Ken's Tire Inc. To Sponsor Huge Return of Stevenson Memorial at Big Diamond

News from Big Diamond Speedway - 'Racing in God's Country'



Contacts:

Speedway Operators: Fritz & Krista Roehrig - 570.544.5114

Speedway Website: http://www.bigdiamondspeedway.net/

Speedway Address: 50 Big Diamond Road, Box 524, Minersville, PA 17954

Media Contact: Brett Deyo, PR Director - bigdiamondpr@aol.com or 845.728.2781



For Immediate Release/January 30, 2011



Upcoming Events:

March 7-12 - Big Diamond Race Car Show/Fairlane Village Mall of Pottsville, Pa.

March 27 - Open Practice Session

April 3 (5 p.m.) - 39th Season Opener - 358-Modifieds (35 laps, $3,000 to win), Sportsman & Roadrunners



Ken's Tires Inc. Sponsors Return of Georgie Stevenson Memorial July 3: $4,000 to win for 358-Modifieds plus Fireworks & Monster Truck "Big Foot" Make For Huge Holiday Weekend Show



MINERSVILLE, PA - Big Diamond Speedway has long been known for its Coalcracker 100 on Labor Day weekend. This season, fans of stock car racing at the Minersville, Pa., oval should mark their calendars for a huge event on Independence Day weekend as well.



On Sunday, July 3 the Georgie Stevenson Memorial returns to the Big Diamond schedule after an absence of one year. The 2011 edition of the prestigious event takes the form of a 40-lap feature paying $4,000 to the winner for The Station House 358-Modifieds. Starting positions for heat events will be determined by an open draw for position, encouraging invading drivers to challenge the Big D regulars.



The race winner earns a guaranteed starting position in the Short Track SuperNationals at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway Oct. 8 - an event that attracted 72 Modifieds last October.



The U.S.S. Achey Sportsman and Wooden Keg Tavern Roadrunners complete the tripleheader racing program.



But there is much more.



Ken's Tires Inc., with locations in Cressona, Pa., Frackville, Pa., and Pottsville, Pa., has signed on to sponsor the event. Thanks to Ken's Tire the Monster Truck "Big Foot" will visit the speedway for a still display and exhibition. The evening will be capped by a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the holiday weekend festivities.



There will be two days of racing at Big Diamond on Independence Day weekend. On Friday night (July 1), the 358-Modifieds, Sportsman and Roadrunners are joined by Doug Borger's visiting XCel 600 Modifieds.



First run in 1980, the Georgie Stevenson Memorial list of past winners is a virtual "who's who" of Pennsylvania 358-Modified racing. Craig Von Dohren, with six victories, has won the event more times than any other driver. The most recent Stevenson Memorial victor, Keith Hoffman (who won in 2009), sits second on the all-time event victory list with four triumphs, tied with Fred Rahmer. Hoffman plans a return to weekly racing at Big Diamond this season.



Diagnosed with spinal cancer at age six, Georgie Stevenson was a young race fan who made an impact before passing away much too soon following a six-year battle. Despite his own health issues, Stevenson helped raise money for ill children and adults. For information on Georgie Stevenson and the Georgie Stevenson Memorial Fund, visit http://www.georgiestevensonmemorialfund.com/.



A strong supporter of auto racing in Coal Country, Ken's Tires Inc., founded in 1975, is owned by the Blankenhorn family and is managed by Doug Hinnershitz, who has been with the company for 17 years. The company boasts 29 employees in its three locations. Ken's Tires offers a huge 12,000-plus tire inventory which includes major and private brands, a complete automotive service, and 24/7 truck repair and industrial tire service. For more, visit http://www.kenstires.com/.



Big Diamond Speedway opens its 39th season Sunday, April 3 with a 35-lap, $3,000-to-win special for 358-Modifieds plus Sportsman and Roadrunners starting at 5 p.m. An open practice is scheduled for Sunday, March 27.



Before the roar of engines in Schuylkill County, the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, Pa., hosts the Big Diamond Speedway Race Car Show March 7-12. Registration is underway online at http://www.bigdiamondspeedway.net/ and http://www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com/. Space is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.



A full 2011 schedule is posted on the speedway website: http://www.bigdiamondspeedway.net/.



To contact Big Diamond Speedway, call the speedway office at 570.544.5114 or visit the website http://www.bigdiamondspeedway.net/.