Penn Can Speedway’s The Modified “Hot Spot” Saturday For Short Track Super Series North Finale

Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – SUSQUEHANNA, PA – Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Penn Can Speedway becomes the “hot spot” for dirt Modified racing this Saturday, September 26.

The Folk family’s facility will play host to the first Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modified visit since 2014 as part of the track’s ‘King of the Can’ spectacular.

In-person fan attendance is permitted and the event will be streamed LIVE on Dirt Track Digest TV.

The 55-lap big-block/small-block Modified event offers $5,555-plus to win from a total posted payout of more than $28,000. Each of the race’s 55 laps have been sponsored for a minimum of $20 and numerous other bonuses and contingency certificates will be awarded to racers.

And there is more at stake.

The series’ COVID-altered Halmar International North Region will conclude at the Can. A North Region champion will be crowned and a pro-rated point fund of $12,885 will be distributed to the top-12 finishers in the standings.

Five drivers enter Saturday’s event within 18 points of the title. Mike Gular of Boyertown, Pa., a former two-time Penn Can Modified champion, currently tops the standings with 158 points. He leads by three markers over Larry Wight (155), eight over Billy Pauch Jr. (150), 13 over Tyler Dippel (145) and 18 over Stewart Friesen (140).

All five drivers have announced plans to compete at Penn Can on Saturday to compete for the championship.

Championship points, based upon the 150-point schedule, will be utilized for this event. The breakdown follows: 1 – 150; 2 – 145; 3 – 140; 4 – 135; 5 – 130; 6 – 125; 7 – 120; 8 – 116; 9 – 112; 10 – 108; 11- 104; 12 – 100; 13 – 96; 14 – 92; 15 – 88; 16 – 84; 17 – 80; 18 – 77; 19 – 74; 20 – 71; 21 – 68; 22 – 65; 23 – 62; 24-Last – 60. Did Not Qualify/Did Not Start – 35.

Invaders from across the landscape will take part in the ‘King of the Can’ special including Andy Bachetti, defending Insinger Performance STSS ‘Grand Champion’ Matt Sheppard, Craig Hanson, Billy Decker, Jerry Higbie, Bobby Varin, David Schilling, Cory Costa, Danny Johnson, Tyler Siri, Danny Hieber, Alan Barker, Danny Creeden (with a two-car effort including second-generation driver Byron Worthing), a returning Kevin Hartnett and many more.

Carbondale, Pa., native Brett Tonkin is the Penn Can reigning Modified champion and hopes to lead the ‘home-track’ contingent to victory. Brian Malcolm, Nick Petrilak, Mike Loney, Butch Getz, Nick Pecko, Richard Smith, Leo McGurrin, Byron Worthing and Aleia Geisler completed the top-10 in the track’s standings.