Progressive AFT and Rookies of ‘79 and Friends Extend Partnership - Speedway Digest

Progressive American Flat Track is proud to confirm that Rookies of ‘79 and Friends remains the series’ Official Charity Partner; a partnership extending into its fourth year in 2021.

Now in its 12th year of operation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, Rookies of ‘79 stands as a constant, reassuring presence that allows racers to perform at their maximum with the assurance that someone will have their back even when circumstances are the most dire.

Support from Rookies of ‘79 is made available to any licensed Progressive AFT competitor injured at a series event. Since its inception, it has never turned away a rider seeking aid, providing the help necessary to allow many of them to return to the track rather than end their careers prematurely due to injury.

“Progressive American Flat Track is happy to be able to extend our partnership with the Rookies of ’79 group for the 2021 Progressive AFT season,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Progressive AFT. “Charlie Roberts and his team have a determination and passion for the work they do and we acknowledge the great service they provide our racer community. I would ask our fans to pay them a visit at an event this year and support the guys who support the riders.”

The Rookies of ‘79 name points to its founding members, an astonishing collection of talent who graduated to the sport’s global pinnacle together in 1979. That group includes some of the greatest racers to ever grace a two-wheeled machine, boasting such legends as Scott Parker, Wayne Rainey, Ronnie Jones, Charlie Roberts, Tommy Duma, Jackie Mitchell, Lance Jones, and Johnny Wincewicz. Reunited three decades later, the Rookies of ‘79 decided to give back to the sport in a way that would help those who needed it the most.

When Rookies of ‘79 first became Progressive AFT’s Official Charity in 2018, it had already raised nearly a million dollars to those ends. In the three years since, it has more than doubled that number, boasting more than two million dollars raised since 2009 to help injured riders and their families.

That impressive growth will be obvious from the fences as Rookies of ‘79 will travel to every Progressive AFT event in 2021 in a new Mercedes hauler funded by Estenson Racing, Turner Racing. Farr Trucking/Iowa City Brake, Motion Pro, and Roof Systems of Dallas, TX. It has also added new corporate sponsorship from Memphis Shades and Law Tigers as the sport’s most dedicated backers continue to flock to support this worthy cause.

Beyond offering new merchandise and memorabilia, Rookies of ‘79 will also be raffling off an all-new Indian FTR 1200 Rally donated by Indian Motorcycle, which will be on display throughout the season at the Rookies of ‘79 Charity Merchandise booth. The previous two Indians provided by Indian Motorcycle raised a total of over $65,000, and in an effort to make this the biggest fundraiser yet, raffle tickets are already available for purchase at https://www.rookies79.com/ at $25 a piece or five for $100.

Tickets will also be available to purchase at each Progressive AFT event this year. Additionally, Rookies of ‘79 will offer tickets at a number of additional races it will attend across the country in 2021, and also at stops at select Indian Motorcycle dealerships in conjunction with the ‘21 Progressive AFT schedule.

“We are honored to be the Official Charity of Progressive American Flat Track,” said Charlie Roberts, CEO of Rookies of ’79 and Friends. “We would not be able to provide the assistance to the riders that we do without this relationship. We are really excited about 2021, our new hauler, and our newest partners.”

The 2021 Progressive AFT season kicks off with a Volusia Half-Mile doubleheader event at Volusia Speedway Park on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, 2021. Tickets for this season-opening extravaganza are on sale now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3321/#raceSchedule.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Adam Sinclair

NHRA, IHRA, Motocross and other forms of motorsports Staff writer
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.