Ryan Godown Captures 2nd Annual Money In The Mountains Event At Big Diamond Speedway

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

NEWS FROM BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY
EVENT ORGANIZER: Jake Smulley
MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Long
Facebook Page: facebook.com/bigdiamondspeedway
Website: www.bigdspeedway.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WITH OUR THANKS.
____________________________________________________________________________________
RYAN GODOWN WINS 2ND ANNUAL MONEY IN THE MOUNTAINS EVENT, MERKEL WINS LATE MODELS, ROADRUNNERS TO HABLETT

MINERSVILLE, PA - April 6th, 2014

"We came here saying we would be content if we could go home with a top 5 finish. But this car is a rocket ship. It's a rocket ship at Syracuse, it's a rocket ship at New Egypt, and it was a rocket ship here today. My guys worked hard on the car and the effort paid off."

Those were just a few of the words uttered by Ryan Godown in victory lane after dominating the 2nd annual Money in the Mountains big block/small block challenge event at Big Diamond Speedway.

Jeff Strunk drove into the lead from his outside pole position, leading the first nine laps while Godown was quickly moving forward from his 6th place starting position. On lap 10 Godown made his move, powering around Strunk in turn two to take a lead he would never give up. Godown continued to lead lap after lap, while behind him a fierce battle had developed between Strunk and Erick Rudolph, making his first ever visit to Big Diamond Speedway. Rudolph managed to wrestle 2nd position away from Strunk on lap 17, only to have Strunk wrestle it back away from him on lap 21. Billy Pauch Jr. all of a sudden appeared to take 3rd away from Rudolph on lap 24, but as quickly as he gained the spot, mechanical woes forced Pauch Jr. to retire from the event just one lap later. The remaining 16 laps saw Godown, Strunk, and Rudolph keep a stranglehold on the top three spots, while Keith Hoffman, Billy Pauch Sr., and Billy Decker had a great battle going for the next three positions. The last 5 laps saw Godown get into some lapped traffic, but he was not to be denied and drove home to the $7,500 first place payday. Strunk held on for 2nd, followed by Erick Rudolph, Keith Hoffman in the Steve Searock owned #26, and Billy Decker, in a great ride from his 16th starting spot. Sixth thru tenth were Billy Pauch Sr., Sammy Piazza, Pat Ward, Matt Sheppard in the Norm Hansell #357, and two time defending track champion Craig Von Dohren in the Eastern Rigging #11.

Sean Merkel was victorious in the 20 lap 358 Late Model feature, taking the lead from race long leader Andy Haus on lap #16 and leading the rest of the way for the $1,000 payday. Haus held on for the runner up position, followed by Billy Wampler, Scott Haus, Drew Weiser, Grant Adams, Steve Nederostek, Bryon Sipe, Jim O' Hara, and Jason Smith.

"Front Row" Joe Kavanaugh took the lead from his pole starting spot and led the first 6 laps of the Roadrunner feature until a caution waved for the #11J of Bill Wingle Jr., who shredded a tire in tire four. On the restart, Jim Kost powered into the lead in his potent #126 machine. Kost led until lap #12, when Tom Hablett, in his new #555 ride, drove by to claim the top spot. Hablett led the rest of the way, followed by Jeremy Becker, who made a late race charge from his 15th starting spot to claim runner up honors. Chris Holland also made a late race charge to take third, followed by "Buckshot" Glenn Rowan, and Joey Brennan. Sixth thru tenth were Kost, Tim Fitzpatrick Jr., Jason Brown, Kris Ney, and Shon Elk.

Racing returns to Big Diamond Speedway this coming Friday, April 11th with the program that was to originally scheduled on March 30th. The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic 358 Modifieds will go 30 laps for $3,000 to win and $300 to take the green. Also on the card will be the U.S.S Achey Sportsman going 20 laps for $1,000 to win and the Savage 61 Roadrunners going 20 laps for $300 to win. The XCEL 600 Modified are also on the card this Friday as an added bonus. A great field of cars is expected for this event, with 2 time defending track champion Craig Von Dohren, Frank Cozze, Stewart Friesen, Duane Howard, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Albert Jr., Dale Hartz, and many more expected to be in attendance looking to take home the top prize. Grandstand admission for this event will be $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for seniors, active military, and students ages 13 to 17 (all with valid ID). Kids 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit participation fees are $30.00 for members and $40.00 for non-members. Remember, bring your wrist band from the last race of the 2013 season and receive $2.00 your grandstand admission. The same tire and racing fuel rules are in effect on this day as they were for Money in the Mountains. Mark it on your calendar now, you won't want to miss it.

Big Diamond Speedway Results - 4/6/2014

Money in the Mountain Big Block/Small Block Challenge Race (40 Laps)

1) Ryan Godown ($7,500) 2) Jeff Strunk 3) Erick Rudolph 4) Keith Hoffman 5) Billy Decker 6) Billy Pauch Sr. 7) Sammy Piazza 8) Pat Ward 9) Matt Sheppard 10) Craig Von Dohren 11) Frank Cozze 12) Meme Desantis 13) Kevin Smith 14) Joe Mooney 15) Shawn Ward 16) Larry Wight 17) Brad Trice 18) Tim Fitzpatrick 19) Billy Pauch Jr. 20) Jared Umbenhauer 21) Randy Chrysler 22) Rick Laubach 23) Kyle Merkel 24) Dan Hineline 25) Kyle Borror 26) Justin Grim

DNQ) Harry Landis, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Dale Hartz, Kevin Albert, Jr., Ron Haring Jr., Heath Metzger, Brett Kressley, Andy Burkhart, Kyle Follweiler, Paul Moyer, Robin Schultz, Charles Fayash

Heat Winners - Rick Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Godown, Kyle Merkel

Lap Leaders - Jeff Strunk (laps 1 thru 9) $135 total, Ryan Godown (laps 10 thru 40) $600 total

Fans of Big Diamond/Dog Pound Hark Luck Award To Non Qualifier - Shawn Fitzpatrick - $750

"Long" Haul Award To Non Qualifier With The Longerst Tow - Heath Metzger - $125

Red, White, and Blue Autos Inc. Modified Hard Luck Award (Feature Cars) - Billy Pauch Jr. - admitted for free the next race.

GME Manufacturing LLC Modified Hard Charger Award - Billy Decker (16th to 5th)- $25 gift certificate for use off a rebuild of a steering gear (any brand)

Jeremy Slifko Fabrication Services Late Model (20 Lap)

1) Sean Merkel 2) Andy Haus 3) Billy Wampler 4) Scott Haus 5) Drew Weiser 6) Grant Adams 7) Steve Nederostek 8) Bryon Sipe 9) Jim O' Hara 10) Jason Smith 11) Devin Frey 12) Danny Snyder

Heat Winners - Sean Merkel, Grant Adams

Savage 61 Roadrunners (20 Laps)

1) Tom Hablett 2) Jeremy Becker 3) Chris Holland 4) Glenn Rowan 5) Joey Brennan 6) Jim Kost 7) Tim Fitzpatrick Jr. 8) Jason Brown 9) Kris Ney 10) Shon Elk 11) Devin Trexler 12) Jared Siegfried 13) Jon Schlauch 14) Jesse Krasnitsky 15) Joe Kavanaugh 16) Terry Kramer Jr. 17) Bruce Ditzler 18) Billy Wingle Jr. 19) Kyle Wingle DNS) TJ Fitzpatrick

Red, White, and Blue Autos Inc. Modified Hard Luck Award (Feature Cars) - Billy Wingle Jr. - admitted for free the next race.