SK'S HEAT UP THE SIZZLER
By Mike Fields

April 27, Stafford Springs, CT--- With temperatures hovering around 52 degrees and a heavy overcast, the 37th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Sunday began with the CARQUEST Pit Party. Then, former Modified champions Ernie Gahan and Red Byron were honored for their accomplishments; Gahan for the 1966 Modified title, and Byron posthumously for his 1948 championship. Radar showed no rain in the area, as the closest storm was on the east end of Long Island.

The SK Modifieds were first up for their 40-lap feature, with Eric Berndt on the pole, followed by Brad Hietala, Woody Pitkat, Frank Coby, and Jeff Malave rounding out the top five. Twenty-seven cars started the race, as the engines fired up at 12:53pm. 2007 Champion and former Whelen All-American Weekly Series Champion Ted Christopher started 15th.

Jimmy Blewett briefly stopped on pit lane during pace laps. On the start, it was Berndt took the lead, drifting wide through 1 and two. That gave Pitkat the inside line. Pitkat and Hietala were side by side for two laps, Pitkat took the 2nd spot on lap 3. A spin in turn one by Corey Hutchings brought out the first caution on lap 3. Several cars pitted, including Christopher. As opposed to the Tour race, cautions don't count, giving TC time to work on the front end. It appeared they were working on the toe.

On the green, it was Hietala took the lead from the 2nd spot, followed by--- another caution on lap 4. Again, it was Hutchings involved in a turn three incident with Bo Gunning. TC used the caution to come back to pit road.

On the green, it was Pitkat, followed by Berndt, Frank Coby, and Jeff Malave. The 3rd caution came out on lap 7 for an incident between Curt Brainard and Kenny Horton. TC's problems by this time were either fixed, or beyond repair, as he didn't come in this time. He lined up in 17th.

Pitkat kept the lead on the green. A car sliding through the infield brought out the next yellow on lap 9. Not because he  spun, but because he kicked up a lot of dust. A caution for dust?  Well, why not...

Pitkat kept the lead at the green, followed by Frank Coby, Jeff Malave, and Rob Summers. Summers took the third spot on lap 11, setting his sights on Coby. Three cars spun on lap 14 on the back stretch. The black flag was shown for Ted Christopher for being "over aggressive". He joined the rear of the field.

After the caution, it was Pitkat, Summers, Coby, Chris Jones, and Malave. On lap 17, Pitkat drifted very wide through turn, giving Summers clear sailing to go under for the lead. On lap 18, three more cars spun on the backstretch, bringing out the yellow. One of the cars caught up and out of the race was Christopher. It was now 6 cautions, and we still hadn't reached the halfway point yet. 18 of the original 27 cars were still running.

Summers and Pitkat were running side by side for the lead for several laps until Summers took the lead, with Jones 2nd, and Coby 3rd. Pitkat fell back to fourth. Another caution flew on lap 23 for a spin in turn two. Malave pulled out of the race, as he was overheating.

Should they ever decide to make a logo for the SK Modified division, a big yellow flag should be part of it.

When they got back to racing, it was Summers, Jones, Coby, Pitkat, Keith Rocco, and Jimmy Blewett. Blewett moved up from his 19th starting spot. Pitkat, who was working the rear bumper very hard of Jones, finally passed him on lap 30 for 2nd. Rocco moved under Coby on lap 34 for 4th.

When the checkered flag flew, it was Rob Summers coming up from the 14th starting spot to take the first SK checker of the season.

  Mike Fields has written for the Area Auto Racing News, Raceway Media Magazine, various track programs, as well as being a contributing author for the book Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul.  He has also been a co-host of a weekly motorsports radio program, and a track announcer. Fields currently writes a weekly internet column, and is the editor/publisher of Long Island Motorsports News.  He may be contacted by e-mail at MFields@LongIslandMotorsports.com or by phone at (516) 376-4028.

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