The Stars Will Be Out Tuesday Night (Aug. 10) At Penn Can Speedway For 'Hot Summer Night' Modified Special; Super Summer Series Champion To Be Decided Plus Late Model Challenge and Crate Sportsman Clash
SUSQUEHANNA, PA - The stars of dirt Modified racing will be out Tuesday night at Penn Can Speedway for the 'Hot Summer Night' Modified event.
The 'Hot Summer Night' program, co-promoted by Brett Deyo and Penn Can's management team of Reed Miller and Al Wilcox, serves as the second leg of the Plant Food Company Inc./Reading Plastic Fabricators/G&G Used Auto Parts Super Summer Series. The Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour-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.
Current Grandview (Pa.) Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 358-Modified points leader Duane Howard, who won the June 8 'Clash at the Can' event, leads a strong southeastern Pennsylvania contingent to the 'Hot Summer Night' event.
Howard, of Oley, Pa., will pilot the Alan Finch-wrenched BPG Racing No. 4 Troyer after posting a Grandview victory on Saturday. Joining Howard from the south will be eight-time Grandview champ Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., talented Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., last year's Short Track SuperNationals winner at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway Kevin Hirthler of Boyertown, Pa., and Penn-Jersey talent Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa. Other Pennsy Dual Track invaders expected are Big Diamond (Pa.)/Grandview regular Kevin Albert Jr. of Lebanon, Pa., and Danny Hieber of Newtown, Pa., who drives for NHRA personality Kenny Koretsky.
Frank Cozze, who does his regular racing in the Garden State at New Egypt Speedway, has relayed plans to attend the 'Hot Summer Night' with his No. 44 Teo-Pro car. The Wind Gap, Pa., driver is a previous 'Hot Summer Night' winner, taking the checkered first on Aug. 10, 2004.
From New York's Capital District, Fonda (N.Y.) and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) standouts Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., and Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., are expected entrants. Both have followed the RoC Dart Dirt Tour this season.
Central and Western New York will have representation in the form of Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., in Mike Payne's No. 27J small-block, Pat Ward of Genoa, N.Y., in the Gypsum Racing No. 42P and Gary Tomkins of Clifton Springs, N.Y., driving for Ken Brewer. Johnson was second in the June Penn Can race and leads the RoC standings, while Ward is a past two-time RoC winner at the Can and a three-time champion of the series. Tomkins has been a traveling man this season and earned a top-10 finish in the June race.
Jerry Higbie Jr., fresh off his $10,000 Hard Clay Challenge victory last Thursday at Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway is expected to lead the OCFS-Accord (N.Y.) contingent to the Can. Orange County big-block Mod racers Danny Creeden (Middletown, N.Y.), Jeremy Markle (Port Jervis, N.Y.) and Billy Van Inwegen (Sparrowbush, N.Y.) have indicated they will be in the field as well. Accord regular Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y., plans to pull double-duty, running a family-owned Modified and a Jon Rohacevich Late Model at the Can.
Meanwhile, red-hot Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., will bring the Canadian banner to Penn Can driving for Tad Parks. Friesen is in the midst of a career season and is in search of his first ever Penn Can victory. Friesen enters the 'Hot Summer Night' on the heels of a $10,000 Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway Alex Friesen Summernationals triumph on Friday.
Penn Can Speedway will have the best of its Modified division on hand, led by three-time 2010 winner and current points leader Mike Gular of Green Lane, Pa., Brett Tonkin of Carbondale, Pa., who led much of the June Penn Can RoC event before finishing fourth, Kevin Hartnett of Troy, Pa., veteran Mike Colsten of Binghamton, N.Y., Alan Rudalavage of Newton Lake, Pa., Dan Pompey of Glenwood, Pa., and Joey Grammes of Lehighton, Pa., among others.
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.
Southern Tier star Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., an eight-time Penn Can champion, will be in the field with the Randy Decker No. 9R. Weaver won a special $2,000-to-win event last Wednesday at Five Mile Point, where he races regularly. Kevin Bates of Lake Ariel, Pa., in the midst of the Five Mile Point championship battle, will enter his family-owned No. 42B. Bates is a former Penn Can Sportsman champion, along with fellow Five Mile regular Nick Rochinski of Dickson City, Pa.
There will be many others looking to take home a big payday in what should be a memorable event. Note that the lineup of drivers at the event is tentative and could change prior to race day.
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. Danny 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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