NEW EGYPT - Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa., picked the right night to visit victory lane for the first time this year.

Hoffman proved to be the class of the field on Saturday night when he captured the special 38-lap Mike Rogie Memorial event for the DIRTcar Modifieds at New Egypt Speedway. With over $25,000 being raised by the "Friends of Mike" and added to the nightly purse throughout the four divisions, Hoffman earned a cool $7,286 for his efforts. The night, sponsored by a group of race fans calling themselves the "Friends of Mike," was a tribute to a loyal NES fan who died one year ago from cancer at the age of 38.

"I just needed a car I could drive," stated an elated Hoffman following a roof dance with the checkered flag. "All season our car has been terrible, but tonight it all came together."

Dominick Buffalino brought the 24-car field down to starter Warren Alston's green flag and he would set the pace for the first few laps.

On the first lap, a near miss at the front of the field in turn three set off a chain reaction that found invader and opening night winner Brett Hearn stopped on the frontstretch with a broken right front spindle. Jimmy Horton, who started fourth, continued his hunt for the lead on the restart as he charged into second. Buffalino was only able to hold onto the lead for two more laps before Horton charged by him for the top spot. Once in front, Horton began to pull away, and many in attendance thought at this point that it was his race to lose. However, with 10 laps in the books Buffalino and 12th place starting Hoffman began to run Horton down.

As the two approached Horton, Hoffman made a nice move to the low side to pass Buffalino for second. Two laps later, with the crossed flags displayed for halfway, Hoffman dove under Horton coming off of turn four. Hoffman then began to pull away while Horton rallied to hold off Buffalino and try to stay with the leader. The final caution of the event waved with nine laps to go, placing Horton directly on Hoffman's rear bumper giving him one final shot at re-taking the lead. On the restart Hoffman wasted no time showing everyone in attendance that this was his night as he raced to a straightaway advantage over the next six laps and cruised to his 21st career victory.

Horton finished a solid but distant second, while local driver Ron John Koczon posted his best finish of 2007 coming home third. The 2005 Sportsman champ, Rich Rutski, finished a solid fourth, while Ryan Godown closed to within just 14 points of point leader Matt Sheppard by finishing fifth.

John Romano Jr. of Cream Ridge won the 20-lap Sportsman feature event. Romano took the lead from early race leader Danny Bouc, then held off a persistent Rich Scagliotta to post his second triumph of the year. Scagliotta, who has won at least one feature event in each of the nine years NES has been dirt, fell short of his first of the year, finishing second. John McClelland raced across the line third ahead of Willie Osmun and Mike Krachun. Romano pocketed $2,200 for his efforts and an extra $100 for being the first driver across the line that was not in the top 10 in the point standings.

The "Educator" Mick Search of Allentown won his second of the season in the Super Stock 20-lap feature. Search powered by Al Cheney just after halfway and then held off Cheney despite a spirited battle to collect the $1,500 top prize. Cheney settled for second, followed by George Quinlan, Todd Cray and Pete Fogarty.

In the Lucas Ford SS Sprint 20-lap feature event, Ken Carberry of Fairless Hills, Pa., charged to his third victory of the season. Tom Wyckoff finished second, while Dan Biggs raced home third. Rick Cozze came from deep in field to finish fourth while Steve Wilson completed the top five.

The "Friends of Mike" raised over $25,000 and gave every cent to the drivers in tonight's racing program through heat payouts, purse increases and various bonuses. The Modifieds received over $11,000 extra dollars, the Sportsman over $8,000 extra, the Super Stocks over $3,000 and the SS Sprints over $2,000. Modified and Sportsman Heats paid $500 to win, while $600 was given out in each Super Stock and SS Sprint heat with $300 going to the winner, $200 for second and $100 to the third place finisher. Modified heats went to Buffalino, Koczon, and Pat Wall; Sportsman Heats were taken by Romano, Osmun, Steve Ramsey and Mike Howardson; Super Stock heats were won by Kory Fleming, Search and Cheney; and the first ever SS Sprint heats were captured by Ian Borden and Wyckoff.

Saturday night it will be Twins night at New Egypt Speedway with twin 20-lap features for the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. The Sportsman, Super Stocks, Outlaw Stocks and Crate 1 Sportsman will also be in competition. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with the first race at 6 p.m.

For more information call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to the Web site at www.newegyptspeedway.net.