FORESTVILLE - Unlike NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series' Daytona 500, Big Diamond Speedway is not opening its season with its biggest program of the season.
However, the Forestville track will begin 2014 with one of its biggest events when Big Diamond debuts with its second annual Money in the Mountains program at 8:15 p.m. today.
Some of the modified division's leading drivers are expected to contend for a purse featuring $7,500 for the winner of the 40-lap big block-small block modified feature, which also pays at least $500 to each feature starter. Some of the invading drivers include perennial standouts Stewart Friesen, Danny Johnson, Jimmy Horton and Billy Pauch Sr. in addition to Accord Speedway feature winner Anthony Perrego, State Line, I88 and Fonda speedways regular Matt Mahaney and defending DIRT SuperCar Rookie of the Year Chad Billings.
To accommodate the visitors and the increased competition, race teams may use both American Racer or Hoosier, the speedway's new tire provider, while various weights are assigned to cars depending upon the engine size and fuel used.
Billings' appearance highlights Big Diamond's new agreement with DIRTcar for the 2014 season. The national organization will sponsor the 358 modified division weekly, marking the first time a DIRTcar division has competed at Big Diamond since Duane Howard won a Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series race there in 2009. Brett Hearn and Alan Johnson also won series races at Big Diamond, which will host the return of that competing group Tuesday, July 15, for a 75-lap feature program paying $6,000 to the winner.
"We're looking forward to building a sound foundation in Pennsylvania to continue growing DIRTcar racing," Joe Skotnicki, DIRTcar's director of series and sanctioning, said. "There is a lot of history at Big Diamond and a lot of very talented racers, so we're excited to have the opportunity to partner with them."
As part of the arrangement, DIRTcar's 358 modified series rules will be phased into Big Diamond's programs in a gradual process.
That process at Big Diamond has begun under a new technical inspector who replaces Harvey Ensminger. The Cressona resident died Jan. 2 after a long career as a driver and technical inspector at Big Diamond and Grandview speedways.
As for today's program, extra money will be awarded in terms of lap money and contingency awards.
More than $750 has been collected to be awarded in $15 increments for lap leaders in the Money in the Mountains feature. Those sponsors are Jeremy Slifko Fabrication Services, Kim's Kreations, track photographer Chris Budihas, Putt Motorsports, Becker's Volkswagen Service, Ken's Tire, Eastern Rigging, track announcer Tim Pitts, Strausser General Contracting, Jasmine Morgan Photography, Big Diamond towing crew, Kayla and Mason Glass and Outlaw enduro series promoter Chuck Eckert.
Pauch also has contributed money for one lap which he surely hopes to lead en route to a victory.
In addition, the Big Diamond/Dog Pound Hard Luck Award will be $750 for the driver who has the worst luck, determined by track management, while the Long Haul Award of $125 will go to the driver who drives the longest distance to the track and fails to qualify for the Money in the Mountains feature.
GME Manufacturing LLC will begin a weekly award of a $25 gift certificate toward the rebuilding of a steering gear to the feature race's driver who advances the most positions.
The first Red, White and Blue Inc. Hard Luck Award will be given to the driver whose car displays the company sticker and who has the worst night in both the 358 modified and roadrunner divisions. That driver will be admitted free to Big Diamond the following week.
Last year, Jeff Strunk, who started 16th, won the first Money in the Mountains feature by taking the lead with six laps remaining and edging eventual track champion Craig Von Dohren. Two more eventual track champions, Jared Umbenhauer and Marc Berzowski, took the sportsman and roadrunner features, respectively.
This year, the sportsmen will be replaced in tonight's program by the debut of the 358 late models as a regular division at Big Diamond. That group and the roadrunners will compete in 20-lap features. Today's races
Where: Big Diamond Speedway, Forestville
When: Gates open at 5 p.m., first heat races begin at 8:15 p.m.
Program: Money in the Mountains Big-Block/Small-Block Modified Challenge (40 laps, $7,500 to win), 358 late models (20 laps), roadrunners (20 laps)
Admission: Adult grandstand - $25; Seniors, active military personnel and students ages 13-17 (all with valid ID) - $23. Children 12 and under - Free. Pit fees - $30 with a valid 2014 license from any track; $40 for person without pit license.
Rain date: Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m.