The schedule for the 45th year of auto racing at the clay oval in Coal Country features traditional and fan-favorite races which are sure to satisfy the tastes of racers and fans alike.
The 2016 Season Opener is planned for Sunday, March 20, with the CJ's Tire & Automotive Service 358 Modifieds, U.S.S. Achey Sportsman, and the Savage 61 Roadrunners opening their point championship battles. The 30-lap, 358-modified feature will pay $4,000 to the win.
The track will be closed for Easter (March 27) and returns to action for the first Friday night show of the year on April 1 with the Money in the Mountains Modified 40.
The 40-lap feature for the 358-modifieds pays $5,000 to the win and $400 to take the green with regular Big Diamond rules applying. It will be the first event for the No Sweat Service Group Street Stocks. Rounding out the card are the Savage 61 Roadrunners and 600 Modifieds.
Start time for Friday night racing is again at 8:15 p.m.
THE 2016 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Friday, June 10: Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Night will present "Pack the Track Night" with a $6 General Admission featuring the Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners.
The 358 modifieds will take part in several specials including the Red White & Blue Autos Twin 20s. The 20-lap features will take place on Friday, July 29 along with the ARDC Midgets and Roadrunners.
The B&H Landscaping George & Georgie Stevenson Memorial is set for Friday, July 1. The 30-lap modified feature pays $4,000 to win along with the Mark's Service Center Cash Dash. The sportsman, roadrunners, and 600 Modifieds round out the card. A spectacular fireworks show will take place at intermission.
The Jack Rich Inc. Coalcracker 72, the speedway’s marquee event for the 358 modifieds will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4, with a rain date of Monday, Sept. 5. A hefty $10,000 payday awaits the winner. Ryan Godown is the defending Coalcracker 72 winner.
The popular 'one-on-one challenge races' are also scheduled for the three weekly divisions. All 25 lap Modified features will pay $3,000 or more to win in 2016.
The Sportsman division will be featured in special shows with Twin 20s slated for Friday, April 22; the Andy Fayash Memorial, Friday, Aug. 19 which pays $1,570 to win and the Leindecker Race Engines Sportsman Coalcracker paying $1,600 to win on Friday, Sept. 2.
The Roadrunners will be showcased in the ‘Full Fender Frenzy Crazy 8s’ for Blyth Cleaning Service night on July 15 and they will have an extra-distance race during the prestigious Coalcracker weekend on Sept. 4.
The Street Stock division is set for their first special of the season on Friday, June 24, for Jasen's Automotive Street Stock 30 Summer Shootout, a new event for this year which pays $1,081 to win along with a Cash Dash. The Street Stocks will also be featured during the Coalcracker weekend race (Sept. 4).
Touring divisions’ are also included in the already packed racing cards in 2016 including the United Racing Club Sprint Cars who will invade the speedway for Schuylkill Mall night on June 17 with the 358 modifieds being outfitted with sail panels for the evening.
The ARDC midgets return to the speedway with two dates; Friday, May 13 and Friday, July 29.
The Modified Short Track Super Series will return on Tuesday, May 10, with the Anthracite Assault 50 along with the sportsman and 600 Modifieds.
The Xcel 600 Modifieds have five dates in addition to the May 10 date. The 600 Modifieds have proven to bring large fields to all scheduled race dates.
The Mark's Service Center Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial is planned for Friday, May 27, Memorial Day Weekend. Modifieds, sportsman, roadrunners, and Blast From the Past Vintage cars are on the card.
Rounding out the touring divisions will be the 60 lap Enduro Dash events on select nights.
The general admission rate will remain $15 for regular shows and $13 for senior citizens. Active military members with a valid I.D. will receive a complimentary "free" admission and veterans with a valid I.D. will receive a free meal ticket.
Registration for the Annual Car Show at the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville, Pa., is underway. Please go to www.bigdspeedway.com for more information. The car show will run from February 29 to March 5.
Affordable rates for advertising through billboards and/or nightly sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Jeff Bowers at 570-527-9093.
Reserved parking spots are available for race teams in 2016. Teams may request their desired parking spot. If the spot is available, it will be marked with the driver's name and car number. Contact 570-527-3168 for more information.
GME steering rewards the drivers gaining the most spots in feature events in the 358 modified and sportsman divisions with a $50 gift certificate.
Those who are seeking media credentials can contact Shawn Wood at shawn@thedirttrackchannel.com.
2016 SCHEDULEMonday, February 29 to March 4
Car show at the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville, PA
Sunday, March 13 2:00pm
Open Practice. Any car with a roll cage welcome to attend. Enduro Dash 60.
Sunday, March 20 2:00pm
45TH ANNUAL SEASON OPENER.
U.S.S. Achey Night.
Modified 30, $4,000 to win, Sportsman 20, $1,000 to win, Roadrunners
Sunday, March 27
Easter Break, No Racing
Friday, April 1
Money in the Mountains Modified 40. $5,000 to win, $400 green. Street Stocks, Roadrunners, 600 Modifieds
Friday, April 8
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks. MITM Rain Date
Friday, April 15
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks
Friday, April 22
Modifieds, Sportsman Twin 20's, Roadrunners, Enduro Dash 60
Friday, April 29
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks Pro Shine Auto Detailing Roadrunner Challenge
Friday, May 6
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks
Tuesday, May 10
Short Track Super Series Anthracite Assault
Modified 50, $5,000 to win, $400 green. Sportsman, 600cc Modifieds. 7:45PM start time.
Friday, May 13
Modifieds, ARDC Midgets, Roadrunners, Vintage Cars.
Friday, May 20
Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks.
Red White and Blue Autos Sportsman Challenge, Kim's Kreations Mechanics Race.
Friday, May 27
Mark's Service Center Night/Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners. Vintage Cars.
Friday, June 3
Sportsman, Roadrunners, 600 Modifieds, Street Stocks
Friday, June 10
Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Night
$6 General Admission. Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners.
Friday, June 17
Schuylkill Mall Night
Modifieds, URC 360 Sprint Cars, Roadrunners, Enduro Dash 60.
Friday, June 24
Jasen's Automotive Night
Street Stock 30 Summer Shootout. $1,081 to win plus Cash Dash. Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners.
Friday, July 1
B&H Landscaping Night/George-Georgie Stevenson Memorial
Modified 30, $4,000 to win, $300 green. Mark's Service Center Cash Dash. Sportsman $1,000 to win, Roadrunners, 600 Modifieds, Fireworks.
Friday, July 8
Insinger Performance Night
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks, Kim's Kreations Power Wheels Race (Stevenson Rain Date)
Friday, July 15
Blyth Cleaning Service Night
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunner Crazy 8's
Friday, July 22
Sportsman, Roadrunners, 600 Modifieds, Street Stocks, Vintage Cars
Friday, July 29
Red White and Blue Autos Night
Modified Twin 20's, ARDC Midgets, Roadrunners, Enduro Dash 60
Friday, August 5
No Sweat Service Group Night
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Street Stocks.
Friday, August 12
Prelude to the Coalcracker
Modified 30, $4,000 to win, $400 green. Sportsman, Roadrunners, Modified Challenge Races
Friday, August 19
Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Andy Fayash Memorial Sportsman 30 ( $1,570 to win, $157 green) Modifieds, Roadrunners, Street Stocks
Friday, August 26
Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Kim's Kreations Powder Puff Race (Fayash Memorial Rain Date)
Friday, September 2
Leindecker Race Engines Night
Sportsman Coalcracker 40, $1,600 to win, $160 green. Roadrunners, Street Stocks, Modified Underdog Race, Vintage Cars, Enduro Dash 60
Sunday, September 4
Jack Rich Inc. Coalcracker 72
Modifieds, 72 laps, $10,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th, $500 green. Roadrunners, 600 Modifieds, Fireworks. 7:45 PM start time
Monday, September 5
Jack Rich Inc. Coalcracker 72 Rain Date
Speedway Website: www.bigdspeedway.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigdiamondspeedway
Speedway GPS Address: 392 Forest Lane, Pottsville, PA 17901
Speedway Mailing Address: Box 671, Minersville, PA 17954