By Mark Kielblock
MINERSVILLE, Pa. — Frank Polimeda’s expression said it all as he emerged from his Mopar-powered Spike midget after winning Thursday night’s ARDC midget race at Big Diamond Raceway.
“This place almost killed me,” he said with wonder in his voice, “I can’t believe it.”
On May 18 at Big Diamond, Polimeda’s world almost came to a crashing end. The nose of his racer struck the frontstretch wall and flipped violently.
Polimeda carried a reminder of every flip as he drove to victory Thursday. “I was so scared out there,” he admitted. “I thought about it every time I came down the frontstretch.”
Steve Buckwalter took the early lead, but Polimeda, who started sixth, hugged the pole around the .384-mile dirt track and steadily made his way forward, made his winning pass on lap nine.
From there he held off a late charge from Dave Ely to take the victory, with Bruce Buckwalter, Carey Becker and Drew Hiestand following. Thirty-five cars were on hand.
The finish:
Frank Polimeda, Dave Ely, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Carey Becker, Drew Heistand, Eric Heydenreich, Ryan Smith, Nick Wean, Billy Pauch, Jr., Steve Buckwalter, Steve Lenig, Ryan Watt, A.J. Ernesto, Phil Meisner, Jr., Dave Shirk, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Stevens, Brett Arndt, Andy Martin, Mike Lapp, Ed Stimely, Jr., Randy Monroe, Jr., Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, Jr., Tracy Readinger, Tom Hessert III.