Woody Pitkat To Compete For Stan Mertz Racing In SK Modified At Thompson Speedway In 2015

Woody Pitkat celebrates victory in the Whelen Modified Tour F.W. Webb 100 last year at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Photo: Getty Images)

Woody Pitkat celebrates victory in the Whelen Modified Tour F.W. Webb 100 last year at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Photo: Getty Images)

Stan Mertz was looking for a new driver for his SK Modified at Thompson Speedway. Woody Pitkat was looking for a new team to compete for at the track.

Perfect combination.

Mertz announced Tuesday that Pitkat, a longtime Thompson Speedway SK Modified dominator, will take over driving duties for his team in 2015.

“I’m ecstatic about it,” Mertz said. “With the experience that he’s got at Thompson. He’s bringing a lot of the experience that we haven’t had. With the new package that we’re putting together, combined with the new car that we built last season, I think we’re now poised to be a contender for wins at Thompson. I’m really happy.”

Pitkat, of Stafford, ran three races for Mertz in last year’s Tri-Track Open Modified Series.

“We clicked really well when we ran together,” Mertz said. “I love working with Woody.”

Said Pitkat: “I’m excited. It’s a new team and obviously going to have challenges, ups and downs, but I’m looking forward to it. I ran for Stan in the Tri-Track Series last year and I felt like things were good. I think there’s promise there. The Perry’s that take care of the car, Norm and Shelly and Dennis and all them, they’re a great group of people. The whole Perry family is a great group of people and I don’t think they get the recognition they deserve in racing.”

Max Zachem was originally slated to run for the Mertz Racing team this year at Thompson and also on the Tri-Track Series, but plans for that pairing recently fell through.

“We didn’t feel that the timing was right for 2015 and both felt it would be better for both of us to pursue other opportunities,” Mertz said.

Pitkat said his longtime Thompson SK Modified team owner Jimmy Paige made the decision not to run in 2015. Pitkat said it was a decision that involve the scheduling of events at Thompson this year. Thompson will host four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events as part of their seven event schedule. Pitkat drives for Buzz Chew Racing on the Tour. Paige works with Our Motorsports and driver Tommy Barrett Jr. during Tour events. And Steve Lemay, who was the crew chief for Paige’s SK Modified team at Thompson, also serves as crew chief for the Tinio Motorsports Modified Tour team with Bobby Santos III.

“So really those four races we wouldn’t be giving the [SK Modified] 100 percent,” Pitkat said. “It didn’t really make sense for him to spend all the money and four out of the seven races we’re not giving it 100 percent. So I understand where he was coming from.”

Dennis Perry of Pawcatuck will compete for Mertz Racing on the Tri-Track Series.

Follow RaceDayCT On FacebookFollow RaceDayCT On Twitter

Comments

  1. Great for Woody sure he’ll run well!

Leave a Reply

Copyright 2018 E-Media Sports

Website Designed by Thirty Marketing