Chris Pasteryak (Photo: Tiesha DiMaggio/Vault Crew Productions)
Chasing points will take a backseat to chasing races in 2016 for Modified driver Chris Pasteryak.
After spending the last few years focused on competing for titles with the Valenti Modified Racing Series, the Lisbon driver will forgo chasing a third series title for at least one year.
Pasteryak said he expects to miss at least two Valenti Modified Racing Series events this year because of commitments to other Modified events.
He will skip the May 20 Valenti Modified Racing Series event at Stafford Motor Speedway to focus on running the inaugural $15,000 to win Modified Touring Series Winchester 200 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. on May 21.
He will also miss the Valenti Modified Racing Series event on Sept. 17 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Me. to instead run in the 250-lap Race of Champions on Sept. 17 at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway.
Pasteryak said he has mixed feelings about not chasing a third title with the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
“If you’re going to run most of the races you might as well run for something,” Pasteryak said. “But on the other hand, $15,000 to win is kind of tough to turn down. And I’ve wanted to go to the Race of Champions now for three or four years. With that race at Oswego, it was either going to happen this year or it wasn’t going to happen for us, so that was one that my dad and I both sat down and said ‘We were definitely going to that no matter what.’”
The 35-year old Pasteryak won Valenti Modified Racing Series titles in 2008 and 2011. He finished second in the standings to Woody Pitkat.
“It’s not set up where you really get any kind of bonus now for that,” Pasteryak said. “There is a point fund, you get that. They’ve even got it set up now where it really doesn’t effect you’re starting position in the heats [if you miss events]. It’s set up now for guys to do what we’re doing and run when you can and not really get penalized when you don’t.”
The Valenti Modified Racing Series opens its 2016 season Saturday at Monadnock Speedway. Pasteryak got a jumpstart on his Northern endeavors by running the Sothern Modified Racing Series event at Hickory (N.C.) Speedway on March 26, where he finished seventh.
“You’re always excited to get back in the racecar,” Pasteryak said. “Getting the one in the books at Hickory was good. We kind of shook down the car and worked out a couple little bugs. We went to the practice at Monadnock last Saturday. The car was pretty good at the practice. Things look good.”
Pasteryak will also compete this year in the five Tri-Track Open Modified Racing Series events.
Happy to see a mod driver do as he choose instead of chasing points for one series, many options to go Mod racing and I say Best of Luck to CCP racing!!
Why is he bothering to run with these guys
Clearly is not good enough
Sad when a guy does not realize that coby rocco tc Williams pitkat pennick dominate
All racing
I think sk lite would be good for him
This guy races down south where he finishes 7th
When we go down there we are heavy favorites to win
Right when I thought darealgoodfella was annoying this jeffreyt1258 guy shows up to post comments.
So what you are saying is that a North driver wins every race when they go down south? Didn’t realize Georgie, the Myers brothers, Seuss, Bohn, and others were washed up has beens???? Points really have no value except for the Tri-Track bonus. Also, thought all the drivers you listed run in a majority of events they are scheduled to run? Do you know where or have you been to Oswego for an ROC? What is the ROC?
Time to educate yourself and learn how to type in complete sentences instead of spouting off something you know very little about.
Jeffreyt1258,
If Rocco and TC are so dominant everywhere they go, why do they have an 0 for 3 combined record when trying to qualify for the Oxford 250?
Obviously some people are not aware of Chris Pasteryak’s success in the Valenti series; two championships and a second if I remember correctly. He also ran SK’s regularly (and very competitively) at the Speedbowl. He has skills and is one of the “race you clean” kind of drivers. Hopefully Charlie will run more than a few. Good luck CCP!!
Let’s see how competitive he is on the NWMT.
Good luck to you and hope I can come see ya race my parents Harold and Donna are good friends of your dad’s and mom
You’re a class act Chris, and your family. Don’t pay attention to the Bozo’s who don’t have a clue. Best of luck. Do it your way.
If to and Rocco are so dam good why is it they never win the big money races like Matt Hirschman does? There bozo? Good luck Chris!
Your an idiot none of the drivers you mentioned have ever won a big money race! So they r no better than Chris when any of them win as much money as Matt Hirschman then come talk your trash
Why would someone say “points have no value except for the Tri-track bonus” ?
Matt is good too
I forgot to mention him
He is definitely major contender when that$$ comes out
TC and rocco are not good bill there are great and that’s a fact
It seems like all the greats bother you for some reason and Jordan was not good either
And Tiger too
I think I got your #####
Oxford 250 that’s what you got
That’s a real popular race