(June 4, 2024) Pottsville, PA – Stewart Friesen seized a crucial victory at Big Diamond Speedway, securing the first guaranteed spot for Super DIRT Week 52. Friesen overtook Anthony Perrego on Lap 33 and led the final 42 laps to claim the Anthracite Assault, his 45th Super DIRTcar Series win, and a $10,000 prize.
“This win is big,” Friesen said. “Super DIRT Week is a tough, grueling event. Having a guaranteed spot is a great relief, especially if something goes wrong.”
Race Recap
Perrego, starting from the pole, quickly took the lead with Matt Sheppard close behind. An early caution on Lap 11 for Ken Eckert Jr. and Marcus Dinkins briefly interrupted the race. On the restart, Friesen, who started sixth, began his charge through the field, passing Louden Reimert and closing in on Sheppard.
Another caution on Lap 17 for Eckert hitting an implement tire provided an opportunity. When racing resumed, Sheppard briefly took the lead from Perrego, but the move was negated by a caution for Billy Pauch Jr. on Lap 21.
On the next restart, Friesen capitalized, passing Sheppard and then using the low line to overtake Perrego on Lap 33. Friesen maintained his lead for the rest of the race, becoming the fifth different winner in five Series races at Big Diamond.
Friesen credited his team’s preparation and strategy. “We had to be patient and made the right moves,” he said. “The car was fast right from the start, and the changes we made for the Feature worked perfectly.”
Post-Race Reactions
Perrego, who finished second, praised the track but noted the changing conditions. “The track was different tonight with some brown spots. We’ll adjust and come back stronger tomorrow,” he said.
Sheppard, who finished third, struggled to pass Perrego. “I tried everything to get by him but couldn’t make it stick,” Sheppard said. “We’ll take third and prepare for the next race.”
Mat Williamson finished fourth, and Ryan Godown rounded out the top five, both earning their second consecutive top-five finishes in the Series.
Looking Ahead
The Super DIRTcar Series continues on Wednesday, June 5, at Selinsgrove Speedway for the Sand Hill 75, with another guaranteed spot in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 and a $10,000 prize on the line.
Fans can catch all the action live on DIRTVision.
Feature Results (75 Laps)
Anthracite Assault 75
- Stewart Friesen [5]
- Anthony Perrego [1]
- Matt Sheppard [2]
- Mat Williamson [9]
- Ryan Godown [6]
- Louden Reimert [3]
- Jimmy Phelps [8]
- Peter Britten [4]
- Erick Rudolph [7]
- Larry Wight [19]
- Mike Gular [14]
- Tim Sears Jr [10]
- Matthew Stangle [15]
- Darren Smith [16]
- Jack Lehner [11]
- Mike Mahaney [24]
- Felix Roy [25]
- Alex Payne [20]
- Rich Scagliotta [18]
- Alex Yankowski [21]
- Justin Stone [17]
- Matt Caprara [28]
- Daniel Johnson [13]
- Danny Johnson [23]
- Michael Trautschold [26]
- (DNF) Billy Pauch Jr [12]
- (DNF) Ken Eckert [22]
- (DNF) Marcus Dinkins [27]
