By Lou Modestino
Another solid competitor has signed up to make his run for the championship in the GSPSS. Waterford, CT’s Dillon Moltz will be running the RB Performance/ Brackett Mechanical/ Magnus Transmissions Chevrolet in each of the 10 events in the 2014 season, and has his sights set on the grand prize, the 2014 championship.
Moltz is no slouch when it comes to racing. The 22 year-old driver got his start at “Little T”, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s 1/10 mile quarter midget track, and picked up a championship before moving to the Allison Legacy series, where he added his second career championship in 2005. Moltz ran with the PASS series in ’06, before pulling back on touring and running at Stafford Motor Speedway from 2007-2011 in a late model. In 2012, Moltz strapped in at Waterford Speedbowl, within earshot of his home, where he picked up his third career championship under car owner Mark Cooper.
Moltz made his debut with the GSPSS at the World Series at Thompson, and turned some heads by putting down blistering laps in practice all day long. A mishap in qualifying forced Moltz to start mid-pack in the feature, but fought his way up to a seventh place finish to conclude the 2013 season.
The youngster will be running for car owner Mark Brackett of RB Performance housed in Andover, ME. Brackett brings experience to the table, as he and fabricator Ricky Rolfe have built multiple championship winning chassis in their time together. Brackett, Rolfe, and Rolfe’s son Matt will be behind the scenes of the number 5 this season, as well as long time crew members of Moltz’s team, including his spotter and friend Sean Smith.
Moltz states when talking about the mixed crew “We act like we’ve known each other for a lifetime.” He is also quick to point out that everything is done as a team. He says he rarely uses “I” in victory lane, it’s a team effort. The team is the same, whether or not you take home the trophy or leave the track on the flatbed, according to Moltz. “When you turn around and the chips are down and the dust settles, whoever still stands behind you, those are your true friends, family, and supporters.”
Dillon Moltz will tell you he is a hard-nosed racer. “I’m not going to give an inch,” explains Moltz. “I’ll run you the way you run me, but when it comes down to the white flag, the gloves come off.” Moltz stresses he isn’t looking to cause a wreck or dump someone, but when a win is on the line, he is not afraid to rattle someone’s cage for the top position. His driving style has led to many successes, including winning the Richard Petty Driver Search in 2010, competing against 12 drivers from around the world. By winning the competition, Moltz drove an ARCA race for “The King” at Pocono, finishing in the 20th position. “The experience was incredible,” states Moltz. “Running against guys that have been running there forever, guys like (Frank) Kimmel and Bobby Gerhart, it was an experience of a lifetime.”
Even outside of racing, Dillon Moltz is searching for the next big trophy. When not at the track, Moltz is an avid outdoorsman. Living in the southeast corner of Connecticut, Moltz spends his down time in the summer on his boat fulfilling his other passion, fishing. Come the end of race season, Moltz can be found in the woods hunting. Even in the winter, Moltz stays busy by strapping on skis and hitting the mountain. Adrenaline and the outdoors keep Moltz ticking.
Moltz has high hopes for the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on April 5-6. Qualifying for the GSPSS will take place on Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m., and opening ceremonies will start at noon on Sunday with racing to follow.
The inaugural SK 5k on July 4th will be an exciting night for Stafford Speedway drivers and fans. With a purse of over $27,000 for the SK Modified® feature and $5,000 for the winner, the SK 5k will be surely demand the best from the star-studded field of weekly competitors at Stafford. We caught up with a few of our weekly SK Modified® competitors and asked them some questions about the race format, purse money, and potential of a non-weekly competitor to come in and threaten for a win. Here is what they had to say:
Woody Pitkat:
The Race: “I think it’s going to be a cool race and it’s great to be racing for that kind of money. You don’t see things like this at other tracks. It’s great to have the fans involved in the race rather than just coming to the track and watching the race from the stands, they will have their own part in the event.”
The Purse: “I’m really looking forward to the race because I seem to do better at the longer distance races and the year that I won the 150 I think my check was around $4,000-$4,200 so it was a nice check to take home. The purse is pretty evenly spread through the field you’re definitely going to have to be on your A-game for that race.”
Outsiders: “I’m sure you’re going to see a lot of guys from other tracks come to Stafford to try to win some of that money. I’m sure you’ll see some guys from Waterford and Thompson as well as some other guys like Matt Hirschman show up that night.”
Ryan Preece:
The Race/Purse: “How can you not like this race? It’s a big paying race and it not only pays up front but it pays well down throughout the field. I think the format is pretty interesting. Whether my car has a full tank of fuel or not, it handles the same. Sometimes when you race for big money you have to do things for the fans. The fans are why we’re there. They want to see a show and hopefully that’s what we’re going to be able to give them that night.”
The Outsiders: “I’m pretty sure the Stafford front runners are going to be the front runners in the race but who knows what will happen. You could have someone from Thompson, Waterford, or maybe someone from Pennsylvania has an SK car and they’ll be fast that night. I know it’s going to be tough to win that $5,000.”
Doug Coby
The Race/Purse: “I think it’s going to be exciting. Sitting on the front stretch not knowing what type of strategy you’re going to have, there’s nothing like this race out there. There’s also not too many SK shows that pay $5,000 to win. It’s nice that Stafford is doing something like this to get the fans involved. We’ll definitely be there with the 15 car and we’re going to try to win that $5,000. I’ve already submitted my ideas for the race on Twitter and I hope the fans come up with some really cool ideas to vote on. It should all make for an exciting night.”
Dan Avery:
The Race: I think this race is going to be pretty cool. With $5,000 to win you might see some guys who are really hungry for a win drive a bit more aggressively during the race, which will really make the race exciting to watch. I remember back in the Riverside days we had a $10,000 to win mini championship series and those races really changed how a lot of guys raced. Everyone was more aggressive during those races.
The Purse: “I would say $5,000 is definitely a motivating factor to win the race. Especially if you’re in the top-3 or top-5 towards the end of the race, that $5,000 will definitely be in the back of your mind and you’ll be trying to figure out how to get your car into the lead.”
Outsiders: “I definitely think that the Stafford regulars will have an advantage in the race. I’ve raced in a lot of different series at a lot of different tracks and the SK Modified® division at Stafford has to be the most talented group of guys I’ve ever raced against. On any given night, there are about 12 cars that can win a race. There are good drivers, good cars, and good competition every Friday night.”
Ted Christopher:
The Race/Purse: “I’m really looking forward to having some big money to race for. It’s nice for us to be able to race for that kind of money. Stafford always likes doing different things and this should be a great race. Hopefully we can have a good run. We won the big race last year and we seem to do pretty well in the longer distance races.”
Todd Owen:
The Race/Purse: “The race is fantastic, I think it’s a great idea. It’s nice to be able to race for $5,000 to win and it’s a great purse that pays pretty good throughout the entire field.”
Outsiders: “Stafford is such a tough track that if you’re not in the handicap, it’s going to be tough to win the race starting in the back. With the purse that is on the line, I think there will definitely be extra cars showing up to Stafford for the race.”
Keith Rocco:
The Race/Purse/Outsiders: “I think the purse is great, everyone wants to race for a big purse like this race has. I think the race will draw a lot of cars and Stafford already has the best guys in New England like Woody Pitkat, Ryan Preece, and Ted Christopher, so I think a Stafford guy will win the race.”
Eric Berndt:
The Race/Purse: “I’m excited for the race, I can’t wait for it to get here. I think it’s great to get the fans involved in the race. It’s going to leave some mystery for the drivers sitting on the grid but that’s something that Sprint Cup has been doing and it seems to be working out pretty well for them.”
Purse: “The purse money is pretty cool. The 150 paid really well but it was a long race and really put a lot of wear and tear on the equipment. With $5,000 to win, it’s really nice any time you can put money right back into the race car. I see the race pays really well through the top-10 positions so that shows that Mark Arute is really looking to help the racers out.”
Outsiders: “There’s never really been an outsider that has come in and won one of the longer races. I think the Stafford regulars will definitely have an advantage because history doesn’t favor the outsiders.”
Rowan Pennink:
The Race/Purse: “I was just reading about that race the other day online and the race sounds pretty cool to me. It’s a great way to help put fans in the stands and get them involved with the race. I’m sure the $5,000 to win is going to get all the drivers fired up to go racing and it will make the race even more exciting than it usually is.”
Outsiders: “It seems like most of the top SK drivers are already at Stafford so I would say the guys with track experience week by week will be the drivers to beat.”
The fans will play a direct role in the July 4th SK 5k race as they will choose the entire race format from lap count to qualifying procedure. Fans will be allowed to vote on every aspect of the July 4th SK Modified® race.
But before voting opens Stafford Speedway officials would like to hear insight from the fans on what to include on the SK 5k ballot. Stafford Speedway encourages everyone to share their ideas on Stafford Speedway social media and as well as any other media outlets. The voting will begin in late March.
Veteran Eddie MacDonald showed a little late-race mastery Saturday afternoon and brought home the winning trophy from Bristol Motor Speedway.
The 33-year-old driver from Rowley, Mass., took the lead on a green-white-checkered finish at the PittLite 125 and held off Gray Gaulding and Ben Rhodes to win the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at “The Last Great Colosseum.”
It’s MacDonald’s first win since September of 2009 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway snapping a 53-race winless streak and the seventh of his career.
The rookie Rhodes, 17, was looking for his first career win in his 10th start. He won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award in qualifying Thursday and led every lap Saturday up until the final restart. A late wreck set up the extended finish that pushed the race to 132 laps.
MacDonald qualified 13th and steadily worked his way to the front on the high-banked half-mile. He took second on Lap 120 and got past Rhodes for the lead heading into Turn 3 on the penultimate lap. Gaulding also got by Rhodes at the finish to take second.
Brennan Newberry and Austin Hill rounded out the top five.
Patrick Staropoli finished sixth, followed by Dave Garbo Jr., Brandon Jones, Matt Tifft and Michael McGuire.
Daniel Suarez, who won the first two races of the season, pitted out of the top 10 late in the race for a flat time and wound up 26th. His misfortune allowed Gaulding to take the points lead by four of Suarez and six over Rhodes.
The PittLite 125 will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. ET. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will return to the track on Saturday, March 22 for the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-PittLite 125
Saturday
At Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Tenn.
Lap length: 0.533 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (13) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 132 laps, 57.110 mph.
2. (5) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 132.
3. (1) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 132.
4. (14) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 132.
5. (3) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 132.
6. (24) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 132.
7. (29) David Garbo, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 132.
8. (12) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 132.
9. (9) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Dodge, 132.
10. (18) Michael McGuire, Vinton, Va., Toyota, 132.
11. (11) Clint King, Denton, N.C., Toyota, 132.
12. (21) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 132.
13. (10) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 132.
14. (20) Cole Custer, Ladera Ranch, Calif., Chevrolet, 132.
15. (32) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 132.
16. (36) Brandon Glover, Cuba, N.Y., Dodge, 132.
17. (7) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 132.
18. (15) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, Va., Toyota, 132.
19. (16) Anderson Bowen, Suwanee, Ga., Dodge, 132.
20. (19) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 125.
21. (33) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 125.
22. (6) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 121, accident.
23. (28) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C., Toyota, 116, electrical.
24. (26) Sergio Pena, Winchester, Va., Toyota, 111, accident.
25. (2) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 111, accident.
26. (17) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 111, accident.
27. (25) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 110, accident.
28. (27) Jeremy Burns, Simpsonville, S.C., Chevrolet, 109, accident.
29. (22) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 101, accident.
30. (4) Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va., Chevrolet, 52, accident.
31. (8) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 51, accident.
32. (34) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Toyota, 50, accident.
33. (31) Trey Hutchens, Lexington, N.C., Chevrolet, 40, accident.
34. (23) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 18, accident.
35. (35) Chuck Buchanan, Jr., Hildebrand, N.C., Chevrolet, 6, mechanical.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 13 minutes 55 seconds
Margin of Victory: .728 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: B.Rhodes * (119.656 mph, 16.036 seconds)
Caution Flags: 7 for 40 laps.
Lead Changes: 1 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: B. Rhodes 1-130; E. MacDonald 131-132.
Standings: 1. G. Gaulding, 118; 2. D. Suarez, 114; 3. B. Rhodes, 112; 4. P. Staropoli, 107; 5. C. Hayley, 100; 6. E. MacDonald, 99; 7. K. Ruston, 99; 8. A. Hill, 98; 9. B. Jones, 98; 10. B. Newberry, 93.
Dirt track racing in NH and Vtwill be getting a boost with the announcement that DIRTcar will be sanctioning racing events at both Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, VT and Legion Speedway in Rumney, NH. For DIRTcar Sportsman Modified events will be run at those two dirt ovals. That’s good news for the region considering that at the end of last year the dirt and paved tracks at the Canaan Fairgrounds closed up following the sale to a green group that plans to test electric cars at that site.