LOCAL TRACKS: Rochinski finally mines victory at Big Diamond

Scott Walsh, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·10 min read

Jul. 1—For the past three years, Nick Rochinski has made the trip every Friday night from Dickson City to Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, only to return home somewhat dejected without a victory.

That finally changed last week. Rochinski claimed the checkered flag in the 25-lap Modified feature for his first win at the track.

"We've been knocking on the door down there for three years but couldn't seem to get the job done," Rochinski said. "The competition is extremely hard down there with a lot of good drivers who have won a lot of races. So to finish in front of those guys was real exciting for my team to be able to prove that we could beat the big dogs finally."

Starting seventh, Rochinski quickly made his way to the front in his family-owned Rochinski Enterprises 20R machine. He was leading when the caution came out on lap 17.

On the restart, Rochinski was pursued by Duane Howard, the veteran driver and multi-time track champion from Oley. But Rochinski was able to hold him off to earn the victory.

"When he pulled up alongside me and I saw it was Duane, I knew he was going to race me clean," Rochinski said. "So I figured if I just kept the door closed on the bottom and hit my marks, he would have to go around me. I hit the bottom, hit my marks and he missed his and caught a rut. We were able to pull away from him a little bit at the end.

"It felt darn good to finally get one down there, in front of that crowd and those drivers. It's been a good couple weeks for us."

Three days before the win at Big Diamond, Rochinski won the Mike Colsten Remembered 51 at Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, New York. Also at Five Mile Point, he captured the Southern Tier Open in April and the weekly Modified feature June 11.

He is fourth in the standings at Big Diamond with 812 points, just 40 behind Howard. Eddie Strada of South Canaan, who placed 13th in the feature, is sixth with 756 points.

At Five Mile Point, the 37-year-old Rochinski leads the point standings.

"The win total is at four so far this year, so it's definitely been our best start to a season yet," Rochinski said. "It's pretty exciting. We've hit on something with both cars. They're not the same identically, so to be able to get both of them going like that is awesome. We've been working hard. My brother Kyle is my crew chief and I couldn't do it without him. He's been setting up the cars and they've been a rocket ship. Whatever he found out, I just hope he keeps doing what he's doing and our success continues. Just keep doing what we're doing."

Nick of time

Nick Petrilak of Greenfield Twp. ended a victory drought by winning the 30-lap Modified feature at Penn Can Speedway in Susquehanna.

Petrilak's last win was July 12, 2019. Since then, he had seven second-place and eight third-place finishes before finally breaking through last week.

"The car was very good and I was very excited and still am," Petrilak said. "I look forward to the rest of the year.

"It was weird because myself and the car were always so close. You just kind of wonder what you need to do to get over that extra little bit. You don't want to do too much and end up going the wrong way. It becomes tough at that point."

Making the win extra special was the fact that it came on Hall of Fame Night.

"I've raced with a lot of good race car drivers who are future Hall of Famers or are already in that," Petrilak said. "To have a big crowd and former drivers there, guys I grew up watching and looked up to, that was very special."

On the mend

Sending thoughts and get-well wishes to Harding's Jordan Thomas, who is recovering from burns he suffered during the Patriot Sprint Tour's Earl Halaquist Memorial race at Fonda Speedway in New York.

During a heat race, the fuel line in Thomas' car ruptured, causing a cockpit fire. Thomas dove out of the car and track emergency personnel were quick on the scene. He was treated and released from Amsterdam Hospital in New York, then went to Lehigh Valley Burn Center in Allentown, where he was treated for second-degree burns to both ankles and his left calf and blistering. He is at home, expected to make a full recovery and can't wait to start racing again once the lengthy healing process is complete.

Ride for the Red

Pocono Raceway and the American Red Cross are holding the 17th annual Blood Drive and Ride for the Red on Wednesday, July 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Long Pond track.

To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code POCONO. Donors will receive a

$10 electronic gift card courtesy of Suburban Propane and an American Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag while supplies last. They also will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize of four 300-level grandstand tickets, four pit passes and four scanner rentals to the NASCAR Cup Series M&Ms Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono on July 24 or second prize of four 200-level grandstand tickets to the race.

For the Ride for the Red, individuals who make a monetary donation to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund can take one lap around Pocono Raceway in their vehicle. You do not have to give blood to participate in the ride. Donors can participate in the ride before giving blood.

Fast tracks

Penn Can Speedway has a full program Friday at 7 p.m., highlighted by its annual Fireworks Display. It also is Spalding Foundation Night. The organization that benefits individuals injured in racing-related accidents will be on hand for a fund raiser. ... Penn Can also has a midweek show Tuesday, July 5. The GRIT Series "Hot Summer Night" features GRIT 602 Sportsman, GRIT 600cc Modifieds and GRIT Factory Stocks. Sport Compact Dirt Racing Association (SCDRA) Four-Cylinders will also be in action. ... Idle last week, Hamlin Speedway returns to action Saturday at 6 p.m. Headlining the card is the Firecracker 50 for All-Star Slingshots paying $1000 to win and the Firecracker 25 for Junior Slingshots. ... Five Mile Point Speedway is idle this week. The track announced that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Heath Memorial scheduled for July 9 will be moved to a later date to be announced. ... Covington Twp. teen Alex Yankowski started 14th and finished 13th in the 71-lap Super DIRTcar Series Showdown at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, New York on June 24. He finished fifth in the 30-lap Modified feature at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, on June 25, then placed fourth in the 30-lap Modified feature that was part of the Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek show at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville on June 26. On Thursday, Yankowski was scheduled to compete in the Super DIRTcar Series Stars and Stripes 76 race at Land of Legends Raceway in Canandaigua, New York.

Local Tracks June 24-25 results

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

June 24 results

MODIFIED — Nick Petrilak, Brett Tonkin, Alan Rudalvage, Mike Loney, Casey Plummer, Kevin Hartnett, Darwin Greene Sr., Dan Vauter, Bud Phillips, Jamie Bedford, Brian Malcom, Travis Brockner, Brandon Fritsch, Arthur Bray, Mike Nagel Sr., Stanley Wilkins, Alex Stanton, Brian Franko

602 SPORTSMAN — Mike Schane, Tommy Groover, Mike Nagel Jr., Brad Weaver, AJ Konopka, Kolyn Schane, Ray Leonard, Brian Malcom, Travis Rooney, Ralph Mele, Mike Wilcha, Jim O'Hara, John Michael Phillips, Ned Fitch, Eddie Kudrako, Joe Novak, Marty Goodwin, Parker Overbaugh, Brett Wooster, Matt Martino, Derrick Shaffer

FACTORY STOCKS — Jason Rhodes, Mike Chilson, Charlie Gilbert, Kevin MacDonald, Charlie Towner, Sheldon Whitman, Noah Sidel

XCEL 600 MODIFIEDS — Tyler Smith, Jared Green, Larry Furman, Jermey Williams, Nolan Smith, Doug Newbigging, Adam Mudge, Jeff Baldwin, Nate Orapollo, Andy Bolles, Darwin Greene Jr., Bill Johnson, Josh Towner, Devin Sieben, Tori Straway

FOUR CYLINDERS — Jeff Sterling, Tim VanDemark, Josh Wilder, Brian Salmini, Scott Beach, Rob Sterling, Chris Weisser, David Benson Jr., Josh Storms, Dakota Fuller, Mike Girjatowicz, Mike Ferris

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY

Kirkwood, N.Y.

June 25 results

CRATE SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) — Gary Smith, Blaine Klinger, Seth Zacharias, Adam Gilbert, Tommy Groover, Justin Slezak, Josh Landers, Marty Goodwin, Mike Mondak.

STREET STOCK (20 LAPS) — Doug Stack Sr., Tyler Yeagle, Doug Polhamus, Gene Sharpsteen, Brett Spoor, Dave Stalker, Kevin Ryce, Jon Carpenter, Abe Romanik.

FACTORY STOCK (20 LAPS) — Kurtis Stickle, Sheldon Whitman, Billy Shoemaker, Charlie Towner, Kevin McDonald, Todd Sutliff.

FOUR CYLINDER EXPERT (15 LAPS) — Collin Mills, Tim Vandemark, Jeff Hayes, Dave Simms, Andy Bolles, Randy Lane, Scott Beach, Chris Wesser, Dakota Decker, Kenny Underwood, Josh Wilder, Mike Jenks, Mike Ferris, Dakota Fuller, John Maynard, Brian Salmini.

FOUR CYLINDER NOVICE (15 LAPS) — Sean Lynch, Todd Maynard, Ethen Maynard, Dillon Mackey, Lucas Plaisted.

FUTURE SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) — Danielle Smith, Scott Zehnacker, Josh Fedo, Derrick Shaffer, Eric Reese, Tom Reese, Joe Buchanan.

600cc MODIFIED (20 LAPS) — Mike Robinson, Dustin Jones, Steve Cole, Jared Green, Dave Brown.

SCOTT WALSH covers motor sports for The Times-Tribune. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570 348-9100 ext. 5109; and follow him @swalshTT on Twitter.

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY June 24 results

MODIFIED — Nick Petrilak, Brett Tonkin, Alan Rudalvage, Mike Loney, Casey Plummer, Kevin Hartnett, Darwin Greene Sr., Dan Vauter, Bud Phillips, Jamie Bedford, Brian Malcom, Travis Brockner, Brandon Fritsch, Arthur Bray, Mike Nagel Sr., Stanley Wilkins, Alex Stanton, Brian Franko

602 SPORTSMAN — Mike Schane, Tommy Groover, Mike Nagel Jr., Brad Weaver, AJ Konopka, Kolyn Schane, Ray Leonard, Brian Malcom, Travis Rooney, Ralph Mele, Mike Wilcha, Jim O'Hara, John Michael Phillips, Ned Fitch, Eddie Kudrako, Joe Novak, Marty Goodwin, Parker Overbaugh, Brett Wooster, Matt Martino, Derrick Shaffer

FACTORY STOCKS — Jason Rhodes, Mike Chilson, Charlie Gilbert, Kevin MacDonald, Charlie Towner, Sheldon Whitman, Noah Sidel

XCEL 600 MODIFIEDS — Tyler Smith, Jared Green, Larry Furman, Jermey Williams, Nolan Smith, Doug Newbigging, Adam Mudge, Jeff Baldwin, Nate Orapollo, Andy Bolles, Darwin Greene Jr., Bill Johnson, Josh Towner, Devin Sieben, Tori Straway

FOUR CYLINDERS — Jeff Sterling, Tim VanDemark, Josh Wilder, Brian Salmini, Scott Beach, Rob Sterling, Chris Weisser, David Benson Jr., Josh Storms, Dakota Fuller, Mike Girjatowicz, Mike Ferris

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY Kirkwood, N.Y. June 25 results

CRATE SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) — Gary Smith, Blaine Klinger, Seth Zacharias, Adam Gilbert, Tommy Groover, Justin Slezak, Josh Landers, Marty Goodwin, Mike Mondak.

STREET STOCK (20 LAPS) — Doug Stack Sr., Tyler Yeagle, Doug Polhamus, Gene Sharpsteen, Brett Spoor, Dave Stalker, Kevin Ryce, Jon Carpenter, Abe Romanik.

FACTORY STOCK (20 LAPS) — Kurtis Stickle, Sheldon Whitman, Billy Shoemaker, Charlie Towner, Kevin McDonald, Todd Sutliff.

FOUR CYLINDER EXPERT (15 LAPS) — Collin Mills, Tim Vandemark, Jeff Hayes, Dave Simms, Andy Bolles, Randy Lane, Scott Beach, Chris Wesser, Dakota Decker, Kenny Underwood, Josh Wilder, Mike Jenks, Mike Ferris, Dakota Fuller, John Maynard, Brian Salmini.

FOUR CYLINDER NOVICE (15 LAPS) — Sean Lynch, Todd Maynard, Ethen Maynard, Dillon Mackey, Lucas Plaisted.

FUTURE SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) — Danielle Smith, Scott Zehnacker, Josh Fedo, Derrick Shaffer, Eric Reese, Tom Reese, Joe Buchanan.

600cc MODIFIED (20 LAPS) — Mike Robinson, Dustin Jones, Steve Cole, Jared Green, Dave Brown.

SCOTT WALSH covers motor sports for The Times-Tribune. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570 348-9100 ext. 5109; and follow him @swalshTT on Twitter.