MORE THAN 50 RACE CARS TAKE PART IN BIG DIAMONDS SPEEDWAY PRACTICE

News from Big Diamond Speedway - 'Racing in God's Country'
Contacts:
Speedway Operators: Fritz & Krista Roehrig - 570.544.5114
Speedway Website: www.bigdiamondspeedway.net 
Speedway Address: 50 Big Diamond Road, Box 524, Minersville, PA 17954
Media Contact: Brett Deyo, PR Director - mhtml:{E616BBF2-BCB7-4C31-AE7B-8124AAEE58B3}mid://00000017/!x-usc:mailto:bigdiamondpr@aol.com  or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/April 10, 2011

Upcoming Events:April 17 (5 p.m.) - 39th Season Opener - 358-Modifieds (35 laps, $3,000 to win), Sportsman & Roadrunners
April 22 & 24 - NO RACING (Good Friday & Easter)
April 29 (8:15 p.m.) - 358-Modifieds, Sportsman & Roadrunners - Community Night: Minersville/Pottsville/Llewellyn/Branch Dale residents admitted for $10 with proof of address

 

Despite Wet Grounds, Approximately 50 Race Cars Hit The Track At Big Diamond Speedway Open Practice Session Sunday

 

MINERSVILLE, PA - A field of approximately 50 race cars hit the track Sunday afternoon when Big Diamond Speedway opened its 2011 season with a rescheduled open practice session.

 

Continuing wet weather forced practice to be postponed to Sunday from its originally scheduled Saturday date at the Schuylkill County oval. The 39th Season Opener featuring a 35-lap, $3,000-to-win headliner for The Station House 358-Modifieds plus U.S.S. Achey Sportsman and Wooden Keg Tavern Roadrunners is now set for Sunday (April 17). All divisions kick off their year-long championship battles at the opener.

 

Competitors representing the three weekly Big Diamond divisions plus a number of the Sunday Enduro competitors and visiting XCel 600 Modified competitors took advantage of four hours of track time during the afternoon.

 

Heavy, soaking rain in the area in the days leading up to the weekend prompted speedway owners Krista and Fritz Roehrig to use Sunday as a practice date. The test and tune session allowed the track crew to spend time working the 3,000 tons of fresh clay that had been applied to the surface and presented the all-new roster of officials and speedway employees with the opportunity to work together prior to the first race event of the year.  The saturated speedway grounds were evidence of the recent rainfall at the track.

 

"No one wanted to race this weekend more than us," Fritz Roehrig said. "With the amount of rain that we've had, it wasn't a possibility. Having the practice allowed us to profile the surface with smaller groups of cars on the track and take the extra time to work it with the grader when necessary.

 

"It's been a tough winter and spring with the weather. We're doing what we feel is best for our race teams and the racing surface."

 

Drivers praised the speedway surface which improved during the day through the efforts of Fritz Roehrig on the grader. Additionally, the drivers got accustomed to the speedway with the inside concrete barriers removed from the corners.

 

Among the 358-Modified drivers on hand were Kevin Albert Jr., Michael Weinert, Andy Burkhart, Colt Harris, Dale Hartz, Gary Wagner Jr. and Dan Hineline. Sportsman competitors hitting the track were Frank Yankowski, Doug Hendricks, Charlie Webber, Jason James, Wayne Witmer, Ray Woodall Jr., Ron Haring Jr., Steven Searock, Jordan Dreher, Shawn and Tim Fitzpatrick, Daryl Dissinger, Jared Umbenhauer and others.

 

Local favorite Kevin Olenick debuted a fresh No. 45 Roadrunner. He was joined by T.J. Fitzpatrick, Kody Sites, Elvin Brennan III and more. Enduro racers, approximately 15 strong, hit the speedway. The first Enduro race presented by Dan Drobnick Welding is planned for May 15 at 5 p.m.

 

Attention now turns to Sunday's Season Opener. Gates will open at 2 p.m., with hot laps at 4:35 p.m. and racing at 5 p.m. Special event admission for the April 17 opener is $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors and Military (with proof of ID), $5 for Kids (ages 6-12) and FREE for children six years of age and younger. Pit admission is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

Fans will be treated to FREE giveaways including an Apple iPad, gift cards for the Wooden Keg Tavern and kids big wheels and bicycles.

 

The Community Night that had been slated for April 17 has been postponed to Friday, April 29. Minersville/Pottsville/Llewellyn/Branch Dale residents will be admitted for $10 with proof of address.
 
Big Diamond Speedway is a three-eighths-mile clay oval racing facility located just two miles outside of Minersville, Pa. For further information on the speedway, call 570.544.5114, e-mail mhtml:{E616BBF2-BCB7-4C31-AE7B-8124AAEE58B3}mid://00000017/!x-usc:mailto:bigdiamondpr@aol.com or visit www.bigdiamondspeedway.net. The speedway mailing address is 50 Big Diamond Road P.O. Box 524 Minersville, PA 17954.