JACKSONVILLE, NC – Goodyear All American Speedway and the Carolina Mini Stock Challenge will honor longtime racer Ronnie Hetu on Saturday, March 26 with the inaugural HetuStrong Race Against Cancer.
Hetu, who was born on January 4, 1959 and passed away on March 11, 2021, was a former racer of 30 years and a longtime presence in the infield at Coastal Plains Raceway, now called Goodyear All American Speedway. The HetuStrong Race Against Cancer will raise proceeds for the HetuStrong fund that will be donated to cancer research and awareness.
“I think it’s pretty awesome that Travis [Provost] and the Goodyears are on board with this,” Kris Hetu, son of Ronnie Hetu, said. “Travis and his family have always been good to us and made us fel like part of their family, and the Goodyears are doing great things with the place we have always considered our home track.”
Now, Hetu’s home track will honor his legacy.
“Coastal Plains Raceway was honored to be the home track of Ronnie Hetu,” speedway promoter Anthony Goodyear said. “Goodyear All American Speedway is now honored to host the HetuStrong Race Against Cancer in memory of the great Ronnie Hetu on March 26th. Ronnie was a part of the racetrack and the extended family we have here, and he will always be a part of Goodyear All American Speedway. My dad started racing there shortly after they opened and he was always there helping someone, even when it wasn’t his car.
The HetuStrong Race Against Cancer is being sanctioned by the Carolina Mini Stock Challenge, a touring series for Mini Stocks that races all across the Carolinas and even into Virginia. Travis Provost, who heads up the series, is working with the Hetu family and with his wife, Jennifer, to raise awareness and raise money for cancer research and treatment.
“I’m looking forward to this race, but I’m especially looking forward to raising as much money as we can for cancer awareness as we are working with Jennifer and her cancer foundation she is a part of,” Hetu continued. “We are very humbled and honor to know that my dad was respected by so many people.”
“I am completely honored that the Hetu family has chosen me to fulfill this tribute to Ronnie,” Carolina Mini Stock president Travis Provost said. “We have some great racing in store for the fans in Onslow County.”
The HetuStrong Race Against Cancer will commence on Saturday, March 26th with the Carolina Mini Stock Challenge race, which pays $1,500-to-win, headlining the racing action. Bombers, Legends, and Bandoleros will also be a part of the race. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. A portion of all ticket sales will go to help funding cancer awareness and research.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
