Stafford Motor Speedway Champions for Charities Driver Spotlight: Woody Pitkat
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway is hosting a field of accomplished current and former open wheel championship winning drivers for this year’s 4th annual Champions for Charities event, which will take place on Friday, June 27th. In the upcoming weeks before the event, SMS will provide a profile on each of the championship drivers. This week, the spotlight is on Woody Pitkat, the 2006 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division 4 Regional Champion, and 2013 Stafford SK Modified® Champion. Pitkat will be racing for the NAPA Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund serves United States Military personnel who are wounded or injured during their service. The fund was established in 2000 and has provided nearly $150 million to families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. NAPA Auto Parts has announced the launch of its “Get Back and Give Back” program in support of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Throughout the month of July, NAPA customers will receive up to a $25 mail-in rebate for every battery, alternator, and starter they purchase, which they can donate all or a portion of to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Additionally, NAPA will donate $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund for each redeemed rebate. To donate directly to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund, visit http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/Donate.aspx.
After raising $2,275 for The Victory Junction Gang Camp in last year’s Champions For Charities event, which placed him 9th in the starting lineup, Pitkat is looking forward to returning as a competitor for this year’s Champions for Charities race. Pitkat has competed in each of the three previous editions of Champions for Charities event, and after finishing 5th last year, he is ready to be victorious in both fundraising and in the 15-lap feature event. Pitkat’s fundraising plans include the “Strike It Up For Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund” Bowl-A-Thon he annually holds at Spare Time in Vernon. This year’s bowling event will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 1pm-3pm. The cost to bowl is $25, which includes bowling, shoes, and lunch with a portion of the proceeds going to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Sign up information is available at the Speedway Office.
“The event gets bigger every year”, said Pitkat. “This will be the 3rd time we’ve done this, and we’re hoping it becomes more and more successful every year.”
Pitkat enjoys the transition from his familiar open-wheeled racecar to the Sr. Outlaw kart provided to him for the 15-lap Champions for Charities feature event.
“It’s always fun to get into the kart, especially racing with no shocks and getting to bump around with drivers I wouldn’t normally race with from other divisions.”
You can watch Pitkat competing in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Stafford’s SK Modified® and Late Model divisions during the 2014 season. The Champions for Charities event will take place around the Stafford Mini-Mile track for a 15-lap feature during the Friday night race program.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR