Alex Yankowski Claims Barnburner at Big Diamond

The modifieds were not originally scheduled this week but Big Diamond added the modifieds as a Covid-19 point race makeup event.  27 modifieds were on the grounds for point race # 6 and another outstanding crowd in the grandstands to witness some great modified racing action.

Alex Yankowski made a low line pass on the last turn of the final lap to take the win over Jordon Henn & Brett Kressley in a dramatic three way dual during the final 3 laps of the feature.

 Jordan Henn and Dan Hineline led the field to green.  The field was quickly under red before lap 1 for contact between Tim Apgar and Corey Merkle who flipped several times on the front street.  Jordan Henn returned to the lead when racing resumed with Kris Graver and Jared Umbenhauer in close pursuit.  3^rd place Jared Umbenhauer drew the first caution of the night when he spun in turn 4 and got a flat tire from contact with a yuke tire and consequently fell from contention for the night.  The second and final caution came out on lap 7 for a broken Frank Yankowski.  After the final restart on lap 7 Henn continued to hold the lead over Brett Kressley, Chris Graver and Alex Yankowski.  On lap 15 Henn, Kressley and Yankowski checked out from the field and setup their 3 way shootout.  On lap 23 Alex Yankowski moved into 2^nd with Kressley dropping to 3^rd but staying in hot pursuit of the leader Henn.   Henn continued to lead as the trio took the white flag for one to go and Yankowski continued to run the low line and on lap 25 Alex Yankowski pulled away from Jordan Henn and Brett Kressley for his first ever win at Big Diamond Speedway with a great 3 way battle in the final 3 laps.

It may have been Alex Yankowski’s first win but he has been knocking on the door with 5^th, 6^th and 2^nd place finishes at Big Diamond in recent weeks.  The win also moved Alex up to 4^th place in the point standings.

Top 10 was rounded out by Jorden Henn, Brett Kressley, Kris Graver, Mike Gular, Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Nick Rochinski, Duane Howard and Craig Von Dorhen. 

Heat race winners were Jared Umbenhauer, Jeff Strunk and Kris Graver.   Kevin Beach won the consolation event.

Modified Pit Notes

Jordan Henn got his best finish for the season with a strong second place finish in only 3 outings this season.  Henn led 24 laps and was one turn away from leading all 25 laps of the feature.

The handicapping continues to give diversity in the top 5 every week.  Instead of having the top five in points each week finishing in the top 5 the handicapping allows for some of the smaller teams to get a shot at pulling off a win.   This week it was Jordan Henn in 2^nd and Kris Graver in 4th with the best finishes of their season thanks to the handicapping system.

Jeff Strunk continues to run consistently in his 4 race in the 15 of Butch Getz.   Strunk has a 2^nd, 8^th, 1^st and 6^th place finishes in the Getz # 15 ride and has put him on top of the point chase with 1,089 points.  Strunk is followed closely by Craig Von Dohren with 1069 and the top 5 is rounded out with Mike Gular, Alex Yankowski and Rick Laubach.

Brett Kressley got his second 3^rd place finish of the season and was in contention for the win.  Kressley has had consistent runs to the front only to have flat tires and bad luck to finish most of his features in the pits.   With a very strong 3^rd place finish tonight it looks as if Kressley may have turned the corner and may soon be getting that first win of 2020.

New Yorker Alan Barker visits Big Diamond every once in a while and always attracts attention when he is on the grounds.  Barker qualified in the heats but couldn’t get any forward movement going and ended up with a 17^th place finish.

Next up for Big Diamond are the Modifieds and a full regular program of racing on Friday July 31 starting @ 7:45 PM.