Reimert Scores First Big Diamond Win of 2026 in Dramatic Fashion; Branch Dale's Fitzpatrick Continues Hot Streak
Sometimes being in the right place at the right time is all it takes.
Defending Big Diamond Speedway 358 Modified champion Louden Reimert of Oley capitalized on late-race misfortune for race leader Rick Laubach to capture his first victory of the 2026 season Friday night during BQ Concrete Night at Big Diamond Speedway.
Although Reimert had been one of the most consistent drivers through the first eight races of the season, he entered the night having officially led just one lap all year. By night's end, he had led the one that mattered most.
Laubach appeared poised for victory after dominating much of the race and holding a comfortable lead entering the final lap. However, as the leaders exited Turn 4, Tim Fitzpatrick's car stepped sideways directly in front of Laubach. With nowhere to go, Laubach made contact, and both cars came to a stop, bringing out a caution and handing the lead to Reimert.
That set up a one-lap shootout between Reimert and Tim Buckwalter. Reimert held off Buckwalter's challenge on the restart to secure his 10th career Big Diamond Speedway victory.
"First and foremost, I have to say that I feel horrible for Rick (Laubach)," Reimert said after the race. "He obviously had the car to beat tonight. But unfortunately, stuff like that happens and we were at the right place at the right time."
The race began with Aleia Geisler taking the early lead before a frightening crash on the opening lap saw Logan Watt tumble wildly in Turn 3. Watt was able to walk away from the accident unharmed.
Following the restart, Laubach quickly moved to the front, passing Cliff Quinn and Geisler before building a sizeable advantage during a lengthy green-flag run. Behind him, Reimert steadily worked his way forward, eventually overtaking Geisler and then engaging in a fierce battle with Buckwalter for second place. Reimert secured the runner-up spot with 10 laps remaining and remained within striking distance until the dramatic finish.
Buckwalter finished second, followed by Geisler. Last week's winner, Jax Yohn, charged from 17th on the starting grid to finish fourth, while Mike Lisowski completed the top five.
The victory also moved Reimert into the championship points lead.
Meanwhile, Branch Dale's Kevin Fitzpatrick continued what has become one of the most impressive stories of the season.
After opening the year with three consecutive victories in the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman division, Fitzpatrick moved up to the USS Achey Inc. Sportsman class and promptly collected another win Friday night. In just his second start in the division, Fitzpatrick grabbed the lead following a lap-one restart and held off repeated challenges from Zach Steffey and Matt Martino to earn his first regular Sportsman victory.
The win marked Fitzpatrick's fourth victory in just five starts this season.
In the Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunner division, Alex Schoffstall of Llewellyn added another milestone to his remarkable career, earning his division-record 40th career victory. Schoffstall battled Joe Bassininsky and Mike Reichert throughout the feature before making the winning pass with three laps remaining.
The Infinite Solutions Group Keystone Sport Compact Series also returned to Big Diamond Speedway for its second appearance of the season. Brian Moyer of Reading claimed the victory after race leader Ian Whitcomb unexpectedly pulled off the track during a late-race stoppage. Moyer held on over the closing laps to finish ahead of Gary Grimm and Andrew Keefer for the win.
358 Modified Finish (25 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Louden Reimert |
| 2 | Tim Buckwalter |
| 3 | Jax Yohn |
| 4 | Cody Manmiller |
| 5 | Mike Lisowski |
| 6 | Brandon Edgar |
| 7 | Aleia Gesiler |
| 8 | Kevin Beach Jr. |
| 9 | Kevin Olenick |
| 10 | Heath Metzger |
| 11 | Cliff Quinn |
| 12 | Mark Gaugler |
| 13 | Hunter Meztger |
| 14 | Rick Laubach |
| 15 | Tim Fitzpatrick |
| 16 | Mike Burrows |
| 17 | Corey Renninger |
| 18 | Wayne Witmer |
| 19 | Logan Watt |
| DNS | Jimmy Leiby |
602 Crate Sportsman Finish (20 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Fitzpatrick |
| 2 | Zach Steffey |
| 3 | Matt Martino |
| 4 | Dakota Kohler |
| 5 | Nick Hamm |
| 6 | Ryan Graver |
| 7 | Brennan Chapman |
| 8 | Mike Schneck Jr. |
| 9 | Trevor Bixler |
| 10 | Ryan Conrad |
| 11 | Tajae Adams |
| 12 | Devin Whitmoyer |
| 13 | Zach Moyer |
| 14 | Tyler Vidal |
| 15 | Jim O’Hara |
| 16 | Mason Harakel |
| 17 | Aaron Weaver |
| 18 | Ed Mrochko |
| 19 | Reice Widger |
| 20 | Mark Behm |
| 21 | Kevin Smith |
| 22 | McKenzi Smith |
| DNS | Dennis Graber |
Roadrunner Finish (20 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Schoffstall |
| 2 | Joe Bassininsky |
| 3 | Mike Reichert |
| 4 | Jarod Bassininsky |
| 5 | Andrew Buchinski |
| 6 | Tod Roth Jr. |
| 7 | Jim Kost |
| 8 | Joey Brennan |
| 9 | TJ Fitzpatrick |
| 10 | Brian Johnson |
| 12 | Eric Bichinski |
Sport Compact Finish (20 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Moyer |
| 2 | Gary Grimm |
| 3 | Andrew Keefer |
| 4 | Nathan Keim |
| 5 | Eric Spangler |
| 6 | Landon Pyle |
| 7 | Rick Jennings |
| 8 | Delanna Rehbein |
| 9 | Josh Bittner |
| 10 | Rob Weil |
| 11 | Ian Whitcomb |
| 12 | Vince Wollyung |
| 13 | Adam Kratzer |
| 14 | Kelly Frantz |
| 15 | Larry Eck |
| 16 | Rob Pyle |