It’s going to be another action-filled night of dirt track “Racing in God’s Country” at Big Diamond Speedway this Friday evening, August 15 as the “Prelude to the Coalcracker” is on tap featuring the Quandel Concrete 358 Modifieds competing in a 50-lap feature that will pay $10,000-to-win.
Plus, the USS Achey Inc., 602 Crate Sportsman, the Red White and Blue Autos Inc., Roadrunners and Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman will also part of the thrilling show sponsored by DBR Industrial Services LLC of Pottsville.
The Prelude to the Coalcracker has been held since 2013, with Timmy Buckwalter scoring the first win. Since then, there have been 11 editions of this extra-distance/extra-paying race run with eight different winners to date.
It serves as a major tune-up to the season ending Jack Rich Inc., Coalcracker 72 which is set for Sunday, August 31 and will be a 72-lap feature paying $15,000-to-win.
Billy Pauch Jr., (2014 & ’17), Ryan Godown (2015 & ’19) and Jeff Strunk (2020 & ’21) have been multiple winners while along with Buckwalter single event victors include Rich Laubach in 2016, Craig Von Dohren in 2022, Anthony Perrego in 2023 and last year it was Brett Kressley.
The event was rained out in 2018.
This is also the final race of the Bill Brown & Company of Hamilton, NJ Bonus Award. Owner Ken Bruce is presenting a $250 bonus to the 358 Modified driver who has the highest average finish amongst six races this year that started with the Thaw Brawl, then the Fritz Roehrig Memorial Money in the Mountains, followed by Georgie Stevens Memorial, then Topless Night and now the final race, the Prelude to the Coalcracker.
While there is good money on the line of added importance is the fact that this is one of only three regular season point races that remain, and the championship battle is fierce as could be with the top five in points all battling closely for this year’s coveted title.
Strunk moved to the top of the leader board after last week’s races with Mike Gular, Louden Reimert, Duane Howard and Kressley all within striking distance.
The same goes for the 602 Crate Sportsman and Roadrunners. Jordon Henn is looking to make it three straight titles with the Crate’s but most recent winner Mike Schneck Jr., is a mere 18 points back in second with Matt Martino third and still very much in the hunt.
Meanwhile the Roadrunners have an intensely close battle being waged as just three markers are all that separate leader Alex Schoffstall from current runner-up Chuck Fayash.
Friday will be the final race of the season for the Rookie 602 Crates.
DBR Industrial Services LLC will be sponsoring the night. They are a family a family run business that specializes in providing exceptional epoxy flooring and overlays that range from industrial to residential. They also provide professional blasting and painting services to meet specific needs.
Friday’s pit gates open at 5:00 pm and grandstands at 5:30. Hot laps start at 7:15 followed by qualifying heats. Adult general admission is $30, students aged 6-12 are $15 and kids under 6 are free.
Pits are $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
Coming up on Friday, August 22 is Red White and Blue Autos Inc., Night featuring the 358 Modifieds, Roadrunners, Pro 4 Racing Club and URC 360 Sprint Cars.