By KATE BUTLER for The Warrnambool Standard

DARYN Pittman took a pregnant pause from the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic after his last appearance in the prestigious race, but three years on, he’s back and he wants to deliver.

He described his last Classic campaign as “terrible” but not long after the forgettable performance came a moment he will remember forever.

In March 2009, he and wife Mandy welcomed daughter Taylor into the world.

“The last time I was here, she was two months away from being born,” he said.

“From a racing point of view, it hasn’t changed me but it puts things into perspective — what’s important and what’s not important.

“If you ask any first-time parent, it changes you, but it’s definitely something you enjoy.

“It’s a lot of fun.”

The birth of Taylor slightly changed his racing schedule, with the Pittsboro, Indiana, resident unable to find time to come to Australia until now.

“I wasn’t available to come for a long period of time like I used to, but I really wanted to come back,” he said.

“(This year) I’ve come for four races in seven days, then I’ll head back and get ready for the start of our season.

“It’s really great to be back.”

While Mandy and Taylor are still in the States, Pittman arrived Down Under last Tuesday and will return home on Tuesday, ideally with the title of Classic champion following this weekend’s race at Premier Speedway.

“It’s probably the toughest race in Australia to win,” he said.

“When you’ve got an event over a couple of days, you have to do everything right and keep yourself in a good position to win.

“I want to have a good run and just have some fun.”

The 33-year-old, who was born and raised in Oklahoma, is looking to eclipse his previous best finish in the Classic, which was fourth.

“The Classic’s one of the few races that we haven’t ever won in Australia,” he said.

“It’s been a goal of mine to win after being so close.

“One year we were leading and blew a tyre with nine (laps) to go.

“I’ve always vowed to come back to win one.”

Pittman entered the King’s Challenge in Mount Gambier last night and finished seventh in the A-main in the President’s Cup at Avalon on Wednesday night.

Daryn Pittman had 14 wins for Heffner Racing Enterprises in 2011; and will look to get a jump start in the 2012 win column this week in Australia! – Rick Rarer Photo

Wednesday Night At Avalon Raceway Is President’s Cup Night

Avalon Raceway in Lara, Australia will host the 31st annual ‘President’s Cup’ tomorrow evening, January 18th, worth $10,000! The prestigious Avalon event will welcome some of the finest sprint car drivers in all of Australia; as well as a stout field of American competitors. Daryn Pittman, who had double-digit wins in 410 sprint car competition last year in the United States, will be at Avalon tomorrow evening searching for his first win of 2012. Other Americans on the 40+ name entry list include Craig Dollansky, Paul McMahan, Luas Wolfe, David Gravel, Danny Smith, Caleb Griffth, Kyle Larson, and Jason Johnson!

The tough American roster will be joined by a strong field of Australian sprint car talent including national champion and last start winner Brooke Tatnell, former winner Robbie Farr, the red hot and current track championship leader James McFadden, David Murcott, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Farrell and defending event winner and reigning track champion Stephen Bell.

For more information on this event, check out www.avalonraceway.com

Thanks for Another Record Breaking Season!

Tis the season to count your blessings! During this joyous time of year, Heffner Racing Enterprises would like to take a moment to reflect upon and give thanks for the blessing of another record-breaking year!

Earning one win in a given season is no small feat. Parking the car in Victory Lane 14 times takes drive, tenacity, persistence and teamwork. Heffner Racing Enterprises is grateful to all those who made it happen this season—breaking our “win” record for another consecutive year:

• 14 feature wins (15 for driver Daryn Pittman) in five states and Canada including World of Outlaws, All Star Circuit of Champions, URC and ASCS
• 42 top fives
• 65 top tens
• 2^nd place World of Outlaws National Open
• 5^th place Knoxville Nationals (teams 1^st time there)
• Selinsgrove Speedway 410 Sprint Car Track Championship
• 2^nd in points All Star Circuit of Champions, Eastern Division
• 2^nd in points PA Keystone Cup Sprint Car series
• 3^rd in points PA Sprint Car Speedweek
• 4^th in points Iowa Sprint Car Speedweek
• New one and five lap track records at Selinsgrove Speedway
• PA Speedweek Rae Peters Heat Race Challenge winner

We cannot thank enough driver Daryn Pittman, whose professionalism, enthusiasm and hunger for the win gave us another awesome season of racing.

Thank you to the pit crew that never, ever gives up! (Even holding the #27 together with a ratchet strap when necessary!) Sean Strausbaugh, Jimmy Pasquariello, Jason Betz, Kevin Keyes, Brett Hockenberry, Glenno Inglis, Ray Miller, Tommy Pasquariello

Sprint car racing takes a lot of resources. We are eternally grateful to our marketing partners who make it possible: Lelands.com, Pasquariello’s Auto Shop, Scrub-a-Dub Performance Car Wash, Danny’s Auto Salvage, Rider Racing Engines, Hepfner Racing Products (HRP), Schoenfeld Headers, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS), FK Rod Ends, RE Racing Technologies, Michael Graphics, Simpson, Kelly Racing Fuel, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), Maxim, Weld Racing Wheels, Moose Blocks, Hanks Performance, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, RaceGear X, Hoosier Racing Tires, Jakes Carts.

Where would we race without the tracks, announcers, sponsoring bodies, and all those who put on such great shows every weekend? Thank you to everyone in the business of sprint car racing!

Thank you to the media for keeping the exciting sport of dirt track racing in the news!

And of course, thank you to the fans-our fans and those of other teams. Without your support, there would be no 410 sprint car racing. We are truly blessed to have such devoted fans who encourage us, congratulate us, and motivate us!

We are looking forward to next season when Daryn Pittman will once again fill the seat of the #27!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year to all from the #27 team of Heffner Racing Enterprises!

Excerpt:

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Unlike its scheduled weekend ending with the Trick or Treat snow job of two weeks ago, the postponed Hagerstown Speedway’s 24th annual Verizon Wireless Octoberfest ended with a more than seasonable weekend to finalize the speedway’s season on Sunday.

Daryn Pittman took advantage of his pole position to lead all the way in the sprint feature to score an Octoberfest win for the first time. It was his overall 15th triumph of the season.

The sprints completed their entire program on Sunday as the postponed date interfered with the final race at Susquehanna as Daryn Pittman, Danny Dietrich and Brent Marks began the afternoon by winning their heats and George Suprick taking the consolation.

Pittman beat Dietrich off the line as defending event winner Cody Darrah quickly grabbed third from his fifth starting spot. Pittman was into the rear by the seventh lap while Darrah and Rahmer got past Dietrich by the 10th lap with Rahmer passing Darrah before a 16th lap yellow.

Rahmer did a 360-degree spin following the restart but a premature yellow flag gave him his spot back as Pittman didn’t have room for a misstep with Rahmer and Dietrich close enough to strike. After Mark Smith took fourth from Darrah with five to go, rear traffic came into play in the final laps as Pittman escaped any attempt from Rahmer to take the top spot but Smith got past Dietrich on the final lap while Darrah ended fifth. Curt Michael was sixth with Marks, Greg Hodnett (14th), Robbie Stillwagon and Daryl Stimeling to complete the top 10.

“The lapped cars, some were pretty slow. It was kind of one lane and made it tough no matter what speed they were going,” Pittman said. “We were glad we were able to make the right moves. Really, about four or five to go there, I about gave it away and was able to get around a couple lapped cars that were running side by side. Our starting spot was important, but we still had to finish it, so it was a great team effort and a good way to finish our year.”

By Jay Tabor for journal-news.net

Excerpt:

Sprint Car royalty was in place after a successful run at the Final Showdown at Susquehanna Speedway Park. Along with Deitrich, there was Daryn Pittman, last year's champ, Cody Darrah, Greg Hodnett and, of course, Fast Freddy Rahmer. At the end of the day, though, it was Daryn Pittman who grabbed the lead and held on despite the hard charging Deitrich and Darrah. Fast Freddy's magic works here in Hagerstown as well, when he spun on lap 16 but was allowed to return to his spot because there was a premature yellow. Okay. The jockeying didn't end going through the lapped cars, but Pittman never let up and took the checkers and the big check.