HARTNETT TAKES FOURTH MODIFIED CROWN IN PAST FIVE YEARS
Story By:Dan Harpell/Penn Can Speedway Media Photos By:Dave Dalesandro/Racersguide.com
SCOTT TOWNSHIP, PA…Penn Can Speedway honored its top drivers on Saturday at the Montdale Country Club in Scott Township, Pennsylvania. Kevin Hartnett, Alec Gennarelli, Shane Wolf, Jr., Jeremy Williams and Michael Robinson were all crowned 2015 Track Champions at the track’s annual awards banquet.
For Hartnett, it was his fourth Modified Track Championship in the past five years. The veteran racer used his smooth driving style to take home five feature wins on the season, including the Clash At The Can in September. His smooth consistent driving style found him in the top five on 15 occasions enroute to the championship. Hartnett took home $5,000 for winning the championship.
Amazingly there was a three way tie for second in the standings between Dan Pompey, Nick Rochinski and Alan Rudalavage. Brian Malcolm rounded out the top five in the final standings. Sixth through tenth went to Brian Weaver, Mike Loney, Frank Porreca, Joey Colsten and Nick Petrilak.
In the 602 Crate Sportsman division it was second year driver Alec Gennarelli claiming the Track Championship. He was a three time feature winner and raced to ten top five finishes and 17 top ten’s to claim his first title.
Dusty Barton was the runner up ahead of Ryan Olsommer, Marty Bunker and Devon Zona. Positions six through ten went to Matt Brewer, Todd Titus, Tyler Singleton, Grant Hilfiger and Randy Gates.
The most dominant driver in 2015 was Street Stock Track Champion Shane Wolf, Jr. and yet the point battle was the closest of any division. Wolf captured nine feature wins, including both of the Race of Champions races. He had 16 top five finishes on his way to the championship.
Ryan Stone was a close second after leading the standings for a good part of the season. He was followed by Ray Lindquist, Randy Fox and Chuck Murray. Sixth through tenth went to Doug Stack, Jr., Dan Force, Kyle Stark, Cody Brown and Ryan Codington.
Factory Stock Track Champion Jeremy Williams was a rookie in the division. He notched seven feature wins and 16 top five finishes to win the title by 56 points over Jason Travis. They were followed in the standings by Ted Mills, Jr., Kris Shimer and Ned Fitch. Positions six through ten went to Nathan Hill, Luke Arbogast, Chase Vinton, Buck Mills, Jr. and Jason Neyra.
Michael Robinson had a great year while claiming the Four Cylinder Stock Track Championship. He also claimed seven feature wins and 15 top five’s during the season. Matt McKernan was second over Frankie Kennedy, Josh Wilder and Nick Kennedy. Sixth through tenth went to John Maynard, Ronnie Welch, Clayton Force, Don Doster, Jr. and Dylan Robinson.
Hard Luck Driver awards were distributed to Nick Petrilak (Modifieds), Devon Zona (Sportsman), Doug Stack, Jr. (Street Stocks), Ned Fitch (Factory Stocks) and Josh Wilder (Four Cylinders). Best Appearing Car awards went to Alan Rudalavage (Modifieds), Alec Gennarelli (Sportsman), Randy Fox (Street Stocks), Jeremy Williams (Factory Stocks) and John Maynard (Four Cylinders).
Rookie of the Year honors went to Petrilak (Modifieds), Zona (Sportsman), Cody Brown (Street Stocks), Williams (Factory Stocks) and Matt McKernan (Four Cylinders). The Jane Kennerup Memorial Contribution Award went to John White, who provided the speedway with the use of a generator and portable lights during the season. He also did a lot to help out around the track.
Promoter Dan Harpell closed out the evening by recapping the 2015 season and previewed the upcoming 2016 season. The opener is slated for Saturday, March 26th with the running of March Madness for the Street Stocks, Factory Stocks and Four Cylinders. Frankie Carll Productions provided the entertainment for the festive evening.
