TRACK TALK: Busy weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

The Valenti Modified Racing Series will compete in a 50-lap shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.,on Sunday.

Woody Pitkat is ready for this weekend’s New England Short Track Showdown when the Valenti Modified Racing Series competes in a 50-lap shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. The race will be contested on Sunday, with Saturday set aside for a day of practice. Also on the docket are the Granite State Pro Stock Series, Street Stock Showdown and the North East Mini Stock Tour.

 Pitkat, of Stafford Springs, Conn., who was the winner of the inaugural race last season, looks forward to the event for good reason.

“Obviously very exited to go back there,'' said Pitkat, the 2015 VMRS champion and four-time series winner. "I feel I have figured that place out the last handful of years. It’s a place I love going to. It’s our Daytona for the Modifieds, with the drafting and passing we do.”

"I’m very excited to be going there with our new Troyer chassis that we changed to a couple of races in. I have some very good notes from up there (Loudon) when I drove for Buzz Chew. I won a couple of races and really looking forward to the weekend with that Troyer car. I think we’ll be even better than last year."

The 2017 race featured 17 lead changes, with Pitkat leading the field nine times. Can Sunday’s race be as competitive?

 “Absolutely, now that you have some people that have had an opportunity to race there and drivers that have had seat time. Now that Jonathan McKennedy is going to be there, the 25 car has been the one to beat all year. They’ll be in contention. Anthony Nocella and Richard Savary of Canton and the rookies and young drivers have done a phenomenal job this year already.”

 Pitkat is quick to point out  that the rules package is right where it needs to be for this event.

“I think Jack (Bateman) has done a good job getting all the engine packages together to create a level playing field. The gear ratio is where everybody needs to be and that’s what creates a lot of passing and a good show.”

 Reigning champion Nocella has a 21-point lead over former series champion Rowan Pennink (159), with Pitkat (150) currently third in the standings. Mike Willis sits fourth (148) and Sammy Rameau fifth (130).

 We talked to Canton's Rick Savary about his racing in the VMRS go at NHMS.

"We're planning on being there. Last time we had engine problems and had to go out early on. The problem was with the cylinder head. This time we've changed the engine over to an aluminium head and it should be best for our team. We hope to finish better this time. And if we come out in one piece, it's off to Seekonk Speedway for Open Wheel Wednesday on June 27. That's the night when the Tri-Track Open Modified Series will make it's first of two appearances of 2018 at the Route 6 oval."

 Pre-race ceremonies at NHMS are scheduled for noon, with qualifying heat races beginning at 12:30 pm

  Elsewhere: Tonight, the rained-out ISMA Super-Modified race will give it a second try at the Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. Post time is 6. Also tonight, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be in action at the Langley Speedway in Virginia. ...  The rest of the month of June will be busy as the Valenti Modified Racing Series moves back to the Monadnock Speedway on June 30. ... Pembroke's Keith Johnson, a retired MX rider, will offer his annual AMA National MX at Motocross 338 in Southwick on June 30. The Wick will see top riders from the SuperX and ArenaX in action on that top race course. Johnson took over that venue five years ago after the previous promoters walked out of that track after a disagreement over leasing fees with the local VFW post that owned the track.

 "It took me a few years to get the AMA sanctioning body to come back to Massachusetts, which was last year. We were able to promise them that we are in it for the long haul," said Johnson.

 Information for this column came from press releases and personal notes.