Name: Ken Friend
Email:kenfriendraceday@aol.com
Location: Mason, Michigan

Ken Friend Born and raised in Jackson, Michigan. Jackson High School graduate 1980

Occupation: I recently retired from General Motors in Lansing, Michigan where I built the Cadillac CTS.

Background: My announcing career began while still a student attending high school as I served as the PA announcer for several high school sports. My first job out of school was at WKHM-AM in Jackson. Since then I've had stints at many other radio and TV stations where I was an award winning producer and a TV weatherman. I served as one of the track PA announcers for Roger Penske and International Speedway Corp. from 1996-2002.

Which tracks I have visited: Michigan Int'l Speedway, Daytona, Darlington, Rockingham, Nazareth, California, Pocono, Bristol, Talladega, Chicagoland Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Mid-Ohio, Martinsville, Lowes Motor Speedway, Riverside California & many Michigan short tracks.

Fav. track and why: Michigan for so many great memories.

If I had ONE last race track to attend I'd choose: Darlington Raceway

Most Memorable Drivers to me: Benny Parsons, Dale Earnhardt, AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti

Personal Memorable Moments:
February 1984 - Driving my 1971 Ford LTD wagon around North Carolina Motor Speedway with my dad in the back seat yelling at me to "stop this S.O.B." and let him out.

March 1984 - Went out to play golf by myself in North Carolina and ended up joining another guy playing alone. It was Benny Parsons, he was in a cart, I was walking. After the front nine he invited me to ride with him for the back nine. It took us almost 3 hours to play the back nine because all we did was talk about racing, on HIS day off. The following Sunday, Benny won the race at Atlanta, his final NASCAR victory. I really miss the many times we tee'd it up.  

1985 - Playing 18 holes of golf with Darrel Waltrip.
 As a race fan, I couldn't stand DW, but once I met him and spent an afternoon with him, he's a great guy. Taught me never to pre-judge anyone until you meet them.

1987 - Broadcasted LIVE on radio while taking laps at Michigan with NASCAR legend Bobby Allison. 150 mph and NO helmets !!

1988 - Pace Car ride at Michigan with Dale
Earnhardt,Sr.  You can imagine, it was memorable.

1999 - My only victory lane interview at Michigan was with Dale, Jr. after a Busch Series win.

Current Favorite Drivers: Carl Edwards - Kevin Harvick - Marco Andretti

Favorite Race Series: NASCAR

Hobbies: These days I get the most pleasure out of taking my 7 year old son, Parker to places he's never been or seen. He already loves going to the races ! Golfing, Las Vegas, the Detroit Tigers & Red Wings are favorite pastimes as well.

In my garage: Chevy Avalanche, it's Orange, as a tribute to my high school.