Mike Gular Looks For Retribution At Penn Can Speedway 'Hot Summer Night' Tuesday, August 10; Former Penn Can Champ Eyes $5,000 Top Prize In Super Summer Series Round No. 2
SUSQUEHANNA, PA - It was a full year ago, but Mike Gular can remember the 2009 edition of the 'Hot Summer Night' like yesterday.
Driving from 19th starting position to the lead with an all-star field of Modifieds assembled at Penn Can Speedway.
Pulling away from the pack with five laps remaining.
Seeing the two-to-go with more than $4,500 within grasp.
Feeling desperation when the fuel cell went dry as he exited turn four with the white flag in the air, nixing what would have been the most prolific victory of his career.
Gular, 27, of Green Lane, Pa., has retribution in mind as he readies for the 2010 edition of the 'Hot Summer Night,' set for Tuesday night, Aug. 10 at the Susquehanna County clay oval.
This year's edition, co-promoted by Brett Deyo and Penn Can's management team of Reed Miller and Al Wilcox, is headlined by a fuel-conscious 60-lap feature, rather than last year's longer 75-lap distance, and serves as the second leg of the Plant Food Company Inc./Reading Plastic Fabricators/G&G Used Auto Parts Super Summer Series.
The RoC-sanctioned big-block/small-block Modified event pays $4,000 to the victor. Should the race winner post the optional $20 "gambler's fee," the win will be worth $5,000. Fifth-place offers $1,000 and the 10th-place finisher will receive $500 from a healthy posted purse.
The winner of the 'Hot Summer Night' feature at Penn Can earns guaranteed starting berths for the Short Track SuperNationals presented by Dart Machinery Oct. 8-9 at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway and the 'Summer Sizzler 40' Tuesday, Aug. 24 at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway.
Joining the RoC Modifieds on the program will be the Puzo's Collision Late Model Challenge featuring Super and Limited Late Models in a 25-lap event paying $1,000 to the winner and Crate (602) Sportsman in a 25-lap contest with a $750 top prize. Rules and race information for all divisions has been posted on the web at http://www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com/.
Gates for the 'Hot Summer Night' event will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m. A rain date of Aug. 11 has been established for the event.
"That was a tough one to let slip away," said Gular, a three-time Penn Can winner in 2010 and the track's current Modified points leader. "It still burns to think about. To come from that far back and pass the caliber of drivers we did in that race, then to lose out like that was tough to take."
Gular has 13 Modified wins in his career between Penn Can and Grandview (Pa.) Speedway, but has never celebrated a 'big-race' triumph. He wants to change that at the Can Aug. 10.
"It's definitely on my mind, especially after last year," Gular said. "These races attract the best of the best and it would mean a lot to win one, not only for me but for the track to have a regular win it. I let myself down in June (finishing 11th in the 'Clash at the Can' event June 8). I thought we had a decent car that night, but we never got to show it with the motor laying down."
The 2007 Penn Can Modified champion is optimistic for his second chance at a $5,000 payday, which would help erase memories of last year's misfortune.
"I'm stoked for the August race. I think we've got our engine program straightened out and it's shown at both tracks," he said. "Hopefully things go our way and we'll have a shot. It's nice to have these better-paying races at our home track."
Gular will be among many of the Northeast's top talents at Penn Can with his Terry Fasnacht-owned DDE Race Engines-powered Teo-Pro car No. 53. He is expected to be joined in the pit area by June 8 winner Duane Howard, Danny Johnson, Stewart Friesen, Pat Ward, Bobby Varin, Brian Weaver, Joey Grammes, local standout Brett Tonkin and many more.
Penn Can regulars will be able to participate without worry. Track management has granted the Modified division off the Friday (Aug. 13) following the event to aid local teams running on a budget.
The $1,000 two-race Super Summer Series champion will be decided at the 'Hot Summer Night' event. Points have been posted on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.
Just three events (including Penn Can Aug. 10) remain on the RoC Dart Dirt Modified Tour schedule and the top four drivers are separated by 27 points. Johnson (267 points) leads Ward (258), Friesen (249) and Howard (240). Over $28,000 will be distributed to the top-12 finishers in the '10 RoC standings, with $7,000 reserved for the champion.
Drivers returning to compete on Aug. 10 who also attended the June 8 race will be eligible for other awards, including:
*S&D Bodyline (Bath, Pa.) has offered a FREE outer body kit (no sale or discounts available) to include right and left doors, quarters, A-pillars and B-pillars. Drivers will be eligible for the certificates by attending both 'Super Summer Series' events at Penn Can.
*Diversified Machine Inc. (Lancaster, Pa.) has provided $250 in product certificates redeemable at any DMI/Bulldog dealer.
*Trackside Products of Endicott, N.Y., proprietor Al Wilcox has reached an agreement to give away two American Racer tires and 20 gallons of VP Racing Fuel. Drivers must run both 'Super Summer Series' events to be eligible for contingency awards.
*Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway owner/promoter Andrew Harpell has donated two FREE pit passes to his season-ending Southern Tier 100 Modified event to be run Oct. 30.
*Accord (N.Y.) Speedway owner/promoters Gary and Donna Palmer have donated two FREE pit passes to their season-ending King of the Catskills Modified event to be run Sept. 24.
All drivers will be eligible for the following awards:
*The leader of lap 41 in both the 'Hot Summer Night' will receive $50 in memory of Jane Kennerup from Martin and J.R. Kennerup.
*A Hard Charger bonus of $150 cash will be paid out to the driver advancing the most positions from start to finish in the Aug. 10 'Hot Summer Night' event from the Grandview Speedway Starter's Stand. The driver earning Hard Charger distinction will also receive a 16- by 20-inch framed photo composite, a $75 value, courtesy of Jim Young Race Photos.
*Lakey's Tavern in Susquehanna, Pa., provides a "beer per lap" to those leading the event, along with a case for the halfway leader and a Hard Luck driver.
*The feature winner of the 'Hot Summer Night' event receive two FREE passes for 2011 Modified racing to be held at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway. Selinsgrove's annual 'Icebreaker' weekend has become a must-see race of the spring under the guidance of Selinsgrove promoter Charlie Paige and race director Joe Kaminski.
To benefit race teams, pit licenses from any track or sanctioning body will be recognized at the pit gate for a $5 discount off pit area admission. To be eligible for the discount, the license must be presented at the pit pass window.
Complete event rules and specifics for the 'Super Summer Series' have been posted on the web at http://www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com/.
Notable rules for the event are as follows:
*Tire Information:
Front tire options - American Racer SD 33 or harder
Left-rear options - American Racer SD 33, 38 or 44
Right-rear options - American Racer SD 38, 44, 48 or 50
*General Race Rules:
The standard for engine, body, chassis and safety specs are based upon '04 DIRT rules. Sail panels are permitted for this event. Sail panels will be measured from the ground to the highest point and should be no higher than 65 inches. Sail panels must mirror size and shape side-for-side.
*Weight Information:
Small-Block under 361 c.i., on gas or methanol, with maximum 750 cfm carburetor: 2,400 lbs.
Big-Block or Small-Block over 361 c.i., gasoline only: 2,500 lbs.
Small-Blocks running SB2 heads must weigh Big-Block weight!
Entry forms have been posted on the web. Drivers entering prior to Aug. 6 will receive a $5 discount.
Penn Can's three-eighths-mile layout means money, fresh rubber and horsepower don't guarantee success, making the 'Super Summer Series' events favorable to low-dollar, weekly teams.
The Aug. 10 'Hot Summer Night' moves to Aug. 11 in the event of wet weather.
The '10 'Super Summer Series' is presented by Plant Food Company Inc., Don's Automotive Mall, Gary's U-Pull-It, Reading Plastic Fabricators, G&G Used Auto Parts, Puzo's Collision, Jim Young Race Photos and Trackside Products.
For further information on the 'Super Summer Series' contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781, via e-mail: Deyo99H@aol.com or on the web at http://www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com/.
Past Penn Can RoC Dart Dirt Modified Tour Winners
June 8, 2010 - Duane Howard
Aug. 11, 2009 - Jeff Rudalavage
Sept. 14, 2008 - Duane Howard
July 29, 2008 - Pat Ward
Sept. 16, 2007 - Jeff Rudalavage
July 31, 2007 - Pat Ward
Sept. 15, 2006 - Joey Grammes
Aug. 1, 2006 - Brian Weaver
Sept. 17, 2005 - Brian Weaver
Aug. 17, 2005 - Alan Rudalavage
2010 RoC Dart Dirt Modified Tour Schedule of Events
March 19 - Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway Icebreaker III 358-Modifieds - PAT WARD
March 20 - Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway Icebreaker III Big-Block Modifieds - MATT SHEPPARD
May 31 - Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway Victoria 200 - TIM MCCREADIE
June 8 - Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway Super Summer Series 'Clash at the Can' - DUANE HOWARD
July 7 - Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway - 60th Anniversary Special - DANNY JOHNSON
July 14 - Grandview (Pa.) Speedway - RoC on the Hill - STEWART FRIESEN
Aug. 10 - Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway Super Summer Series 'Hot Summer Night' (Rain date: Aug. 11)
Sept. 24 - Accord (N.Y.) Speedway King of the Catskills
Oct. 30 - Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway Southern Tier 100
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