(Minersville, Pa. 3-5-26) What started out as tribute race to the late Bob Bowers for the Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunners at Big Diamond Speedway has since grown into a marquee event on the yearly calendar.
Within two short years the “Double B” Bob Bowers Memorial has become established as not only a tribute to a devoted family man with a passion for local racing and all things motorsport, but also a significant addition to an already action-packed schedule.
When Jeff Bowers approached track owner Jake Smulley about doing a memorial race for his father, who passed away in June 2021 and was a regular in the Late Model division for many years as well as a long-time supporter of the speedway, there was no hesitation.
“Double B” was Bob’s CB handle during his days as a truck driver which fit nicely into the name for the event and likewise by having the format of double features. It was decided that a distance of 12-laps would make up the twin-race length, which clearly heightened the thrill given the fact that the Roadrunners rarely disappoint in a regular 20-lapper.
When the first race was held in 2024, $500 was the awarded amount to winners Mike Reichert and Jarod Bassininsky, however thanks to J. Bowers and many supporters of Bob, there was a nice increase for both winners.
But for the 2025 edition that disbursement was far-exceeded with an unprecedented $1450 to win each main, a track record Roadrunner payout that went to Alex Schofstall and Andrew Fayash III respectively.
“I think it’s amazing and I’m just so glad that people have taken interest in it. My dad was a great guy and had a lot of friends and a lot of people really thought highly of him over the years,” said J. Bowers.
“It’s showing too because we didn’t even solicit for the extra donations we just kind of advertised the race and people were calling me saying, ‘Hey I want to throw in X amount of dollars,’ and I thought wow this seems to just keep growing and people keep calling say hey we want to add in money for your dad you know he was a friend of mine or whatever so we were just totally blown away by the amount of support we’ve gotten.”
The “Double B” Bob Bowers Memorial is slated for Friday evening, July 17. Along with the Roadrunners will be regular features for the BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds and the USS Achey Inc., 602 Crate Sportsman.
For J. Bowers, he feels having his dad’s race for the Roadrunners just make sense, having been a full-fender racer with the Late Models.
“My dad, he ran Late Models there in the ’70s and he always liked all the classes but really liked the Roadrunners. And I think week in and week out they’re the most competitive and most action-packed class, I feel they are kind of underrated, and he felt the same way,” related J. Bowers.
“So, I think that’s why we chose to give the race to that class because we just all enjoy the racing they put on.”
As for the drivers, they too appreciate the extra endeavor by Bowers and everyone else who help make it a lucrative night.
“Yeah, they’re really appreciative and last year pre-race I was talking to some of the drivers, and they were saying about how nervous some of them where and how they were putting on new tires just for that race and how they were really going to go out there and give it their all to try and win,” shared J. Bowers.
2025 may be a hard act to follow but Bowers is up to the task and aims at making this year’s event even bigger.
“I’d like to increase the funds so I’m going to soon start reaching out to some of the people that have given in the past and say, hey, are you interested in doing it again this year? And I can’t imagine they wouldn’t be,” he said.
The “Double B” Bob Bowers Memorial is now a key feature of another strong season at Big Diamond Speedway which is honored to be hosting this very special event.
The 2026 season starts on Friday, April 3, with the 54th Season Opener “Thaw Brawl.” The line-up will consist of BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds going for a winner’s stake of $4054-to-win, the USS Achey Inc., 602 Crate Sportsman battling for $1054 in top place winnings, the Red White and Blue Autos Inc., Roadrunners racing in a $454-to-win feature plus the Big Creek Concrete Rooke 602 Crate Sportsman.
Prior to that an open practice session takes place on Sunday, March 29 from noon to 4:00 pm.
Big Diamond Speedway is located at 392 Forest Lane, Pottsville, Pa. For up-to-date news and information logon to the official track website at https://bigdspeedway.net/ and follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=big%20diamond%20speedway You can also call the speedway office at 570-617-6737.