On August 25, 1972, Earl “Drick” Hendricks made history by becoming the very first Modified feature winner at the newly opened Big Diamond Speedway. And, in the 52 years since there have been 35 different drivers that have claimed the opening day laurels at the popular Schuylkill County dirt oval.
Winning Opening Day is indeed significant as some of the best in the business among dirt Modified stock car racers have achieved the honor of winning the first feature of the new season.
There is also a very exclusive group of multi-time Opening Day winners. Heading that list is Duane Howard with seven victories, followed by Jeff Strunk at six, five for Craig Von Dohren, Charlie Eckert placing first four times, then with three each are Kenny Brightbill, Doug Hoffman and Rick Laubach, while Keith Hoffman and Ryan Watt round out the multiple winners with two apiece.
Additionally, thirteen times has the Opening Day victor gone on to win the track championship in the same season, which has been accomplished among seven different drivers.
Von Dohren tops the headline with three titles done so in 2012, 2013 and most recently 2019. Two times each it was achieved by D. Hoffman in 1988 & 2004, Howard did it in 1992 & 1998 and Strunk in 1997 & 2007. Paul Lotier, who was the first driver to win Opening Day and the title in the same season, did the feat in 1979. Brightbill and K. Hoffman also took the opener and crown respectively in 1991 and 2000. Timmy Buckwalter in 2021 was the last driver to win the first race and go on to take the title in the same season.
All eyes are now focusing ahead to the 53rd Big Diamond Speedway lid-lifter, slated for Friday evening, April 4. The question is will there be another repeat winner of a new name emerge as the driver who lands the big score?
The main event for the evening will be the Quandel Concrete 358 Modifieds competing for the top prize of $4,053 to win and rest assured fans can expect a star-studded field to be on hand. Also on the card will be the track’s regular divisions including the USS Achey 602 Crate Sportsman racing for $1,053 plus the Red White and Blue Autos Inc., Roadrunners which will be awarding first place $453. Rounding out the night will be the Big Creek Concrete 602 Crate Sportsman.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mar. 30 – Noon to 4:00 pm – Open practice to any car with roll cage
Apr 4 – 7:15pm – 53rd Season Opener Thaw Brawl – Modifieds $4,053-to-win, 602 Crate Sportsman $1,053-to-win, Roadrunners $453-to-win, Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman
Apr 11 – 7:15 pm – Money in the Mountains/Fritz Roehrig Memorial/Dunken’s Enterprise Night – Modifieds 50 laps/$10,000-to-win, 602 Crate Sportsman $1,000-to-win, Roadrunners, Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman