2016 “CAN OPENER” THIS FRIDAY AT PENN CAN SPEEDWAY
Story By:REED MILLER / PENN CAN SPEEDWAY MEDIA Photos By:DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
SUSQUEHANNA, PA.- April 26, 2016- The 2016 racing season at Penn Can Speedway will take the green flag this Friday night with the running of the annual “Can Opener”. The Modifieds will go to battle in a 40 lap feature paying $1,500 to win. They will be joined by the 602 Crate Sportsman, Street Stocks, Four Cylinders, Factory Stocks and the new Crate Late Model division. Race time is 7:30 p.m.
The big question going into the 2016 season is can anyone dethrone Kevin Hartnett? Hartnett has won the Penn Can Modified Track Championship four of the last five years and is primed and ready to go, in his attempt to defend his crown. There are several drivers that are knocking on the door and are prepared to knock him of the top of the hill.
Last season there was a three way tie for second in points between Dan Pompey, Nick Rochinski and Alan Rudalavage. All three drivers are capable of taking the next step and capture the crown. Pompey had several wins last year but he also had some DNF’s that prevented him from winning the title.
Rochinski is another driver that was extremely fast last year but late season motor woes derailed his attempt at the championship. Rudalavage has joined forces with Brad Grammes to be teammates with Joey Grammes in 2016 and they are certain to be strong contenders this year.
While Pompey won last years “Can Opener”, coming home in the runnerup spot was up and coming driver Mike Dougherty. Dougherty picked up his first career Modified win on Saturday at Five Mile Point. He hopes to carry over that success to this Friday night. They are just some of the drivers that will battle for the $1,500 top prize in Friday’s “Can Opener”.
The 602 Crate Sportsman will see a lot of new faces in 2016 and the level of competition will step it up a notch. There are several new teams and the title will be up for grabs as 2015 Track Champion Alec Gennarelli is not planning on racing at this time. Look for 2015 Rookie of the Year Devon Zona to notch his first career win this year. He came close on several occasions last year and is on the verge of taking home his first set of checkers. Last year’s Street Stock runnerup Ryan Stone has moved into the Sportsman ranks this year and is certain to be a force to be reckoned with.
Shane Wolf, Jr. is the defending Street Stock Track Champion. Speedway management pledged their support over the winter to keep the class at the track weekly in 2016. The Street Stock division always puts on a great show and this year will be no exception.
The CARS Crate Late Models will be making their debut on Friday night. The brand new class will continue to grow throughout the season. The track is 100% committed to growing this class over not only this season, but in the years to come. The Late Models are a fan favorite at Penn Can and the CARS program being offered by Lias Tires, through American Racer Tires, will give drivers a tremendous opportunity to take home a lot of point fund money at the annual awards banquet. Look for some old familiar faces to return to Penn Can in 2016.
Mike Robinson (Four Cylnders) and Jeremy Williams (Factory Stock) will be back to defend their titles in 2016. Both classes will have several new drivers in competition this year and the titles will be up for grabs.
The 2016 racing season at Penn Can will get the green flag this Friday night with the running of the “Can Opener”. Pit gates will open at 5:00 p.m., grandstand gates at 5:30 p.m. and race time is 7:30 p.m. Penn Can Speedway is located on Route 171 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. For further information call the track at 570-853-3434 or the office at 607-296-4265, check us out on Facebook or log onto Penncan.com.
