Historic Weekend on Tap for Pitkat
A 3.9 average finish in 31 races has put Woody Pitkat on the verge of multiple championships. He enters this weekend’s Sunoco World Series at Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park as the points leader in two series and four points out of another.
“(It would) be pretty amazing,” Pitkat said.
Saturday night is the 50-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series finale. Pitkat leads former champion Chris Pasteryak by 7 points. He has two wins at Stafford, six top fives and ten top tens in 10 starts driving the No. 42 SPAFCO for Peter Kulessa.
Pitkat missed the race at Oxford Plains August 29 to run the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Riverhead.
“It just goes to show you anything can happen. Chris (Pasteryak) had a few bad races (at the) start of (the) year and thought he was out of it, won some races and put himself right back in contention. We(‘ve) been consistent and had a great run at Lee and got us the lead back.”
In his second season driving for Buzz Chew, Pitkat is third in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings, four points behind co-point leaders Doug Coby and Ryan Preece. Pitkat’s worst two finishes this season (10th and 12th) have come in the last two races. He has lost points to Coby (28) and Preece (3) in those races.
“Being behind, have to go all out. Can’t finish worst than third in points, so have to take extra chances to win it.”
Pitkat has been the second best driver at Thompson this season with three top fives. Doug Coby is looking to sweep Thompson.
“(I) have a little advantage running there (on a) weekly basis and Spot my crew chief knows what I need and gives me great cars for Thompson.”
With bonus points awarded for leading a lap and the most laps, Pitkat has also lost points. Coby has 35 bonus points this season, compared to Preece’s 27 and Pitkat’s 10.
“Absolutely. Need to try to go there and get the bonus points and win the race. Bonus points have hurt us this year.”
Pitkat’s team has been a part of the title fight throughout the season. The points leader has been within 8 points of the leader all season.
“It’s been pretty stressful because we never been in this situation before with the Tour, but it’s what we love to do and we keep learning things every week and it just drives us to want to be the best.”
The Stafford Springs, CT driver is seeking his third title at Thompson in the Sunoco Modifieds. Although winless this season in his first season driving for Stan Mertz, Pitkat has six podiums in seven starts to lead former champions Keith Rocco by 14 points and Ryan Preece by 18 points.
“They’re the best in the business in the SK’s in all the Connecticut tracks. Obviously, (Preece and Rocco are) tough to beat week (in) and week out. I think we(‘ve) been missing something all year to get us over the hump at Thompson for a win and hopefully will be able to do that this Sunday.”
Pitkat ranks eighth with 39 wins since 2001 at Thompson. With Glenn Boss’ retirement, Pitkat will become the fourth winningest active driver (Ted Christopher (98), Rick Gentes (74), Larry Barnett (56). Pitkat owns five World Series wins, including the last three years in Sunoco Modifieds.
Pitkat expects to continue in 2016 with a similar schedule.
“(I) haven’t made any plans yet. Just focusing on this weekend, but I’m sure same thing next year.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto, YankeeRacer.com
Hometracks.NASCAR.com
Racing-Reference.info
TheThirdTurn.com
UltimateRacingHistory.com