“Money In The Mountains” $10K-To-Win This Friday At Big Diamond Speedway

Story By: KENNETH BRUCE / BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY – MINERSVILLE, PA – Fire Management and Control of Pennsylvania, Inc has signed on as the presenting sponsor for this year’s “Money in the Mountains” race scheduled to take place Friday May 31st 19th at the Big Diamond Speedway.

The company is owned by Walter Yankowski and the Yankowski family and has been part of the racing scene for many years. The company was founded in 1998 by Walter and proudly serves the state of Pennsylvania with their main office located in Jermyn, PA and with a satellite office in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fire Management and Control of Pennsylvania specializes in multi-family residential restoration and even though the name says Fire Management and Control, the company does a lot of actual construction with a focus on multi-family high rises. The company also does quite a bit of work for municipalities throughout PA. The focus of the company is cleaning up after fire or storm damage, but they also do the reconstruction afterwards. The company has also branched out to do straight construction for their customers as well.

The Yankowski family has always liked racing at Big Diamond with Alex Yankowski’s older brother Stephen having actually raced the 2008 season at the track. The track has always been a favorite of the family and when Alex was ready to race, he knew Big Diamond Speedway was the place he wanted to be. The Yankowski’s are well represented at the speedway with Alex’s cousin Frank Yankowski also racing weekly.

“Big Diamond Speedway is a great facility and a great place to race”, commented Steve Yankowski. “Alex couldn’t wait to race there and when he won his first race there last year in the Sportsman, I tell you it couldn’t have been scripted any better. Like I said, it is a great speedway and is run excellent and I see us racing here for many more years to come. The track is for the racer. If you race a modified there and finish decent consistently it is very cost effective with the payouts the Smulley’s offer. Our company is proud to be a part of a great track and to sponsor this year’s Money in the Mountains race.”

The payout for this year’s MITM race will feature a winner’s share of $10,000 which is the biggest payout ever for this annual event. With the increased purse being offered, the race is sure to draw some of the biggest modified names in the area all looking to steal the home track regular’s money.

Friday’s running of the MITM race will mark the seventh year the race has been run with all formers winners of the race looking forward to adding to their legacy of winning. The only two-time winner of the event Ryan Watt will be in attendance in the Roberts Racing No. 14W with intentions of becoming the only three-time winner. Other former winners of the MITM race are Jeff Strunk (2013}, Ryan Godown (2014), Rick Laubach (2016) and Duane Howard (2018}.

Outsiders expected to invade the speedway on Friday looking for the big payout are last year’s runner-up Jimmy Horton on the Halmar No. 43. Danny Bouc in the Craig & Leslie Pondish No. 6, Anthony Perrego driving the Gary Simpson No. 12, David VanHorn in the Vahlsing No. 323, Mike Gular in the Fanascht Racing No. 2, Billy Van Pelt and “The Handler” Doug Manmiller in the No. 44.

The invaders will have their hands full with the track regulars led by all-time feature winner and last week’s opening night winner Craig Von Dohren along with drivers such as rookie Alex Yankowski, Frank Yankowski, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch Jr, Kevin Beach Jr, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Jared Umbenhauer, Matt Stangle, Ryan Krachun, Brett Kressley, Andy Burkhardt along with a host of others that call the speedway their Friday night home for racing.

The Modfieds will follow the rules of the Short Track Super Series for this year’s race with No Sail Panels. All cars will draw for starting spots with 24 cars making the main event. The race will run over a distance of 50-laps with a fuel stop at lap 30. No adjustments can be made during the fuel stop besides fuel and tire pressure. The winner of the race will also receive a guaranteed starting spot in next Tuesday’s (June 4th) STSS “Anthracite Assault”.

Also, on the racing docket for the night will be the USS Achey Sportsman, the Savage 61 Road Runners, the Eash’s Towing & Recovery Street Stocks and the Central PA Legend cars.

Gates will open at 5:30pm with warm-ups starting promptly at 7:15pm. The night’s racing will start at 7:45pm.

General admission will be $30. Students 13-16 (proof of age required) are $20. Kids 11-12 (proof of age required) are $10 with kids 10 and under being admitted free. Active military are also free with valid ID.