JEFF RUDALAVAGE WINS OPENER AT PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

Susquehanna, PA..4/25/98... Mother Nature tried to put an end to the Opening

Night activities dumping rain on the speedway just as hot laps were

coming to an end. The persistent speedway staff would not surrender and

worked hard to bring the surface back for an exciting night of racing. A

huge grandstand crowd was treated to an excellent display of racing

after over one hour in delays caused by the rain.

The modified feature race was the highlight of Opening Night. The

filled was set by four qualifying heat races where qualified drivers

drew for their starting positions. Rusty Harrington and Butch Tittle

lead the twenty six car field down to the green. The action was spread

all through the pack. Chuck Akulis grabbed the early lead followed by

Tittle and Carl Nagel. These two ageless veterans thrilled the crowd

will their side by side racing. Nagel finally was able to make the pass

for the lead. Coming from deep in the field to contend were the cars of

Jeff Rudalavage and his brother Alan along with Mike Nagel. This group

of drivers all took turns challenging for the top spots. Jeff Rudalavage

made the most of track position and finally took the lead at the

midpoint of the race. He was able to hold of Carl Nagel and Mike Nagel

the final few laps. The fourth place car was Al Rudalavage with Akulis

holding on for fifth. Jim Witko Jr, Tittle, Mike Colsten, Jeff Bronson,

and Glenn Knapp rounded out the top ten. In Victory Lane Rudalavage

dedicated the win to long time competitor and friend Tim Olenski who

passed away earlier in the month to a heart attack.

In late model action 1997 point champion Dan Stone continued to be the

dominant car as he started on the pole and lead the entire race. The win

wasnt effortless as Stone was constantly challenged by a number of top

running late models. Al Coy brought his great looking late model home

second followed across by Keith Stone, Warren Stone, and Dave Passetti.

The street stock feature was also very competitive as Frank Bonham

survived a number of caution flags to hold off a hard charging Jamie

Shea. Third place at the checkers was Mike Loney with speedway newcomer

John Morse fourth, and Ken Sparks fifth.

The pure stock feature was claimed by Dwayne Robbins after the

leading car of Bill Carp caught fire late in the race. Wayne Merritt

came home second with Kevin Cole third, Rich Keehler fourth and Randy

Testa fifth.

Racing resumes next Friday night at 7:30 with the addition of the

dwarf cars to the field at no increase in admission. For more

information about Penn Can Speedway please call the speedway office at

(717) 585-9928 or e-mail us at penncan@hotmail.com.

Barnes Kasson Hospital Modified Feature: Jeff Rudalavage, Carl Nagel,

Mike Nagel, Alan Rudalavage, Chuck Akulis, Jim Witko jr, Butch Tittle,

Mike Colsten, Jeff Bronson, Glenn Knapp, Rill Tittle, George

Kostelansky, Brian Weaver, Al Jubinski, Jason Rudalavage, Bill Huff,

Larry Kelleher, Bob Hamm, John Siedlecky, Randy Decker, Rick Virkitis,

Rusty Harrington, Ed Hawley, Ron Mawson Jr, Scott Seman, Al Kellogg. DNQ

Mike Frederick, Garth Tomklins, Dan Stone, Dan Morton, Larry Croker.

Barnes Kasson Hospital Late Model Feature: Dan Stone, Al Coy, Keith

Stone, Warren Stone, Dave Passetti, Rick Holgate, Gene Sharpsten, George

Lynch, Jim OHara, George Leatso, Keith Mudge, Dennis Latwinski, J.

Bedford, Dave Zona, Marty Bunker, Larry Dilello, Curt Tunilo, Randall

Paxton... DNS Jamie Griffiths, Brad Shaffer

Barnes Kasson Hospital Street Stock Feature:Frank Bonham, Jamie Shea,

Mike Loney, John Morse, Ken Sparks, Glen Wilcox, John Green, Buddy

Piccolini, Joe Domiano, Dan Podwika, Mike Buchak, Mike Decker, Kevin

Jordan, 10, 13, Brian Taylor, Chris Hunsinger, Ken Winn, Chuck Boman,

Scott Conover, Dan Marvin, 22, K2, Craig Terrell.

Barnes Kasson Hospital Pure Stock Feature:Dwayne Robbins, Wayne Merritt,

Kevin Cole, Rick Keehler, Randy Testa, Ron Latwinski, Ned Finch, Joe

Cole, Bill Karp, Adam Diaz.