WELCOME TO THE UNOFFICIAL BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY FAN PAGE!
BILLY PAUCH
JR. BEATS DUANE HOWARD TO THE CHECKERED FLAG FRIDAY MAY 2ND...
Billy Pauch Jr. led Duane Howard to the checkered flag in Friday’s 25-lap 358 Modified feature
at Big Diamond Raceway. Howard, who won the previous week, pressured the popular third generation racer from Frenchtown NJ
on numerous occasions, however, Pauch remained in command for his first victory of the season.
Twenty-six cars started
the main event with rookie competitor Kevin Albert Jr. showing the way early. Albert led the first five laps before a caution
flag period. On the ensuing restart, Shawn Fitzpatrick (originally started sixth) powered into the runner-up position behind
the young Albert.
Fitzpatrick, of nearby Pottsville PA, blasted to the outside of Albert on a lap nine restart. Albert
faded back a few spots and eventually dropped from contention with a flat right front tire. Meanwhile Pauch Jr. had begun
advancing from thirteenth. He sat in fifth position for the ninth lap restart. By the completion of lap nine, Pauch asserted
himself into the runner-up spot behind Fitzpatrick.
Pauch flexed a victory bound muscle on a lap twelve restart as
he tossed the Pioneer Pole Buildings #8 to the outside of Fitpatrick through turns one and two, becoming the new pace setter.
Pauch passed the flag stand at the half-way mark as the leader over Fitzpatrick and sixteenth place starter Duane Howard.
A battle for second began to brew, and Howard darted to the inside of Fitzpatrick through turns three and four of lap seventeen.
The
event’s final caution flag was unfurled with just four laps remaining. On the single file restart, Howard mirrored every
Pauch move. Howard peeked to the inside of Pauch through the corners, and Pauch kept his machine in front down the straightaways.
Only one car length separated the pair down the backstretch of lap 24. On the race’s final lap, Pauch opened a few more
lengths over Howard down the back. Pauch cruised to his first win of the season and fourth of his BDR career.
Howard
of Oley PA recorded his second runner-up finish of the season behind the wheel of Chad Sinon’s #4. Fitzpatrick lost
the third position on the final lap. Jeff Strunk (started fourteenth) drove Glenn Hyneman’s #126 to third while racing
to the flag. Ray Swinehart, driving his self-owned #33, ended up fourth and May 18 winner Meme DeSantis rounded out the top
five. As cars closely crossed the line, Fitzpatrick finished sixth.
32 Modifieds were present with heat wins going
to Mike Nicholas, Rick Laubach, Shawn Fitzpatrick and Craig Von Dohren. Shawn Reimert won the consolation race.
On
April 25, Earl Paules of Palmerton PA wired the Sportsman feature for an apparent victory. His car weighed in light on the
scales, however. One week later, Paules once again dominated the 20-lap feature and his machine did make weight on this evening.
As a matter of fact, Paules weighed in at an extra 45 pounds.
Paules started from the pole position and basically led
the entire race unchallenged. Former champion Gary Wagner (who races the car driven by Paules in 2007) followed him early.
Third year Sportsman racer, Kevin Beach, advanced into second on lap six via the inside lane. At the half-way point, Paules
led with Beach, twelfth place starter Josh Biever, and Wagner in pursuit.
Paules drew to a 2.50 second advantage over
his competition and steered his car #4 to the winner’s circle. It was his first of the season and second BDR career
win. Beach of Llewllyn finished in second ahead of Orwigsburg’s Biever. Finishing a five second distance behind Biever
was Kyle Weiss, who charged back from an opening lap tangle. Wagner finished fifth for the second consecutive week.
35
Sportsman were broken down into four qualifying heats. Winners were Gary Wagner, Patrick Cozze, Earl Paules, and Ebby Ridge.
Rookie Pete Phillips Jr. won his first career consi race.
Joe Hendricks of Auburn increased strength as every week
passed in Roadrunner competition. After not finishing in the opener, Hendricks ended up seventh on April 18 and sixth on April
25. This week, Hendricks powered to a feature victory, the fourth of his Big Diamond career.
Mark Paine, a former pavement
racer, set the early pace. Hendricks actually got into the guardrail on the race’s green flag, but stayed on the accelerator
and kept competing. He shot between a pair of cars on a lap three restart to occupy second behind the race leader Paine. Hendricks
wrestled the lead away from Paine on the fourth lap.
Ryan Olenick, who started sixth, abruptly maneuvered into second.
Ricky Bender, from ninth, drove past Olenick on the eighth circuit. The caution lights flashed with just two circuits remaining,
however Hendricks remained in command of the race. Hendricks became the fourth different winner in four events. Bender narrowly
edged Olenick for second. In another good multi-car battle, Elvin Brennan and Kevin Holland earned fourth and fifth place
finishes.
22 Roadrunners were pitside on the evening. Heat wins went to Mark Paine and Ricky Bender.
------------------------------------------------------
Just a reminder that this is the Unofficial Big Diamond Raceway Fan Page. For the track's
official website, please click on the link located below. Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------
RACE DAY
PHONE NUMBER 570-544-1410
|
