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By Dino Oberto
Photo Big Diamond Speedway
(Minersville, PA 4-10-26) Whenever the opportunity presents itself, Alex Yankowski of Covington Township always tries to come back to Big Diamond Speedway, a track that played a big part as the springboard to his career where he is now a top touring driver with dirt Modifieds across the Northeast.
Yankowski did return to the 3/8-mile oval for last week’s season opener Thaw Brawl where he showed respectable speed in charging his way up to a top-5 finish from a mid-pack start.
However, on Friday night even bigger rewards came his way as he collected a cool $10,000 in taking the annual Fritz Roehrig Memorial Money in the Mountains on DBR Industrial Services Night.
And, although the race ended early, with the checkered flag waving 13 laps before the scheduled 50-lap finish because a rainstorm moved through the region, it was clear that Yankowski was the driver to beat. Despite the shortened distance, his performance left little doubt that he had the fastest car on the track and was in control throughout the event.
“This place has always been special to me and I kind of learned to race here in the beginning of my Sportsman Modified days and it was special too because my grandfather would come here then,” said Yankowski.
“I feel like here and Five Mile Point is where I cut my teeth, but also got my butt kicked a lot and tonight leaving here with this win feels very good.”
By luck of the draw Yankowski pulled the pole position and then quickly went to work from there in setting the early pace ahead of Anthony Perrego. Kevin Beach Jr., Brett Kressley and Tim Buckwalter ran close behind that pair.
As the race went on Yankowski continued to keep a well enough distance over Perrego and was also negotiating his way around lapped traffic with ease.
Perrego’s night would come to an unanticipated end on lap 34 when he came to a halt after suffering a left rear flat which also prompted a caution.
When the field reset for the restart Kressley was second to Yankowski with Buckwalter and Louden Reimert next in line.
As the green waved to resume the action Buckwalter then shot by Kressley for the runner-up spot. However, Yankoski was still able to maintain a few car lengths distance and unfortunately it will not be known if Buckwalter would have had anything for the leader as the rain came three laps later and prematurely ended the night.
“The track was really tricky at times and then the cautions just fell the right way for me that I was able to run my race,” reflected Yankowski.
It was the first time winning at Big Diamond since scoring the Coalcracker victory in 2021.
“Rick Stankowicz gave us a really good car tonight and he got a really big check to take back to Reading. It’s always good to come down here a couple of times a year, see all these fans and grab some of these big money shows,” said Yankowski.
“The right Panhard bar is such a different deal than what I’m used to. We run about 86 times a year and maybe five of those are with the right side Panhard bar which is a little bit different package, but Kevin Bates does such a great job of just adapting to no matter what racecar we’re running, and our SY/Murray Performance Engine was really stout tonight too and I’m really proud of our engine shop,” he continued.
“It’s been different for us to try and catch up, and you have guys here like Duane Howard and Louden Reimert, the Watt’s and Timmy Buckwalter and others who are really good here and when you get a package that they run all year long and we only come down a few times, we have to think a little bit more but it’s fun and I enjoy it and it’s something different and not just a cookie-cutter deal.”
In the Roadrunner feature Mike Reichert of New Ringold put his years of experience to the test after a constant race-long battle against the Bassininsky brothers Jared and Joe who made the veteran earn every bit of his win.
At the outset Jared Bassinisky took to the lead but would have Joe Bassinisky closely in his shadow while Reichert hovered in third. By lap seven both would set sail past Jared Bassinisky.
Reichert successfully utilized the inside lane to maintain pace with Joe Bassinisky, subsequently taking the lead with eight laps remaining.
Getting the lead was one thing but staying there was no easy task as he would be forced the rest of the way to fend off the Bassininsky boys. Joe lost his shot when he spun in turn four with two laps remaining attempting to get underneath Reichert. Jared then hounded him to the checkers from there.
For Reichert it would be his 19th class win in a career that spans over three decades.
The postponed 602 Crate Sportsman and Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman features will be added on to the upcoming April 17 program.
358 Modified finish (50 laps): 1. Alex Yankowski, 2. Tim Buckwalter, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. Louden Reimert, 5. Mike Lisowski, 6. Kevin Beach Jr., 7. Dom Buffalino, 8. Duane Howard, 9. Billy Pauch Jr., 10. Cody Manmiller, 11. Brandon Edgar, 12. Kevin Olenick, 13. Heath Metzger, 14. Cliff Quinn, 15. Anthony Perrego, 16. Ryan Watt, 17. Alan Rudalavage, 18. Logan Watt, 19. Jax Yohn, 20. Jared Umbenhauer, 21. Wayne Witmer, 22. Chris Espisito, 23. Alex Tonkin, 24. Kenny Hildebrandt DNQ: Mike Burrows, Rich Laubach, Alex Payne
