News Director 
Story By: SHAWN WOOD / BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY – FORESTVILLE, PA – On the heals of a successful night of open-wheel racing from the United Racing Company sprint cars who went wingless for the first time ever at Big Diamond Speedway a few weeks ago, the wingless American Racing Drivers Club midgets will make the first of two appearances this year on Friday night.
This past Friday night Big Diamond was able to get most of the show in before the rains came just after qualifying had ended. With that, U.S.S. Achey sportsman will made up their feature on Friday in addition to their regularly schedule event. Also in action on Friday will be the Savage 61 roadrunners, No Sweat Service Group street stocks and the vintage cars.
The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with racing getting underway at 8:15. Admission for the event is $13; seniors $11, and kids 12-and-under and active military with a valid ID are free.
The postponed Steel & Metal Service Centers 358 modified feature will be made up on June 9. Last week was the third straight night in which there were 30 or more 358 modifieds signed into the pits.
In two races last year at the track for ARDC, Brenden Bright topped his brother Alex in the July race while Brett Arndt made a last-lap pass of Trevor Kobylarz for the win on May 20.
This year, like most traveling series based on the east coast, ARDC has been plagued by rain as the club has raced just twice; April 29 at Susquehanna Speedway where Trevor Kobylarz won the feature and April 1 at Linda’s Speedway where A. Bright took home the win.
A. Bright, the current points leader is sitting on 19 career ARDC midgets wins. His next win will make him the 22nd person in club history to score 20 or more feature wins.
“I’m looking forward to racing at Big Diamond,” A. Bright said. “We always run up front there and we are looking forward to putting on another great show for the fans.”
ARDC was formed in 1939 in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, six years after the National Football League Philadelphia Eagles were formed in the same part of the city. The club held is first race in 1940 and ARDC is the second oldest midget club in the world.
Mario Andretti, the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner, made his mark with the club before gaining fame at Indianapolis. Other notables national midget drivers who raced with ARDC include Ron ‘Sleepy’ Trip, Pancho Carter and Mel Kenyon to name a few.
ARDC will return for their second date on July 21.
The twice postponed Money in the Mountains big block/small block combination show will take place on Friday, May 26 which will bring the Month of May to a close.
The 40-lap feature pays $6,000 to win, $400 to take the green and the winner of the event earns a guaranteed starting spot in the June 6 Short Track Super Series event, a $500 value.
For racers, here is the technical information for the Money In The Mountains Race:
Weights:
PA/NJ/ Spec Head Small-Block On Gas (Grandview, NES, Big Diamond sealed ONLY): 2,275 lbs.
PA/NJ/ Spec Head Small-Block On Methanol (Grandview, NES, Big Diamond sealed ONLY): 2,350 lbs.
Open Small-Block (Max. 363 c.i.): 2,400 lbs.
Big-Block (Max. 477 c.i.): 2,500 lbs.
Delaware Big-Block (Over 477 c.i.): 2,600 lbs.
*Track scale is official.
*No aluminum block engines.
*No sail panels.
*40 laps, $6,000 to win, $400 green.
*Draw for position.
*24 cars to start the feature
*Feature winner will also receive a guaranteed starting spot for the STSS event on June 6.
*25 point show up bonus for all cars signed in.
Updated Big Diamond Schedule
Friday, May 19
ARDC Midgets, sportsman, roadrunners, street stocks, vintages cars plus sportsman feature from 5/12
Friday, May 26 Money in the Mountains (ppd from April 18)
Slifko Service Center Night/Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial.
Big Block/Small Block Challenge, 40 lap, $6,000 sportsman, roadrunners, street stocks
Friday, June 2
U.S.S. Achey Night
Mid-Atlantic Sprint Car Series, sportsman, roadrunners, street stocks, vintage cars and Enduro Dash (from 5/12)
Tuesday, June 6 Short Track Super Series (Rain date is 6-20).
Modified 50, $5,000 to win, sportsman, roadrunners (Rain date is 6-20)
Friday, June 9
Savage 61 Night
Roadrunner Back Yard Brawl 25, $661 to win, 358 modifieds, sportsman, street stocks plus 358 modified feature from May 12.
