Big Diamond Speedway is proud to once again be a host track to the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship “Eastern Storm” presented by Levan Machine & Truck Equipment this coming Thursday evening, June 18. Along with the wingless Sprints will be the heart pounding BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds.
The 40-lap USAC feature will award the winner $6000 and for the Modified victor it will be $3000-to-win the 25-lap run.
The United States Auto Club (USAC) has a long and notable history in eastern Pennsylvania. That history dates back to 1956, when USAC crowned the legendary “Flying Farmer” Tommy Hinnershitz as its Eastern Champion. A.J. Foyt later won the final USAC Eastern Sprint Car championship in 1960.
For many years, the Reading Fairgrounds was a major hub for USAC Sprint Car racing. From 1956 through 1979, the series competed there 60 times on the famed half-mile track.
Thanks largely to the Levan Machine & Truck Equipment Eastern Storm, USAC continues to maintain a strong presence in this region. The six-race series makes its stop at Big Diamond Speedway’s 3/8-mile dirt oval as the third event on this year’s schedule.
The Eastern Storm is one of the most anticipated weeks of the year for fans of open wheel racing and the same goes for the unwavering crowd of Big Diamond Speedway who look forward to seeing all of the country’s top 410 Sprint Car drivers who will share the speed-bill with their beloved Modifieds.
Nine previous USAC National Sprint Cars races have been held at Big Diamond starting back in 2007 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., picking up the victory. Cole Whitt scored back-to-back track wins in 2008-09 and Chris Windom also was a two-time winner here occurring in 2010 and 2012. USAC did not return again until 2021 and notching the verdict was Tanner Thorson. The following year Emerson Axsom took top honors and then Logan Seavey in 2024.
Kyle Cummings wired the field in scoring the USAC victory here last year over Mitchel Moles and Daison Pursley. Local favorite Briggs Danner was fourth and Jake Swanson completed the top five.
In last year’s event Justin Grant set a new track record with USAC with a 14.527-second lap which he did during time trials.
Not only will many of the top stars who travel on the USAC National Sprint Car trail be on hand but likewise a contingent of regulars with the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms are expected to be racing as well.
Heading into Thursday’s action with the Modifieds, Louden Reimert remains the points leader over Mike Liswoski and Timmy Buckwalter who sit two and three in the standings. There has been eight different winners in the first 10 races thus far.
Adult admission is $35 per person. Kids age 6-10 are $10 and under 6 free. All gates open at 5:00 pm. Pit admission is $45 per person. Racing is set to commence at 7:30 pm.