Big D point races down to the wire

Published: August 27, 2010

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It all began in April.

Fresh paint, new cars, new driver and car owner combinations and fresh hopes of the season-long points chase in their respective divisions at Minersville's Big Diamond Raceway were on teams' minds.

Some drivers envisioned grabbing that elusive first title, while others looked forward to adding to their already impressive resumes. Tonight is the "last dance" of the 2010 point chase at the Schuylkill County oval, and what a battle it should be.

In other racing circles, "changes" were made to adjust the points structure, as the "Chase for the Cup" was brought into NASCAR racing a few seasons back, and NHRA quickly followed suit with its equally-stupid Countdown to the Championship structure. Well, in the good old blue collar racing circles of the local dirt track bullrings, "changes" weren't needed to make the product more interesting.

Tonight's program at Big Diamond, the final points race, finds all three divisions heading into a full-fledged fight to the finish for championship crowns. Surprisingly, the current point leaders in each of the three divisions have never scored a track title at Big Diamond.

The 358 modified point battle is between two drivers separated by 30 points; the sportsman class has five drivers separated by 59 markers and the roadrunners have a three-way battle with a 68 point difference.

Big Diamond's all-time leading feature winner in the modifieds, Craig Von Dohren, scored his first win in 1980 and has 69 victories to date, but ironically has never secured a track title at Big Diamond. The 47-year-old driver from Oley appeared to be heading for his first title on the strength of four wins throughout the summer, but recent streaks of bad luck have him sitting 30 points behind point leader, Doug Manmiller.

Manmiller, a former go-kart champion, with over 15 years of modified experience and seven career Big Diamond feature wins, is riding a wave of consistency as he leads the points without a victory in 2010. Completing the top five, but out of championship contention are John Willman, Rick Laubach and Jeff Strunk.

In the sportsman class, Mike Mammana of Nazareth leads a few former track champions. Craig Whitmoyer sits just three points back, while Brad Brightbill is 32 back and defending champion Kevin Beach is tied with Mike Loney in fourth spot, 59 points behind the leader.

The always exciting roadrunners have a three-car war, as Elvin Brennan III will attempt to hold off the Olenick brothers, Ryan and Kevin. Brennan sits atop the points heap with three wins this season, while Ryan Olenick is just 30 points behind, also with three wins. Two-time and defending roadrunner champion, Kevin Olenick has two checkers to date in 2010 and is 68 points behind the leader.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7:45. Who needs Countdowns or Chases?

Following tonight's final points race, Labor Day weekend will feature a two-day show for the Coalcracker Weekend. Next Friday night will be the Coalcracker 50 for the sportsman, along with roadrunners and a modified non-winners race. Sunday, Sept. 5, is the running of the $10,000-to-win, Coalcracker 100 for the modifieds.

Other local racing action this weekend includes Williams Grove Speedway hosting a sprint car doubleheader tonight featuring the touring United Racing Company and the 410 sprint cars, while Saturday at the Mechanicsburg oval, a four-division show on Kids' Night will have the winged super sportsman, limited late models, street stocks and four cylinder stocks on the schedule. Selinsgrove Speedway will present a four-division show of 358 sprint cars, late models, pro stocks and roadrunners Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

In other action around the area Saturday, Lincoln Speedway hosts twin 20s for the 410 sprinters, along with the thundercars and Speedstr series; Grandview Speedway drops the green on its two-division show of modifieds and limited late models; Port Royal Speedway will present the Butch Renninger Memorial 33-lap late model special, along with the 410 sprint cars, pro stocks and enduro cars, while Hagerstown Speedway hosts the 30th annual Shorty Bowers/Bull Durham Memorial Championship for the late models, along with the late model sportsman and pure stocks.

(Kaminski covers local auto racing for The News-Item)

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