Howard, Josko, TJ Fitzpatrick and Geesaman Visit Victory Lane at Big Diamond Speedway

 Minersville, PA May 15, 2015 The Lias Tire 358 small block Modifieds was led to the green flag by Justin Grim and Dave Dissinger. Justin would take over the top spot and lead the first 5 laps of the event, but after the caution came out, it was Duane Howard jumping into the top spot, but Grim would not give up easily and continued to challenge for a top finishing spot. Howard would begin to pull away but Rick Laubach was working his way through the field and lapped traffic and was hoping to be a contender at the end. Howard weaved his way flawlessly through the tail end of the field lapping the cars and Laubach tried all he could, but he would have to settle for the runner up spot. Craig VonDohren would work his way around Grim and then had to deal with Billy Pauch JR wanting to take over the 3rd place spot, but it would be VonDohren holding on and beating Pauch. Howard would cross the finish line first followed by Laubach, VonDohren, Pauch Jr and Colt Harris finished in 5th place. The GME Hard Charger Award was earned by Joe Mooney for starting 19th and finishing 10th. The heats were won by Billy Pauch Jr. and Duane Howard.
The Xcel 600 series modifieds put on a great battle, despite the mild sprinkle that Mother Nature decided to give them for the start of their feature event. As the drivers approved of the track condition and fell into place behind Nathan Brinker and Barry Breidegan and prepared for the start of the race. Brinker would lead the first lap but then Kory Inglin would assume the top spot, but by lap three it was Jonathan Josko leading the way after starting in 8th place. Josko worked his way around the rain slickened track making it look easy as as a three way battle developed for second place. Brinker, Inglin and Josh Pepe all wanted to have a chance at the leader, but Josko wasn’t slowing down and worked his way around the track and lapped a few cars on his way to Victory Lane. Inglis would finish second followed by Pepe, Brinker and Richie Hitzler. The heats were won by Jonathan Pepe, Aaron Bowes, Jonathan Asko and Michael Burrows.
The Savage 61 Roadrunners were brought to the green flag by Tim Fitzpatrick and Chris Holland for the start of their 20 lap feature event. Holland would quickly jump out into the lead until lap 5 when TJ Fitzpatrick in a car that he is not accustom to racing would take over the top spot.

  TJ would have to deal with Elvin Brennan wanting to take over the top spot and Brennan was not backing down and giving up any racing room between the two drivers. The caution would fly on lap 13 and Brennan was hoping he could pull away from TJ, but he would have to continue to follow behind waiting for his chance at the top spot. During the caution,Andrew Fayash III would find himself needing to pit, but would be out and not miss a lap of the action thanks to the great work of his crew. On lap 16 the caution would fly again when Chris Holland and Elvin Brennan would tangle as they battled for the second place spot. This would take away either of those driver’s chances of winning the feature event. TJ would hold off the challenges of Jim Kost on the restart, but then Kost found himself battling to hold on to the runner up spot against Kris Ney and Fayash. It would be TJ Fitzpatrick taking home the win, followed by Andrew Fayash III, Kris Ney, Jim Kost and Elvin Brennan. The Red White and Blue Autos Hard Luck award was awarded to Devin Trexler that came out to attempt to start the feature, but was sidelined before the green flag came out with mechanical issues. The heats were won by Jim Kost and Andrew Fayash III.
The Slifko Fabrication Street Stocks would round out the nights activities with their 20 lap main event that was led to the green by Michael Radocha and Chris Derr. Radocha would lead the field until halfway when he would then relinquish the lead to Derr. Derr’s lead would be short lived as Jason Geesaman was waiting for his chance to strike and take over the top spot. Geesaman would take home the win followed by Derr, Rich Bossinger, Marc Berzowski and Jeremy Becker. The heats were won by Rich Bossinger and Chris Derr.
Racing Action will resume Friday May 22 when Mark's Service Station in Pottsville Presents "Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial" at Big Diamond Speedway.Officials, race teams, fans and workers will together experience a unique opportunity to honor their deceased loved ones at the speedway.
Track promoter Jake Smulley said, "I wanted to create this opportunity to give everyone in our racing family a chance to memorialize those who were a part of the Big Diamond community. As we look to the future of Big Diamond, we have to acknowledge that it was the people of the past who helped preserve it for today. By memorializing key people such as fans, drivers, owners, crews and workers, we are embracing our history; and it's a heritage that should never be forgotten.”
Smulley's "Gone But Not Forgotten" tribute will have the name of each person being memorialized on a 4 X8 foot billboard, which will be erected in the grandstand area on May 22 during the track's first annual "Gone But Not Forgotten Friday." The tribute is sponsored by Mark's Service Station in Pottsville and will remain on display for the entire season.
All are welcome to send Jake Smulley the name/s of anyone associated with the speedway whom they want included on the tribute. There is NO CHARGE. Names must be emailed to Jake Smulley at the following address: smulleyracing@gmail.com by 11:00 pm, Monday, May 18.
The annual "Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial" race night will include a full-card of action as the Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners continue their season long point's battle.
Marks Service Center is the major sponsor of this night. Call Mark for all your car care needs such as PA state inspections, brakes, oil changes, exhaust work, etc. Phone 570-622-3091.For more information, please visit the tracks Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/bigdiamondspeedway or on the web at www.bigdspeedway.com
Coming events:
Friday, MAY 22
Mark’s Service Center Night. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN MEMORIAL. Modifieds, Sportsman and Roadrunners.
Friday, MAY 29
Red White & Blue Autos Night. Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks and 60 lap Enduro
Friday, JUNE 5
MODIFIED TRIPLE DIAMONDS, Sportsman and Roadrunners.
Adult General Admission is $15 for regular Friday Night shows, Senior Citizens are $13 and Active Military with ID and kids 12 and under are FREE! Gates Open at 5 PM with Warm ups starting at 7:30 and racing getting underway at 8:15.
Full Results:
Lias Tire 358 Modified Feature Results - 1. Duane Howard 2. Rick Laubach 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Billy Pauch Jr. 5. Colt Harris 6. Ray Swinehart 7. Kevin Beach Jr. 8. Kyle Follweiler 9. Mike Gular 10. Joe Mooney 11. Shawn Fitzpatrick 12. Heath Metzger 13. Scott Albert 14. Neil Huber 15. Mario Dinatale 16. Justin Grim 17. Dave Dissinger 18. Jared Umbenhauer 19. Kent Reinhart 20. Meme Desantis 21. John Willman 22. Andy Burkhart 23. Dale Hartz
Xcel 600 Modifieds Feature Results - 1. Jonathan Josko 2. Korey Inglin 3. Josh Pepe 4. Nathan Brinker 5. Richie Hitzler 6. Josh Bewley 7. Michael Burrows 8. Billy Koch 9. Andrew Ace 10. Barry Breidegan 11. Joe “Geezer” Fanelli 12. Joe Osbourne 12. Chris Eckert 13. Dennis Barlet 15. DJ Hung 16 . Barry Lee 17. Charles Bowers 18. Scott Washburn 19. David McCrone 20. Shawna Schibilia 21. Wyatt Harrar 22. Tim Van Horn Jr. 23. Kyle Inglin 24. Jason Mills 25. Brian Blankenbiller 26. Brett Wanner 27. Jonathan Pepe 28. Aaron Bowes DNS - Jason Dunkleberger
Savage 61 Roadrunners Feature Results- 1. TJ Fitzpatrick 2. Andrew Fayash III 3. Kris Ney 4. Jim Kost 5. Elvin Brennan 6. Chris Holland 7. Joe Kavanaugh 8. Tim Fitzpatrick 9. Terry Kramer 10. Jesse Krasnitsky 11. Kyle Wingle 12. Brian Buchinsky 13. Chris Natale 14. Shon Elk 15. Jon Schlauch 16. Devin Trexler DNS - Bruce Ditzler
Slifko Fabrication Street Stocks Feature Results - 1. Jason Geesaman 2. Chris Derr 3. Rick Bossinger 4. Marc Berzowski 5. Jeremy Becker 6. Tyler Stump 7. Noah Jensen 8. Dave Kemp 9. Tom Dawson 10. Jon Jensen 11. Michael Radocha