7/26/2023
Can-Am Speedway
Santa Claus is Coming to Can-Am for Christmas in July Friday Night
He’s making his list, checking it twice and is on his way to the Can Am Speedway to check out the stars this coming Friday and will hopefully keep Mother Nature away for once.
Overall this season, including last week, rain has taken away a total of six race nights in 2023 but drivers in all five classes will be up on the wheel either way, there isn’t much time left for those in the championship battle.
Recently inducted Hall of Famer Tim Fuller leads the way once again in the Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTCar 358 Modifieds by 50 points over six-time champion Billy Dunn. Both drivers have a pair of wins this season but Dunn appears to have the momentum with two wins in the last three outings, although Fuller has three consecutive runner up finishes. Both will be gunning for win number three on the year with Shaun Shaw and Jordan McCreadie tied for third. McCreadie has been getting stronger every week and is riding a wave of confidence after his third win in a row at Glen Ridge last Sunday night. Lance Willix has also been one of the top drivers in the Northeast with 5 overall wins including two at Can Am, as he sits 5th in the championship standings.
Tyler Corcoran became the 7th different winner in 7 races in the Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTCar Sportsman division. The three-time and reigning track champion, currently sits 4 points ahead of his title rival from a year ago, Mike Fowler. Both drivers have stayed solid and consistent, having come from near the back of the field each week, in a field that has averaged 24 to 25 cars weekly. Fowler ended a near 2 year winless drought at Can Am that dated back to August 27th of 2021, and is determined to become a Can Am champion after the heartbreak from a year ago.
Panther Frameworx 602 Crate Sprint cars has been all about one driver, who continues to be undefeated in 2023. Theresa New York’s Josh Verne Jr. has won all 5 races held this season and has been virtually unchallenged every week. Drivers like Tucker Donath, Tiger Chapman and rookie Andrew Hennessy have given Verne all he can handle, but reigning champ has taken on all comers so far and will look to keep the roll going Friday night.
Dakota Sharp has won twice in the FABCO DIRTCar Pro stocks this season but veteran Pete Stefanski is the driver who leads the way in the points this year. The four-time DIRTCar Pro Stock Series Champion and two-time Super Dirt Week winner, has finished third in all three races held this year and will be in search of his first Can Am victory in a long time.
Many different drivers have graced victory lane this year in the Sundance Leisure Thundercar division, but Francis White has stood head and shoulders above the competition and leads the points heading into this Friday night. White has three wins in 2023 at Can Am, but has also taken wins at other area tracks as an invader and will look to carry that momentum towards a possible 4th win of the year.
Plenty of talent is on the rise in the Donath Motorworx Limited Sportsman division also. Keegan Nier has been fast every week, claiming three wins including the last two in a row. Brady Howard has also shown speed with strong runs including a pair of wins early in the year. Even though this driver has not been to victory lane Dylan Moore has been on a roll with three second place efforts all to Nier.
The evening will also feature a special tribute to former drivers Larry Bezner and Jordan Jerome.
Bezner won well over 100 races in his career in everything from Late Models to Small Block Modifieds across the Northeast. Bezner was also Can Am Speedway’s first ever DIRTCar Sportsman champion in 1990 and was a weekly winner and title contender in the early days of the IMCA Modified division.
In a career that was cut short, former Limited Sportsman competitor at Can Am, Jordan Jerome will be honored on Friday night. Jerome was a weekly competitor at the speedway, until his sudden passing in 2020. Jerome leaves behind several family members including three children.
Both drivers will be honored during opening ceremonies with National Anthems being sung by Miss Thousand Island and Miss Adirondak.
To keep up with what is happening at Can Am in 2023, be sure to check out our website at racecanam,com. For instant updates be sure to give the speedway a follow on our Facebook page.
Article Credit: Tim Baltz
Submitted By: Tyler & Michelle Bartlett
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