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DUANE HOWARD DOMINATES BIG BLOCK MODIFIED SPECIAL AT BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY.
BY GARY LILECK
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Forestville, PA – March 29, 2008 Duane Howard simply dominated Saturday evening’s 40-lap Big Block Modified season lid lifter at Big Diamond Raceway. Howard, an Oley PA native, started from the pole, led all forty circuits, and captured the $4000 top prize as part of Sobe Life Water Night.
Howard has accomplished many achievements during the course of his 358 Modified career at Big Diamond. He is a past six-time track champion (which remains a 358 Modified record) and stands second in the all-time win list. One goal had eluded him, however. Until this past Saturday night, Howard had been shut out of victory lane in Diamond’s previous Big Block Modified shows.
“This is a great race car”, mentioned Howard of the Chad Sinon fielded #4 Teo. “This is my favorite car from last year. We were really hungry over the winter and we were ready for the season to start. I think it is going to show all season long”. This may spell trouble for opposing teams as Howard plans to compete weekly at BDR this season.
Howard started last in his qualifying heat race, which he eventually won. Howard drew the pole position for the 40-lap main event and placed a healthy strangle hold over his 26 top notch rivals.
Although six caution flag periods took place during the contest, the 42 year old racer placed some space between himself and runner-up Jimmy Horton during most of the contest. Howard enjoyed a two second advantage over the New Jersey based racer at the event’s half-way mark.
Howard and Horton separated themselves from the field and set a blistering pace during the race’s final eighteen caution flag laps. As a matter of fact, Howard set a new track record with a lap time of 16.222. Inside the ten-to-go signal, Howard stretch his lead to nearly three seconds, however, his huge lead quickly would diminish.
While attempting to place invading New York racer Vic Coffey a lap down, Howard slowed his pace somewhat and Horton gained some closing ground. Less than two laps remained and Horton had pulled to within a second of the race leader. Howard remained in command though and drove his Tony Feil powered BPG-4 to the convincing victory in front of a spectacular opening day crowd.
Horton of Neshanic Station NJ powered Dieter Schmidt’s #5 to a runner-up finish. Second generation racer, Mike Gular of Harleysville PA, started third and remained in the position throughout most of the contest. Gular’s self-owned machine showed smoke in the end, but clinched the third spot.
Track regular, Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville PA, drove the Updegrove #00 Bicknell to a fourth place effort. Defending 358 Modified track champion Jeff Strunk of Mohnton PA started ninth and quietly worked through the top ten during the event’s early course. Strunk advanced into fifth on lap 31 and drove the #126 Teo to a top five finish.
Invading racer, Brett Hearn of Sussex NJ, finished sixth in the Vinny Salerno owned 358 modified 4 car ahead of Ryan Godown (Ringoes NJ), Steve Bottcher (Lehighton PA), Jerry Higbie Jr. (Slate Hill NY), and Keith Hoffman (Whitehall PA).
A tremendous field of 52 Big Block Modifieds participated in the 2008 season opener. Qualifying heat winners were: Duane Howard, Brian Kressley, Ryan Godown, Billy Decker, Mike Gular, and Kevin Hartnett. The B-Main winners included: Keith Hoffman, Shawn Fitzpatrick, and Rick Laubach.
The only red flag period during the evening involved Larry Wight in the third consi. The 16-year old racer flipped his machine in turn one. Wight was uninjured in the accident.
358 Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners were on hand for several test and tune laps. Several newcomers and rookies took their initial laps on the speedway, while others were busy dialing in their new ’08 rides. Nearly 25 Sportsman competitors were in competition for the practice sessions.
Prior to the evening’s races, photographers gathered near victory lane to honor Don Marks, who passed away earlier in the week. Don was the track photographer at the Grandview Speedway and took pictures at Big Diamond for many seasons. Track announcer Mark Garman honored Don Marks in an emotional ceremony.
The quest for the championship officially begins this Friday April 4. The 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners kick off the 2008 regular season with racing going green at 7:45PM. Note the new starting time for ’08. For upcoming events and news release from Big Diamond Raceway feel free to visit their official website at www.bigdiamondraceway.com
COMPLETE RACE SUMMARY – BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY – MARCH 29
BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS
FEATURE (40-LAPS): 1) Duane Howard, 2) Jimmy Horton, 3) Mike Gular, 4) Doug Manmiller, 5) Jeff Strunk, 6) Brett Hearn, 7) Ryan Godown, 8) Steve Bottcher, 9) Jerry Higbie Jr., 10) Keith Hoffman, 11) Stewart Friesen, 12) Wade Hendrickson, 13) Pat Ward, 14) Vic Coffey, 15) Colt Harris, 16) Ryan Watt, 17) Kevin Hartnett, 18) Craig Von Dohren, 19) Rick Laubach, 20) Mark Forte, 21) Billy Decker, 22) Billy Pauch, 23) Ray Swinehart, 24) Brian Kressley, 25) Meme DeSantis, 26) Shawn Fitzpatrick, 27) Brian Weaver(DQ- weight)
DNQ: Tommy Scheetz Jr., Butch Cerullo, Brad Brightbill, Steve Haggan, Shawn Reimert, Sean Merkel, Ricky Yetter, Tim Fitzpatrick, Dan Hineline, Scott Van Gorder, Ricky Rutt, Kenny Eckert Jr., James Johnson, Troy Wink, Dave Jenkins, Gary Hager, Rich Rutski, Craig Whitmoyer, Billy Pauch Jr., Darwin Greene, Rich Scagliotta, Corey Sechrist, John Marsh, John Willman, Larry Wight, Dale Hartz.
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