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Hall of Famers Populate Past Winners at Can-Am Pabst Shootout

Since the return of the Pabst Shootout at the Can-Am Speedway in 2018 some of the top drivers in DIRTcar 358 Modified racing have won the event. In the past, so have many Northeast Hall of Famers.

Since 1983 a total of 9 Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Famers have gone to victory lane in the mid-summer classic at Can-Am. The late Doug Hoffman won the event in 1983, Marcel Lafrance did it in 1985 and yes Watertown New York’s Bob McCreadie also returned home, and grabbed the win in 1987.

Donnie Wetmore, known for his dominance on the former Outlaw Circuit, won his first DIRTcar sanctioned 358 Modified feature in 1990, with DIRTcar Big Block Modified star and Lebanon Valley Legend, Kenny Tremont winning in 1992.

Former Super DIRT Week Champion Buzzie Reutimann gave the hometown crowd a thrill, as he went to victory lane in 1995. 10-time track champion and the speedway’s winningest Modified driver Pat O’Brien from Kingston Ontario, won the event in 1997.

The two drivers that have won the most, are two drivers who have battled for wins and championships against each other, for nearly their entire careers.

Soon to be inducted Northeast Hall of Famer Danny O’Brien and “The Hurricane” Steve Paine have won this event more than anyone in it’s history. Both have won it three times, with O’Brien claiming wins in 1994, over Brother Pat, 1996 and again in 2001. Paine is the only driver to win it three years in a row in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Even with the dominance of the hall of famers, other notables have had success in previous years.

Mike Romano won the event in 1984, two-time 358 Modified champion Jimmy Johnson Jr. was victorious in 1991, while crowd favorite Rick Wilson graced victory lane in 1993. Watertown New York’s Steve Roberts made history in the late 80s, becoming the first driver to win it back-to-back in 1988 and 1989.

Since the event’s rebirth in 2018, Bobby Herrington, Billy Dunn, Dave Marcuccilli and Erick Rudolph have claimed top honors. Rudolph has won it two times in the last three seasons and is the defending winner.

But this year we might just see another Hall of Famer roll into victory lane in this race for the first time. Two time and defending track champion Tim Fuller has never won the Pabst Shootout and will be among the many favorites looking for his first win in the event.

Many questions to be answered. Will Rudolph repeat and join Danny O’Brien and Steve Paine as three-time winners? Will Billy Dunn claim a second Pabst Shootout? Can Tim Fuller erase the runner up finishes with a win? Or, will a brand new winner emerge?

Those questions and many others to be answered Wednesday, as the Empire Super Sprints and DIRTCar Sportsman North Regional Series invade Can Am. The green flag is set to fly at 7pm.

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