| PENN CAN SPEEDWAY SUSQUEHANNA, PA |
These photo's are from the collection of long time car owner
Jack Romain of Corbetsville, NY. As time permits I'm going to
work Jack's interview into this page, which in essance is the
history of Penn Can Speedway, stay tuned..
Jack Romain of Corbetsville, NY. As time permits I'm going to
work Jack's interview into this page, which in essance is the
history of Penn Can Speedway, stay tuned..
Jack first got interested in Stock Car Racing in 1959 when he started
helping out car owner Don Utter. Don had two daughters aged 8 and 5,
hence the number 85. By 1960, Jack had taken over ownership of the car.
helping out car owner Don Utter. Don had two daughters aged 8 and 5,
hence the number 85. By 1960, Jack had taken over ownership of the car.
Jack's first driver was Wayne Chapman in 1960 at Susquehanna
Speedway. The first #85 was a '39 Ford powered by a 6 cylinder flathead.
Speedway. The first #85 was a '39 Ford powered by a 6 cylinder flathead.
Susquehanna Speedway had re-opened in 1959 (after a brief attempt in
1952 and 1953 as Airport Speedway) and was immediately popular. The
previous problems of heavy dust had been cured and the track was on it's
way to solidifying itself as a racing fixture. Here the inital layout can be
seen, it was pretty flat.
1952 and 1953 as Airport Speedway) and was immediately popular. The
previous problems of heavy dust had been cured and the track was on it's
way to solidifying itself as a racing fixture. Here the inital layout can be
seen, it was pretty flat.
The cars and their engines were modified 'stock''. Jack related that as
time went by the rules were opened up a bit but at first no engine
modifiecations were allowed, "We couldn't even use heavy valve springs,
they'd catch that in teardown." Instead of making extra horsepower, Jack
concentrated on making the #85 handle.
time went by the rules were opened up a bit but at first no engine
modifiecations were allowed, "We couldn't even use heavy valve springs,
they'd catch that in teardown." Instead of making extra horsepower, Jack
concentrated on making the #85 handle.
Modified 'Stock' really was 'Modified' Stock..
The Susquehanna County Stock Car Club did a lot of promoting in the
early days. Here's a 4th of July Parade in Montrose Pa., how many
race cars can do this today??
early days. Here's a 4th of July Parade in Montrose Pa., how many
race cars can do this today??
More to come....
4/20/2009
Before he was a promoter, Seward Rice was a racer.
Jack's career as a car owner started in 1960 as he was the 'beard' (stand
in) owner for the #85 at Susquehanna. Owner Don Utter was listed as
owner at 5MP and if his name showed up on a SCSCC roster he'd
jepordize the 5MP membership, so Jack'sname went on the SCSCC roster.
By 1961 Jack owned the car. here is the 1960 team, from left: Jack
Romain, Don Utter, Ron Romain and driver Wayne Chapman.
in) owner for the #85 at Susquehanna. Owner Don Utter was listed as
owner at 5MP and if his name showed up on a SCSCC roster he'd
jepordize the 5MP membership, so Jack'sname went on the SCSCC roster.
By 1961 Jack owned the car. here is the 1960 team, from left: Jack
Romain, Don Utter, Ron Romain and driver Wayne Chapman.
The '40 Coupe was sharp as well, what
would you give for this material today?
would you give for this material today?
In 1961 Jack built the first of his 1934 Ford coupes, and initially powered
the car with a 6 cylinder Ford which Jack related 'ran so cool we had
block the radiator just to get it up to temperature.'
the car with a 6 cylinder Ford which Jack related 'ran so cool we had
block the radiator just to get it up to temperature.'
Johnny Reed had replaced Wayne Chapman as dirver by 1961 and
according to Jack 'he spent more time on his top than his wheels..' but
better times were coming.
according to Jack 'he spent more time on his top than his wheels..' but
better times were coming.
4/26/2009
The aforementioned Johnny Reed, one night at 5MP Jack was
approached by Tommy Ellis who wanted to give the #85 a try. John
hadn't made it to the track at this point so Jack said OK. When John
showed up Jack related to him that Tommy was driving that night,
"And he wasn't upset in the least, in fact he was happy and wanted
to see what the car would do." It turned out to be a good match..
approached by Tommy Ellis who wanted to give the #85 a try. John
hadn't made it to the track at this point so Jack said OK. When John
showed up Jack related to him that Tommy was driving that night,
"And he wasn't upset in the least, in fact he was happy and wanted
to see what the car would do." It turned out to be a good match..
Jacks friend Eddie Prentice often worked on his car at Jacks garage
in Corbettsville. Eddie is shown here with his wife to be, Linda in
1961.
in Corbettsville. Eddie is shown here with his wife to be, Linda in
1961.
Jack worked for NY Telephone Co. and would buy phone company
trucks to towbar his race cars with, by 1962 they were towing a bit
and made up special wheels (with bearings) to save time and axles.
trucks to towbar his race cars with, by 1962 they were towing a bit
and made up special wheels (with bearings) to save time and axles.
With Tommy Ellis behind the wheel, the team started seeing checkered
flags.
flags.
They even made it to Midstate for the 'highly publicized' (for the time)
Match Races between Susquehanna and Midstate - no small tow at
the time.
Match Races between Susquehanna and Midstate - no small tow at
the time.
5/4/2009
In 1963 the team really hit it's stride and Tommy Ellis captured the
points championship at Susquehanna Speedway. He was to be the
last champion at Susquehanna as a name change was in order for
1964.
points championship at Susquehanna Speedway. He was to be the
last champion at Susquehanna as a name change was in order for
1964.
Jack's notes spell out the history of the track quite well. For 1964 the
track was re-named Penn Can at his suggestion. The new highway
(Route 81 - known as the 'Penn Can Highway') was being built
nearby and made perfect sense.
track was re-named Penn Can at his suggestion. The new highway
(Route 81 - known as the 'Penn Can Highway') was being built
nearby and made perfect sense.
Tommy continued his winning ways in 1964 and his consistency paid
off in a consecutive championship at the speedway. Tommy and
Jack are the only driver/owner combination to win championships at
both Susquehanna and Penn Can Speedways.
off in a consecutive championship at the speedway. Tommy and
Jack are the only driver/owner combination to win championships at
both Susquehanna and Penn Can Speedways.
The team's 'secret' was consistent finishes, 17 top three's in 1962, 21
top three's in 1963 and 17 in 1964. Between the heat, semi and main,
Tommy was usually in the top three and usually finished as well.
top three's in 1963 and 17 in 1964. Between the heat, semi and main,
Tommy was usually in the top three and usually finished as well.
Eddie Prentice 'out on the farm' at Jack's place in Corbettsville.
Buddy Roy Johnson in Corbettsville.
5/17/2009
8/30/2009
12/6/2009
