Festivities continue at the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, as many of the stars and cars of Big Diamond Speedway greet area racing fans.
Tonight there will be many activities on tap, including driver interviews, the presentation of the best-of-show award to the winning race car, and a two-man tire changing contest.
The Schuylkill County track is slated to open with a practice session on Friday night, April 1. Competitive racing is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, at 5 p.m. for the small block modifieds, sportsman and roadrunners.
Although area tracks have races scheduled for this coming weekend, boat racing may be more likely than the four-wheeled variety.
Lincoln Speedway kicked off the 2011 northeast racing season last Saturday afternoon with a 410 sprint car and thundercar doubleheader. Three-time track champion, Brian Montieth scored the $3,500 sprint car feature victory, his 21st career Lincoln feature event win. Montieth started on the pole of the 30-lap feature and led every circuit, fending off challenges from Darryn Pittman in the closing laps.
Lincoln looks to open its gates again Saturday for an open wheel doubleheader of 410 sprint cars and 358 sprint cars at noon.
Selinsgrove Speedway is looking to kick off its 66th season the season opener on Sunday with the 410 sprint cars and pro stocks. Gates are to open at noon Sunday, weather permitting.
Officials at Selinsgrove Speedway and the Race of Champions offices are optimistically anticipating a record field of cars for next weekend's fourth annual Icebreaker show, which is the first dirt modified show in the Northeast for the season.
Pat Ward and Matt Sheppard, Friday and Saturday night winners in 2010, respectively, are expected to return to defend their crowns.
(Kaminski covers auto racing for The News-Item)