Woody Pitkat in three Divisions at the Ice Breaker

Poste by Wayne G. Barber

Photo by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

The 2017 season is shaping up to be a busy one for Woody Pitkat. Already committed to a new NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour ride with Goodie Motorsports, and returning to his Stan Mertz owned No. 6 Sunoco Modified at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Pitkat will also be driving Jeff Hartwel’s No. 91 Late Model entry.  Returning to the Late Model Division is a homecoming for Pitkat, whose roots are in a full-fendered race car.

Pitkat raced against Hartwell at Stafford Motor Speedway previously, and the two developed a mutual respect for each other. One of Hartwell’s crew members had always pushed him to explore the option of having Pitkat drive one of his cars. Hartwell finally took his advice and made the call just recently. Pitkat was surprised as he originally thought he was joking. He talked details over and went to take a look at the car where an agreement was ultimately made. While Pitkat looks forward to being back behind the wheel of a full-fendered car he also looks to deepen his relationship with the Hartwell Motorsports team by being present at the team’s shop.  

“It’s tough to do when there are other commitments and priorities. But with his shop being so close to Thompson and close to me I can make an effort to be there and get involved. The more time we spend together the better it will get. That’s how we’ll build this,” the 2015 Sunoco Modified Champion explained.

They seem to have a playful foundation to start.

“Jeff and I actually have the same birthday. I don’t know how it worked out but his daughter has the same birthday, too. Instead of saying hi or bye to each other when around the track we say ‘Happy Birthday!’”.

This type of collegial and fun-loving relationship is how Pitkat approaches motorsports. It’s more than racing to him.   Since signing onto drive the No. 6 Sunoco Modified for Stan Mertz, Pitkat delivered the veteran car own the elusive championship he’s sought for so long.  More than that, though, Pitkat befriended Mertz.  In fact, Mertz was one of the first to offer Pitkat and his wife, Erica, congratulations on the birth of their new son.  

“When it comes down to it he really didn’t have to do that. But that just goes to show you the type of guy that Stan is. It meant a lot to me and my wife,” described Pitkat.

The veteran driver has got a full slate for 2017, but everyone understands the priorities.

“I really want to thank Stan and Jeff for understanding the priority is the (NASCAR Whelen Modified) Tour car, then Sunoco Modified and then the Late Model. They both understand the priorities and this is the biggest reason why I can do all of this. They back me 100%.”

Pitkat will be behind the wheel of all three entries, beginning at the 43rd running of the Icebreaker, on April 1-2.  For more information, please visit www.thompsonspeedway.com, or connect with us on social media.

NASCAR implements stage-based race format, playoff-point incentives

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

NASCAR, in collaboration with its industry stakeholders, announced today competition format enhancements that will be implemented in all three of its national series -- the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The new race format is designed to emphasize aggressive racing and strategy, with the goal of delivering more dramatic moments over the course of a race and season. Monday's announcement came with NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France and NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell sharing the stage with drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, along with additional team and track representatives. All industry stakeholders collaborated on the format.

"Simply put, this will make our great racing even better," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman & CEO. "I'm proud of the unprecedented collaboration from our industry stakeholders, each of whom had a common goal -- strengthening the sport for our fans. This is an enhancement fully rooted in teamwork, and the result will be an even better product every single week."

Under the new format, races will consist of three stages, with championship implications in each stage. The top-10 finishers in each stage will be awarded additional championship points. The winner of the first two stages of each race will receive one playoff point, and the race winner will receive five playoff points. Each playoff point will be added to a driver's reset total following the 26th race, if that competitor makes the playoffs.
The structure also ensures that competition will be dialed up throughout the duration of the 26-race regular season, as points for both stage winners and race winners will transfer into the postseason -- and an official regular-season champion will be crownded, and rewarded with 15 playoff points to the driver's playoff reset of 2,000. The stage format also gives fans a pair of natural breaks in the action.

All playoff points will carry through to the end of the third round of the postseason (Round of 8), with the Championship 4 racing straight-up at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the title
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Championship points following the first two stages of each race will be awarded on a descending scale, with the stage winner receiving 10 points, second earning nine points, and so on. The race winner following the final stage will receive 40 points, second-place will earn 35, third-place 34, fourth-place 33, and so on.

In addition, the top-10 drivers in regular-season points also will receive playoff points with second place earning 10 points, third place getting eight points, fourth place obtaining seven points, and so on.

"These are enhancements that the NASCAR fan has long sought, and the entire industry has worked hard to develop a better racing format for our fans," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "This format puts a premium on every victory and every in-race position over the course of the season. Each point can eventually result in winning or losing a championship. Source: NASCAR MEDIA PRESS RELEASE

Michael Bennett Ready to Return to Late Model Competition at Stafford Speedway and Race For the Championship

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---After winning the Late Model championship at Stafford Speedway in 2015, hometown driver Michael Bennett decided to scale back his racing efforts to part-time status in 2016.  With the 2017 season on the horizon at the Connecticut half-mile track, Bennett is ready to resume his full-time status in the track’s premier full fendered division and once again chase after a championship.

“Most of last year was a personal decision to not race the full season,” said Bennett.  “Everyone knows the story of my son Chace and he’s still receiving treatments and my daughter Tenley was born in the summer of 2015.  We won the championship and when the season was over, I felt like I needed a break.  My children are always my first concern and personally I didn’t want to dedicate all of my time to one car at one track.  I think it was more of a mental break that I needed and now my daughter is getting older and Chace is doing well so we decided to go for the championship again.  After we won the Sizzler last year, the thought did cross my mind of should we continue, but I just had to block that out.  I have to thank Start/Finish Productions with Ben Dodge and my car owner Bingo, who have both been outstanding helping us out.  We’re working on some other sponsors but we wouldn’t be where we are right now without the support from Bingo and Ben Dodge.”

Although Bennett only made five starts in his #16 Start/Finish Productions Chevrolet during the 2016 season, he scored a win in the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler feature and the #16 car won a second time with Woody Pitkat behind the wheel for the Late Model 50-lap extra distance feature.  Bennett scored 7 wins and never finished outside the top-10 during his 2015 championship season and he is feeling confident about his chances at running up front once again on a regular basis.

“We didn’t get all the finishes that we wanted at Stafford, but we still had a pretty good season last year,” said Bennett.  “We’re confident in what we bring to the track but I think it was just a case of not being there every week.  Sometimes when the track rubbers up, it’s one way, and then when it rains it’s another way and we weren’t able to keep up with that running part time.  We’re going to do our best to try to put ourselves in position to win another championship.  The competition is great at Stafford and it’s great to see everyone who has registered to race.  Joey Cipriano is a good driver and I’ve seen him in the NEMA Lites.  He didn’t have a lot of experience in those cars but he was pretty quick.  It’s going to be fun to see Matt Vassar back at Stafford, he’s had a lot of success racing down south.  Tom Fearn is still on top of his game and he’s the guy to beat right now, Josh Wood is going to be tough, Michael Wray seemed like he came out of nowhere the last couple seasons with a great car, and Kevin Gambacorta is always there.  I think we have one of the best cars and teams and I feel confident we can be right back up front, we just need to have a little luck on our side.”

With 15 career Late Model wins to his credit combined with 14 career Ltd. Late Model and 4 DARE Stock wins, Bennett certainly knows how to get to NAPA Victory Lane.  And with a crew intact that has spent years with Bennett, the formidable duo have their sights set on not only another championship, but winning the NAPA Spring Sizzler Late Model feature for the third consecutive season.

“The crew is still all together and everyone is pumped to get back at it running weekly,” said Bennett.  “The break helped rejuvenate everyone and I know a lot of guys have stepped up and improved their cars, but we’re confident in what we bring to the track.  It’s going to be tough to do but we’ve already been talking about winning our third consecutive Spring Sizzler.  The Sizzler is a race that everyone wants to win and has their best stuff so we’d love to be able to win that race again.  With the competition the way it is, you need to be up on the podium every week to stay in contention.  A good run in the Sizzler definitely sets the tone for the season and we’ve found that to be true the last two years.  Usually we have a history of starting off slow and climbing up hill from there but in 2015 we won the Sizzler and 3 of the first 5 races and that really put us in good position for the remainder of the season.  We’re hoping we can do that once again.”

Bennett and the rest of the Late Model field will get their first taste of going for NAPA Victory Lane in the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 28-30.  Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office.  Tickets are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  Reserved seating is priced at $42.00 for all ages.  As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.  All tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday admission.  All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.

For more information on the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Jonathan McKennedy awarded “Premier Touring Series Driver of the Year” at Northeast Motorsports Expo

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo credit by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Jonathan McKennedy awarded “Premier Touring Series Driver of

the Year” at Northeast Motorsports Expo

Augusta, Maine – At this past weekend’s 29

th

Annual Northeast Motorsports Expo,

open wheel Modi*ed standout Jonathan Mckennedy was awarded the “Premier

Touring Series Driver of the Year”.

Sponsored by Mainely Motorsports Television, (MainelymotorsportsTV.com) and its

popular Host Steve Perry, the honor is a tell-tale of top-Series driver results from the

past season.

Host Steve Perry explained, “The Premier Touring Series Driver of the Year” is a

comparison of best season to best season of all our top New England drivers from

ACT, MRS, NASCAR and PASS competition.

“During the 2016 season,” continued Perry, “this driver stood-out above all the rest.

“Competing in 25 Touring Series events, he and his team grabbed 11 wins and 22

Top-Four *nishes. With wins coming in N. Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire and Maine, our ‘Premier Touring Series Driver of the Year’, is East

Chelmsford, Massachusetts racer Jonathan Mckennedy.”

“This is a super award to receive”, Mckennedy said, “and I am honored to be

mentioned in the same sentence with its past winners. It’s great how Steve Perry

and the Mainely Motorsports television show bring short track racing into the homes

of thousands and thousands of race fans weekly.

“Over the years, they have brought our #29 team solid attention. And now, with

this award, they are bringing stronger light to us all.

“Lots of work went into the preparation and building of our racecar this season,”

continued Mckennedy. “Eddie Flemke’s RaceWorks Chassis stayed consistent

throughout the year -tire management being nearly perfect in many conditions. And

Mike Pettit at Pettit Race Engines gave me a great engine all season. Thank-you.”

“I certainly couldn’t have had this success without my sponsors EXIT Realty, Sage

Bank, De*lippo Insurance and Christopher’s Towing and, of course, my great crew

and spotter who take the time to help me pursue my career. Again, thank-you all.”

Steve Perry added, “Past Premier Touring winners include Dave Dion, Robbie Crouch,

Mike Stefanik, Ricky Craven, Eddie MacDonald, Joey Polewarczyk, Johnny Clark,

Wayne Helliwell Jr., Brian Hoar, DJ Shaw, and Rowan Pennick. That’s a good indicator

of the stars we have and the prestige that comes to the winner, and Mainely

Motorsports Television are pleased that Jonathan is the recipient and thankful he’s

our 2017 ambassador.”

For 2017, McKennedy has begun what so many others have also started, looking for

added sponsors and partners to join his team.

“I’m looking to advance my career as a driver in NASCAR or another Series,” added

Mckennedy. “We have good supporters for our current program, and have two

possible opportunities in the pipe-line. We are working to add, and could certainly

use added partners though.”

Josh Wood Ready for Double Duty at Stafford Speedway in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---In a big move for the 2017 season, 2013 Limited Late Model Track Champion and multi-time winner in the Late Model division, Josh Wood, will be adding an SK Modified® ride to his racing stable.  Wood will remain behind the wheel of the #17 Bob Peterson owned Late Model but will pull double-duty throughout the 2017 season also piloting the #24 SK Modified®.

“It was just a case of me wanting to keep moving up and challenging myself,” explained Wood.  “Going up to the SK Modifieds® is a big jump and those drivers are the best in the business and some of the best on the east coast.  It’s going to be a challenge but it’ll be fun.”

During the 2016 season Wood tested the waters running 2 SK Modified® features with 2 different teams and mixed results.  Wood ran one race with the #11 LFR Northeast team and a 2^nd race in a Todd Owen prepared car, notching a 24^th and 21^st place finish respectively.  Though both results ended in mid-race incidents Wood is confident that his new team will be ready to compete with the best of the best when they unload at the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 28-30.

“We’re hoping that we can be a top-10 car in the SK’s,” continued Wood.  “It’s a really tough division so we’re not looking to go out there with guns blazing and try to be in the top-5 every race, that’s not realistic for us.  We have a new car built and prepared by Todd Owen and Butch Shea at Chassis Pro.  I’m not really sure if we’ll be able to use our notes from last year or not but I know that I’ll be comfortable with what I have under me and if we’re not performing well then it won’t be the motor or the car, it will be me.”

Wood joins a long list of SK drivers that have run both the Late Models and SK Modifieds® on a weekly basis.  Woody Pitkat and Keith Rocco have spent multiple season driving in both divisions and in 2016 Glen Reen doubled up and won both the SK Modified® and Late Model features in the same night behind the wheel of the #17 SK Modified® and #31 Late Model.  Wood is confident that he can continue his success in full-body competition as he learns in the SK Modified®.

“The biggest goal for the SK will be to stay out of trouble and bring the car home in one piece each week,” explained Wood.  “With the Late Model, things are looking pretty good, we’re hoping we can win some races again and contend for the championship.  It’s all going to depend on how the season gets started for us and if we can stay consistent.”

The #24 SK team with Wood behind the wheel will have to learn quickly if they hope to score good finishes in 2017.  The SK Modified® division continues to be one of the strongest in the country with all drivers finishing in the top-15 of the 2016 point standings set to return to competition in 2017.  Wood and his team are excited for the challenge and looking forward to the season.

Wood and the #17 Late Model team has had long-time support from Flamingo Motorsports, C+S Engineering, R.A.D. Automachine, and Falls Alignment.  All will be continuing their support throughout the 2017 season. 

Wood will kick off his double duty 2017 season in the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 28-30.  Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office.  Tickets are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  Reserved seating is priced at $42.00 for all ages.  As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.  All tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday admission.  All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.

For more information on the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Valenti Modified Racing Series rules meeting.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

   Sunday Jan. 8th the VMRS held its annual meeting at the Stafford Motor Speedway clubhouse. The turnout of modified teams heard M.R.S. founder and president Jack Bateman discuss the 2017 racing schedule and ground rules for the upcoming season. There are no rule changes for the division and spec motors were unanimously voted out by the owners/drivers in attendance

   

   Traction control was another topic being discussed and the decision was to not allow any form of traction control. Any team found running the device will be disqualified for the entire season.

   Bobby Summers of Hoosier Tire was on hand to answer questions and announce prices will not increase from last year. Also in attendance was a member from the SK division that normally competes at the Stafford Motor Speedway and New London/Waterford Speedbowl. Some SK teams are interested in running selected events with the VMRS and would like to have a set of rules adopted so they can compete competitively with the MRS teams. Such rules may be fourth coming shortly.

   As far as the schedule, the MRS will kickoff the 2017 season on Friday May 19th at the Stafford Motor Speedway with an always exciting 80 lap feature. Then eight days later, Lee U.S.A. speedway will host the MRS for the Lee 125. This event was normally a twin 50 event but this year it will consist of three 25 lap heats with their own payoff of $500.00 to win, $350.00, $250.00, $200.00, $100.00 leading to a 50 lap feature paying $3000.00 to win.

   Probably the most exciting race on the MRS schedule has to be the first ever visit to the one mile Loudon Speedway. That 50 lap marathon will take place on Sat. July 1st with practice on Friday, June 30th. That race will pay $5000.00 to win, $1000.00 to take the green.

A test and tune day will take place in May. That date will be announced shortly.

   To learn more about any rules and race dates, Bateman and his team will be on hand at the Auto Parts Swap & Sell at the Eastern States Exposition. W. Springfield, MA January 21st & 22nd.

Story by James Snape and photo by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Fri.   May 19   Stafford Motor Speedway

Sat.  May 27   Lee USA

Sat.  June 17  Speedway 51, Groveton,NH

Sat.  June 24  New London/Waterford

Sat   July  1    Loudon

Fri.   July   7   Claremont

Fri    July  21  Lee USA

Sat.  Aug  12  New London/Waterford

Sat.  Aug  19  Beech Ridge

Fri    Sept  1   Stafford Motor Speedway

Sat/Sun  Oct. 7/8  Lee USA

Fri/Sat    Oct  13/14  Thompson Speedway         

Carl Edwards to retire immediately

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#19-Carl Edwards is expected to announce Wednesday that he will retire immediately from NASCAR racing, according to sources familiar with his plans. Edwards, 37, spent 13 years in the Cup Series and won 28 times in 445 starts. No immediate reason was available for why Edwards would retire. Daniel Suarez will be named the replacement for Edwards at Joe Gibbs Racing, sources said. Suarez, from Mexico, became the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series when he earned the Xfinity Series title in 2016.(ESPN)
AND: Joe Gibbs Racing is scheduled to hold two separate news conferences [Edwards retirement? Hamlin contract extension?) starting at 10:00am/et on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from its headquarters in Huntersville, NC.(JGR)
MORE: Edwards is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to pursue other interests outside of driving and will not compete in 2017. On Wednesday, JGR will announce at a press conference that Daniel Suarez will replace Edwards as the driver of the team's #19 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota. Suarez is the reigning NASCAR XFINITY Series champion. Representatives of Edwards and Joe Gibbs Racing declined comment. David Wilson, president of TRD, U.S.A., also declined comment on Edwards' departure.Source: (FoxSports) (1-10-2017)