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Big Diamond Raceway Where Modifieds Rule

By: Alan M. Kassirer

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Do you crave the sound of powerful racing engines? Do you think that burning racing fuel smells great? Do you think that asphalt is for traveling to the track and dirt is for racing? If you said yes to these questions then you need to head out to Big Diamond Raceway in Pennsylvania on a Friday night very soon. This 3/8 mile clay track plays host to the 358 small block modifieds, the sportsman modifieds and the always exciting roadrunners.

The headline class at Big Diamond is the 358 small block modifieds. I'm not an expert on cars so I won't even try and tell you what makes these cars go but I will say that they're lightning fast and they race very close together. The races have lots of passing and the winner often comes from deep in the field. On any given Friday there are over 10 cars and drivers that can win. Big Diamond has one of the best groups of drivers of any track I've been to. Names such as Rick Laubach, Keith Hoffman, Meme DeSantis, Jeff Strunk and many more race at Big Diamond every week. Even qualifying for the main event is hard at Big Diamond because on an average week, there are well over 30 modifieds competing for only 26 spots on the starting grid.

The top support division are the sportsman modifieds The cars look exactly the same as the modifieds but the motors aren't as powerful. The races they run are a bit shorter than the modifieds but they are no less exciting. Many of the drivers are sons and grandsons of the modified drivers and retired modified drivers that we grew up rooting for. The roadrunners are a beginners division made up of older Camaros, Monte Carlos, Chevelles and Novas. While they're not as fast as the modifieds or sportsman, the racing is great. Unless you're a track regular you haven't heard of any of the drivers but maybe some of them may be tomorrow's stars.

The biggest, and best paying race held at Big Diamond anually is the Coalcracker 100 for the 358 modifieds. This race has been won by such dirt stars as Fred Rahmer, Doug Hoffman, Richie Tobias, Kenny Brightbill, Billy Schinkel and many others. We all knew that the track was in trouble back in 2005 when much of the racing season, including the Coalcracker 100 was canceled because of financial issues for the owner. It was the first time since 1983 that there was no Coalcracker 100. Many of us thought that our days of enjoying the races at Big Diamond were done forever.

The track was rescued by three new owners in 2006 and today it is thriving like never before. Every Friday finds the pits loaded with race cars and the stands full of screaming modified fans. Special events are scheduled for touring racing divisions like the World of Outlaws Late Models, the USAC Wingless Sprint Cars and the Super Dirt Series Big Block Modifieds. The grounds have been upgraded with new restrooms and concession stands. The track food is good but I always prefer to grill out in the parking lot before the show. I'm not the only one as people show up hours before the races to enjoy tailgating parties and just hang out and talk racing. Big Diamond Raceway has become a great place for friends and families to gather for a Friday evening of great auto racing.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Alan Kassirer has been attending modified races on asphalt and dirt for over 40 years. He's also the owner of Picnic Baskets and More, your one stop shop for picnic backpacks, barbecue tools and other picnic accessories.

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