Story By: KYLE SOUZA / STAN MERTZ RACING – WHITINSVILLE, MA – 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.
