TITTLE AGAIN AT PENN CAN
SUSQUEHANNA, PA - Saylorsburg, PA modified driver Butch Tittle wheeled his Bob's Market "Z Car' into victory lane in Friday nights 25 lap modified go. For Tittle it marked his third win of the season on the tough clay oval and his second in a row. Jamie Page | Afton, NY) won the Skyline - Pen Can Late Model Invitational and Randy Decker (Stevens Point, PA) picked up yet another street stock victory.
The modified feature took the green with Brian Weaver (Conklin, NY) and Gary Griffin setting the early pace. By lap six of the caution filled event Butch Tittle had worked his way from eleventh place up to contention for the top spot. On lap seven, Tittle pulled around Griffin (Peckville, PA) on a restart and never looked back. In the late stages of the race Tittle fended off the challenges of current point leader Ron Mawson (Pittston, PA). Tittle was able to get the win by a narrow margin. Following Tittle and Mawson were Gary Griffin, Carl Nagel (West winsdor, NY), and Bobby Puckett (Scranton, PA).
The race was slowed by a number of caution periods. A terrifying accident on lap six brought the field to a red flag. Brian Weaver had a right front tire go down on his modified. After getting into the homestretch bank the Weaver car was hit at top speed by not less than three other cars. All drivers were checked out with no injuries but the Weaver car and the Dick Sundgren modified sustained extensive damage.
The late model racing was for the Skyline - Penn Can Late Model Invitational and when the racing
was complete, Penn Can's own Jamie Page was gracing victory lane. The race developed into a two car battle between the top two in Penn Can points, Jim Sherman Susquehanna, PA) and Dan Burman (Maine, NY). On lap 17 the two cars got together in turn four with Sherman ending up the wrong way around in the infield. Sherman was able to restart while Burman was sent to the back of the pack because of the contact. From that point on it was all Jamie Page as he lead the remaining three laps and grabbed the
popular win. Following Page across the line were Ray Taylor (Homer, NY), Burman, Sherman, and Bob
Palmer (Montrose, PA).
In the street stock ranks it was who else but Randy Decker in victory lane. Decker took the lead on lap 14 when Ed Reddon of Jackson, PA got a bit out of shape in turn four. Decker held on to win the 20 lap go comfortably. Early race leader Mark Devaul of Windsor, NY looked to be enroute to a great finish until a lap 12 mechanical problem sidelined him while leading the race. Following Decker at the line were Mike Clapperton (Sidney Center, NY), Mike Frederick (windson, NY), John DiMichele (Laceyville, NY), and Glen Wilcox of Tunkhannock, PA.
The win for Decker clinched no less than a tie for the track championship honors. It was also Randy's third consecutive win which puts a $100 bounty on him going into the GIANT $30,000 PENN CAN SPETACULAR which is this Friday. Should Decker claim the win he would be the first driver in Penn Can history to claim his own bounty as Friday will be the final show of the season.
NOTES: 51 modifieds, 22 late models, and 32 street stocks made for a great night of competition...This Friday brings to an end the 1989 season at Penn Can Speedway with the running of the GIANT $30,000 PENN CAN SPECTACULAR... Friday was Binghamton Whalers and Country Bob's night at Penn Can. The WORLD'S LARGEST MOTORCYLCE was on display for the Penn can race fans... Track owner the warm-ups, after a quick trip home to Windsor, NY for the backup car, Ahulis arrived at the LeGrande "Pappy" Beavan celebrated his 82nd Birthday at the speedway and was presented a giant birthday card to honor the occasion... Top modified contender Chuck Ahulis developed motor problems in rule, so Akulis did not take the green in the feature.
MODIFIED FEATURE: (25 laps): 1.Butch Tittle 2.Ron Mawson 3.Gary Griffin 4.Carl Nagel 5.Bobby Puckett 6.Bill Mead 7.Alan Rudalavage 8.Bill Tittle 9.Jim Mills 10.Mike Wilczek 11.Garth Tonkin 12.Jim Sanderson 13.Tom Kelleher 14.George Watson, Jr. 15.Mike Nagel 16. Dave Leyshon 17.John Parks 18.Jim Hughes 19.Rick Virkitis 20.Dick Sundgren 21.Brian Weaver 22.Dick Marcinko 23.Matt Solomon 24.Tim Olenski 25.Lynn Highhouse 26.Glen Knapp
LATE MODELS: (20 laps): 1. Jamie Page 2.Ray Taylor 3. Dan Burman 4.Jim Sherman 5.Bob Palmer 6.Jim Morris 7.Randy Ganoung 8.Gary Roberts 9.John Siedlecky 10.Gary Cleveland 5.Glen Wilcox 6.Ed Reddon 7.Rick Hunsinger 8.Rich Murphy 9.Harry Marvin 10.Butch Stark
STREET STOCKS: (20 laps): 1.Randy Decker 2. Mike Clapperton 3.Mike Frederick 4.John DiMichele