“North vs. South” Tuesday In ‘Anthracite Assault’ At Big Diamond

Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – MINERSVILLE, PA – It’s North vs. South Tuesday night, June 6, at Big Diamond Speedway. Who will prevail?

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP invades the Coal Region of Pennsylvania for the annual ‘Anthracite Assault’ pitting the Halmar International North Region stars vs. the Velocita USA South Region talent in a 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified showdown paying $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag. This is the series’ only combination event of the season.

Both the STSS North and South regions have completed two points-paying events in 2017.

In the North Region, previous champions Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., and Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., are tied for the point lead with 190 markers. Ranking high in the North brigade are Anthony Perrego, Billy Decker, first-year series traveler Jeremy Smith, Tommy Meier, Jerry Higbie, Brian Krummel, Nick Nye, Matt DeLorenzo, Danny Creeden and Craig Hanson.

From the South, Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., sits at the head of the class, leading David Van Horn Jr., Duane Howard, Ryan Watt, Friesen, Billy Pauch Sr., Jordan Watson, Ryan Godown, Bachetti, Tyler Dipple, Brett Kressley and Richie Pratt Jr.

Tough speedway regulars, led by Craig Von Dohren, Billy Pauch Jr. and Rick Laubach, look to defend their turf against the series regulars and some expected invaders including Matt Sheppard in the Sweeteners Plus-backed No. 92s and Hall of Fame driver Frank Cozze aboard the Dave Renaldo No. 401.

During the last two seasons, the “south” has risen. In 2016, Boyertown, Pa., driver Watt held off the advances of Friesen to take home the $5,000-plus top prize. A year prior (’15), Hellertown, Pa., native Rick Laubach kept Friesen at bay for the win.

STSS Sportsman battle 25 laps in Round No. 2 of the series for a $1,000 payday and Big Diamond’s full-fender Roadrunners take part in a points-paying main event on the docket, as well.

Unique to this event, Modifieds will utilize sail panels for the ‘Anthracite Assault’ – the only time all season at the three-eighths-mile oval.

Rules, prices, times and general information for the ‘Anthracite Assault’ have been posted on the STSS website: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/anthracite-assault-rules-prices-general-info/

Big Diamond Speedway is a three-eighths-mile clay oval located in Minersville, Pa., just miles from Pottsville. The facility offers free parking, state-of-the-art concession areas and restrooms and not a “bad seat” in the house, with hillside grandstands overlooking the on-track action. The speedway GPS address is 392 Forest Lane Pottsville, PA 17901. The official website is www.bigdspeedway.com.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.

The 2017 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Keizer Wheels, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Velocita, Weld & Wilwood.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Schedule

Halmar International North Region

Saturday, April 8 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. ‘Hard Clay Open’ – WINNER: ANDY BACHETTI

Sunday, May 28 – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, N.Y. – ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ – WINNER: ANTHONY PERREGO

Tuesday, June 6 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – COMBO (Rain Date: TBA)

Wednesday, June 21 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – ‘Afton Action 50’ (Rain Date: June 22)

Monday, July 3 – Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. – ‘Battle of the Bullring 5’ (Rain Date: July 4) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT

Tuesday, August 15 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, N.Y. – Recovery Sports Grill Stampede ‘toga (Rain Date: August 16)

Tuesday, August 22 – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, N.Y. – ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 53’ (Rain Date: August 23) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT

Saturday, October 7 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 10 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. (Rain Date: October 8)

Thursday, October 19 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Behrent’s Performance Warehouse ‘Hard Clay Finale’ at Eastern States Weekend (Rain Date: October 20) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Velocita South Region

Saturday, March 11 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown Del. – Melvin L. Joseph Memorial – WINNER: JIMMY HORTON

Sunday, April 23 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Five-Eighths-Mile) – South Jersey Shootout (Rain Date: April 30) – WINNER: STEWART FRIESEN

Tuesday, June 6 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – COMBO (Rain Date: TBA)

Thursday, June 15 – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, Del. – Diamond State 50 (Rain Date: TBA) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT

Sunday, July 30 – Susquehanna Speedway/Newberrytown, Pa. – York County Nationals $10,000 to win (Rain Date: TBA)

Tuesday, August 29 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Blast at the Beach 4 (Rain Date: August 30)

Saturday, September 30 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Three-Eighths-Mile) – Dirty Jersey (Rain Date: October 1)

Friday-Saturday, October 27-28 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Mid-Atlantic Championship (Rain Date: Oct. 29) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS