(Press Release from Stan Mertz Racing)
Stan Mertz Racing and driver Woody Pitkat will look to recreate some Stafford Motor Speedway magic this Friday night, May 14, in the Call Before You Dig Modified Classic 81. Last year, the team celebrated victory in the Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 at Stafford, a track where Pitkat is no stranger to Victory Lane.
Piktat has 78 career wins at the half-mile, which ranks second all-time, only behind the late, great, Ted Christopher, who had 131 wins. Pitkat is also a three-time Stafford champion, including two Late Model crowns and one in the SK Modifieds. The team is coming off a solid seventh-place finish in their first of 10 races this season with the Tri Track Open Modified Series at Monadnock Speedway on May 1.
“My home track,” Pitkat said. “With Stan’s car, we were really good in the Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 last year. I’m really looking forward to getting the car set and going down there with a chance to win.”
Sponsors of the team include Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Axis Engineering Group, Black and White Grille (Spencer, MA), TowBoatUS, Cape Towing & Salvage, J&S Motors, Pomfret Wine & Spirits, Mike Holmes & Son Excavating, Earnest Performance Shocks & Kenneth Blackmer Transport.
This event is also part of the Call Before You Dig Modified Challenge, which has a $8,111 prize to the driver who earns the most points combined between the Tri Track Open Modified Series and Stafford Motor Speedway Open Modified events. Mertz Racing earned four points in the opener of the Tri Track Series at Monadnock and is expected to be a major threat for the crown.
Friday’s schedule includes practice at 4 p.m., qualifying heat races at 6 p.m. and the Call Before You Dig Open Modified 81 around 9 p.m. The race will air to a live audience as part of a subscription to FloSports. For more information visit floracing.com. For tickets and race day information visit staffordmotorspeedway.com.
For more information on Stan Mertz Racing, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit stanmertzracing.com.
2018-20,20
2019-21,23,26
2020-35,28,26,24
From humble beginnings in 2018 the Stafford opens have grown to be a formidable yearly series unique for being track specific. The high water mark in car count the opener last year as teams were anxious to shake off the quarantine and get beck to the track. 37 cars registered for the 2021 opener and if history repeats means the car count will be at least 30 and a consi for only the second time in the series history. That’s progress.
No more pandemic era Stafford open light offering all the weekly divisions will run features and the SK Lights may require a consi if a bumper crop of them show up, a likely possibility.
Ron Silk in the 16 and the Jimmy Paige 00 not registered and that’s a disappointment as well as Ole Blue. Otherwise the field is absolutely loaded with star power lead by Preece, Lutz, Emerling,Dowling, Myer and McKennedy. Plus open heavy hitters the Casella 25 and 7ny. Going against the usual cast of Stafford regulars lead by Rocco and Williams that tend to give invaders a tough time making it to the top 5.
No more SK package nonsense for Pitkat he’s got top line power now, has won and has to be a favorite both with fans and to win.
So where does the CBYD bonus stand? So far the modified teams have giving it a ho hum reaction as only Pitkat, Preece and Cipriano in the top 10 from the Tri Track race at Monadnock are in the second leg of the bonus qualified races. Pitkat with the early lead but Cipriano who has landed himself in the Bob Horn Racing 50 for Tri Track and Casella 25 for Stafford can be a factor if the rides play out for the season. Dowling, Williams and Chris Pasteryak will climb back into contention for sure.
Are you disappointed that so many cars from Tri Track aren’t in this event? Don’t be. If Stafford scores good numbers which they should by all accounts it will be strong evidence for tour type modified racing team base is well populated. The Stafford event is also an indicator of the 2021 spec/built engine choice. Rules changes took away some of the built engine advantages. Stafford does not allow NWMT spec engines so a good car count is evidence that the move to built engines is still strong.
Sorry I left out Eric Goodale from the big names in this race. Love the 58 and he is definitely a threat to win this race.