RPW’s ‘Hot Mic’ With Courtney Crews: Racing For Charity

Column By: RYAN HILL / RPW – ADAMS, MA – On August 3rd Caroga Creek Speedway in St. Johnsville, NY held a special event that saw local race car stars hopping into the karts of Caroga Creek’s racers in the effort to raise money for The Melody Center for Children with Cancer and Blood disorders located at Albany Medical Center.

Courtney Crews is a weekly competitor at Caroga Creek, as well as appearing at multiple series events throughout the north east. The event was a date Courtney was proud to participate in as a driver, as well as being able to provide sprint car driver Jessica Friesen-Zemken with a ride in her Rice Builders #5 wing champ kart.

“Hot Mic” is our column where the drivers of Blue Cord Media share their thoughts on a topic, here is Courtney’s thoughts on the event, and what the night meant to her.

Courtney on the event:

“On the 3rd I got to race along with 29 top of the top drivers in a fundraiser for Melodies Center of Albany Medical Center Children with cancer or blood disorders and watched many of the famous dirt car driver’s jump behind the wheel of our champs karts and one JR class, all for the hospital.”

It’s the events like these that will forever hold a place in my heart… yes the huge wins, money races, and making it in to races with guys you never thought you could run with, etc. are also very special to me, but it’s events like this that hold a bigger place… one that is about giving back to our community.”

Courtney started 15th out of 20 in her race and finished 10th. It was a really good night for the team, as they had fun, laughed a lot, but most importantly making a difference in the community.

Sprint Car driver Jessica Zemken-Friesen started shotgun on the field for the wing champ kart feature in Courtney’s #5 Rice Builders kart.

Courtney on having someone she looks up to race in her kart:

“Huge thanks to Jessica Friesen for running my champ kart tonight, she started dead last and finished 3rd, and she even beat her husband Stewart!”

“It was really cool to have Jessica drive my champ kart at the event because ever since I was a little girl she has inspired me. There are not many girls in our sport, and she is one of the few that actually take time out her day to chat with the up and coming racers. I find that valuable to young drivers and our sport.”