SEVEN RACES, SEVEN FACES

Susquehanna, PA The super competitive modified division at Penn Can Speedway went to seven different winners on Friday as rookie driver Mike Zielinski of Archbald, PA grabbed his first career modified feature win. Also in Fridays action Jim Sherman grabbed the Late Model Mid-Season Championship event, Randy Decker continued his winning ways in the street stocks, and Winston Cup Champ Bill Elliott was a special guest to the Penn Can fans.

The modified feature developed into a two car race as the laps dwindled with Rick Virkitis (Carbondale, PA) and Bobby Puckett | Jessup, PA) racing hard for the win. On lap 23 of the 25 lap event the two chargers went into turn three wheel-to-wheel and neither would give up the line. The cars came together with both ending up going to the pits for repairs.

Rookie driver Mike Zielinski in his Manasek Auto Parts #22 small block modified was in a strong battle

himself trying to hang on to the third spot facing the stiff challenge of Jeff Rudalavage (Eynon, PA), Ron

Mawson (Pittston, PA), and Dick Sundgren | Endwell, NY). With Virkitis and Puckett gone young Zielinski found

himself on the point. The last two laps were raced with Rudalavage on the outside and Ron Mawson looking low. The rookie couldn't be denied as he hung on for the win by about one car length. Following Zielinski were Rudalavage, Mawson, Sundgren, with Dick Marcinko of Jessup, PA grabbing fifth spot. For Zielinski it was his first ever modified win after only five weeks of competition. It was Mike's third feature start in his modified driving career.

In the 20 lap Mid-Season Championship for the late models Scott Wilson of Gilbertsville, NY took the early lead. By lap 7 many time track champion Jim Sherman was challenging and on lap & took control of the race. For Sherman, he cruised to his third win of the season and second in a row. Following Sherman across the line were Rod Hunsinger (Springville, PA), Curt Tunilo (Mud Creek, PA), Mike Hinds (Montrose, PA), and Dan Burman (Maine, NY).

The street stocks were in exciting competition but for the fifth time this season the outcome was the

same, Randy Decker Stevens Point, PA) in victory lane. Decker started the race in 16th position and quickly

moved toward the front. Billy Trego | Moscow, PA) was up front when Decker moved in by lap eight of the twenty

lap feature. On lap 11 Decker was able to move around the strong running Trego car and he never looked back.

Trego held on for second spot, Mike Frederick (Windsor, NY), Mike Clapperton Sidney Center, NY), and Van

Curtis (Preston Park, PA) rounded out the top five.

In the modified "B Main", veteran Carl Nagel of West Windsor, NY overcame early evening clutch problems and took the win. following Nagel across the wire were Brian Weaver (Conklin, NY), Joe Sellers (Newark Valley, NY), Debbie Reynolds (Scranton, PA), and Dave Leyshon (Duryea, PA).

Also on Friday night the Penn Can fans had the chance to meet Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliott. L. T. Verrastro Beer Distributor of Scranton, PA went the distance to insure Elliott's visit went without a hitch. NOTES: 45 modifieds, 14 late models, and 31 street stocks were in the Penn Can pits on Friday evening...New column in Speedway Scene was on hand enjoying the great Penn Can action...This week is American Red Cross night as the modifieds challenge the three-eighths mile clay oval in their Mid-Season Championship.

modifieds included, Lou Sparks (New Milford, PA), Joe Sellers (Newark Valley, NY), Mark Madugno (Binghamton, NY), Pat Parker (Candor, NY), and George Swansborough... Ted Schmidt who pens the "Chasin' The Checkered"

SUMMARY:

Modified Feature (25 laps): 1.Mike Zielinski 2.Jeff Rudalavage 3.Ron Manson 4.Dick Sundgren 5.Dick Marcinko 6.Chuck Akulis 7.Lynn Highhouse 8. Matt Solomon 9.Bill Tittle 10.Mike Nagel 11.Joe Kanuik 12.George Watson, Jr. 13.Dave Jenkins 14.John Parks 15.Jim Mahaney 16.Dave Mead 17.Jim Hughes 18.Bobby Puckett 19.Rick Virkitis 20.George Suprick 21.Butch Tittle

22.Ed Karwaski, Jr. 23.Dale Porreca 24.Jim Sanderson 25.Bill Mead 26. Garth Tonkin.

Modified Heat Winners: 1.Sanderson 2.Chuck Akulis 3.Mike Zielinski 4.Rick Virkitis. Modified Consi Winners: 1.Matt Solomon 2.Bill Mead Modified "B Main": 1. Carl Nagel 2.Brian Weaver 3. Joe Sellers 4.Debbie Reynolds 5.Dave Leyshon.

Late Model Mid-Season Championship (20 laps): 1.Jim Sherman 2.Rod Hunsinger 3.Curt Tunilo 4.Mike Hinds

5.Dan Burman 6. Jamie Page 7.Tom Rose 8.Scott Wilson 9.Ken Brewer 10. John Siedlecky. Late Model Heats: 1.Jim Sherman 2.Rod Hunsinger.

Street Stock Feature (20 laps): 1.Randy Decker 2.Billy Trego 3.Mike Frederick 4.Mike Clapperton 5.Van Curtis 6.Glen Wilcox 7.Rick Davis 8. Harry Marvin 9.Steve Gall 10.George Leatso Street Stock Heats: 1.Billy Trego 2.Butch Stark 3.Randy Decker Street Stock Consi: Van Curtis