust fund set up for his two young sons, Brody and David. Mike Stevens was 30 years old at the time of his passing. “Michael went to Petty Raceway as a boy,” said his father Rob Stevens. “Our dream for this event is that it is one in which his boys will learn through it how important this sport was to their father, and he to it. We also hope that as they grow up it will help them learn important life traits like dedication, determination, and hard work – qualities exemplified by their father.” The Mike Stevens Memorial at Petty Int’l Raceway will be the facilities championship points season finale for all house racing divisions; the 150-lap pro stock race on Saturday night is expected to be a highlight of the weekend. All division feature race winners will receive a Mike Stevens Memorial trophy. Besides the pro stocks, Saturday September 20 will see racing action for the sportsman division with a 100-lap feature. On Sunday September 21 the race card will feature the Street Stock, Mini Stock, Bandoleros, and the AOW touring series. Both shows will be held in the afternoon with 4 p.m. and 2 p.m. start times, respectively. More details will be announced as the event gets closer. About Petty International Raceway: Petty International Raceway is located on Highway 106, just 40 km west of Moncton, New Brunswick. To learn more about Petty International Raceway, its location, admission, policies, history, and more, please visit www.pettyinternationalraceway.com. source – track communications
