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04/27/2012 |
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WOODY PITKAT
READY FOR TRIPLE DUTY IN THIS WEEKEND’S CARQUEST
TECH-NET SPRING SIZZLER AT STAFFORD SPEEDWAY |
 For
Stafford native Woody Pitkat, the 41st CARQUEST
Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend will be a busy time
as Pitkat will perform triple duty, driving in the
SK Modified®, Late Model, and Whelen Modified Tour
feature events. This year’s Sizzler is the third
consecutive Sizzler that Pitkat will have three
separate drives during the weekend. Pitkat will
pilot the #11Spectro Oils of America Ford in the
200-lap CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, the #89
Hitchcock Pool Water / James Paige Plumbing
Chevrolet in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, and
the #88 New Haven Truck and Auto Body Chevrolet in
the 30-lap Late Model feature.
Pitkat is coming off a 15th place finish in the
season opening Whelen Modified Tour event in which
he was involved in a multicar incident that
relegated him to the 15th place finish, 30 laps
down. But overall Pitkat was happy with his car and
he is looking forward to racing at Stafford, where
Donny Lia finished third in the #11 car that Pitkat
will be driving in last year’s CARQUEST Fall Final.
“We struggled a little at Thompson, but we made the
best of the weekend that we could,” said Pitkat. “We
had a transmission issue on Saturday, so we lost a
bit of practice time and then we only had high gear
for time trials. We qualified 20th and I was just
riding around, trying to get the feel of the car.
The car felt pretty good and then we got caught up
in that big wreck in turn 1 and we went a couple
laps down while I was helping the guys fix the car.
After the race was over, we found that we found a
motor issue, so all in all it was a good weekend,
the team really jelled well together.
We feel pretty confident going to Stafford. These
guys have a good setup for Stafford, Donny Lia
almost won the Fall Final with this car, and this
car used to be a Todd Szegedy car and Lloyd Agor was
helping Todd. Between Lloyd’s knowledge of the track
and the car, and I know the track pretty well,
hopefully we have our motor issue fixed and the guy
behind the steering wheel can go out and get it done
this weekend. We certainly hope to have a good
finish, it seems like Thompson and Stafford are two
of my worst tracks with the Tour car.”
Pitkat will also be looking to have strong runs in
both the SK Modified® and Late Model feature events.
Last season, Pitkat finished second in the points
standings in both divisions, and a strong finish at
the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler could be a big
boost to his team’s chances of going one step
further up the podium at the end of the season in
the championship race. Pitkat shook both cars down
last weekend during the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring
Sizzler Dress Rehearsal, and he is ready to try to
put both cars into CARQUEST Victory Lane this
weekend.
“We’re feeling pretty good,” said Pitkat. “The setup
and handling on both cars were pretty good, so I’m
looking forward to the races. We only went out twice
with the SK, it didn’t seem to get off the corners
as good as some of the other guys and we were in the
ballpark with the Late Model. But it was only
practice, the track was real green, and not everyone
was there, so you’re not really sure how where you
are. Both cars were good handling wise, we just need
to find a bit more speed in each car. We feel pretty
good, the competition this year is going to be good
and I feel confident that we’re going to have good
cars and a good season in both divisions.” While
driving three very different styles of racecars can
be a bit of a burden, Pitkat says that over time he
has adapted to the change of cars and driving styles
during a weekend.
“I remember at first there was a big difference
between the cars,” said Pitkat. “I remember the
first time I got into the Late Model after being in
the SK, it was a heat race and we went into turn 3
and I just plowed into the guy in front of me and
spun him out. I realized I wasn’t in the SK anymore
and I couldn’t drive it in as deep. It can be a bit
tough when you practice the Tour car for an hour and
a half and then you get into the SK car and you
think you are way down on power. But I feel like
I’ve got it down pretty well now, I’ve been doing it
a while and I know what I need to do in each car.
Stafford really helps out with the scheduling of
when the cars go out on track, so a big thanks to
them.”
The 2012 CARQUEST TECH-NET Spring Sizzler gets
underway Friday, April 27 with a practice session
for Stafford’s weekly divisions. The practice
session will be open to the public at no charge.
Action continues on Saturday, April 28 with Coors
Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour
cars, along with heat and consolation races for
Stafford’s weekly divisions. Saturday will wrap up
with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late
Model, and DARE Stock divisions. The Sizzler
continues on Sunday, April 29 with the CARQUEST
Belts & Hose Pit Party followed by Stafford’s SK
Modifieds® and Late Models joining the Whelen
Modified Tour in feature action.
Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of
Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office.
Tickets are priced at $38.50 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 will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. All
ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. As
always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking
with overnight parking available.
For more information on the 41st Annual CARQUEST
TECH-NET 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. |
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Source: Scott Running / Stafford Motor Speedway
Posted: April
27, 2012 |
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