Waterford Pre-Race: Tommy Barrett Jr. Offers Apology; Driver Changes For Modified Nationals

WATERFORD – Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway Tommy Barrett Jr. offered a message over the public address system to officials of the Valenti Modified Racing Series after the decision was made to stop scoring him while he ran in fourth place with less than 10 laps remaining during the Lincoln Tech 80.

“They’re just ridiculous,” said Barrett, a rookie in the series. “ They’re just the worst series.”

Barrett was looking for his third consecutive series victory Friday, but hopes to keep his streak going ended when he was black flagged for leaking fluid. After ignoring the black flag for three laps, series officials stopped scoring Barrett. The 17-year old driver’s response to that was to stop on the track before sending his message to series officials.

Saturday, during a guest appearance on Overdrive Radio from the Waterford Speedbowl, Barrett said he still didn’t agree with the call to black flag him, but offered an apology to series officials

“I want to apologize … “ Barrett said. “I shouldn’t have said the things I said.”

Barrett was suspended for two events earlier this season for aggressive driving and is still on probation. It’s unclear if further punishment for the incident Friday is forthcoming.

Valenti Modified Racing Series race director Guy Beaudoin said after the race that series officials would decide next week if they will penalize Barrett any further. The Valenti Modified Racing Series runs its next event on Oct. 6 at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway.

Driver Changes For Bud Mod Nationals

The 150-lap Budweiser Modified Nationals SK Modified feature resumes tonight at the Waterford Speedbowl. The race was stopped after nine laps because of rain on Sept. 1, though some faces in the event have changed.

Keith Rocco was suspended this week by Waterford officials for his involvement in a pit area fight last Saturday. Rocco’s father-in-law Todd Ceravolo will replace him behind the wheel in his No. 88 car.

Rowan Pennink started the event in the No. 19 car on Sept. 1, but Pennink is competing in tonight’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway. Replacing Pennink in the car will be Woody Pitkat of Stafford.

Pitkat won the event driving for Jimmy Paige in 2011.