Story By: BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY – MINERSVILLE, PA – This Tuesday, June 4th, the Super DIRTcar Series returns to coal country for the third consecutive year as Jake and Jasmine Smulley present the Anthracite Assault. That’s right, the cars and stars of the 2024 Super DIRTcar series visit Big Diamond Speedway to display their talents.
This year, the Anthracite Assault will pay $10,000 to win the 75-lap race which means that the winner will receive a guaranteed starting spot in October’s 200-lap Super Dirt Week finale at the Oswego Speedway.
So far in 2024 there have been two SDS races ran with wins going to Anthony Perrego and Mat Williamson, but it is Peter Britten who leads the SDS point race by a mere three points over Perrego with Williamson, Matt Sheppard and Jimmy Phelps the top five.
Anthony Perrego is the defending winner of the Anthracite Assault and has shown a penchant for winning big money races at Big Diamond. Last season, it was Perrego who won the $10,000 Prelude to the Coalcracker and this year Perrego also walked away with the $10,000 after winning the Money in the Mountains race in April. Perrego has to be considered one of the favorites.
But never to be counted out, is Matt Sheppard who won the 2022 Anthracite Assault race. Sheppard is also a previous winner of the Coalcracker 72 and knows how to get around Big Diamond Speedway. The other half of the Matt and Mat duo is Mat Williamson who despite not having won at Big Diamond must be considered a favorite aboard the Buzz Chew Racing No. 88, Williamson has improved each time he has raced at Big Diamond and had a strong third place finish last year.
Other SDS contracted drivers expected to be a part of the action on Tuesday are SDS points leader Peter Britten, Darren Smith, Alex Payne, Larry Wight, Jimmy Phelps, Tim Sears Jr, Mike Mahaney and a host of others.
If you are looking for some local flavor to be a part of the field for the Anthracite Assault, you look no further than Louden Reimert. Reimert who won last season’s Coalcracker 72 will be aboard the Don Grebe No. 33 and already has a top ten this year from the SDS race at New Egypt and could be a factor Tuesday night. Current Quandel Concrete modified points leader Mike Gular has confirmed that will be bringing the Terry Fastnacht owned No. 2A for the Anthracite Assault and with Gular’s experience at Big Diamond, he can never be counted out as a favorite.
Former Big Diamond Speedway track champions Billy Pauch Jr and Ryan Godown are expected to compete on Tuesday. Pauch Jr will be driving the George Shakleton owned No. 101 with Godown aboard his familiar No. 26.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen has indicated he will be bringing the Halmar International No. 44 to compete on Tuesday night. Also expected Tuesday night is previous Coalcracker 72 winner Alex Yankowski driving his No. 84Y.
The rain date for this race is Thursday, June 6th.
Also competing on Tuesday night will be the always thrilling XCEL 600 Modifieds.
Pit gates will open Tuesday at 4:00 PM with the Grandstand gate opening at 4:00 PM also.
Pit passes are $45 for everyone.
Hot laps will get underway at 6:45 PM with racing to follow.
General admission is $35, Kids 6-11 are $10 with kids under 6 free.