Saturday, August 23, 2014

RAIN WASHES OUT FRIDAY NIGHTS RACING AT BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY, LAUBACH & WITMER DECLARED POINT CHAMPIONS

RAIN WASHES OUT FRIDAY NIGHTS RACING AT BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY, LAUBACH & WITMER DECLARED POINT CHAMPIONS

MINERSVILLE, PA - August 23rd, 2014

A persistent rain shower that hit the track after the completion of three heat races forced the cancellation of the racing events scheduled at Big Diamond Speedway on Friday August 22nd.  With the cancellation, Rick Laubach was crowned the 2014 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic DIRTcar 358 Modified Point Champion.  Wayne Witmer was crowned the 2014 USS Achey Sportsman Point Champion.  The championships were a first for both drivers at Big Diamond Speedway.

All attention now turns to next weekend, when racing returns to the 3/8 mile oval on both Friday and Sunday evenings for the annual Coal Cracker weekend.

On Friday, August 29th, the USS Achey Sportsman take center stage with the running of their Coal Cracker 40 event.  This race will pay $1,600 to win and $150 to take the green flag as long as 26 cars show up to compete.  Both American Racer and Hoosier Tires will be allowed for this event, and a stellar field of Sportsman competitors is expected.  Drivers will draw for their heat starting position, and there will be a redraw for the feature event for those who qualify in a redraw position in their heat event.  Also on the racing card on this evening will be the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic DIRTcar 358 Modifieds competing in a non-winners race, along with Savage 61 Roadrunner in their final point event of the season, and the Enduro Dash cars.  For the Modifieds, the winner of the non-winners race will earn a guaranteed starting spot in Sunday's Jack Rich Memorial Coal Cracker 72 event.  To be eligible, you must have run or attempted to qualify for at least 5 feature events during the 2014 season without a victory.  American Racer and Hoosier Tires will be allowed for this event.  For the Savage 61 Roadrunners, it will be a feature only to decide the 2014 Big Diamond Speedway Roadrunner Champion.  With the field already set from Friday's heat race action, that feature line-up will be used and the Roadrunners will go 20 laps to decide who will take home the Championship.  The Enduro Dash cars will end the night with a 20 lap feature event.  The Late Model portion of Coal Cracker weekend has been cancelled.  Gates open at 5 PM, warm-ups are at 7:45 PM, and first heat hits the tracks at 8:15 PM.  Grandstand general admission will be $10.00, with active military (with ID) and kids 12 and under admitted free of charge.  Pit participation fees will be $30.00 for members and $40.00 for non-members.

Then on Sunday, August 31st it's the biggest race of the season at Big Diamond, the Jack Rich Memorial Coal Cracker 72 event paying $10,000 to win and $700 just to take the green flag.  Once again, a great field of cars is expected for this race.  American Racer or Hoosier tires will be permitted.  Drivers will draw for their heat starting spot and redraw for the feature if they finish in a redraw position in their heat race.  Twenty-six cars are slated to start the feature event.  Also on the card will be the Savage 61 Roadrunner in their Coal Cracker 25 event paying $300 to win, and a huge fireworks display.  Gates will open at 4 PM on Sunday, with warm-ups at 7:45 PM, and the first heat hitting the track at 8:15 PM.  Grandstand general admission on Sunday will be $25.00, with active military (with ID) and kids 12 and under admitted free of charge.  Pit participation fees will be $40.00 with no license required.  Car entry fee for the Coal Cracker 72 event is $40.00 for early entry and $60.00 the day of the race.

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