Re: t-shirts « Result #1 on Aug 14, 2009, 11:38am »
Kelly i found a place to make shirts they do a pretty good job shirts are $$$ pretty good as well i will see if he can make one as a sample for us as well as get prices ... wayne
Re: t-shirts « Result #4 on Apr 29, 2009, 4:12pm »
Unfortunately, all the money we get from sponsors goes into the car. Believe me we would love to be able to sell t-shirts but we don't have the funding for it.
DUANE HOWARD EXTENDS HIS DIAMOND COALCRACKER WIN « Result #6 on Sept 1, 2008, 1:45pm »
August 31, 2008 – Duane Howard drove the BPG Motorsports #4 Troyer to a decisive triumph in Sunday’s Alpine Building & Post Supply Coalcracker 100. Howard extended his Coalcracker career win record to five (1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008). His triumph was worth a crisp $10,000.
“We were struggling the last month, month & a half”, mentioned the former BDR 6-time point champion. “Some people were doubting us as a team & me as a driver. We needed a turn around & we certainly got it here tonight. BPG is an excellent race team & I knew that I could still win races”. Howard captured his 4th win of the season on July 4 (Georgie Stevenson Memorial) but had been shut out of the winner’s circle since that time. Sunday night’s performance certainly places the team back on track.
Howard quickly made his way through the field from his 12th starting spot & managed to set the pace for 97 of 100 laps. Howard’s true challenge would arrive from Jason Hamilton, who remained within striking distance of the race leader. Hamilton pulled alongside of Howard on a lap 94 restart, contact was made, & Hamilton fell from contention.
“Our right front tire was used up”, continued Howard. “Then, I felt the little nudge (contact between him & Hamilton) & I thought we were in trouble. He (Hamilton) had to go for it. I stepped on it in turn 4 & gave him a chance. Our tire was used up.”
58 Modifieds were in competition for the evening’s festivities. Thirty drivers suited up for the 100-lap feature. During pre-race entertainment, the strong field was led by the Big Diamond Pace Truck, New Egypt Speedway Pace Truck, Alpine Truck, & the vintage #88x coupe. A capacity crowd watched as the field received the event’s opening green flag.
By luck of the draw, Keith Hoffman started inside pole & jumped into the early race lead. The former 3-time track champion (his 1st start since June 20) made a special 1 race appearance in a 2nd Chad Sinon fielded Troyer-4H. CVD, the 2007 Coalcracker winner, started 3rd & immediately roared into the runner-up spot. Young Sean Merkel settled into 3rd, however, his machine developed a fire in the right rear, which triggered the red flag on lap 3. Merkel was not injured & returned to the race shortly.
Hoffman remained the race leader under green conditions followed by Von Dohren & Ryan Watt, driving the #6. Howard dove to inside lane & grabbed the 4th position. After 4 laps had been completed a few cars made contact & a first ’08 starting Vince Gagliardo Jr. went around in turn 4, bringing out the caution.
Howard wasted no time in continuing his car passing exhibition. He disposed of Watt in the 1st corner and blasted past Von Dohren in turn 2. Howard settled behind his 1 race team-ate Hoffman until the caution flag waved for Gary Hager & Colt Harris with 7 laps showing on the scoreboard.
On the restart, Howard made his victory bound maneuver. Howard tossed his Main Racing Engines powered machine to the high side & blasted past Hoffman as they screamed down the back straightaway. Von Dohren & Watt watched from the 3rd & 4th positions. Howard reached lapped traffic by the 20th lap as a good stretch of non-amber racing took place until the 26th lap. Mike Nicholas sat sideways at the bottom of the backstretch, bringing out the caution flag.
Von Dohren had been pressuring Hoffman & completed the pass about a quarter way through the event. Therefore, Howard remained the race leader on the green followed by Von Dohren, Hoffman, & Watt. A great battled took place for 5th between several cars including Billy Pauch Sr., Jimmy Horton & Jason Hamilton. The caution waved on lap 32 for Danny Hieber, & Doug Manmiller pitted with a flat left front tire.
While the top 3 remained unchanged, Watt, Pauch, Hamilton, & Horton exchanged positions from 4th on back. By lap 43, Howard enjoyed a healthy full straightaway advantage over his competition. The caution lights flashed with 45 laps showing on the board. Von Dohren’s 2nd place effort vanished on the restart as his machine struggled with a soft right rear tire. Howard led over Hoffman, Hamilton, Watt & Horton. Hamilton tossed his machine to the inside of Hoffman in turns 1 & 2 of lap 50 to take control of the runner-up position.
A mandatory fuel stop took place at half-way. After the break, Von Dohren headed to the pit area with a flat tire. Howard jumped out in front to begin the race’s 2nd half over Hamilton, Hoffman, & Watt. 2008 track champion Jeff Strunk had originally started from the 20th position. He sat 6th during the fuel stop, & abruptly moved into 5th via the outside lane.
A caution flag took place on lap 56 for Billy Pauch Jr. Following this yellow period, the race wouldn’t be stopped until the 93rd circuit. Once again, Strunk pulled to the outside on the restart & moved into 4th behind Howard, Hamilton, & Hoffman. Laps continued to score, & Hamilton remained within striking distance of Howard. They negotiated lapped traffic. Hamilton closed back within the 20-to-go margin of the event.
With 10 laps remaining Howard & Hamilton reeled in a pack of 4 lapped cars. It was about to get interesting as suddenly the lapped machine of Gagliardo got out of shape in front of the leaders & tagged the wall. This brought out the caution flag with 93 laps completed.
7 laps remained, & Hamilton knew that his time was running out. On the restart, Hamilton pulled alongside of Howard in turn 4. Contact was made between the pair, & Hamilton’s #16 swung low to the bottom of the speedway. Hamilton eventually slowed from the pace, ending his fine performance. Howard pulled out to an advantage and was poised for victory, until the caution flag was unfurled with just 1 lap remaining. Ray Swinehart & Manmiller collided on the frontstretch, entering turn 1.
Despite the 1 lap shootout, Howard encountered no problems & drove to the convincing victory. It was Howard’s 5th win of the season, & 6th overall (he began the season March 29 with a Big Block Modified victory). Hoffman finished 2nd & executed the 2-car BPG Motorsports sweep with a runner-up result worth $5000. Strunk drove the Glenn Hynemann #126 to a 3rd place finish ($3000). Watt, the opening day feature winner, grabbed the 4th place check ($2000). Horton made his 2nd ’08 start aboard Norm Hansell’s #357 & cruised to a 5th place finish ($1500).
Billy Pauch Sr., a past 2-time Coalcracker winner, drove his self-owned #1 to a final finish of 6th. Terry Meitzler ran within the top 10 during the entire distance & crossed the line in 7th. Tom Umbenhauer likewise enjoyed a steady top 10 night & ended up eighth. Ryan Godown advanced from 19th to 9th & Nicholas rebounded from the earlier caution to post a 10th place finish.
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY COMPLETE RESULTS – SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008 358 MODIFIEDS First Heat (10-laps): 1) Jimmy Horton, 2) Tom Umbenhauer, 3) Ryan Watt. Second Heat (8-laps): 1) Duane Howard, 2) Sean Merkel, 3) Terry Meitzler. Third Heat (10-laps): 1) Ray Swinehart, 2) Jason Hamilton, 3) Shawn Reimert. Fourth Heat (10-laps): 1) Meme DeSantis, 2) Troy Wink, 3) Danny Erb. Fifth Heat (10-laps): 1) Billy Pauch Sr., 2) Doug Manmiller, 3) Keith Hoffman. Sixth Heat (10-laps): 1) Craig Von Dohren, 2) Danny Hieber, 3) Billy Pauch Jr. First Consolation (10-laps): 1) Ryan Godown, 2) Kevin Hartnett, 3) Mike Nicholas. Second Consolation (10-laps): 1) Jeff Strunk, 2) Vince Gagliardo Jr., 3) Ryan Beltz. Third Consolation (10-laps): 1) Gary Hager, 2) John Willman, 3) Dale Hartz. Provisional Starters: Rick Laubach, Craig Whitmoyer, Colt Harris. Did Not Qualify: Jordan Umbenhauer, AJ DeSantis, Kenny Brightbill, Kevin Albert Jr., Mark Kratz, Chris James Jr., Kyle Weiss, Danny Creeden, Neil Huber, Don Uhrig Jr., Don Brownlee, Randy Stoudt, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, David Van Horn Jr., Steve Young, Joe Masiado, Tommy Sheetz, Sammy Schaeffer, Larry Lippincott, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Brad Brightbill, Josh Biever, Kevin Beach, Jeff Sechrist, John Tschudy, Roy Wiest, Billy Moyer Jr., Tom Hager.
ANOTHER 1ST CAREER WINNER, VICTORY LANE; CHAMPIONS « Result #7 on Aug 25, 2008, 3:51am »
Forestville, PA – August 22, 2008 – For the second straight Friday evening, a new 358 Modified feature winner stood triumphantly in Big Diamond Raceway’s victory circle. Gary Hager of Stewartsville NJ guided his #44 to a 1st career 358 Modified main event win. Hager, 35, became the eleventh different winner in 18 races. Gary, who is the nephew to famed dirt track Modified star Tom Hager, is a past champion (2000) in the BDR Sportsman division, where he was an 11-time career feature winner. Hager has been competing regularly this season in the Modified class. He drove to a third place feature finish on August 15, & followed that achievement up with a huge victory. Friday night’s show, which was sponsored by Bartush Signs, was the final point event of 2008. Jeff Strunk of Mohnton PA captured 3 feature wins this season aboard the Glenn Hyneman owned #126. Strunk finished 3rd in the point final & captured his 2nd straight (6th overall) BDR 358 Modified track championship. Ironically, nearly 19 years ago (August 25, 1989) Strunk captured his 1st career BDR feature victory. The 25-lap 358 Modified feature found Shawn Fitzpatrick leading early from his inside pole starting position. Hager, who began from 5th, quickly advanced into the runner-up position behind Fitzpatrick on the event’s 2nd lap. Ryan Godown, from 6th, followed into the 3rd spot. The race’s 1st caution flag was unfurled with 3 laps showing on the scoreboard. Previous week’s winner Dale Hartz & 1st year driver Kevin Albert Jr. were left sitting in turn 2. The ensuing restart found an all out scramble between the front trio of Fitzpatrick, Hager, & Godown. Hager darted to the inside of Fitzpatrick through turns 3 & 4 of lap 8th, and Hager gained possession of the race lead. Hager built a 2nd and a half lead over a good battle between Fitzpatrick, Godown & 12th starter Strunk. The 2nd caution took place with 12 laps complete & erased the Hager advantage. Under green conditions, Hager continued to lead, while Fitzpatrick drifted out of the top 5 after contact. For the 2nd straight week, the 358 Modified feature only contained 2 cautions. The final 13 laps were completed caution-free. During most of the closing moments, equal space existed between Hager, Godown, & Strunk. Hager made no mistakes & throttled to his 1st 358 Modified feature win at Big Diamond Raceway. Fellow Garden State racer Godown drove the Johnny Rea #R1 to a runner-up effort & Strunk locked up the ’08 championship with a 3rd place result. Veteran competitor Mike Nicholas grabbed a 2nd straight top 5 finish of 4rth, driving his self-owned #3 Teo. Craig Von Dohren, who won the opening pair of August races, maneuvered into the top 5 during the event’s waning laps. Doug Manmiller drove the Wink Motorsports-00 to a 6th place finish while Duane Howard finished s7th in the Chad Sinon #4. Meme DeSantis drove a new #88D to a final result of 8th over Rick Laubach & Fitzpatrick . Another good crowd assembled on a beautiful evening for racing. The show was completed quickly & the final checkered flag fell just past 10:30PM.
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY – AUGUST 22, 2008 –COMPLETE RESULTS 358 MODIFIEDS First Heat (8-laps): 1) Doug Manmiller, 2) Duane Howard, 3) Rick Laubach, 4) John Willman, 5) Shawn Fitzpatrick, 6) Kenny Brightbill. Second Heat (8-laps): 1) Jeff Strunk, 2) Troy Wink, 3) Craig Von Dohren, 4) Gary Hager, 5) Jimmy Horton, 6) Dale Hartz. Third Heat (8-laps): 1) Ryan Godown, 2) Meme DeSantis, 3) Mike Nicholas, 4) Billy Pauch Sr., 5) Ryan Watt, 6) Kevin Albert Jr. Consolation (8-laps): 1) Craig Whitmoyer, 2) Colt Harris, 3) Bobby Gunther-Walsh, 4) AJ DeSantis, 5) Ryan Grim, 6) Greg Weiland. Did Not Qualify: Eric Kocher, Chris Gambler, Neil Huber, Ray Swinehart.
Big Diamond Win « Result #8 on Aug 19, 2008, 8:33pm »
Real nice win Dale. We really enjoy seeing Drivers grab thier first win at our Home Track. It was pretty impresive , and Im sure the first of many to come .Thanks for racing at the Diamond and good luck in the future !
Hey dale check this out « Result #9 on Aug 19, 2008, 7:27pm »
Hey i was talking to a guy at work and he said he can make window stickers for $2.00 a piece. he usually charges 3 but because i work with him he will cut me a break
SURPRISE FIRST TIME WINNER AT BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY, « Result #10 on Aug 18, 2008, 11:24pm »
August 15, 2008 – Dale Hartz, a 25-year old racer from Shoemakersville, grabbed his very 1st career Modified feature win Friday @ BDR. Hartz became the 94th driver to sign his name on Diamond's all-time 358 Modified win list in the track's 37yr history. Hartz, who drives a car owned by Neil Huber, was strong throughout the entire evening. Hartz's 178 Bicknell Chassis led the 25-lap feature contest from wire-to-wire. Hartz held off 1 of the division's highly accomplished racers, Mike Nicholas, en route to the decisive triumph. Although this victory was Hartz's first career 358 win, it was his 2nd overall BDR achievement. Hartz picked up a Roadrunner victory back on June 30, 2000, over 8yrs ago. The Modified Pepsi Challenge winner was Duane Howard. Hartz led the 25-car Modified feature field to the opening green flag from his inside front row starting spot. The event's 1st accident took place with 2 laps complete. Swinehart's Troyer-33 slowed in turns 3 and 4. A multi-car collision occurred, which involved 7 cars. '08 feature winners Jeff Strunk, Billy Pauch Jr., & Ryan Watt were included in the crash. Hartz led the field back to green with Shawn Fitzpatrick, Gary Hager, & Mike Nicholas in pursuit. Rick Laubach, who started 25th, spun in turn 2, bringing out the caution flag with 5 laps complete. This turned out to be the 2nd and final stoppage of the contest. Hartz continued to show the way on lap 6. Nicholas & Hager worked past Fitzpatrick for 2nd & 3rd respectively on the 9th lap. Hartz enjoyed a comfortable lead while fine battles were shaping up throughout the field. At the half-way point, Hartz led over Nicholas, Hager, & Fitzpatrick. Just behind the front 4, Doug Manmiller, Duane Howard, & CVD were battling fiercely for position. With 5 laps to go, Nicholas gained some ground on Hartz. Hager raced 3rd ahead of Howard & CVD. As laps clicked away, Hartz inched closer to the moment of truth. He made no mistakes & powered his machine to a 1st career victory in front of a supportive grandstand. Hartz exited his car in the winner's circle and stood triumphantly on the roof. "This car has been fast the last couple of weeks", mentioned Hartz. "I was trying not to make any mistakes out there. The guys had this car running so smooth, and I just wanted to hold on for the win. This track is in excellent shape tonight". Hartz became the tenth different 358 Modified winner of the season. Nicholas, a veteran driver, throttled his self-owned 3 Teo to a runner-up finish. Hager had a new motor (acquired from racer Brian Kressley) under the hood of his 44 & ended up in the 3rd spot. 4-time feature winner Howard finished 4th ahead of CVD who had won 2 races in a row to begin August. Manmiller drove the Wink Motorsports-00 to a 6th place effort over 2-time winner Meme DeSantis. John Willman returned behind the wheel of his 74W & finished 8th. Ryan Godown raced from 19th to 9th & '07 Sportsman champion Craig Whitmoyer grabbed 10th. The top 11 competitors in points competed in the 3rd annual Pepsi Challenge. This event consists of 1 on 1 match races until a final driver remains. Ray Swinehart won the 1st 9 races, earning him $450. Howard defeated Swinehart in the 10th race, & unseated CVD in the final battle to capture the $1050 top prize. A fan appreciation BBQ picnic was held on Friday with special thanks going out to Jim Bowman Trucking, Jeff's Truck Detailing, & Bashore Trucking. The final points race of the season is set for Friday August 22. Currently, Jeff Strunk leads Duane Howard in the Modified race by 145 points. 358 MODIFIEDS First Heat (8-laps): 1) Colt Harris, 2) Mike Nicholas, 3) Ryan Watt, 4) Craig Whitmoyer, 5) Duane Howard, 6) Meme DeSantis, 7) Ryan Godown, 8) Bobby Gunther-Walsh. Second Heat (8-laps): 1) Gary Hager, 2) Troy Wink, 3) Billy Pauch Jr., 4) Doug Manmiller, 5) Jordan Umbenhauer, 6) Neil Huber, 7) Kevin Albert Jr., 8) Chris Gambler, 9) Rick Laubach. Third Heat (8-laps): 1) Craig Von Dohren, 2) Dale Hartz, 3) Shawn Fitzpatrick, 4) Ray Swinehart, 5) John Willman, 6) Jeff Strunk, 7) Kenny Brightbill, 8) Greg Weiland. Pepsi Challenge: Swinehart def. Willman, Swinehart def. Watt, Swinehart def. Wink, Swinehart def. Godown, Swinehart def. Laubach, Swinehart def. Manmiller, Swinehart def. Pauch Jr., Swinehart def. DeSantis, Swinehart def. Strunk, Howard def. Swinehart, Howard def. Von Dohren. 25-LAP FEATURE: 1)178-Dale Hartz, 2) 3-Mike Nicholas, 3) 44H-Gary Hager, 4) 4-Duane Howard, 5) 1c-Craig Von Dohren, 6) 00-Doug Manmiller, 7) 88D-Meme DeSantis, 8) 74W-John Willman, 9) R1-Ryan Godown, 10) 99-Craig Whitmoyer, 11) 126-Jeff Strunk, 12) 14-Rick Laubach, 13) 19-Kenny Brightbill, 14) 7-Colt Harris, 15) 333-Kevin Albert Jr., 16) 19J-Jordan Umbenhauer, 17) T102-Shawn Fitzpatrick, 18) 1450-Greg Weiland, 19) 35-Chris Gambler, 20) SQ1-Bobby Gunther-Walsh, 21) 27-Troy Wink, 22) 33-Ray Swinehart, 23) 8-Billy Pauch Jr., 24) 6-Ryan Watt, 25) X1-Neil Huber.