By Dino Oberto
(7-24-26) Racing history was made Friday evening at Big Diamond Speedway on Durdach Brothers Night as the 1000th feature for the headline BQ Concrete 358 Modified division was run and it seemed only fitting that etching his name into the record books as the winner of the milestone event was none other than Oley’s Duane Howard.
A true master and legend of the 3/8-mile dirt oval, in classic Howard style he wasted little time coming from sixth starting spot and then seizing the lead from Alan Rudalavage in a mere four laps. Afterwards it was his race to command which he did with perfect precision driving.
“I had a text this week from Diamond Dog (Brad Keitsock) about this race and it really stuck in my head and it’s something I really wanted, 1000 wins means a lot,” said Howard who notched his 95th career Big Diamond victory.
“I’ve been racing here a long time, and I started my career here and this is really big for me to get the 1000th win and to still be able to do this at a high level and thanks to the Butch Getz (car owner) crew and everyone who helps out on this car. I was really on my game tonight and I really wanted this one.”
With the lead firmly in his grasp Howard reeled off steady, consistent laps with no signs of backing down, negotiating lapped traffic with pinpoint accuracy and also resisting a blitz coming from one very fast-moving Billy Pauch Jr., as well as point leader Louden Reimert.
Pauch was making an all-out effort to get around Howard and was close to doing so a few times, including some late race restarts. But Howard was not about to let this sought-after victory slip from his hands. In the closing laps he was ahead just enough to secure the verdict and would leave Pauch to deal with Reimert as that pair battle for the runner-up spot.
“When I saw Billy (Pauch) line up next to me on that restart I knew I was committed to the top and I wasn’t going to change my lane. Billy is always good here but I figured if I held my lane and didn’t make a mistake I should be able to get off the corner ahead of him and you just couldn’t make a slip-up once you’re out in front,” said Howard.
“Tonight we had a rocket ship, and this car was dialed in. Butch made all the right changes, and we are back to basics, and I just feel so comfortable in this car,” he continued.
“The last two weeks this track has been phenomenal and that’s exactly what you want, a little black in the middle that you can race there if you have a really good car and you want a little moisture on the bottom which we had and you have something to lean on the top.”
Mike Lisowski and Jared Umbenhauer rounded out the top five.
Fittingly, Howard also paid tribute to Theresa Rogers, matriarch of the Rogers family at Grandview Speedway who had recently passed away.
“Our hearts are thinking about the Rogers family, and we had a lot of years and good times with Theresa and the whole family. I know the management here are good friends with the Rogers and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
In the USS Achey Inc. 602 Crate Sportsman feature Macungie’s Nate Brinker moved to the lead on lap nine of 20 and once in front was on his way to his third win of the season.
But getting to the lead took some doing for Brinker. Early leader Matt Martino was confined in a torrid battle with Zach Steffey along with Brinker as the trio ran exceedingly close together.
Following a lap five restart Steffey was able to snag the lead and would take Brinker along with him. Steffey and Brinker would then lock horns as they battled closely for the top spot. While Steffey worked the high lane Brinker did his bidding from the inside. After several thrilling laps in that mode Brinker made his race winning pass from the low side while exiting turn two on lap eight and then remained firmly in control from there.
Meanwhile Steffey, Martino and Bryce Bashore clashed in a fierce battle for second over the second half of the race. The trio dazzled the crowd with their tight formation lap after lap.
After what was clearly an exhausting effort, Bayshore would take the runner-up spot four laps from the finish and although he made a charge at Brinker, had to settle for his third runner-up in just six starts. Steffey held on for third while late in the going one very impressive moving Dylan Hoch powered his way to fourth with point leader Ryan Graver completing the top five.
Joey Brennan of Minersville scored his third Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunners feature of the year, and it was quite a bit of hard-fought determination in doing so.
Brennan started seventh but was twice caught up in dustups and one of those times having to make a pit stop which certainly dimmed his chances. But Brennan remained steadfast and resilient.
The race had seen Jim Kost, Jonathan Trumbo and Jared Bassininsky share time in the lead. But by way of a late restart Brennan had found himself close to the front and on a final caution with a pair of laps to go he was now second to Bassininsky.
After a close side-by-side run Brennan was able to squeeze past Bassininsky and go on the claim the very gratifying victory.
The Infinite Solutions Keystone Sport Compact division was back in action this night and when Ian Whitcomb of Williamstown took the lead from Adam Kratzer with seven laps to go there would be no looking back as he would go on to record his first win of the season.
Larry Eck helped pad his point lead with a hard-fought second, having to fend off Bruce Long in obtaining second place.
Modified feature finish (25 laps): 1. Duane Howard, 2. Billy Pauch Jr., 3. Louden Reimert, 4. Mike Lisowski, 5. Jared Umbenhauer, 6. Alan Rudalavage, 7. Aleia Giesler, 8. Logan Watt, 9. Brandon Edgar, 10. Jax Yohn, 11. Rick Laubach, 12. Heath Metzger, 13. Kevin Olenick, 14. Craig Whitmoyer, 15. WB James, 16. Kevin Beach Jr., 17. Dave Shirk, 18. Corey Renninger, 19. Kenny Hildebrandt, 20. Chis Esposito, 21. Tim Buckwalter, 22. Kenzi Smith, 23. Cliff Quinn, 24. Wayne Witmer DNS: Bobby Trapper Jr.
Sportsman feature finish (20 laps): 1. Nate Brinker, 2. Bryce Bashore, 3. Zach Steffey, 4. Dylan Hoch, 5. Ryan Graver, 6. Matt Martino, 7. Dakota Kohler, 8. Reice Widger, 9. Aaron Weaver, 10. Trevor Bixler, 11. Logan Starr, 12. Brennan Champman, 13. Anthony Raisner, 14. Ed Mrochko, 15. Michael Smaony, 16. Tyler Vidal, 17. Kevin Fitzpatrick, 18. Colby Trenge, 19. John Deatrich Jr., 20. Mason Harkal, 21. Mark Behm, 22. Nick Hamm, 23. Jim O’Hara, 24. Josh Mitman, 25. Matt Ney
Roadrunner feature finish (20 laps): 1. Joey Brennan, 2. Jarod Bassininsky, 3. Andrew Buchinski, 4. Chuck Fayash, 5. Jim Kost, 6. Jesse Krasnitsky, 7. Jonathan Trumbo, 8. Joe Bassininsky, 9. Brian Johnson, 10. Alex Schoffstall
4-Cylinder feature finish (20 laps): 1. Ian Whitcomb, 2. Larry Eck, 3. Bruce Long, 4. Adam Kratzer, 5. Hunter Whitcomb, 6. Brian Moyer, 7. Rick Jennings, 8. Gary Grimm, 9. Kelly Flemming, 10. Shane Flaherty, 11. Ryan Smith, 12. Nathan Keim, 13. Delanna Rehbien, 14. Kelly Frantz, 15. Josh Huber, 16. Vinny Wollyung, 17. Trevor Rump DNS: Josh Riegel, Eric Spangler