|
Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| Press Release |
|
|
|
USAC SPRINT CARS HEADING EAST TO BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY By Gary Lileck |
|
Forestville, PA - May 31, 2009 - The USAC National Sprint-Car Series is making an eastern swing for the third straight season. The popular non-winged open cockpit division visits the 3/8 mile clay oval of Big Diamond Raceway on Thursday June 4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2007) and Cole Whitt (2008) are past Big Diamond winners of USAC Sprint-car events. Currently, Stenhouse plans to compete in selected NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Whitt, who will turn 18 years old in a few weeks, became the youngest USAC feature winner when he graced victory lane last season, and eventually finished fourth in tour points. Dave Darland of Lincoln IN is the current USAC National Sprint-car points leader aboard the RWB Motorsports #2B Maxim Chassis. Darland has enjoyed favorable success at BDR over the past two seasons after finishing sixth (2007) and third (2008). Levi Jones of Olney IL has shared the headlines for each of Big Diamond's USAC events. As a matter of fact, the 26 year old racer finished second in both features. In 2007, Stenhouse passed Jones with two laps remaining. Last year, Whitt and Jones made contact on the final lap, while battling for the win. Jones is certainly a candidate for a victory this year, returning in the Tony Stewart Racing #20. The above mentioned Darland, Whitt, and Jones have eached scored one win during the course of 2009. There have been no repeat winners thus far, and nine different racers have notched feature victories. The Tobias Speedstrs will complete the twin bill double header on Thursday evening. The Speedstrs are making their first ever competition start at Big Diamond, after attending several practice sessions over the past couple of years. A few drivers are familiar with the Coal Region based facility. Richie Tobias of Hershey is a name familiar to many Modified fans at the speedway. Tobias made his first visit to Big D. in 1985, driving a white #17. In 1989, he executed what many would consider a dream season. Tobias won six feature events in '89, including the Coalcracker 100 and two 20-lap Georgie Stevenson Memorial races. This Thursday night, Tobias returns to the track aboard the Thompson Motorsports #17. Doug Rose, now hailing out of Syracuse NY, has driven Sportsman, Modifieds, and ARDC Midgets at BDR over the years. Rose will rely on past track experience with hopes of enhancing his current tour points lead. Rose is a feature winner this season aboard the Amrose Motorsports #DR1. Second generation talent Paul Lotier Jr. of Lebanon competed at Big Diamond back in 2004, driving a Harring Motorsports #W9 entry. His father Paul Sr. (1979 champion, 11-time feature winner) and uncle Dave Lotier are former Modified competitors at the speedway sharing a rich history at the track. Nick Pecko of Vandling has been testing the waters recently, steering Mike Loney's #42 Sportsman-Modified in the last two points races. Pecko is a three-time career winner in Speedstrs, and the defending tour champion. Tickets are currently on sale for Big Diamond Raceway's USAC/SpeedStr double header. Advance ticket phone sales are available by calling Mystic Screen Printing (Pottsville) at 570-628-3520 (Monday June 1 through Wednesday June 3 from 8:30AM-4:30PM). Tickets are $25, which carries an additional $3 service fee for credit card orders. The business is located at 1108 South Centre Street Pottsville PA 17901. On Thursday June 4, gates open at 2:00PM with racing slated for 7:00PM. For more information visit the track's website atwww.bigdiamondraceway.com or call the business office, 570-385-0744. |
