BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY COMMENTS AND NOTES AS TEAMS READY FOR 2009 SEASON

 

Forestville, PA-January 4, 2009-As the annual Big Diamond Raceway awards party concluded the 2008 racing season this past Saturday night, many team's revealed their plans for the upcoming 2009 BDR season. 

2008 Modified Champion Jeff Strunk---Jeff will be behind the wheel of the Vince Gagliardo #41 car for the 2009 season at Big Diamond. "I am excited about 2009 and looking to make it a three peat as track champion. We have a new Teo car that I am preparing and there is a variety of equipment already in the shop that I feel confident I can win with." 

2008 Modified Champion Owner Glenn Hyneman---Keystone Racing will have Billy Pauch returning to the seat of the #126 for 2009 at BDR. " Billy and I will start out the season at BDR, I was looking to a special events type schedule but Billy has his Saturday commitments. I looked at some series and high dollar events and many fall on those Saturday nights. Our only opportunity some weeks will be Friday's at Big Diamond. Last season I had an issue with to many divisions being run at the track, I was very pleased to see the schedule for this season having mostly three division shows."

2008 Sportsman Champion Brad Brightbill--"Currently I will be returning to defend the Sportsman title. I would like to move up to Modifieds if the opportunity presents itself."

Troy Wink---"For 2009 we have all Teo cars with Lombardo motors. Larry Lombardo will be putting a Ford motor together for us and I just picked up a new Teo car that we would like to take to Syracuse at the end of the season."

Duane Howard--"Chad Sinon has us all set with Troyer cars and Main Engines. We will begin the year at Big Diamond, it should be a real competitive place with all of the names you hear coming."

Dan Hineline---"After a tough 2008 I hope to just get a fresh start at Big Diamond. With all the mechanical stuff we went through I really appreciated how I was treated by everyone. I am running the same 2008 Bicknell car with pretty much the same paint scheme. Coming from the New York tracks I was out to lunch on the methanol motor stuff, Carol Hine at Wide Open Technologies was a big help in getting me on track late last season and going in the right direction for 2009."

Earl Paules---"I will be moving up to the 358 Modified class with a new Teo car and Morrison motor."

Doug Manmiller---"Racing for Dick Biever at BDR in 2009 with a Teo car powered by a Kevin Enders motor."

John Willman---"As of right now I have no idea if I will be able to race on Friday's or Saturdays for that matter. I am looking for some sponsorship for my self owned car."

Shawn Fitzpatrick---"I have a brand new Teo frame and the car is being assembled by Jason Bashore at BFP. Shiley Fabrications is building the body and the car will be powered by a Lombardo engine."

Rick Laubach---"Currently I do have something in the works for Big Diamond. It will be a Teo car with most probably a Lombardo motor. We will just have to wait and see if it develops."

HP Motorsports---"Ryan Watt will return as the driver. The two Bicknell cars and Wide Open motors are being redone."(Eric and Jason Hernley are the grandsons of iconic BDR car owner Fran Purcell who passed away this off season and will run the #6 team in 2009.)

Kyle Weiss--- "I have a Teo car that will race in the 358 Modified class this year. The car will be in the RAACE Foundation booth at Motorsports in Atlantic City as well as BDR sportsman driver and teammate Daryl Dissengers X5 car."

Josh Biever---"The 2009 Sportsman season will be my final year in racing unless I win 25 out of 20 races with my wife's blessing. My oldest son will be racing 1/4 midgets and I don't want my racing to take away from his racing and other family stuff as the years go on. Many have to remember that racing is a privilege and I honestly mean that."