Pasteryak, White, Win True Value Modified Series Titles
Claremont, NH — 28 year old Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., claimed the 2008 True Value Modified Racing Series championship Sunday afternoon, Oct 26, finishing seventh, in the running of the “Ricky Miller Memorial 100,” at Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH.
Pasteryak, winner of two races this season, at Waterford, CT., and Seekonk, MA., took a 17 point lead over Madison, CT., driver Mike Holdridge, into the season finale, but Pasteryak’s strong finish enabled him to secure the championship but not without a little drama.
The champion was involved in a minor skirmish that warranted a quick visit to the pit area for a flat tire on lap 41. When he returned, Pasteryak made a run to the front trying to finish as many positions ahead of Holdridge as possible. Holdridge checkered 14th while Kirk Alexander, the defending champion, finished third but mathematically out of the running for his fourth title.
Pasteryak was asked what the title, his first ever, means to him and his team. “It means quite a bit, way more than I could ever put into words.” He explained, “Like I said before, this is my father, my uncle, and now me. They bought their first modified in 1975, they never had raced anything else, they just helped out other guys in the area. They started racing in 1976 at Stafford Springs and it’s been till 2008 and no championships, this is pretty big.” The new champion continued, “Everyone’s almost in disbelief. Been (family) running so long, they’ve had some success but never like this, this is really special.”
Pasteryak almost saw their run for the title come to an end in September when a hard crash at Thompson could have put an end to their championship hopes. That was not the case. They went right to work re-building the 15CT with the title still a possibility.
“You always have them doubts, especially after a car takes a big hit that it’s not going to be the same after you wreck. It’s a testament to the kind of work Kenny Barry does at SPAFCO because this thing just never skips a beat. We came right back and finished second at All-Star, if anything it was better after it got wrecked. It really makes be look like a lot better driver than I am.”
Although he has not officially been crowned, that will come at the annual awards banquet next month; fans always want to know what race drivers intend to do the following year.
Will the new championship team return next year to be referred too as the defending champs? “Oh of course, gotta come back. This is the most fun we’ve ever had racing. Never had a chance to be called a defending champion. It’s going to be nice.”
Kenny White Jr. committed to running the entire 2008 season with a plan. Learn, be competitive, and see what the season would bring the former BGNN competitor. It earned him a lot of respect, from competitors, and officials.
The second generation driver from Weare, NH, reflected on the season that brought him the Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year award. “We didn’t expect it, we came in with hopes to make all of the races, finish as many as we could, this is definitely a bonus, (Rookie Title) this was not expected. We started off the season being consistent and learning. We had a string of bad luck, mechanical issues, and it forced us to get way behind but we felt we were not out of it, that we would keep trying. If we get there we get there.” The 77 team beat out Joe Doucette for the rookie honors.
White plans to come back to the series in 2009. “Our plans are to return, we love it, great people, it’s like a huge family here, and we’ll definitely be here in 09.” he concluded.
The series champions will be honored at the fifth annual awards banquet on Saturday night Nov 15, at Francis Farm, in Rehoboth, MA. Various recognition awards will be presented as well as the annual “Bob Polverari” Award.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./TVMRS PR