MIKE COLSTEN, GENE SHARPSTEEN, TRACY GREGORY, CHAD STONE, AND LARRY
ROBBINS SHARE PENN CAN VICTORY LANE
(Susquehanna, Pa.) For the second straight week, it was very
questionable as to whether or not there would be racing at the Penn Can
Speedway as a heavy afternoon downpour saturated the track. It was only
through plenty of hard work by the Penn Can Speedway track crew that
allowed Susquehanna Beverage/Rob's Market night at the Speedway to go
on.
Mike Colsten came home the winner of the Modified feature, his second
of
the season at Penn Can. Gene Sharpsteen drove to his fifth win of the
season in Late Model action while Chad Stone won his sixth Pure Stock
feature of the season. Tracy Gregory won his first ever Penn Can
feature
in the Super Stocks while Larry Robbins also became a first time winner
in IMCA Modified action.
The 30 lap Modified feature came to the green flag with Mike Frost
and Brian Decker on the front row. Decker jumped out to an early lead,
but his time at the front was short as it took Colsten only four laps to
advance from his sixth starting spot to grab the point from Decker.
Once
out front, Colsten was not seriously challenged the rest of the way as
he
controlled the final 26 laps of the event aboard his Ford powered Don's
Automotive Mall sponsored "Recycler". George Kostelansky tried to make
a
late run at Colsten, but Mike was too strong and Kostelansky settled for
an impressive runner-up finish, his best result of the season to date.
Alan Rudalavage crossed the line third trailed by Mike Nagel and current
point leader Brian Weaver. Bill Huff, Jeff Bronson, Tom McGurrin, Brain
Franko, and Rick Whitney completed the top ten.
Heat races for the 29 Modifieds on hand went to Brian Franko, Mike
Colsten, and George Kostelansky. Rick Virkitis came home the winner in
the Pump 'n Pantry Last Chance Race.
The Late Model feature saw a duel for the victory involving the top
two men in the point standing this season, Allen Coy and Gene
Sharpsteen.
The two battled for the top spot for several laps with Coy holding the
top spot and Sharpsteen attempting to take away the top spot. The two
battled for several laps running side by side with absolutely no contact
in a crowd-pleasing battle for victory. Sharpsteen assumed the lead
with
a daring pass around the outside of Coy to take over the lead. Once out
front, Sharpsteen was able to open up a lead over Coy, racing
unchallenged to the checkered flag from that point. Joe Damiano made a
late race pass of early leader Keith Mudge to finish third with Mudge
crossing the line in fourth. Dicen' Dick Stark finished fifth. Jason
Bedford, Dave Zona, Jim Sherman, Randall Paxton, and Lou Sparks finished
in the second half of the top ten.
Keith Mudge and Jim Sherman won Late Model heat races.
Tracy Gregory picked up his first career feature win at Penn Can in
the Super Stock feature event. Gregory assumed the lead when race
leader
Brett Spoor suffered a flat tire late in the event. He then held off a
late challenge from Rick Holgate to earn his first ever Penn Can
victory.
Paul Rooney enjoyed his best run of the season to finish third with
Dwayne Robbins and Dan Vauter completing the top five. Dick Vauter
finished sixth ahead of Ken Sparks, Rick Brown, newcomer Earl Zimmer,
and
Tony Nalaschi. It was a difficult night for the championship contenders
as point leader Chris Paisecki was involved in a crash and finished
16th,
runner-up Jamie Shea wound up 11th with overheating problems, and third
place man Brett Spoor went down laps with his flat tire, woinding up
12th. Despite a poor finish, Shea took over the point lead as he came
into Friday night only two points behind Piasecki.
Super Stock heat races were won by Tracy Gregory and Rick Brown.
The Pure Stock feature sae Chad Stone pick up his sixth win of the
season aboard his Dr. Bayly's/The Pipe Man sponsored #67. Roger Salai
crossed the line second, but failed to make it through post-race
inspection and was disqualified, which moved Jim Ortiz into the
runner-up
position. Everett Cass finished third with Ned Finch and Keith Wilkins
completing the top five. Newcomer Harry Uhl Jr. wound up sixth ahead of
Nate Evans, Michael Lartz, Harry Marvin Jr. and Jerry Whimarsh.
Heat races for the Pure Stocks were won by Keith Wilkins and Roger
Salai.
Larry Robbins came home the winner of the IMCA Modified feature,
leading every lap of the 15 lap feature that ran without a caution flag.
The win was Robbins first in the IMCA Modified ranks and also moved him
atop the point standings as current point leader Bob Chapman was unable
to compete after suffering terminal motor problems in hot laps. Charlie
Gilbert had his best run of the season to finish second ahead of Frank
Bonham, Kevin Cole, and Rob Welsh. Robbins swpet the evening's
activities as he won the IMCA Modified heat race as well.
Racing continues this Friday night at 7:15 PM sharp with a five
division racing card. The Modifieds, Late Models, Super Stocks, Pure
Stocks, and IMCA Modifieds will all be in competition. Penn Can
Speedway is located on Pennsylvania Rte 171, seven miles East of Exit
230
(formerly Exit 68) off I-81. For more information regarding the Penn
Can
Speedway, contact the speedway office at (570)-585-9928. The race day
track phone number is (570)-853-3434.
SUSQUEHANNA BEVERAGE/ROB'S MARKET NIGHT RACE SUMMARY:
MODIFIEDS: 1. MIKE COLSTEN 2. George Kostelansky 3. Alan Rudalavage 4.
Mike Nagel 5. Brian Weaver 6. Bill Huff 7. Jeff Bronson 8. Tom McGurrin
9. Brian Franko 10. Rich Whitney 11. Rick Virkitis 12. Mike Frederick
13.
Kirk Horton 14. Harry Marvin Jr. 15. Garth Tonkin 16. Mike Frost 17.
Mike
Decker 18. Chris Weaver 19. Carl Nagel 20. Butch Tittle 21. Brian Decker
22. Tom Hager 23. John Gournsey 24. Andy Tiffany 25. Chris Schupp DNQ:
George Suprick, Bob Thomas, Craig Terrell
LATE MODELS: 1. GENE SHARPSTEEN 2. Allen Coy 3. Joe Damiano 4. Keith
Mudge 5. Dick Stark 6. Jason Bedford 7. Dave Zona 8. Jim Sherman 9.
Randall Paxton 10. Lou Sparks 11. Rich King 12. Jim O'Hara 13. Clint
Kauffman 14. Jade Brewer 15. Tony Fuga 16. George Leatso 17. Jamie
Griffiths 18. Tim Paxton
SUPER STOCKS: 1. TRACY GREGORY 2. Rick Holgate 3. Paul Rooney 4. Dwayne
Robbins 5. Dan Vauter 6. Dick Vauter 7. Ken Sparks 8. Rick Brown 9. Earl
Zimmer 10. Tony Nalaschi 11. Jamie Shea 12. Brett Spoor 13. Craig Trella
14. Mark Hanichak 15. Guy Parkwind 16. Chris Piasecki
PURE STOCKS: 1. CHAD STONE 2. Jim Ortiz 3. Everett Cass 4. Ned Finch 5.
Keith Wilkins 6. Harry Uhl Jr. 7. Nate Evans 8. Michael Lartz 9. Harry
Marvin III 10. Jerry Whitmarsh 11. Danny Bagg 12. Craig Decker 13. Gregg
Brunges 14. Keith Decker 15. Garth Tonkin Jr. DQ: Roger Salai
IMCA MODIFIEDS: 1. LARRY ROBBINS 2. Charlie Gilbert 3. Frank Bonham 4.
Kevin Cole 5. Rob Welsch DNS: Bob Chapman