(3-2-26) 2026 will mark the seventh season of action for the USS Achey Inc. 602 Crate Sportsman class at Big Diamond Speedway and over those first half dozen years it has proved to be a highly competitive division as evident by the 36 different drivers to date who have scored at least one feature win.
This impressive statistic means that nearly half of all races held so far have produced winners. The 2025 season, in particular, set an exceptionally high standard, as there were no repeat victors throughout the year—eleven different drivers having claimed a victory.
There is no doubt that achieving a comparable milestone in the upcoming season will be a considerable challenge. However, given the outstanding caliber of drivers, it can certainly be another similar type year.
For 2026 Big Diamond Speedway fans will see the Sportsman cars running essentially every week and for the teams that compete they will be pleased to know that throughout the schedule several races will be paying $1000 or more to win.
One such night that many drivers have circled on their calendar is Friday, May 15, which is Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Night and the return of the 602 Crate Classic. The winner will earn a cool $2000 and with $225 to take the green.
This will be the third edition of the 602 Crate Classic. In 2024 Xavier Sprague took the checkers in the inaugural event while last season saw Andrianna Delliponti score the big win.
As has been the case over the past two events heat starting spots will be by random draw.
Right out of the gates the Sportsman cars will be looking at a high-paying race as the season opening “Thaw Brawl” on Friday, April 3 will be worth $1054-to-win. One week later as part of the Fritz Roehrig Memorial/Money in the Mountains on DBR Industrial Services LLC Night the feature winner will pick up $1000.
The always popular “Topless Night” is yet another on the list of extra paydays for the 602 Crate Sportsman. The $1000-to-win race will be on Dukmen’s Enterprises Night, which concludes the month of June on Friday the 26th.
When the annual Georgie Stevenson Memorial takes place the next week, on Friday July 3, which is part of B & H Landscaping Night, it will be another $1000-to-win feature.
The Jack Rich Inc. Coalcracker closes out the season on Sunday September 6, and you can expect a stellar field of Sportsman cars on hand as they will by vying for the top prize of $1500.
It remains the focus of promoters Jake and Jasmine Smulley to continually award all divisions with respectable payouts, showing their appreciation for the dedicated drivers who continue to support Big Diamond Speedway and provide their steadfast fans with some of the best dirt track racing the region has to offer.
In just under a month Opening Day takes place. All regular track classes will be on the card headed by the BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds going for a winner’s share of $4054. The Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunners will be racing for $454-to-win plus the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman will fill out the night’s line-up.
A test and tune session is scheduled for Sunday, March 29 from noon until 4:00 pm.