Twice is Nice in 2014 for Pitkat

By admin September 20, 2014 NASCAR WMT, NHMS

Survives Green-White-Checkered Finish To Secure Second Victory

LOUDON, N.H. – Woody Pitkat held off Todd Szegedy on a green-white-checkered finish to earn his second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory in Saturday’s F.W. Webb 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Two late cautions set up the dramatic finish. Contact between Doug Coby and Ryan Newman set the scene for the first green-white-checkered attempt, and on the restart lap, a six-car accident at the exit of Turn 2 resulted in a 20-minute red flag.

The down time had race leader Pitkat contemplating how things might play out in his No. 88 Buzz Chew Chevrolet/Elbow East Chevrolet.

“It was really gut-wrenching sitting there like that trying to think about what was going to happen,” Pitkat said. “You’ve got people in the stands yelling your name, yelling for Bobby [Santos] to get the sweep, yelling for Todd [Szegedy] – you just had a million things going through your head – and I was trying to weed it out.”

The strategy that Pitkat formulated ultimately worked to perfection. On the second and final green-white-checkered attempt the Stafford, Connecticut, native shut the door on any opportunities for Szegedy to make a move and drove to his first win in 16 starts at Loudon.

“I knew I was really good on the bottom, so I just figured if I could get out in front and try to maybe break the draft and drive the thing down on the bottom and protect – and don’t get in too hot and drift up in the middle and give them the bottom on exit – that I would be ok,” Pitkat said.

It’s been a breakthrough season for the veteran Pitkat, whose first career win came in August at Stafford Motor Speedway, his home track.

Szegedy – last year’s F.W. Webb 100 victor – crossed the line second and championship points leader Coby rallied for a third place finish despite involvement in two incidents. Ted Christopher and Rowan Pennink completed the top five.

Patrick Emerling, Donny Lia, Santos, Tommy Barrett Jr. and Mike Stefanik brought home the top 10.

Santos won the Sunoco 100 at New Hampshire in July and was attempting to become the first driver to sweep the season events at the 1.058-mile track since Newman in 2010. Newman finished 20th on Saturday as a result of the damage suffered from the Lap 96 contact with Coby.

Coby’s podium finish, combined with a mid-race engine failure for Justin Bonsignore, resulted in a big points swing. Coby entered New Hampshire four tallies up on Bonsignore, but left with a 448-422 advantage.

“I just tried to pick the right lines and put ourselves in position to get a solid finish,” Coby said of coming back through the field after his separate incidents. “I was very aware of the points situation – the second place car [Bonsignore] broke at the halfway break – and my crew chief told me to play it smart.

“I’m really happy for our team, it could have been much worse. Two races to go, so now it’s officially time to start thinking about points.”

The F.W. Webb 100, which will be telecast on FOX Sports 1 on Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. EDT, featured 15 lead changes among four drivers and was slowed by caution eight times. Pitkat led a race-high 79 laps.

The Whelen Modified Tour has just two races remaining on the 2014 schedule starting with the NAPA Fall Final 150 on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Stafford.

RESULTS  |  AUDIO: WINNER WOODY PITKAT  |  AUDIO: PODIUM FINISHERS TODD SZEGEDY & DOUG COBY

 

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-F.W. Webb 100

Unofficial Results

Saturday

At New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, N.H.

Lap length: 1.058 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

  1. (6) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 105 laps, 79.539 mph.
  2. (5) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 105.
  3. (7) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 105.
  4. (4) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 105.
  5. (9) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 105.
  6. (16) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, N.Y., Chevrolet, 105.
  7. (8) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Dodge, 105.
  8. (3) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 105.
  9. (14) Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, Mass., Chevrolet, 105.
  10. (11) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Chevrolet, 105.
  11. (2) Ron Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 105.
  12. (13) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Ford, 105.
  13. (15) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 105.
  14. (27) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Pontiac, 105.
  15. (24) Dave Salzarulo, Monson, Mass., Chevrolet, 104.
  16. (19) Danny Watts, Jr., Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 99, accident.
  17. (12) Timmy Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 99, accident.
  18. (17) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 99, accident.
  19. (26) Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, N.H., Chevrolet, 98, accident.
  20. (1) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind., Chevrolet, 97, steering.
  21. (21) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 79, accident.
  22. (22) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 77, engine.
  23. (20) Wade Cole, Hartland, Conn., Chevrolet, 71, overheating.
  24. (18) Cole Powell, Mt. Brydges, Ont., Chevrolet, 70, rear end.
  25. (10) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 52, engine.
  26. (23) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 24, accident.
  27. (25) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 8, handling.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 23 minutes 48 seconds

Margin of Victory: 0.298 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: R. Newman (131.035 mph, 29.067 seconds)

Caution Flags: 8 for 30 laps.

Lead Changes: 15 among 4 drivers.

Lap Leaders: R. Silk 1-8; W. Pitkat 9-11; R. Silk 12-14; W. Pitkat 15-31; R. Silk 32-33; T. Solomito 34; R. Silk 35-37; W. Pitkat 38-47; T. Szegedy 48-52; W. Pitkat 53-61; T. Szegedy 62-63; W. Pitkat 64-67; T. Szegedy 68; W. Pitkat 69-72; T. Szegedy 73; W. Pitkat 74-105.

Standings: 1. D. Coby, 448; 2. J. Bonsignore, 422; 3. T. Christopher, 414; 4. B. Santos, 409; 5. R. Silk, 402; 6. R. Preece, 393; 7. W. Pitkat, 381; 8. T. Solomito, 368; 9. E. Goodale, 367; 10. M. Hirschman, 350.

NWMT NHMS 9/20/14 Unofficial Results
Whelen Modified Tour
Race: NWMT New Hampshire 9/20/14
Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Points B/Points Status
1 6 88 Woody Pitkat Buzz Chew Chevrolet/Elbow East Chevrolet 105 48 5 Running
2 5 15 Todd Szegedy 15-40 Connection Chevrolet 105 43 1 Running
3 7 2 Doug Coby Dunleavy’s Repair/HEX Perf./Fox Chevrolet 105 41 Running
4 4 13 Ted Christopher Tick Free Organic Tick Control/CT&E Chevrolet 105 40 Running
5 9 93 Rowan Pennink Monk Mechanics Hand Cleaner Chevrolet 105 39 Running
6 16 07 Patrick Emerling Emerling Chevrolet Inc. Chevrolet 105 38 Running
7 8 4 Donny Lia Mystic Missile Racing Dodge 105 37 Running
8 3 44 Bobby Santos Tinio Racing/ImperialCars.com Chevrolet 105 36 Running
9 14 22 Tommy Barrett, Jr. * Canto Paving/Ferguson Waterworks Chevrolet 105 35 Running
10 11 1 Mike Stefanik Paquin Insurance/Variety Collision Chevrolet 105 34 Running
11 2 6 Ron Silk TS Haulers/Calverton Tree Farm Chevrolet 105 34 1 Running
12 13 16 Ryan Preece East West Marine/Diversified Metals Ford 105 32 Running
13 15 58 Eric Goodale GAF Roofing/RBSCorp.com Chevrolet 105 31 Running
14 27 26 Gary McDonald Lakeland Landscape/TRC Electric Pontiac 105 30 Running
15 24 38 Dave Salzarulo * Perf. Engines/Kendall Oil/Ryan’s Chevrolet 104 29 Running
16 19 82 Danny Watts, Jr. Horton Avenue Materials Chevrolet 99 28 Accident
17 12 75 Timmy Solomito * Eastport Feeds/Axel Anderson Inc. Chevrolet 99 28 1 Accident
18 17 64 Ron Yuhas, Jr. Fast Track Electric/Hughes Motors Chevrolet 99 26 Accident
19 26 01 Melissa Fifield * Big Moose RV Chevrolet 98 25 Accident
20 1 7 Ryan Newman Menards/Wix Filters Chevrolet 97 24 Steering
21 21 8 Glen Reen Reflex Energy/Baja Construction Chevrolet 79 23 Accident
22 22 99 Jamie Tomaino Dunleavy’s Repair/N.A. Contractors Chevrolet 77 22 Engine
23 20 33 Wade Cole Perf. Engines/Kendall Oil/Ryan’s Chevrolet 71 21 Overheating
24 18 73 Cole Powell Copps BuildAll/Tricar Developments Chevrolet 70 20 Rear End
25 10 51 Justin Bonsignore chem3.com Chevrolet 52 19 Engine
26 23 52 Matt Hirschman Furnace & Duct Supply/Seekonk GP Chevrolet 24 18 Accident
27 25 18 Ken Heagy Buoy One Seafood Chevrolet 8 17 Handling
RACE STATISTICS
Fastest Qualifier: Ryan Newman, Time: 29.067 Seconds, Speed: 131.035 mph
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 23 mins, 48 secs Average Speed: 79.539 mph Margin of Victory: 0.298 Seconds
Caution Flags: [Beneficiary] Laps 4-5 (Cars #1, 16 accident (Turn 2) [none]); 18-20 (Car #22 spinout (Turn 1) [none]); 25-31 (Car #52 accident (Turn 4) [none]); 51-52 (Competition caution midway break [33]); 57-59 (Cars #2, 73 accident (Turn 2) [26]); 80-86 (Car #8 accident (Frontstretch) [38]); 96-98 (Cars #2, 7 accident (Turn 4) [none]); 100-102 (Cars #01, 1, 58, 64, 75, 82 accident (Turn 2) (Red Flag 20 mins.) [none]). 8 for 30 laps.
Lap Leaders: Ron Silk 1-8, Woody Pitkat 9-11, Ron Silk 12-14, Woody Pitkat 15-31, Ron Silk 32-33, Timmy Solomito * 34, Ron Silk 35-37, Woody Pitkat 38-47, Todd Szegedy 48-52, Woody Pitkat 53-61, Todd Szegedy 62-63, Woody Pitkat 64-67, Todd Szegedy 68, Woody Pitkat 69-72, Todd Szegedy 73, Woody Pitkat 74-105.
Total Laps Led: Woody Pitkat 79, Ron Silk 16, Todd Szegedy 9, Timmy Solomito * 1. 15 changes involving 4 drivers.

STANDINGS
2014 Unofficial Driver Standings: New Hampshire
Whelen Modified Tour
Race: NWMT New Hampshire 9/20/14
Pos Driver Name Points Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10
1 Doug Coby 448 11 1 9 11
2 Justin Bonsignore 422 11 3 6 9
3 Ted Christopher 414 11 0 4 10
4 Bobby Santos 409 11 3 5 7
5 Ron Silk 402 11 0 3 9
6 Ryan Preece 393 11 0 4 8
7 Woody Pitkat 381 11 2 5 6
8 Timmy Solomito * 368 11 0 2 5
9 Eric Goodale 367 11 1 4 5
10 Matt Hirschman 350 11 0 2 5
11 Patrick Emerling 347 11 0 1 5
12 Donny Lia 336 11 0 2 4
13 Tommy Barrett, Jr. * 326 11 1 2 4
14 Ron Yuhas, Jr. 315 11 0 0 3
15 Glen Reen 313 11 0 0 2
16 Jamie Tomaino 308 11 0 0 0
17 Wade Cole 284 11 0 0 0
18 Rowan Pennink 283 9 0 3 4
19 Gary McDonald 278 10 0 0 0
20 Jimmy Zacharias * 227 8 0 0 2
21 Dave Salzarulo * 223 8 0 0 0
22 Melissa Fifield * 205 10 0 0 0
23 Ken Heagy 204 8 0 0 0
24 Keith Rocco 162 6 0 0 1
25 Todd Szegedy 142 5 0 1 2
26 Ryan Newman 103 3 0 2 2
27 Mike Stefanik 98 4 0 0 1
28 Shawn Solomito * 85 3 0 0 1
29 Spencer Davis * 68 3 0 0 1
30 Cole Powell 64 2 0 0 0
31 Andy Seuss 63 2 0 0 1
32 John Beatty, Jr. * 61 2 0 0 0
33 T.J. Zacharias * 44 2 0 0 0
34 Tom Rogers, Jr. 36 1 0 0 1
35 Richie Pallai, Jr. 36 1 0 0 0
36 Chuck Hossfeld 34 1 0 0 1
37 Rob Fuller 31 1 0 0 0
38 Danny Watts, Jr. 28 1 0 0 0
39 Dave Brigati 25 1 0 0 0
40 Derek Ramstrom * 24 1 0 0 0
41 Gary Putnam 21 1 0 0 0
42 Frank Vigliarolo, Jr. 20 1 0 0 0
43 JR Bertuccio 20 1 0 0 0
44 Kyle Ellwood * 18 1 0 0 0
45 Craig Lutz * 16 1 0 0 0
* Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender

STANDINGS
2014 Unofficial Owner Standings: New Hampshire
Whelen Modified Tour
Race: NWMT New Hampshire 9/20/14
Pos Owner Name Points Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Attempts
1 Mike Smeriglio, III #2 448 11 1 9 11 11
2 Ken Massa #51 422 11 3 6 9 11
3 Robert Katon, Jr. #13 414 11 0 4 10 11
4 Mike Curb #44 409 11 3 5 7 11
5 Ed Partridge #6 402 11 0 3 9 11
6 Eric Sanderson #16 393 11 0 4 8 11
7 Buzz Chew #88 381 11 2 5 6 11
8 Edgar Goodale #58 367 11 1 4 5 11
9 Wayne Darling #52 350 11 0 2 5 11
10 Jennifer Emerling #07 347 11 0 1 5 11
11 Robert Garbarino #4 336 11 0 2 4 11
12 Wayne Anderson #75 328 10 0 1 4 10
13 Christopher Our #22 326 11 1 2 4 11
14 Mike Murphy #64 315 11 0 0 3 11
15 Mark Sypher #8 313 11 0 0 2 11
16 Brittany Tomaino #99 308 11 0 0 0 11
17 Beth Cole #33 284 11 0 0 0 11
18 Mark Pennink #93 283 9 0 3 4 9
19 Sean McDonald #26 278 10 0 0 0 11
20 Jan Boehler #3 258 9 0 0 2 9
21 Linda Rodenbaugh #38 223 8 0 0 0 9
22 Kenneth Fifield #01 205 10 0 0 0 10
23 Robert Pollifrone #18 204 8 0 0 0 8
24 Rob Fuller #15 157 5 0 1 2 5
25 John Rufano #48 131 5 0 0 1 5
26 Jerry Solomito #89 125 4 0 1 2 4
27 Mike Curb #77 124 4 0 2 2 4
28 Ed Marceau #1 98 4 0 0 1 4
29 Terry Zacharias #71 85 4 0 0 0 4
30 David Hill #79 68 3 0 0 1 3
31 Todd Powell #73 64 2 0 0 0 3
32 Steve Seuss #70 63 2 0 0 1 2
33 William Deakin #14 61 2 0 0 0 2
34 Joe Ambrose #0 36 1 0 0 1 1
35 Rich Pallai #39 36 1 0 0 0 2
36 Janet Our #12 34 1 0 0 1 1
37 Pamla Hulse #82 28 1 0 0 0 1
38 Richard Ramstrom #35 24 1 0 0 0 1
39 Jarod Zeltmann #5 20 1 0 0 0 1
40 Joe Bertuccio, Sr. #21 20 1 0 0 0 1
41 John Ellwood, Jr. #17 18 1 0 0 0 1
42 Barbara Park #20 16 1 0 0 0 1

Sources: Trent Bailey & Jason Cunningham, NASCAR PR