A one-race deal for Timmy Solomito with the KLM Motorsports Whelen Modified Tour team has turned into a full-time ride for the Islip, N.Y. driver.
KLM Motorsports team owner Mike Murphy confirmed to RaceDayCT Thursday that Solomito will replace Rob Summers with the team.
Murphy had asked Solomito to run Saturday’s Whelen Modified Tour Miller Lite 200 at Riverhead Raceway. Solomito finished 12th in the event.
“Timmy is going to drive from now on,” Murphy told RaceDayCT. “I was very happy with the way things went in Riverhead. … I didn’t know that Timmy that well, but he seems like a very nice guy.”
Solomito lands with a team that includes his former crew chief at Flamingo Motorsports, Sly Szaban. Solomito, with Szaban as his crew chief, had nine Whelen Modified Tour victories in 2006 and 2007 with Flamingo Motorsports. Owner Eric Sanderson shut down the team at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
Solomito made six Whelen Modified Tour starts in a family owned car in 2020. He was fourth in the NAPA Spring Sizzler 150 on April 30 at Stafford Speedway in the family owned ride.
Summers had been driving full-time for KLM Motorsports since the start of the 2016 season. He was 19th in the season opening Whelen Modified Tour event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on March 8 and 22nd at the NAPA Spring Sizzler.
“It’s tough because we were together almost six years,” Murphy said of parting ways with Summers. “We’re still going to be friends. That doesn’t come into it with this. We’ve been through a lot together. It was really tough on everyone to make this decision. … It’s just a shame the way things went.”
The KLM Motorsports team is back in action for the Whelen Modified Tour Jennerstown Salutes 150 on May 29 at Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway.
Bummer, but Rob Summers just wasn’t getting it done. I maintain that he has terrible luck, it didn’t look like he got himself into that much trouble.
Good luck to Timmy Solomito. He is taking over a very good car. I’m sure Liz is extremely excited.
I do hope this team gets a good spotter. Much of the issues that ran into Summers could be attributed to spotting.
Mixed feelings on this one, as both were drivers I rooted for to do well. Dareal, I think you’re right, Robbie Summers had some really good runs that were thwarted by mechanical issues and/or other drivers mishaps. I kind of felt Timmy Solomito was having the same kind of luck the #66 car. Being back with Sly can only be a good thing for Timmy, as they had some good results together in the #16.
Awesome news Timmy will deliver the first tour victory for that race team soon.
Sure, drop the guy after the season has started, you’ve hugged it out and will all be friends going forward. Good luck with that.
My boy reports his classmate Rob Summers was a super good guy in their High School days that got along with everyone and was a genuinely good guy. He’s had a magical run so far working hard and playing hard in some really good race cars since a pup. This is a set back for sure. Not that long after his pops died so pretty tough for Rob of late.
Is it the car or the driver? Worked for Smeriglio big time. Ed Harvey I suppose Pitkat has brought then consistency to some degree. Never worked switching drivers for Danny Watts. Maybe a little bit last year Nocella had some good finishes but this year it’s back to Nowheresville. I was going to say Solomito wrecks a lot because he crashed out of 3 of the 6 races he was in last year but that’s not the case for his career. In the 16 days he was Mr. Clean for the most part.
Hope it makes a marked improvement but probably won’t.
It’s really about Bringing it home hell for leather Doug. Good luck to the 64 and Timmy.
It’s really about bringing it home hell for leather Doug.
Good luck to 64 and Timmy. Chat to you this time next year.