Fran Purcell would be proud.
Purcell’s race cars have been a permanent fixture on the local dirt modified circuit, particularly Big Diamond Raceway. He frequented the Forrestville oval from the moment it was sculpted out of the Anthracite Region countryside in 1972.
Be it a weekly race or a special event, if Purcell had a vehicle eligible to compete it was there.
Purcell watched his final race at Big Diamond in August. At age 71 he lost a valiant battle with cancer in November, ending a motor sports career as a driver and car owner that spanned six decades.
Through the efforts of Purcell’s grandsons, Jason Hernley, 29, and Eric Hernley, 31, the car will be parked in its trademark pit spot when Big Diamond opens the points season April 3.
“This is what he wanted,” said Jason Hernley, who will house the race team at his newly constructed shop in Jonestown. “We inherited the cars, truck, trailer and engines, and we are going to give it a try.”
“Not only are we doing what he wanted done,” Watt, 28, said, “we’re doing it the way he wanted it with the open trailer and stuff.”
It was another demonstration of Purcell’s reputation in the racing community.
Every week Purcell sat perched on his trademark open trailer towed by a converted box truck, enjoying the sport that dominated his life.
“He loved it,” Jason Hernley said. “It’s what he did.”
Purcell’s longevity and likeability made him a subject of Big Diamond Raceway lore, so much so that the track’s current management team has retired pit license No. 1 in his honor.
“So many people are willing to help us,” Jason Hernley said. “My whole family is into it. They will be there supporting the team. That’s really why Pop did it - to give everybody something to do together.”
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