Published: April 18, 2008 11:52 pm         

Hoffman, Hammock to be honored

Today the City of Enid will bestow a special honor on local radio personalities Mike Hoffman and Jack Hammock, as Jim Crabb, Ward 1 City Commissioner, will award an official proclamation during the airing of their 200th Speedway Madness show. The special decree will declare today as ’Mike and Jack’s Speedway Madness Day.’ The presentation will be at Big O’ Tires during a 10 a.m. remote broadcast.

According to Ron Johnston, former Ward 1 Commissioner, Hoffman and Hammock are being honored for hosting the longest-running radio show ever in Enid and promoting the legendary stock car racing track at Garfield County Fairgrounds, which has drawn countless race fans to Enid.

’Their show is the longest consecutive running radio show that Enid has ever seen,’ said Johnston. ’Mike has helped promote stock car racing in Enid through numerous national publications with his photography as well as the radio show, bringing thousands of race fans to Enid to support our local businesses.’

Hoffman and Hammock began hosting the weekly radio program on 104.7 The Rocket in March, 2001. According to Hoffman, they have as many as 50,000 listeners on any given week. It is one of the top Internet broadcasts, according to official ratings.

’This is not my first racing radio show,’ said Hoffman. ’I did a weekly broadcast during the ’70s when Kent Albright was promoting Enid’s track. We also did a television show during the ’70s. In the early ’90s I hosted a radio show on KNID when Martin Bond was the promoter.’

Hoffman said he has promoted Enid’s stock car racing by publishing photos in several national publications, including Fast Lane Motorsports, Jayhawk Racing Journal, Hooks Racing Journal, National Speedsport News, Dirt on Dirt, Circle Track Magazine and Speedway Illustrated.

Hoffman has a long history with local racing. In 1972 he and ’Dyno’ Dave Swearingen won the second-half late model championship. From 1966 to 1973 Hoffman drove a drag car for racing legend Tom Conway. He drove for Bear Fields from 1972 to 1975. For many decades Hoffman was the official track photographer, preserving racing memories for many generations. He received a proclamation from the mayor in 2006 for his promotion of the $10,000 to win Street Stock Nationals and a proclamation from Gov. Brad Henry in 2006 for promoting racing, tourism and economic growth in Oklahoma. Bitten hard by the racing bug, this local hero is avid about his support of the popular sport.

’I’m a racer and a race fan and enjoy promoting racing in Enid,’ said Hoffman. ’I love the sport and want to support it in any way I can. More people come out to Enid’s track than to any other event in Enid, period. This venue happens 36 weeks a year, and the economic impact is unreal. Most of the drivers who compete here are from out of town. Just try to find a hotel during the Street Stock Nationals.’

City officials are encouraging racing supporters to join them for this special occasion.

’We want to invite all the local race fans to attend this monumentous event,’ said Johnston. ’There will be free hamburgers and cake, along with a special display by the Enid Corvette Club. Pegasys will be on hand to film the event for a future airing. I really appreciate everything Mike has done to get people to come to Enid.’



Licklider is the motor sports writer for the News & Eagle.