Heffner's Dream Comes True Thanks To Pittman

Not even Daryn Pittman thought he would have the week he just had during the fourth annual Ksystone Cup Sprint Series.

In just his second week in the Heffner Racing Enterprises owned sprint car, the Oklahoma native had a near perfect week as he earned the KC title for car owner Mike Heffner.

After finishing fifth on opening night at Grandview Speedway, Pittman spun off three consecutive wins at Hagerstown, Lincoln and Selinsgrove and nearly pulled off a final lap victory in the finale on Monday at Port Royal but settled for the runner-up spot.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a week,” Pittman said after earning the first place payoff for the mini-Speedweek series. “Thanks to Mike Heffner and this whole Lelands team. I’m glad to get the championship for him. It was his main goal and I’m glad we were able to win three races as well. It was an enjoyable week and I couldn’t have asked for a much better week.”

Pittman was one of three drivers to win in the five races. Tyler Walker and Mike Erdley won the other two.

Ironically, Walker finished second in Keystone Cup points in a car that Pittman spent the last year in but was unable to find the fast way around the track most nights.

Heffner, a relatively new car owner, was thrilled with the KC title.

“It’s a dream that this crew, Daryn and our sponsors made come true for me,” he said on Monday night. “It was a great experience this week and Daryn has made it so enjoyable. He’s been a blessing to this team. Racing has its up’s and down’s and we’ve had our down’s this year and this is certainly one of the up’s.”

Aside from Pittman’s streak of top five finishes, Lance Dewease had four top five runs in the five nights while Fred Rahmer had three. Walker, Greg Hodnett and Stevie Smith each finished in the top five two times. Seven other drivers had one top five finish.

An average of 27 cars attended the extra paying events, with Lincoln Speedway turning in the high car count at 37 while Port Royal and Grandview each had 22 cars.

LATE MODELS UP NEXT
The second annual Appalachian Mountain Late Model Speedweek starts Saturday night at Hagerstown Speedway and runs every night through next Friday when it concludes at Bedford Speedway.

After a huge success a year ago when Josh Richards edged Jeremy Miller by one point for the week-long series championship, the stakes have been raised this season thanks to sponsor CenturyLINK who has come on board and increased the week-long point fund.

This year’s winner earns $4,000 with second place getting $2,250, third place pays $1,200 while the top eight drivers in points receive a check.

Last season 107 drivers entered at least one Speedweek show that saw Richards win twice while Jason Covert, Rick Eckert, Miller and Steve Francis also scored wins.

Selinsgrove hosts the series Sunday followed by Winchester (VA), Williams Grove, Lincoln and Port Royal before ending at Bedford.

PIT STOPS
Jesse Hockett, a sprint car driver who raced anything and everything was killed tragically last week when he was electrocuted while working on his race trailer. Hockett, who spent some time racing in Central PA in various car was just 26 years and recently married. He was laid to rest on Monday….

Central PA 358 Sprint racer Keith Prutzman will be competing in the Master’s Classic this week at Knoxville Raceway. Prutzman recently won a career first race at Lincoln Speedway. While Prutzman will be racing a 360 sprint car, several local 410 sprint drivers will be competing at Knoxville in the WoO Hall of Fame Classic this weekend including Adam Wilt, Tyler Walker and Daryn Pittman…

Good to hear Danny Dietrich is still the driver of the Gary Kauffman Racing sprint car. Dietrich, among several other drivers have been among the rumor mill all weekend long…

Doug Esh quit the Trone Outdoor Motorsports sprinter Saturday night after a dismal effort at Lincoln Speedway. But on Tuesday, Esh had a change of heart and met with car owner John Trone and will return to the seat of the No. 39 this weekend. Esh will be try a Maxim chassis to see if that makes any difference for him….

Donny Schatz (Charlotte) and Jason Sides (Tri City) were World of Outlaws Sprint winners last weekend while Steve Shaver won both WoO Late model mains in West Virginia. Lucas Wolfe had a great weekend with the WoO, finishing third at Charlotte and fourth at Tri-City and moved up to seventh in points…

Lincoln Speedway hosts the Weldon Sterner Memorial this Saturday night while the All Star Sprints are back at Port Royal for the Bob Weikert Memorial…