BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY RETURNS TO ACTION IN THE MONTH OF MARCH…By Gary Lileck Forestville, PA - January 30, 2010 - Big Diamond Raceway celebrates its 39th year of operation in 2010, and a hearty schedule containing over 35 events has been released.        The new year begins with an open practice on Sunday March 21. For many years, the speedway traditionally opened with a Sunday practice session. In 2010, the facility has reverted back to a familiar custom. Drivers will have the opportunity to perform necessary adjustments on their equipment, in preparation for the new racing season. The event carries a tentative start time of 5:00PM.        One week later, the 3/8th mile clay oval presents a double header card of excitement as the energetic Big Block Modifieds kick the new season into gear. By popular demand, the wingless ARDC Midgets complete the two division show. It marks the first of three ARDC appearances in 2010.        A regular Friday night show consists of 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners. The first points race is Friday April 2. Just one week later on Friday April 9, the 358 Modified feature is a 40-lap contest paying $3000 to win.        History is about to be rewritten at Big Diamond Raceway this year. The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars have scheduled an event for Sunday May 2 along with ARDC. It is the first ever appearance for ASCoC at the speedway, and it will mark the return of 410 Sprint-car racing to the Forestville area.        Another historical moment takes place on Sunday July 25 when the O’Reilly All Star Late Model Series tests the Big Diamond clay for the very first time. The popular Winged Super Sportsman division returns, making this double header card a must see event.        The always entertaining Nutty Buddy Enduro Series will enjoy six racing dates in 2010, with the opener scheduled for Sunday April 18. An Enduro series event consists of three separate classes: 6/8 Cylinder, 4 Cylinder, and Ladies Race. The Ladies division is reminded that they will be included on each of the six scheduled events this year.        As the season approaches, remember to check the official track website at www.bigdiamondraceway.com for news and updates.     2010 BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY UPDATED SCHEDULE Sunday March 21 - Open Practice. Sunday March 28 - Yuengling Brewery presents Big Block Modifieds and ARDC Midgets. Friday April 2 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday April 9 - 358 Modifieds (40-laps, $3000 to win), Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday April 16 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday April 18 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race #1. Friday April 23 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday April 30 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday May 2 - O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint-Cars, ARDC Midgets. Friday May 7 - Yetter Law Offices Night. 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday May 14 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday May 16 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race # 2. Friday May 21 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday May 28 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday May 30 - Open Modifieds (tentative), Sportsman, Roadrunners. Memorial Day Weekend Picnic. Friday June 4 - Seltzer Insurance Night. USAC Sprint-Car Series, 358 Modifieds. Friday June 11 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday June 13 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race #3 . Friday June 18 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday June 25 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday July 2 - Ken’s Tire Presents Big Foot Monster Truck and Memorial Race. 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday July 9 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday July 11 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race #4. Friday July 16 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, and Roadrunner Kauffman’s BBQ Chicken Run Challenge. Friday July 23 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday July 25 - O’Reilly All Star Late Model Series, Winged Super Sportsman Tour. Friday July 30 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday August 6 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday August 13 - 358 Modifieds, 358 Modified Pepsi Challenge, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Sunday August 15 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race #5. Friday August 20 - 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday August 27 - Big Diamond Fan Page Awards Night. 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Friday September 3 - Sportsman Coalcracker 50, Roadrunners, 358 Modified Non-Winners Race. Sunday September 5 - 358 Modified Coalcracker 100 (Rain-date Sunday September 12). Sunday September 12 - Nutty Buddy Enduro Series Race #6 (Rain-date Sunday September 25). Saturday October 2 - Diamond Nationals.  Sunday October 3 - Diamond Nationals.  ***The Diamond Nationals schedule will include- Big Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners,  URC Sprints, Small Block Modifieds, ARDC Midgets.

Forestville, PA - December 27, 2009 - Big Diamond Raceway recently announced the 2009 award winners from each of their three primary racing classes.    

     Five different awards have been decided, including::Art Bair Wheel Repair (New Ringgold) Heat Winners, Shiley Fabrication (Williamstown) Rookie of the Year, Insinger Race Fuels (Dushore) Best BDR Newcomer, Seltzer Insurance (Orwigsburg) Most Improved Driver, and BFP Specialty (Bethel) Hard Luck.

358 MODIFIED

     Three drivers finished in a tie for most qualifying heat wins in 2009. Duane Howard, Meme DeSantis, and Gary Wagner Jr. each earned four victories. The '09 award belongs to the highest point finishing driver which was the '09 track champion Howard of Oley.

     Kyle Follweiler, a second generation racer from Slatington, enjoyed a successful rookie career in a Modified. The 23-year old competitor captured his first career win over a talented list of drivers on August 14. Follweiler (his father Jack is a former two-time track champion) is the 2009 Rookie of the Year.

     David Van Horn of Harmony NJ joined the weekly BDR field in '09. Van Horn was a past track champion in the state of New York. He captured his first career Big Diamond Modified triumph on April 24, thus earning the BDR Best Newcomer Award.

     Danny Nicholas, a second generation racer from Lebanon vastly improved in the point standings from 40th ('08) to 19th ('09). Nicholas, a graduate of Tobias Slingshot racing, concentrated on his first full season of BDR activity and the results were successful.. Nicholas won the Most Improved Award.

     Mohnton's Jeff Strunk won the track championship in 2007 and 2008. Although Strunk emerged victorious in the '09 regular season opener he struggled compared to previous years, finishing seventh in final points. Strunk was involved in a nasty accident at the annual Coalcracker race, perhaps one of the worst wrecks in recent history. Strunk was the Hard Luck recipient.

SPORTSMAN

     Andy Fayash Jr., an accomplished racer who has earned feature wins in four different classes, enjoyed a successful 2009 behind the wheel of his #45X. The Mary D based driver was the overall heat race winner with a total of five to his credit.

     Jason James of Mohrsville steadily improved during the course of the '09 sesaon and captured his first career victory in the final points race (August 21). While James won Rookie of the Year, second generation racer Brett Kressley of Orefield also enjoyed a feature victory and was the Best BDR Newcomer.

     Sophomore racer Mike Lisowski Jr. of Minersville enjoyed an eyebrow raising effort throughout the '09 season. Lisowski, the nephew of past BDR Street Stock point champion Charlie Sorokach, was named Most Improved driver (finished 26 in '08 points and 6th in '09 standings).

     Josh Biever of Orwigsburg had been a title contedner in recent seasons, but struggled with all sorts of mechanical issues in '09. Biever was named the Hard Luck Award Winner.

ROADRUNNER

     The driver with the most overall heat wins in all three divisions was Joe Hendricks of Auburn. The 2008 co-track champion captured six qualifying heat wins during the course of 2009 and finished runner-up in the point standings.

     After stepping up from the Enduro division, TJ Fitzpatrick of Branchdale powered to a final finish of 14th in 2009 points. Fitzpatrick was the Rookie of the Year. Steve Gromis, a forrmer Street Stock racer at the now vanished Penn National (PA) Speedway joined the Diamond Roadrunner talent sheet in '09. Gromis finished 8th in the standings and was the Best BDR Newcomer.

     Bernville's Toby Chase advanced from 13th (2008) to 6th (2009) in the Roadrunner standings behind the wheel of his #88. Chase was voted Most Improved of the '09 class.

     Jeremy Becker of Pottsville finished fourth in points and just might have been a title contedner had it not been for one night of bad luck. Therefore, Becker won the Hard Luck Award.

     Once again, Big Diamond Raceway would like to congratulate the 2009 track champions: Duane Howard (358 Modified), Kevin Beach (Sportsman), Kevin Olenick (Roadrunner), Tom Hablett (6/8 Cylinder Enduro), and Kevin Holland (4 Cylinder Enduro).