December 28, 2011

Daryn Pittman Prepares for Chili Bowl, Australia and 2012 Season

As the holiday season is winding down, the 2012 racing season is about to kick off in a big way for Daryn Pittman.  Up first, the 26th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals are just around the corner.  One quick stroll through the pit area proves the event is a virtual “who’s who” in dirt track racing.  “I love the Chili Bowl.  We race 90-100 nights a year and I think the Chili Bowl is the funnest race of them all.  I only get to race midgets once a year and they are an absolute blast to drive.  Not to mention, it is the one race a year I get to go wheel-to-wheel with some of the greatest drivers in the sport,” said Daryn.

If you ask Daryn about his Chili Bowl midget, you will quickly find that it is more than just another racecar for another race.  It is more like his hobby or an escape from his ‘other job’.  “I really, really enjoy building and working on my own car.  Even though it’s only for one race, it’s like my own little project I get to play with,” explained Daryn.  “I used to approach the race with no pressure, no expectations and just have fun.  That’s easy to do when you don’t do very well.  But to be honest, when you make the show (Saturday’s A Main) two of the last three years…it gets hard not to expect results.”

Pittman Motorsports will once again partner with Bob Hurley Ford, MHC Kenworth of Tulsa, Danny’s Auto Salvage, Hop N Sack Convenience Stores, and BPG—Business Planning Group of Tulsa.  “Another great thing about racing at the Chili Bowl is I get to race close to home and see a lot of friends and family that I don’t get to see racing out in Pennsylvania or other parts of the country.  It’s like a homecoming of sorts,” he said.  Daryn is scheduled to qualify on Friday night, so fans can get an up close look at Pittman’s midget at Bob Hurley Ford in Tulsa, OK the weekend before the actions starts on January 5-7th. Directions can be found at www.bobhurleyford.com.

After the checkered flag flies in Tulsa, Daryn will once again head to ‘The land down under’ for a four-race stint in Australia.  “It’s been four years since I’ve been back to Australia, and after racing for Titan Racing the previous 8 or 9 years in a row before that, I’m really looking forward to getting back there.  Mike Heffner gave us the opportunity to ship our car from the Charlotte Nationals over there to race some of the big shows before our season starts up here in the States.  It will be cool to see the number 27 racing in Australia,” he said.

Daryn’s Australian schedule includes the Presidents Cup at Avalon Raceway on January 18th, the Kings Challenge at Borderline Speedway on January 20th, and then wraps things up during the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic at Premier Speedway January 21-22nd.  Participation will qualify Daryn to race in the Knoxville World Challenge during the 2012 Knoxville Nationals.

The 2002-03 World Series Sprint Car Champion and Australian Driver of the Year is no stranger to success in Australia, but this time Pittman is looking for redemption.  “The last time I raced in Australia, it was fairly disastrous.  When we weren’t destroying race cars we still weren’t racing very good.  I would like to redeem ourselves a little and show that we have what it takes.  It will be a short trip but they are all big races.  I have a good crew lined up with Glenno Inglis and Steve Mergard both helping us out while we’re over there,” said Daryn.  Inglis has a long history working with Pittman, and Mergard was a crew member during previous racing seasons in Australia.

Following Australia, Daryn will head home to prepare for the upcoming season with Heffner Racing Enterprises.  “I’m very happy to be back with Mike Heffner and Heffner Racing Enterprises for 2012, racing a similar schedule to last year.  Mike and the guys just love to race, and one look at our schedule proves it.  Even after all the rain outs last year, we still raced over 90 times and that just proves the commitment they make to the sport.  We had a great year together last year, winning 15 races, and I think we can build on that and have even more success in 2012.  They are a strong team and a great group of guys and I’m the lucky one that gets to drive their car.  I’m really looking forward to another year with them,” said Daryn.  Keep up to date with Daryn and the Heffner Racing Team at www.darynpittman.com, www.heffnerracing.com or “like” Heffner Racing Enterprises on Facebook.