(Minersville, PA 5-18-26) To say the racing at Big Diamond Speedway has been thrilling would be an understatement. Every division has delivered outstanding competition, from the weekly classes—the BQ Concrete 358 Modifieds, USS Achey Inc. 602 Crate Sportsman, Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunners, and Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman—to the strong slate of visiting series that have also added excitement throughout the first six weeks of the season.
They’ve all been great for sure, and fans of Big Diamond Speedway can look forward to another action-packed evening of dirt track racing this Friday, May 22, as the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms are on the card along with the 358 Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman and Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman.
The Roadrunners have the night off.
The USAC East Coast Sprint Cars always bring solid fields of cars that feature some of the top area and regional open cockpit stars of wingless Sprint Car racing.
Last year Allentown’s Briggs Danner scored his career first Big Diamond Speedway victory when the USAC East Coast Sprinters made their lone appearance. Danner held off 2025 champion Steven Drivicki en route to the triumph.
This will be the third race of 2026 for USAC East Coast. Danner took the season opener at Bridgeport Speedway on April 18 and a week later it was Kenny Miller III scoring the verdict at the Bedford Speedway. Miller heads into Big Diamond as the current points leader.
Coming off his third runner-up finish in the first six races, 358 Modified point leader Tim Buckwalter will be looking to break that mold and score his first win of the season.
Likewise current points runner-up Louden Reimert has also been knocking on the door of his first win and will no doubt be looking to make that happen come this Friday.
The 602 Crate Sportsman are coming off the “Crate Classic” which saw Ryan Graver collect his first Big Diamond win worth $2000.
It is no surprise that the class has yet to produce a repeat winner, given the depth of talent and the evenly matched field that shows up each week.
The Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman return this week, and one thing guaranteed is a new winner on the season will emerge. That’s because the first three events were all won by Kevin Fitzpatrick who now is part of the regular Crate class.
Pit gates will open on Friday at 5:00 pm with grandstands at 5:30 pm. Hot laps start at 7:00 pm followed by racing. Pit admission is $35 for Big Diamond Speedway members and $45 for non-members. Adult general admission is $25, students 10-15 are $10 and kids 9 and under are free.