(Press Release from the North-South Shootout)
In the Northeast region, the name Pasteryak is one of the most recognizable names in Tour-Type Modified racing. Charlie Pasteryak, 60, competed in 313 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events from 1985-2008. His passion for the sport trickled down to his son, Chris, who is a two-time Valenti Modified Racing Series champion and currently sits at the top of the 2015 championship standings.
This fall, the father-son duo will take a little vacation and travel south to Concord, North Carolina for the 13th annual North-South Shootout at Concord Speedway on November 6-7.
When the Pasteryaks were informed of event promoter Darren Hackett’s decision to move the event back to Concord after hosting the race at Caraway Speedway (NC) in recent years, both of their eyes lit up with excitement. They said that there was no way they would miss the event.
They’re now holding true to their word, but the only thing that hasn’t been decided is who will actually be behind the wheel when the green flag waves.
“I’m definitely going to be there,” Chris Pasteryak said. “I just don’t know whether or not I’ll be driving or if my dad will be driving. He hasn’t really gotten to race much this year. That one is a good one because he gets a whole day of practice if he wants it. He’ll get a lot of time to get used to driving again. It’s also a lot of fun. We wouldn’t miss it since it is back at Concord. We’ll definitely be bringing something. I just don’t know if I’ll be driving or crew-chiefing yet.”
While Charlie has made seven career starts in the North-South Shootout at Concord, the younger Pasteryak has never raced at the unique half-mile tri-oval. He said that he’d love to have the opportunity to race at the track, but having the opportunity to just visit the track as a crew chief is something that he’s looking forward to.
“I’ve never actually raced there. I’ve only run a few laps in practice,” Pasteryak explained. “From a standpoint of just watching, it’s because it’s different. There’s no place around that’s like that at a half-mile on the east coast that I can think of that we run Modifieds on. There might be other places like it around the country, but I’ve never seen them. It’s fast and it’s close racing because it’s fast, and normally is a pretty interesting show, too.”
If Chris does in fact get the chance to drive he plans to be realistic with his goals. He knows that the race will feature the best of the best in Tour-Type Modified racing from both the north and the south, and that is what makes the event so special for racers and fans alike.
“Winning anywhere is cool, but that would be a great one,” Chris Pasteryak said. “If I do end up driving I don’t think I’ll put myself on the list of people that can win simply because when you look right down the line of guys like (Matt) Hirschman, (Chuck) Hossfeld, Burt Myers, Jason Myers, any of the guys that normally go to those races, they’ve raced at Concord before and they have a lot of laps there. If I do end up driving this will be my first time having a go at it. It would be cool to get a win, but it’ll just be a good weekend regardless.”
Up to this point in the season, 2015 has been one of the more successful years of Chris’ racing career. After purchasing a new chassis prior to the start of the season, Pasteryak has hit his stride, winning five Modified Racing Series features and the $10,000-to-win Bullring Bash event at Lee USA Speedway (NH) in May.
“I am having a good year. I just can’t seem to screw up yet,” Pasteryak said with a laugh. “Confidence is everything and things are going well. We’re putting the right setup in the car at the shop and when things are going well then you just can’t over think it. You need to just keep doing what you’re doing.”
Whether it’s him or his dad behind the wheel for the 13th annual North-South Shootout, Pasteryak hopes that they can “keep doing what they’re doing” on November 7 and leave Concord with a good finish in one of Modified racing’s most prestigious events.
Entry forms for the $10,000-to-win John Blewett III Tour-Type Modified North-South Shootout event, as well as the $5,000-to-win Mr. Rooter SK Modified event, are currently available by visiting www.northsouthshootout.net.
Practice day kicks off the 13th Annual North-South Shootout on Thursday, November 5. Additional practice and qualifying will take place on Friday, November 6, with the North-South Shootout main events taking the green flag on Saturday, November 7.
For more on the 13th Annual North-South Shootout, visit www.northsouthshootout.net.
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