RPW Column: Shawn Fitzpatrick Looking To Be Competitive Again At Big Diamond Speedway
RPW Column By: BRAD KEITSOCK / RPW – BRANCHDALE, PA – Over the last 20+ years the Fitzpatrick name has been synonymous with racing at Minersville Pa’s Big Diamond Speedway.
The trio of Schuylkill County Pa brothers, Shawn, Tim, and TJ Fitzpatrick, have raced in every weekly class and division the speedway had to offer over that time period.
“We’ve raced in every division at Big Diamond over the years, the slide stocks, road runners, pro trucks, street stocks, sportsman modifieds and now the 358 modifieds. I’m pretty sure we’ve won in every division we’ve raced in.” mentioned Schuylkill Haven Pa’s Shawn Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick continues, “I started in 1997 after graduating from college. That was dads rule, no racing till after you graduated from college. It was good advice as I’ve gotten a few more degrees since then.”
Once opening night Friday April 10th gets the green flag on the new season, Fitzpatrick is hoping 2020 will be much better than his 2019 racing season.
“Last year was the worst season I ever had honestly. We were just not competitive at all. It was super frustrating. I do this as a hobby, some people collect stamps, we like to go racing. I’m not a professional driver but I enjoy the sport and enjoy racing against the pros.” explained Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick will find himself behind the wheel of a brand new Bicknell race car for the Friday night racing wars at Big Diamond Speedway this season, and he is hoping the new racing machine is just what he needs to get back racing up front.
“We’ve been working harder than ever to build better equipment for this year. Tim (Fitzpatrick) has been living in the racing shop to but together competitive Bicknell race cars.” offered Fitzpatrick.
“I’ll be racing the new Bicknell car in the 358 modifieds, Tim (Fitzpatrick) will race again in the open sportsman modifieds most nights and TJ (Fitzpatrick) will be back racing in the road runner class this season at Big Diamond. It’s great we all get along and all the cars come out of the same racing shop in Branchdale Pa, right down the road from the race track.” explained Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick continued, “My middle son (Kevin) has raced a slingshot car the past few seasons, he even took the big cars out a time or two last year. He likes racing. But his racing will be put on hold for a bit, as he is going to concentrate playing baseball this summer and the other school sports first, racing can wait.”
“As for my modifiied program, we are waiting for our fresh Morrison engine to get sealed and picked up. While no one likes the cost associated with switching over to just gasoline this year, but I think the change is going to help me. I hated bolting on the extra lead to make weight. I also hated having so much fuel in the tank at the start of the race. I love that we only have to weigh 2275lbs now.” offered Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick is excited and looking forward to a fresh start to kick off the new racing season.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how our new Bicknell car handles on gas. I think its just going to better for us. Jake (Smulley) the track owner, did a great job with putting down the new surface last year and I think its only going to get better.” offered Fitzpatrick.
“We are so proud to represent all of the same sponsors on our #T102 modified, without them this wouldn’t be possible for us, I have to thank them all. Hopefully we will be competitive again, time will tell.” ended Fitzpatrick.
The Fitzpatrick name will race on at the Big Diamond Speedway.
