The Big Diamond Speedway roared back to action after a two week break due to Mother Nature with the running of the annual “Prelude to the Coalcracker” for the Quandel Concrete 358 modifieds. When the checkered flag flew, it was points leader Brett Kressley standing in victory lane collecting the big $10,000 check. For Kressley, it was his third Big Diamond win of the year. Matt Martino won his second Uss Achey, Inc 602 Crate Sportsman feature of the year with Alex Schoffstall returning to his winning ways in the Red White and Blue Autos Roadrunners main event. The Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate feature was won by Chase Gular for his third win of the year.
The 50-lap “Prelude to the Coalcracker” race for the Quandel Concrete modifieds saw Michael Burrows and Doug Smith Jr on the front row with Burrows getting the jump at the start to lead lap one over Smith. Third place in points Logan Watt brought about the first caution of the race when cars got together in front of him causing Watt to get crossed up and stop off of the backstretch. Invader Billy Pauch Jr pitted at this time with a flat tire and returned to the race. Burrows again led the way on the restart with Smith Jr taking over the top spot on lap four. The yellow flag was out once again on lap five as Jeff Strunk slowed. Strunk took the Norm Hansell No. 357 to the pits and returned. Smith Jr continued to lead the race on the restart with 11th place starter Brett Kressley sitting outside the top five in sixth. The red flag was thrown on lap six as the No. 942 of Timmy Buckwalter got upside down in turn three with the car ending up resting upside down on top of the third turn wall. Buckwalter was able to exit the car under his own power and appeared to be okay after the scary incident.
When racing resumed it was Smith Jr back in front with a strong running Matt Yoder now into second over Brandon Edgar, Mike Lisowski and a fast-running Kressley. A long green flag run kept the field close and as starter Warren Alston flew the crossed flags signaling the halfway mark of the race it was Smith Jr leading Yoder, Edgar, Lisowski, Kressley, Duane Howard, Louden Reimert, Mike Gular and Pauch Jr, who had come from the rear of the field after pitting. Early leader Burrows slowed on the track to bring out the yellow on lap 30. Smith Jr continued to lead on the restart with Lisowski and Kressley getting by Edgar for third and fourth. One lap later and Kressley was up to third and setting his sights on the top two. Yellow on lap 32 for Mike Gular who stopped in turn four slowed the action. The restart saw Yoder go by Smith Jr for the lead with Kressley also getting by Smith Jr for second. The race was slowed again on lap 37 as Reimert clipped the implement tire, causing his front end to collapse with Logan Watt also involved.
The restart proved to be the break Kressley needed as he powered around the outside going into turn one to take the lead away from Yoder. One lap later on lap 38 the final yellow of the race was displayed as Smith Jr and Dave Dissinger came together. Kressley easily held the lead on the restart with Lisowski getting by Yoder for second as Howard and Strunk were making late race charges. Lisowski’s great run came to a disappointing end with three laps to go as he pulled the No. 15 to the infield. Kressley went on to open a large lead and took the checkered flag for his third win of 2024. Matt Yoder recorded his career best finish in a modified second over Duane Howard. Brandon Edgar also had his best modified finish of his young career finishing fourth, Jeff Strunk finished fifth after a trip to the pits early on. Kressley’s win was worth $10,000 and easily made him the car to beat in the upcoming Jack Rich, Inc Coalcracker 72 on Sunday, Sept. 1st.
“This check will look nice on the wall, for sure,” said the victorious Kressley in Red White and Blue Autos victory lane. “I don’t know if I had enough (right rear tire) to catch him (Yoder) and pass him. We were fortunate to get past some cars early and that’s what made the difference. You have to be aggressive early; I didn’t think the track would go away as quickly as it did, but it did put on some good racing and Jake does his best at it and it is what it is and everyone had the same track.”
The Uss Achey, Inc 602 Crate Sportsman feature saw Tim Borror up front and leading the way after a wreck on the initial start led race officials to start the feature single file. Xavier Sprague was putting pressure on Borror from the drop of the green flag looking to take the lead away. Another yellow after only two laps were completed slowed the action. Borror again led the way on the restart with Sprague and now Matt Martino on his rear bumper. Borror was running a good race and was able to put a few car lengths on Sprague who was now having to deal with Martino who made the move to second on lap eight. Martino ran down Borror quickly and made his move for the lead as the field completed lap nine. Martino went to the inside of Borror entering turn one and made the pass to take the top spot. Sprague tried to take advantage of Borror slipping a little high in turn one and got into the back of Borror causing him to spin. Sprague was put to the back of the field as a result of the contact. Martino led on the restart with a strong running Colin Cox now into second place. Martino led the remaining ten laps holding off a quick closing Cox at the end to record his second win of the season. Colin Cox continued his strong rookie campaign finishing second with Jax Yohn, Johnny McGeoy and Jordan Henn completing the top five.
In the Red White and Blue Autos Roadrunner 20-lap feature, it was Alex Schoffstall getting back to his winning ways, taking the lead from Jim Kost on lap two and running away from the field to take the win. With Schoffstall in charge and not looking back, the race behind him was for second with Chuck Fayash, Kris Ney, Andrew Faysash III, Jim Kost and Mike Reichert all going at it hard and clean as Schoffstall drove away from the field. Schoffstall went on to win his fifth Roadrunner feature of 2024 with Kris Ney winning the battle for second over Andrew Fayash III, Mike Reichert and Chuck Fayash.
Winning his third Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman feature of the year was young Chase Gular holding off Christopher Buffalino for the win. McKenzi Smith led early on until Gular was able to grab the lead away on a lap eight restart and go on to take the win over Christopher Buffalino, McKenzi Smith, Reice Widger and Payton Renninger.