After two weeks of rainouts, the Big Diamond Speedway is ready to get back to action this Friday, August 16th with the running of the annual “Prelude to the Coalcracker” 50-lap feature for the Quandel Concrete 358 Modifieds. The winner of the main event will take home the $10,000 first place prize.
Louden Reimert, Jeff Strunk and points leader Brett Kressley lead the way in victories this season at Big Diamond with two wins a piece and will look to add to their win totals. Former Prelude winner Duane Howard has turned the corner after a rough start to the year at Big Diamond and will be looking to keep trending upward driving the Butch Getz No. 15G. The Getz Motorsports team has won the Prelude to the Coalcracker on two previous occasions with drivers Jeff Strunk and Duane Howard. 2024 Money in the Mountains winner Anthony Perrego was the winner of last year’s Prelude to the Coalcracker and will be looking to add another Big Diamond big money win to his resume. With the extra cash on the line, you can expect some invaders to make the tow to Coal Country to try and steal away the cash. Former Big Diamond track champions Billy Pauch Jr and Timmy Buckwalter are expected to compete on Friday night along with others.
With rainouts the last two weeks, the Quandel Concrete Modified point standings remain the same with Brett Kressley leading in the race for the 2024 title over Louden Reimert, Logan Watt, Duane Howard and Mike Lisowski.
Also on the racing card for this Friday will be the Uss Achey, Inc 602 Crate Sportsman along with Red White and Blue Autos Roadrunners and the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman, all racing in a regularly scheduled program. Jordan Henn (602 Crate Sportsman) and Andrew Fayash III (Roadrunners) are the respective points leaders in their division.
Registration forms are available on the Big Diamond website www.bigdspeedway.net for the Jack Rich, Inc. Coalcracker 72 for the 358 Modifieds and also for the 25-lap 602 Crate Sportsman race.
Warmups will get underway Friday at 7:15 PM with racing to follow.
Pit gates will open Friday night at 5:00 PM with the Grandstand gate opening at 5:30 PM
Pit admission is $35 for those with a Big Diamond License. Non-licensed Pit admission is $45.
General admission for this Friday is $30, Kids 6-12 is $15, Kids under 6 are free.