TOWNERS STEP DOWN AS PENN CAN SPEEDWAY PROMOTERS: BEAVAN FAMILY OWNERSHIP SEEK NEW PROMOTER
TOWNERS STEP DOWN AS PENN CAN SPEEDWAY PROMOTERS: BEAVAN FAMILY OWNERSHIP SEEK NEW PROMOTER
Story By: Ryan Lepre/Penn Can Speedway
Photos By: Fran Durso
SUSQUEHANNA, PA – Chad and Kristen Towner have made the difficult decision to step aside as the promoters of the Penn Can Speedway, effective immediately. The Towners took over as promoters of the Susquehanna County oval track just before the start of the 2018 season when the track had an uncertain future. The first-time promoters led the track through a successful 2018 season and returned for 2019. This season has been a trying one for the Towners financially with many events being hindered by items out of the promoter’s control. Late notice of the cancellation of key sponsorship for the 2019 King of the Can, which was scheduled for September 27 and 28, has contributed to the need to cancel this event for the 2019 season.
Under Towner’s promotion, the track looked to reconnect to the local community and engage the fan base with many themed nights throughout the season. Penn Can led the Southern Tier in giveaways over the last two seasons. Chad Towner founded the Jeff Boughton Memorial which payed tribute to the longtime supporter and neighbor to the speedway. Along with an eye to more fan interaction the Towners kept in touch with the roots of the speedway. The Pappy Beavan Memorial combined with Hall of Fame inductions saw large crowds as the heroes of the track’s past were honored. The most successful event during the Towners era at the track was the 2018 edition King of the Can which featured two action packed nights of racing.
Penn Can Speedway, which is located just outside of Susquehanna Pennsylvania on Route 171, was founded and built by Pappy Beavan. With the Towners stepping down, the members of the Beavan family that now own the Penn Can Speedway will eye the future of the 3/8-mile dirt track that has held auto racing events since 1959. With plans for the 2020 racing season still being formulated and preparation work needing to be done at the facility this fall, all serious potential promoters and sponsors should contact the family at their earliest convenience via email at:
The family seeks a promoter that will continue the rich racing history of the track. All resumes should include plans for the future of the track, along with references and contact information.
