By Ben Deatherage
2011 NSRA Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association
Meridian, Idaho- The Royal Purple NSRA Sprint Series is awaiting one of the crown jewel events of the 2016 campaign this coming weekend. The best pavement Sprint Car pilots in the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, will be competing at Idaho’s Meridian Speedway on Friday June 3rd and Saturday the 4th. Up for grabs is the coveted BOB FM Diamond Cup presented by Star Diamonds Fine Jewelry Boutique.
“Meridian Speedway is excited to have the Royal Purple NSRA Sprints back for one of our most prestigious events,” commented Meridian Speedway General Manager, Adam Nelson, “it’s such a special deal and such a professionally ran event. The atmosphere and excitement of this race is unbelievable.”
This two-date affair is also one of the most unique on the schedule. The weekend is split up into two different shows with points being accumulated each night. The driver with most points at the end of the weekend will be crowned the champion and receives a commemorative diamond ring courtesy of Star Diamonds Fine Jewelry Boutique of Star, Idaho.
“It’s a very cool event where the driver that has the best performance over the weekend gets a diamond ring. Star Diamonds have sponsored the ring for the last four or five years and we can’t thank them enough for supporting this event over the years.”
The Diamond Cup has been an annual event since 1989 and started out with the Super Modifieds. There have been eighteen different winners over the years including one tie in 2011. Rick Veenstra and Kenny Hamilton are the two all-time winningest Diamond Cup champions as each driver has won three times. Weather has also been very kind over the years too as only one race has fell victim to weather and that was in 1993. Oregon’s Andy Alberding is the defending champion of the Diamond Cup.
The Royal Purple NSRA Sprints have been in action just once in 2016. Cobble Hill, British Columbia’s Robbie Price opened the season at Ephrata Raceway Park, in Washington, by parking his Rod Rendle owned mount in victory lane.
Meridian Speedway will be hosting an Open Practice on Thursday June 2nd from 5:00 PM to Dark. Both Friday and Saturday the Pit Gates open at 10:30 AM, Push To Fire at 2:30 PM, Practice Rotation 2:45, Front Gates open at 4:00, and Racing is scheduled to being at 6:30.
General admission for Friday night’s festivities is just $15.50 for adults, $6.50 for kids 7-11, and as always kids 6 and under are free. Tickets for Saturday night’s action are $18.50 for adults. Be sure to check meridianspeedway.com for ticket pricing specials and text ‘meridianspeed’ to 84483 to get exclusive updates.
Be sure and stay up to date with the NSRA by visiting the series website at www.nsraracing.com. Also check out the official Facebook page and click “Like” to follow the tour via your favorite electronic devices.
Royal Purple is the proud title sponsor of the NSRA Pavement Sprint Car Series. Royal Purple manufactures high performance lubricants for most automotive, industrial, marine, motorcycle and racing applications. It is considered the best synthetic motor oil by many end users. For more information or to find a store that carries these wonderful products log on to www.royalpurpleconsumer.com.
Past Diamond Cup Champions:
1989- Davey Hamilton
1990- Kenny Hamilton
1991- Rick Veenstra
1992- Rick Veenstra
1993- Rained Out
1994- Rick Veenstra
1995- Kelly Newman
1996- Randy Bauer
1997- Rebel Jackson Jr.
1998- Kelly Newman
1999- Pat Quinn
2000- Jeff Russell
2001- Troy Regier
2002- Kenny Hamilton
2003- Bob Bigiogni
2004- Kenny Hamilton
2005- Jeff Russell
2006- Troy Regier
2007- Dale Lamborn
2008- Brandon Johnson
2009- Matt Hein
2010- Justin Mack
2011- Matt Hein/Sierra Jackson
2012- Johnny Giesler
2013- Bryan Warf
2014- Sierra Jackson
2015- Andy Alberding
2016 Royal Purple NSRA Sprint Car Schedule (Winner):
May 14th-Ephrata Raceway Park-Ephrata, WA-Rebel Jackson Memorial (Robbie Price)
June 3rd-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Diamond Cup
June 4th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Diamond Cup
June 25th-State Line Speedway-Post Falls, ID-The Super Shoe
July 21st-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Pink Lady Classic (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
July 23rd-Evergreen Speedway-Monroe, WA-Rory Price Memorial (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
July 24th-Wenatchee Valley Super Oval-Wenatchee, WA-Thunder In The Valley (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
August 12th-Western Speedway-Victoria, BC-Daffodil Cup
August 13th-Western Speedway-Victoria, BC-Daffodil Cup
September 16th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Tom Elliott Sportsman Classic
September 17th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Championship Night
