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BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY PREPARES FOR ANNUAL COALCRACKER RACES…By Gary Lileck
Forestville, PA-August 19, 2007- As the regular season is drawing to a close, Big Diamond Raceway is preparing for their annual Labor Day Weekend Classic, the prestigious and lucrative Coalcracker races. For the second straight year, Pioneer Pole Buildings (Schuylkill Haven PA) presents Coalcracker Weekend with race dates on Friday August 31 and Sunday September 2.
The Sportsman division was born at Big Diamond back in 1997. Since that time, the class has increased in popularity and a season ending championship race was developed in 2003. Tradition continues as the big night for Sportsman is Friday Aug. 31. They are competing in the annual PPB Coalcracker 50. The main event will feature 50 green flag laps and pays $1500 and a set of Penske Racing Shocks to the winner plus lap money and a half-way leading bonus of $250.
Former winners of the Sportsman 50 include: David Van Horn (2003), Jason Hamilton (2004), and Willie Osmun (2006). Two of the three victorious drivers were invaders from other speedways. Another good mix of regulars and invaders is expected for this year’s festivities as well.
The 2007 season has been wide open for the Sportsman contingent. Up to and including the August 17 event, a total of twelve different drivers have visited victory lane. Winners have included: Craig Whitmoyer (6 wins), Brad Brightbill (2 wins), Jordan Umbenhauer (2 wins), Tom Brennan, Josh Biever, Earl Paules, Billy Moyer Jr., Steven Hughes, Codie Berk, Shawn Hiestand, Rob Gibson, and Chris James Jr.
A non-winners race for the 358 Modifieds will also take place on the Friday card. This event is open to all Modifieds that have competed in more than five regular BDR events. The race pays $250 and a set of Penske Racing Shocks to win as well as paying for other finishing positions. The victorious racer will become a guaranteed starter to draw in Sunday’s Coalcracker 100. There will also be a Modified practice session on Friday evening.
The Wingless ARDC Midgets will round out the Friday evening card. Gates open at 5:00PM with warm-ups scheduled for 7:00PM. The first qualifying heat goes green at 7:30PM. Adult admission is a fan friendly $12, Students, Seniors, and Military $10, Children 10 and under are Free, Pit admission is $25 with no pit license required. Fans attending Friday night's event will save $2 on admission for the Coalcracker 100 by presenting their rain-check from the Coalcracker 50.
Sunday September 2 is the twenty-seventh version of the famed Coalcracker race for 358 Modifieds. PPB and the new Big Diamond promotional team presented their first Labor Day Weekend Classic in 2006. Duane Howard became the only four-time winner of the event last year and is expected to defend his crown in the ’07 race.
The Coalcracker was born on August 31, 1979, and a low budget racer named Bob Emerich picked up the surprise victory. Doug Hoffman, Jeff Strunk, and the Late Charlie Eckert are past three-time winners of the Coalcracker. Kenny Brightbill and Billy Pauch have earned two wins and nine different competitors have won the event once. Current track regulars Keith Hoffman and Craig Von Dohren are former winners along with Paul Koch, Billy Schinkel, Fred Rahmer, Richie Tobias, Rick Schaffer, and Tom Mayberry.
This year’s event will go a distance of 100 green flag laps. There will be a fuel stop at or close to the half-way point. The Coalcracker 100 pays $10,000 for first, $5000 for second, and $3000 for third, $2000 for fourth and $1000 for fifth and $300 to take the green. There will be a $1000 bonus for the leader at half-way and lap money will also be paid.
The Roadrunner division is scheduled for competition on Sunday Sept. 2. They will be participating in a 20-lap feature paying $250 to win. Selinsgrove (PA) Speedway Roadrunners are welcome to attend. BDR cars must follow BDR rules, and Selinsgrove machines must follow their rules.
The Sunday program, which begins at 7:30PM, will carry a Monday Sept. 3 rain-date and starting time of 6:00PM. Adult admission is $25, Students, Seniors, and Military $20, Children 10 and under are Free, Pit admission is $30 with no pit license required. Gates will open at 3:30PM for the Coalcracker 100 event.
For entry forms, rules, and all race information please visit the speedway’s official track website www.bigdiamondraceway.com and other rule related questions may be directed to 570-385-0744. |
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