(Minersville, Pa. 3-14-26) Fans of Big Diamond Speedway are very passionate about the racing at the popular 3/8-mile dirt oval. Friday evening during race season their passion is fueled by the thrilling action served up amongst all classes be it the weekly divisions or touring clubs.
And, while promoters Jake and Jasmine Smulley make sure they give them the best racing they possibly can at their Minersville facility, they also look at other ways to provide their ardent fans with an enjoyable friendly family night out.
A notable attraction has been the appearance of cast members from the popular television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” at the track, which consistently proved to be popular with the fans.
And thanks to a very good friend of the speedway Jeff Bowers who was responsible for making that happen, he has once again reached out and this year has arranged for Catherine Bach, who played Daisy Duke, to stop by the speedway for a Meet & Greet on Friday, August 7.
In recent outings Bowers had brought in Tom Wopat (Luke Duke) and Jeff Altman (Hughie Hogg) and fans thoroughly enjoyed meeting with them. This year he has arranged to have another famous series star Catherine Bach.
“I have been a Dukes of Hazzard fan since I’m probably six or so. They aired from ’79 to ’85, so I would have been three years old in ’79, and I’ve always been a crazy Dukes fan,” said Bowers, who is also the Minersville Chief of Police.
“I have a picture of me on Boss Hogg’s lap when I was about six years old, and pictures with a General Lee back then, they came to the Harrisburg Farm Show Arena and that was at the height of their show.”
During the previous events Bowers even brought his very sharp looking 1969 General Lee Dodge Charger replica that he owns and will once again have on display at the track for this night.
“Catherine will be there in the grandstands to sign autographs with my car alongside,” said Bowers.
Bach was a cast member on the Dukes of Hazzard television series which aired from 1979 to 1985 and in a pair of Dukes of Hazzard movies in 1997 and again in 2000. She has also starred in numerous films and television shows throughout her career.
The Meet & Greet with Bach will take place on Friday evening, August 7. The race line-up will include the BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds, USAC East Coast Sprint Cars, USS Achey Inc. 602 Crate Sportsman and the Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunners.
The 2026 season of “Racing in God’s Country” will commence on Friday, April 3 with the Thaw Brawl. All four regular track classes will be in action which include the BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds going at it for $4054-to-win, the USS Achey Inc., 602 Crate Sportsman contesting for $1054 as the top prize, the Red White and Blue Autos Inc., Roadrunners locking horns in a $454-to-win feature plus the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman.
Teams and drivers will have an opportunity to fine-tune their cars during an open practice session scheduled for Sunday, March 29 from noon until 4:00 pm.