Watt Breaks Through for First Win of Season as Kost Completes Remarkable Comeback at Big Diamond Speedway
After several weeks of frustration and near-misses, Logan Watt finally found his way to Victory Lane Friday night at Big Diamond Speedway, capturing his first victory of the season in the featured BQ Concrete 358 Modified race during Foran’s Transmission and Auto Repair Night.
“I didn’t think I’d ever reach Victory Lane the way my luck has been going, but everyone works so hard on this car and over the winter we all put our blood, sweat and tears and everything we had into it and I am super thankful for everything they all did for me this year,” said Watt, driver of the Fitzpatrick-owned No. EZ4.
The 25-lap feature was completed caution-free at a blistering pace.
Corey Renninger jumped to the early lead while Watt, who started fifth, quickly moved into third behind Kevin Olenick by lap three. Watt and Olenick raced closely until Watt secured second place on lap six and began closing on Renninger.
Renninger maintained command through the early stages, but Watt finally made the winning pass at the halfway mark.
“He had a fast car for sure and when you’re in clean air like that you can definitely set your own pace and it was very challenging to get around him and he was trying everything he could to hold the lead,” Watt said.
Once in front, Watt steadily increased his advantage and cruised to a much-needed victory. Olenick followed him across the finish line for a season-best second-place finish, while Renninger held on for third and recorded his first top-five finish in some time. Rick Laubach finished fourth and Wayne Witmer completed the top five.
“I knew we had a fast piece every week and it’s been a matter of trying to be consistent. We took a little rumble and roll two weeks ago and then last week we were leading the race and the left front locked up and finally we got in a full night,” Watt said.
“What a great group of people to be with and to finally capture a win with this team, it means a lot.”
Brinker Wins Again in 602 Crate Sportsman
Macungie’s Nate Brinker continued to make the most of his limited appearances by claiming his second USS Achey 602 Crate Sportsman victory in just five starts this season.
Starting 11th in the 23-car field, Brinker methodically worked his way through the pack with the help of multiple restarts and strong lane choices. He reached second place by the halfway point and eventually overtook leader Zach Steffey with six laps remaining.
Steffey had taken the lead from Aaron Weaver on a lap-eight restart and appeared poised for victory before Brinker mounted his charge. Steffey settled for second at the finish.
Bryce Bayshore made an impressive run from 17th to finish third, followed by Ryan Conrad and Matt Martino.
Kost Rebounds From Violent Crash to Claim Roadrunner Victory
Perhaps the most emotional victory of the evening belonged to veteran Jim Kost of Minersville.
Just one week earlier, Kost suffered a violent barrel-roll crash on the opening lap of the Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunner feature, heavily damaging his No. 126 machine and leaving him sore enough to contemplate retirement.
With the help of supporters throughout the week, Kost prepared a backup car and returned to competition Friday night. Showing determination and resilience, he led all 20 laps to earn his 16th career Roadrunner victory.
Kris Ney applied heavy pressure in the closing laps and finished second, but Kost held on for a remarkable comeback win.
Whitmoyer Scores Second Rookie Feature Win
In the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman division, Devin Whitmoyer of Hamburg turned his pole position into victory, earning his second win in the last three races.
Whitmoyer led every lap and drove a flawless race to secure the win over runner-up Zach Moyer.
Story Contributed by By Dino Oberto
358 Modified Feature — 25 Laps
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1st | Logan Watt |
| 2nd | Kevin Olenick |
| 3rd | Corey Renninger |
| 4th | Rick Laubach |
| 5th | Wayne Witmer |
| 6th | Duane Howard |
| 7th | Louden Reimert |
| 8th | Jimmy Leiby |
| 9th | Mike Lisowski |
| 10th | Tim Bucwalter |
| 11th | Kevin Beach Jr. |
| 12th | Aleia Geisler |
| 13th | Heath Metzger |
| 14th | Jax Yohn |
| 15th | Alan Rudalavage |
| 16th | Cliff Quinn |
| 17th | Mike Burrows |
| 18th | Adrianna Delliponti |
| 19th | Chris Esposito |
| 20th | Tim Fitzpatrick |
602 Crate Sportsman Feature — 20 Laps
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1st | Nate Brinker |
| 2nd | Zach Steffey |
| 3rd | Bryce Bayshore |
| 4th | Ryan Conrad |
| 5th | Matt Martino |
| 6th | Dakota Kohler |
| 7th | Kevin Smith |
| 8th | Aaron Weaver |
| 9th | Mike Schneck Jr. |
| 10th | Reice Widger |
| 11th | Kevin Fitzpatrick |
| 12th | Dennis Graber |
| 13th | Nick Arment |
| 14th | Ed Mrochko |
| 15th | Ryan Graver |
| 16th | McKenzi Smith |
| 17th | Nick Hamm |
| 18th | Mark Behm |
| 19th | Bryan Rhoades |
| 20th | Brennan Chapman |
| 21st | Craig Whitmoyer |
| 22nd | Tajae Adams |
| 23rd | John McGoey |
Roadrunner Feature — 20 Laps
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1st | Jim Kost |
| 2nd | Kris Ney |
| 3rd | Jesse Krasnitsky |
| 4th | Alex Schoffstall |
| 5th | CJ Ferguson |
| 6th | Johnathan Trumbo |
| 7th | Andrew Buchinski |
| 8th | Brian Johnson |
| 9th | Joey Brennan |
Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman Feature — 15 Laps
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1st | Devin Whitmoyer |
| 2nd | Zach Moyer |
| 3rd | Payton Renninger |
| 4th | Lucas Weil |