Big Diamond Rolls Into 2015 With “Drivers’ Favorite” American Racer Tires

MINERSVILLE, PA - Following the 2014 season, DIRTcar and Big Diamond management have parted ways.

The historic Minersville, PA facility will open its doors next spring as an unsanctioned race track.

"It is unfortunate the way things ended with DIRTcar," stated track owner Jake Smulley. "We feel it is in the best interest of our fans and competitors to return to being independent. This is the first of many steps to correct and make the '15 season monumental."

Following the DIRTcar decision to part ways with Big Diamond, speedway management was quick to bring back two familiar names to the facility.

American Racer will be the tires used in 2015.  Any track stamped tire will be accepted with only a compound rule in effect.   Sunoco Race Fuel will be powering all race cars next season. Both American Racer and Sunoco had been fixtures at the track before 2014.

"The Hoosier DIRTcar-mandated tires just didn't work on our surface," Smulley stated.  “Many racers have struggled in 2014 on the Hoosier tires.  Our racers are excited that American Racers will make a return to the speedway. We're excited to see the return of the side-by-side, edge-of-your-seat racing Big Diamond is known for.”

Replacing the previously scheduled Super DIRTcar Series event on Tuesday, May 5 (rain date: May 6) will be Brett Deyo's ‘Anthracite Assault II’ which will be part of the thrilling Short Track Super Series 2015 schedule. This event will be unique in that it will offer both North and South Region points for the series and is expected to bring a diverse field of cars to Coal Country. The ‘Anthracite Assault’ was last run at Big Diamond in July 2011.

Officials are already counting down the days to an exciting 2015. The first on-track activity will be open practice - any car with a roll cage is welcome to attend - on Sunday March 15 at 1:00 p.m. 

Opening Day is scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at 4 p.m., with the 358-Modifieds battling for $4,000 to win and $300 to take the green. Sportsman, Roadrunners, and Street Stocks will join the action full card of action. 

With one of the Northeast's highest purses for all of its weekly divisions (358-modifieds, sportsman, and road runners) fans can once again expect to see some of the strongest fields and car counts of any track.

Be there as Rick Laubach, Wayne Witmer, and Jeremy Becker hope to fight off all challengers and repeat their 2014 championships.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the upcoming season and look for the full schedule to be released in the near future.  If any drivers, owners, and fans are encouraged to contact Jamie Weaknecht at (610) 349-5413 with any questions.