THOMPSON – Stan Mertz needed a driver at Thompson Speedway, Woody Pitkat needed a ride. Now they both have a championship to share.
In his first season driving an SK Modified for Mertz, a former regular competitor at the track, Pitkat delivered the ultimate prize.
Pitkat, of Stafford, finished second in Sunday’s 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified to clinch the 2015 division championship at Thompson Speedway.
“When I stepped out of the car I knew it was the end of my time as a driver and I wanted to find the right driver to carry on with everything that I’ve done,” Mertz said. “This is the pinnacle of my entire career.”
It was the second clinched championship in as many days at Thompson for Pitkat, who also secured the 2015 Valenti Modified Racing Series title on Saturday at the track.
“This is amazing to see the team that we put together here,” Pitkat said. “It’s like the little train that could. It’s a low buck team. Norm Perry and Dennis Perry and all those guys [on the crew], they work their butts off on this car. Obviously we were real consistent this year. Nothing fell off. Norm built a great motor.”
Ryan Preece of Berlin won the event, passing Pitkat for the lead following a lap 27 restart. Kerry Malone of Needham, Mass. was third.
“I really wanted to win today, I really thought we had it, but obviously it wasn’t meant to be,” Pitkat said. “It just stinks. I really wanted to win and win the championship. I really wanted to win for these guys.”
During the victory celebration Mertz emphasized that the team had dedicated the season to Army Spc. John Dawson of Whitinsville, Mass., who was killed in action on April 8, 2015. Dawson’s name has been on the car all season.
“At the Icebreaker we found out that there was a young man that had been killed from Whitinsville [Mass.],” Mertz said. “He served us well and we wanted him honored on our car all season. I’m so glad we could do that.”
What was the problem/penalty with Keith Rocco ?
A track announcer (Matt Buckler?) said that Rocco’s motor did not pass tech because of its intake manifold. Apparently a compliant intake manifold was not readily available, so Rocco could not race.
I was wondering the same thing. Rocco was in the heat race Saturday right? Did he have a chance to get the championship?