USAC East Coast

A damp and dreary night in Minersville brought 20 cars pit side to tackle the tricky 3/8-mile oval of Big Diamond Speedway. Joe Kata and Steven Drevicki picked up heat race victories before Bridgeton, New Jersey’s Kyle Spence drew the pole position alongside Kata for the 25-lap feature event. The racing surface proved challenging all night long, featuring a slick bottom groove paired with a very healthy curb around the speedway. At the drop of the green flag, Spence showed the way over Kata and Drevicki as the field searched for grip around the Minersville oval. On lap six, Kata’s strong run came to an abrupt end in turn four when the JKR No. 10 bicycle-flipped and capsized, bringing out the caution flag. The ensuing restart brought complete pandemonium exiting turn four. Kenny Miller III struck an infield tire and turned over, collecting Ed Aikin, who was also sent upside down in the incident. Blaine Emery, who had been enjoying a strong top-five run, along with Ronald Helmick and several others, were eliminated from contention. Lap six completely changed the complexion of the race. Christian Bruno had actually worked his way past Spence prior to the caution, but the pass was negated by the yellow flag. When racing resumed, Spence led the field back to green, but Bruno knew he had a car capable of getting the job done. Bruno officially snagged the lead on lap eight with a thrilling high-to-low move coming out of turn four. From there, Steven Drevicki began reeling the leader in, applying heavy pressure during the closing laps while Spence kept himself firmly in contention in third. Meanwhile, Olivia Thayer continued her impressive drive through the field, working past Bruce Buckwalter Jr. with slight contact as she charged toward a top-five finish. In traffic, Drevicki made one final attempt at Bruno with two laps remaining, but it was not enough. Bruno held strong to claim the victory at Big Diamond Speedway. The CNC Landscaping Hard Charger Award went to Matthew Swift, who advanced from 17th to 7th. Ronald Helmick received the Hoosier Tire Poker Chip Award, while Blaine Emery earned the Hard Luck Award. Steven Drevicki captured the Bittner Automotive Fast Time Award, and picked up the Hot Lap Fast Time honors. Feature Finish: 1. Christian Bruno (Started 5th, Finished 1st) 2. Steven Drevicki (Started 3rd, Finished 2nd)I 3. Kyle Spence (Started 1st, Finished 3rd) 4. Olivia Thayer (Started 10th, Finished 4th) 5. Stan Ploski III (Started 14th, Finished 5th) 6. Joey Crilly (Started 13th, Finished 6th) 7. Matthew Swift (Started 17th, Finished 7th) 8. Greg Shepsis (Started 18th, Finished 8th) 9. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. (Started 7th, Finished 9th) 10. Scott Frack (Started 9th, Finished 10th) 11. Jakob Stitzel (Started 12th, Finished 11th) 12. Kenny Miller III (Started 8th, Finished 12th) 13. Blaine Emery (Started 4th, Finished 13th) 14. Ronald Helmick (Started 6th, Finished 14th) 15. Ed Aikin (Started 11th, Finished 15th) 16. Joe Kata (Started 2nd, Finished 16th) 17. Larry McVay (Started 19th, Finished 17th) 18. Shane Braxton (Started 16th, Finished 18th) 19. Brett Rose (Started 15th, Finished 19th) DNS: Dan Malley STEVE Koletar photo:

TODAY's EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED. All events scheduled at the Bridgeport Speedway for 5/23/26 are canceled due to cold temps, wet grounds, and rainy forecast. See everyone Next Saturday 5/30/26 at Selinsgrove Speedway

Christian Bruno is your winner tonight at Big Diamond 🏁

Tonight’s Feature Lineup at Big Diamond Speedway 🏁

Steve Drevicki is your Winner of Heat #2 🏁

Joe Kata is your Winner of Heat #1 🏁

Heat #2 for tonight

Hear #1 for tonight

20 cars here tonight @BigDSpeed

USAC East Coast Mourns the Loss of Melissa Cherry The USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series is saddened to hear of the passing of Melissa, the beloved wife of series regular Jason Cherry and his vibrant No. 67 team. Melissa was known for her glowing smile, kind heart, and unwavering support of everyone around her. They say behind every great man is a great woman, and Jason was truly blessed to have Melissa by his side. Melissa loved traveling to the races and supporting not only her husband and beloved animals, but so many racers and friends throughout the pit area. No matter where she was, she always made time to greet those around her and share her warmth with everyone she met. Please keep Jason Cherry, the Cherry family, and all who knew and loved Melissa in your thoughts and prayers as we race on in her memory. Rest in Peace, Melissa. Thank you for the memories

The USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms are set to return to action this weekend with a traditional doubleheader featuring stops at Big Diamond Speedway on Friday night and Bridgeport Motorsports Park on Saturday evening. After a four-week break from competition, the series heads to Schuylkill County Friday night for “Friday Night Lights” at Big Diamond. Known for its scenic valley backdrop, tight corners, and weekly Friday night tradition dating back to 1972, the famed dirt oval will host the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars alongside Modifieds and Sportsman competition beginning at 7:30 PM. Past USAC East Coast winners at Big Diamond include Kenny Miller III, Steven Drevicki, Alex Bright, and Briggs Danner. One driver to watch this weekend is Chris Allen Jr., who is set to make his season debut. Allen Jr. turned heads at Big Diamond last season after putting the No. 71 machine out front for much of the event before eventually being overtaken late by Danner in a thrilling finish. Ed Aikin is also looking for a strong weekend performance, while both Kyle Spence and Christian Bruno will aim to carry momentum from their solid runs at Bedford into the demanding two-race weekend. Saturday night, the series heads south to Bridgeport Motorsports Park in New Jersey following an exciting season opener earlier this year that saw 32 cars attempt to qualify for the A-Main. Fans witnessed intense side-by-side racing throughout the night, including a late-race charge by Olivia Thayer that earned her the C&C Landscape Hard Charger award. Miller will look to improve on his runner-up finish while Drevicki searches for his first victory of the 2026 campaign. Racing action at Bridgeport Motorsports Park gets underway at 6:00 PM Saturday evening. Who will come out victorious this weekend? Is there anyone who can sweep the weekend? With two vastly different racetracks and one of the strongest fields assembled so far this season, consistency may be just as important as outright speed. It’s a classic wingless sprint car doubleheader weekend: * Friday, May 22 — Big Diamond Speedway — 7:30 PM * Saturday, May 23 — Bridgeport Motorsports Park — 6:00 PM Fans unable to attend can catch both nights of racing live on DTDTV app. Steve Koletar photo:

Double Header Weekend ahead!!! Friday. We will be at @BigDSpeed and Saturday we will return to @bridgeportspeed!!!

11 days until we are back on the track!!! Are you ready?!

🚨Breaking News: 🚨 USAC East Coast to Join High Limit Sprint at Port Royal Speedway After rain wiped out the first scheduled appearance at Port Royal, officials from the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars and Port Royal Speedway went to work searching for another opportunity to bring wingless sprint car racing back to The Speed Palace. With support from Aw Shucks Roasted Corn and a few key phone calls, a new date is officially locked in. Sunday, July 26th, the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms will join the @HighLimitRacing at @PortRoyalSpdway for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest sprint car events of the summer. Winged stars and wingless warriors sharing the same stage under the lights at Port Royal creates a must-see night for race fans across Pennsylvania and beyond. A huge part of making this event possible is Aw Shucks Roasted Corn, a family-owned business based in Allentown that has become a fan favorite throughout the Lehigh Valley since 1998. Known for their roasted super sweet corn brushed with butter and topped with their famous secret southwest spice blend and parmesan cheese, Aw Shucks has built a reputation for serving one of the most unique and recognizable food experiences at events across the region. Their mission remains simple: provide and serve the best and highest quality piece of corn on the planet while supporting their customers, community, staff, and vendors every step of the way. And remember — all you have to say is: “Give me an Aw Shucks!” Fans unable to attend can catch the action live on FloRacing, but there is nothing like experiencing a premier sprint car show live from the grandstands at Port Royal Speedway Trackside Media. Steve Koletar Photo:

Race Teams: With the short time off we have here, please head to MyRacePass and update your team profiles. Keeping your profiles updated helps with points, sign-ins, and making sure all your information is correct throughout the season. Thank you!

A Team Owners coveted bonus has rolled back into the pits for 2026! There are a few simple things that hit just right after a long night at the track: topping off the tow rig and grabbing a solid bite before heading home. Downs Automotive, Inc. has brought back the $100 Wawa gift card, and if you’ve been around this series, you already know—it’s one of the most talked-about contingencies in the pits. Here’s the twist that keeps everyone on their toes: every feature starter has a shot. At the end of the night, one lucky driver gets picked at random. No finishing position needed, no strategy involved—just pure chance and a little extra excitement at the payout van! Backed by a shop known for honest work and quality repairs, Downs Automotive continues to show what it means to support sprint car racing in a big way! Downs Automotive is located in Georgetown DE. And you can follow them on Facebook! With just 18 days until the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms fire back up on Friday, May 22nd, at the Big Diamond Speedway, the countdown is on. When you see the names supporting the series—on the cars, the banners, and moments like this—make sure to return the favor. That’s what keeps nights like these alive and thriving.

Mother Nature Throws the Red at Port Royal for Can-Am Night Crews were dialed in, drivers were locked in, and the momentum from a strong Friday at Bedford Speedway had the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars rolling full throttle into Saturday. Fresh off grabbing his first win of the 2026 season on Malley Pool Water night, Kenny Miller III had the target squarely on his back. The pit area buzzed with anticipation for Can-Am Night at Port Royal Speedway. Then the skies stepped in. Word spread quickly through the pits—Mother Nature wasn’t going to cooperate. With weather closing in, Port Royal officials were left with no choice but to pull the plug before cars ever got the chance to fire. A tough break, especially with the energy building after a great start to 2026. Two races into the season, the championship picture is already tightening up. Miller sits on top of the standings, but Steven Drevicki and Christian Bruno are right there, keeping the pressure on with every lap. Next up, the series regroups for a doubleheader weekend—first stop at Big Diamond Speedway on May 22nd, then it’s off to Bridgeport Speedway, a track that’s already delivered some edge-of-your-seat action for the wingless warriors this season. Stay tuned—more updates, stories, and behind-the-scenes looks will roll out over the break on social and the official site.

Miller III Benefits at Bedford News Date: 4/25/2026 | Submitted: 4/25/2026 Kurt Bettler: Friday night at Bedford Speedway saw Kenny Miller III capitalize when it mattered most, picking up the Malley Pool Water victory in dramatic fashion. A field of 21 cars signed in for the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars presented by Baer Den Farms and a special sponsor with Malley Pool Water putting $100 extra into all the drivers envelopes at the end of the night! With heat race wins going to Miller III, Ed Aikin, and Kyle Spence. Following the redraw, Joe Kata and Spence led the field to the green flag. At the start, Spence established himself as an early contender, working the outside groove to take the lead over Kata. Briggs Danner, starting ninth after his win the previous weekend at Bridgeport, advanced quickly through the field. A caution on lap two reset the pace, and by lap five Danner had closed in on the leader. Utilizing the outside lane, he moved past Spence to take control of the race. Christian Bruno advanced from seventh to third in the early stages, while Miller worked forward into second position by lap 12. Danner appeared firmly in command, navigating traffic effectively and extending his advantage to over six seconds. On the final lap, while negotiating lapped traffic on the frontstretch, Danner made contact with a slower car and flipped big time into turn 1 bringing out the red flag and ending his bid for the win. He exited the car under his own power. The incident set up a green-white-checkered finish, with Miller, Bruno, Spence, and Steven Drevicki contending for the victory. On the restart, Miller utilized the outside line while Bruno advanced on the bottom. The two ran side-by-side to the white flag, with Spence and Drevicki battling for third behind them. In the final set of corners, Bruno drew even, but Miller maintained enough momentum to edge ahead at the line. Miller secured the victory over Bruno, followed by Spence and Drevicki, with Kata completing the top five. MALLEY POOL WATER FEATURE FINISH:1. KENNY MILLER III (5) 2. Christian Bruno (7) 3. Kyle Spence (2) 4. Steven Drevicki (6) 5. Joe Kata (2) 6. Ed Aikin (4) 7. Ronald Helmick (8) 8. Blaine Emery (4) 9. Bruce Buckwalter (13) 10. Olivia Thayer (11) 11. Jake Galloway (14) 12. Jakob Stizel (20) 13. Scott Frack (10) 14. Brett Rose (17) 15. Jason Cherry (15) 16. Briggs Danner (9) 17. Dan Malley (18) 18. Shane Braxton (12) 19. Anthony Fascone Jr. (19) 20. Larry VcVay (16) DNS: Brendan Hires (N/T) Lap Leaders: Kyle Spence 1-4 Briggs Danner 5-23 Kenny Miller III 24-25 E Schneider and Sons Heat 1: KENNY MILLER III (MILLER 23M) 2. Briggs Danner (Hogue 39) 3. Ronald Helmick (Helmick 22r) 4. Scott Frack (Frack 39X) 5. Bruce Buckwalter (Buckwalter 83) 6. Larry VcVay (Kelly 51) 7. Dan Malley ( Malley (H20) BDB Graphics Heat 2: 1. ED AIKIN (AIKIN/BUTLER 7) 2. Blaine Emery (Emery 12) 3. Joe Kata (Kata 10) 4. Olivia Thayer (Thayer 39T) 5. Jake Galloway (Galloway 27g) 6. Brett Rose (Rose Bros 45R) 7. Brendan Hires (Danner 2) Malley Pool Water Heat 3: 1.KYLE SPENCE (Fraker 42) 2. Steven Drevicki (Drevicki 19) 3. Christian Bruno (Franckowiak 3BC) 4. Shane Braxton (Braxton 35) 5. Jason Cherry (Cherry 67) 6. Jakob Stitzel (Stitzel 2k) 7. Anthony Foscone Jr (Foscone 14) Notes: Brendan Hires lost a motor charging from the back to 2nd in his heat on the last lap A USAC East Coast Series Record 21 Cars at Bedford, the series high was 16 in years past Hoosier Tire Poker Chip: Steven Drevicki C&C Hard Charger: Jakob Stitzel +7 JPA Racing Products Hard Luck: Brendan Hires Bitner Fast Time: Briggs Danner Radical Race Wear Hotlap Hero: Briggs Danner Series Returns at Big Diamond in Minersville Pa on May 22nd STEVE KOLETAR PHOTOS

Kenny Miller III is your Feature Winner tonight @BedfordSpeedway 🏁 Bruno, Spence, Drevicki, & Kata finish out your top 5!

Heat winners: Kenny Miller III Ed Aikin Kyle Spence