With gas prices hovering near $4.23 per gallon in Massachusetts, a Boston-area businessman is promising to give away 7,000 gallons of free fuel on Friday. Ernie Boch Jr. made the announcement Thursday. He called the event "April Fuels" and, in a written statement, insisted it was not an April Fools' Day joke. "Gas prices are crazy and it's the right thing to do. I'm in the automotive industry. It's a cool thing to do," Boch said. Boch said the free gasoline would be given away at the Rojo Irving gas station, located just south of the very busy intersection of Route 1 and University Avenue in Norwood. The recently-renovated gas station has 12 pumps and is located up the street from several car dealerships that still retain Boch's family name. "There is potential for backup on Route 1, but its going to be managed by the traffic lights," said Norwood Police Chief Bill Brooks. "There's going to be hundreds of cars. We're going to make sure they get moved through."Gas will begin flowing for free at 7 a.m., the gas station confirmed. Diesel will not be included. According to Boch, coffee and pastries will also be served. "We're hoping people don't get here too early and we're gonna go until the fuel runs out," said Rojo's John Shalbey. At the current average cost per gallon of regular, Boch's promise could cost about $29,610.