LOCAL TRACKS: Penn Can scheduled to open its season Friday

Nathan Aldrich becomes the latest promoter to try to restore some of the luster to Penn Can Speedway.

The Susquehanna track kicks off its season Friday with its annual “Can Opener.” Headlining the program is the Factory Stock Tommy Boy 20. Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Limited Sportsman, Four-Cylinders and 600cc Mini Modifieds are also scheduled. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.

“I’ve worked here for about five years and, to be honest with you, I was worried that it would close,” Aldrich said. “I wasn’t honestly sure if anyone else would submit a proposal.

“I’m really excited to carry on the same divisions. We’ve made some general improvements in cleaning up the facility and getting things back working.”

Most of the traditional events are back on this year’s schedule. One addition is the first visit to Penn Can by the USAC East Coast Sprints on July 3. The CRSA Sprints will also make two visits this season: July 17 and Sept. 12.

On May 17, the “Shootout on the Susquehanna” will be held for the Hustle the Highway 600 Series, NY/Penn IMCA Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Four-Cylinders. This was originally scheduled for April 19 but moved due to rain and cold temperatures.

“It’s a special show to show some love to our support classes,” Aldrich said.

There are several memorial races, including the addition of a tribute race Aug. 7 to “The Waymart Warrior,” Dave Jenkins, for Modifieds that pays $4,700 to win.

The ever-popular Bike Night returns June 12. Last year, close to 200 bikes were given away. The following week, June 19, the kids can come back and race those bikes on the track.

“That’s something I really enjoyed as a kid and was kind of sad to see it fall off the schedule,” Aldrich said. “That was one of the things I was really enthused to bring back. It gives kids the chance to actually get down on the track.”

Hall of Fame Night, where Penn Can’s past is honored, is scheduled for July 24. Fan Appreciation Night with $5 grandstand admission is July 31.

Championship Night is Aug. 28 and the “King of the Can” weekend is Sept. 11-12.

“We’re really excited to get back to racing and draw some of the people back,” Aldrich said. “The place kind of lost its shine.

“There’s been a decent amount of change and a decent amount of things staying the same. So I think we found a pretty good balance.”

One of the things Aldrich hopes to do this season is keep the shows moving and not have them end at a late hour.

“Last year, we implemented time limits at the track and they weren’t really followed on some nights,” Aldrich said. “I plan to be pretty strict with that as well as getting started on time. We’ve hired a couple more experienced tow truck drivers to shorten down some caution times with car removal off the track. Little tweaks here and there that we would lose four to five minutes.”