Woody Pitkat Looking for Strong Finish in Budweiser Modified Nationals
Woody Pitkat is hoping his Whelen Modified Tour experience last year proves to be a good omen. The April 12-13 SK-150 will be Pitkat’s first Modified ride at Waterford Speedbowl.
“We went to a lot of tracks I’d never seen before,” says Pitkat who finished second in the 2007 Whelen All-American Series national standings. “We did OK. And, I have been at the Speedbowl in a Late Model (he finished second in the heralded Funkmaster Flex event a few years back) and liked it.”
The SK-150 is the crown in the jewel at the Budweiser Modified Nationals, the Speedowl’s two-day, 10-division season opener. In addition to the Speedbowl’s Whelen All American divisions – the Late Models, Sportsman and Mini Stocks – the Legends, Northeastern Midget Association, NEMA Lites, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds and Allison Legacy Cars are due.
National points are Pitkat’s major motivation. “We’ll try to get as many points as we can,” says Pitkat, adding “we have been so close the last two years.” The regional champ in ’06, he finished fourth nationally. He is the reigning Connecticut champ.
“It is more than points though,” he continues. “We have another car and we enjoy going to more places.” Pitkat, who drives for Bob Hitchcock and Kelly Iverson, is part of a visitors list that includes ’06 150 winner Frank Ruocco, Kenny Horton, Doug Coby, Rob Summers and Ted Christopher.
Last year’s winner Jeff Pearl, defending champion Rob Janovic Jr. and six-time SK king Dennis Gada head up the “home team” that also includes Dennis Charette and extra-distance maestro Ron Yuhas.
“I think with the crew and the equipment we have, we’re going to be OK,” Pitkat predicts. “It might take a little time getting use to the place.”
Although he claims “I have never really been able to time trial well” he did capture the pole for the SK feature at the North/South Shootout. He hopes to carry that momentum over as well. “I’m guessing from what I read time trials are probably pretty big because you want to run with the better cars,” he offers.
“Still,” he continues, “every time I went to the Speedbowl to watch there seemed to be plenty of passing both inside and outside.” The team plans “to run as many times as we can at the Speedbowl this year,” Pitkat says.
Qualifying begins with SK time trials on Saturday (April 12) followed by heats and consolations for the other divisions. Features for the Legends, NEMA Lites, Allison Legacy Cars, AllStar Trucks and Pro4 Modifieds follow.
The NEMA Midgets and extra distance events for the Speedbowl’s Late Models (50 laps), Sportsman (30) and Mini Stocks (30) share Sunday with the SK-150. The traditional Pit Party kicks things off.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR.