There seems to be a lot of reuniting happening in the world of Southern New England Modified racing of late.
On Tuesday the news was made official that Ryan Preece will get back together to run two events for Boehler Racing Enterprises in Ole Blue.
But it wasn’t the only reuniting news in Modified racing Tuesday.
Modified veteran Woody Pitkat confirmed that he will rekindle an old relationship in 2022 with team owner Jimmy Paige and crew chief Steve Lemay.
Pitkat said he will drive in selected events for Paige this season. Pitkat had run for Paige with Lemay as his crew chief in an SK Modified at Thompson Speedway about a decade ago.
As of now the team has three events scheduled. They will run the Modified Racing Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on April 16, the Tri-Track Open Modified Series event at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Aug. 6 and the Modified Racing Series event at Thompson Speedway on Oct. 7.
“It’s the schedule that works for Jimmy and Steve,” Pitkat told RaceDayCT. “I was kind of excited when Jimmy called because obviously I had success with them at Thompson in the past. We didn’t end things on a bad note, Jimmy just stopped racing for a couple years when we stopped. Obviously he’s got a Billy The Kid engine and I’ve had a very good relationship with Billy [Mathes] for a long time going back in my racing career. So I’m pretty excited about it.”
Pitkat said he’s hoping to convince Paige to run the Modified Racing Series event at White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, N.H. on June 4.
“I like White Mountain and I’ve had some success there, so I can see if I can get those guys to go there,” Pitkat said.
Pitkat’s primary focus for the season is with team owner Doug Dunleavy, who purchased the former Whelen Modified Tour team owned by Eddie Harvey following the 2021 season.
Pitkat said the plans with the Dunleavy team for 2022 is to focus on all the Tour Type Modified events at Stafford Speedway in 2022. That includes the 50th NAPA Spring Sizzler April 23-24, the four Open Modified 80 events (May 20, June 10, July 1 and Aug. 19) and the Tri-Track Open Modified Series event on Sept. 24.
Pitkat said the Dunleavy team will likely run at least two Whelen Modified Tour events and could possibly run the bulk of the Tri-Track Open Modified Series schedule.
“I think we’ll go to the [Tri-Track season opening event on May 1 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H.] and see how that goes and decide what to do after that,” Pitkat said.
Good to here , looks like woody doesn’t burn many bridges , good luck
Be careful don’t schedule anything for July 2nd ,you know after you win the sizzler you’ll have to run the SRX
Wait,, What ..Wait… Didn’t we read an Article that said Woody is cutting back on Racing ??? well it’s hard to slow down when you love racing…..
Woody has never burned a bridge. To suggest that he ever has is unfathomable!
You see what’s happening here? It’s a thing now. Late winter, early spring is a steady stream of drivers and cars, mixing and matching, picking and choosing events that may be right for them.
Now more then ever it’s this eclectic, unpredictable dance of choices and locations.
Fun to watch.
I was never wild about Bonsignor in the 00 that’s been a favorite in the past. Never thought he was right for the ride nor had the proper spirit outside of the NWMT.
All is right with the modified universe now. Pitkat perfect in every way.