Woody Pitkat Doubles Up In Open Modifieds At Stafford
Woody Pitkat Doubles Up In Open Modifieds At Stafford
Woody Pitkat dominated the majority of Friday night's GAF Roofing Open 80 to claim his second straight Open Modified win at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Stafford Springs, CT -- Open Modified cars returned to Stafford Motor Speedway for their fourth of five visits of the 2022 season on Friday, July 1 for the GAF Roofing Open 80. Woody Pitkat dominated the race to take down his second consecutive open modified victory at Stafford after winning the Bud Light 80 last month.
Eric Goodale and Chase Dowling went wheel to wheel for two laps before Goodale got clear into the race lead. Pitkat worked his way around Dowling to move into second on lap 3 with Dowling settling into third place. Marcello Rufrano was fourth followed by Ryan Preece and Cory DiMatteo. Pitkat took the lead from Goodale on lap 6 while Preece was pressuring Rufrano for fourth place.
Goodale was applying heavy pressure to Pitkat for the lead and nearly spun in turn 4 on lap 14, but he was able to gather his car up and only lost one position, falling back to third as Dowling moved into second. With 25 laps completed, it was still Pitkat in the lead followed by Dowling, Goodale, Rufrano, and Preece. Cory DiMatteo was sixth followed by Matt Galko, Anthony Nocella, Dana DiMatteo, and Ronnie Williams.
At the halfway point of the race, Pitkat was still in command with Dowling in second. Goodale, Rufrano, and Preece made up the top five with Cory DiMatteo, Nocella, Galko, Dana DiMatteo, and Williams rounding out the top 10. The caution came out with 44 laps complete for a spin coming out of turn two by Matt Gallo. Under the caution the entire field with the exception of Tommy Barrett, Jr. came to pit road for tires and adjustments. Goodale won the race off of pit road followed by Pitkat, Williams, Dowling, Ryan Newman, Galko, Nocella, and Dana DiMatteo.
Barrett led the field back to green but he only lasted one lap in front before Pitkat reclaimed the lead on lap 45. Dowling moved up to second with Williams taking third and Goodale fourth as Barrett fell back to fifth. Newman took fifth from Barrett on lap 48 and Barrett continued to slide backwards, falling outside the top 15.
Williams made a move around Dowling to move into second place on lap 55 while Pitkat continued to hold the race lead. Goodale was still fourth with Dana DiMatteo up to fifth. Dana DiMatteo worked his way past Goodale on lap 74 to move into fourth place while Dowling and Williams were both still trying to catch Pitkat for the race lead.
Pitkat led Williams and Dowling to the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive open modified victory at Stafford Speedway. Dana DiMatteo finished fourth with Goodale rounding out the top five.
For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.