(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
Chris Pasteryak (5) in action with the Valenti Modified Racing Series (Photo: Stafford Speedway/Driscoll MotorSports Photography)
After a dismal start to the 2015 Valenti Modified Racing Series season, Chris Pasteryak has turned on the afterburners with 4 wins and he finds himself leading the championship standings as the VMRS comes to Stafford this Friday night, September 4th for the VMRS 80. Pasteryak is a former VMRS winner at Stafford in September of 2011 and another win at Stafford would continue the positive surge he and his #5 team sponsored by Seals-It, Sunoco Race Fuels, Dawley’s Collision and Custom, and Bilstein Shocks have been on.
“Another win at Stafford would be great,” said Pasteryak. “Before this year, our Stafford win was my last win in a modified. It took me 4 years to get back to victory lane so I’m trying to savor every one because you never know when it’ll be your last win. It feels pretty good to be leading the points. We only got the point lead because Woody skipped the Oxford race, but we finished last in the first Stafford race that Woody won, so that’s kind of an even swap. He’s not going to go away, he’s good at the three remaining tracks on the schedule and he’s going to be tough. Todd Patnode is also good at the last three tracks and if we’re not careful, he might walk away with the whole thing.”
With 4 wins in the last 7 VMRS races, Pasteryak and his #5 team are riding high with confidence. Despite the wave of momentum they have on their side, Pasteryak will face a tough challenge if he is going to win at Stafford. Woody Pitkat has won the first 2 VMRS races of the year at Stafford and thanks to his win at Oxford, Pasteryak can start the Stafford race no higher than 12th place. But that hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for trying to get his 5th win of the year.
“It’s going to be tough to win because the highest we can start is 12th after winning the last race at Oxford,” said Pasteryak. “If we can get in the right row right off the bat we can pick up some spots but if not, you have to use your head and pick cars off when you can. You also have to not use the car up so you have something left for the end of the race. My confidence has actually never been higher than it is right now because I’ve never had a year like this in the modifieds. We just have to roll with it and keep on getting good finishes. Last time at Stafford we finished third and if we can be in the top-5 towards the end of the race, if there’s a yellow or two, anything can happen.”
In addition to not being able to start higher than 12th for the feature, Pasteryak will also face a tall task in the qualifying heat races. He will be starting towards the back with his high handicapping value and try to run hard enough to get a qualified spot while at the same time not abusing his car so he has a good car to go racing with later in the evening.
“It’s a 3-week handicapping system for the heats, so we’re going to be starting towards the back,” said Pasteryak. “With 30 or so cars in the field, it’s going to be pretty tough to go from around 10th up to 4th in only 10 laps.”
The Valenti Modified Racing Series will take to the track, this Friday, September 4th with qualifying beginning at 6:15pm. Also in action will be the US Legend Cars, DARE Stock, Limited Late Model, SK Light, Late Model and SK Modified® NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Tickets for this event are on sale now and are priced at $27.50 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 seat tickets are $30.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking along with overnight parking for self contained Recreational Vehicles.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
CP,don’t worry come in second or third the officials will make sure you win…