LUCAMA, NC – Local driver Joseph Pittman, who recently welcomed a newborn daughter into the world, is seeking his first career win at Southern National Motorsports Park. Pittman comes into Saturday night’s Summer KickOff presented by Bridgestone riding a wave of momentum that could put him in victory lane at his home track for the first time in his career.
Pittman, 30, from Lucama, North Carolina, races in the U-CAR division at Southern National Motorsports Park. He and his wife, Christy, welcomed a baby girl, Skylar, into the world on Tuesday, June 2nd. That has not slowed Pittman, from racing. Last month, he scored wins at East Carolina Motor Speedway and Wake County Speedway and a second place finish in the U-CAR portion of the Jerry Moody Memorial at Southern National.
“Trying to get a win at Southern National is going to be the hardest thing,” Pittman said. “I think I can. It’s going to have to be a perfect day and some other cars are going to have to have some bad luck I believe. This is definitely the best year I’ve had in racing so far.”
Pittman is a first generation racer but often watched the races with his father growing up and he says he would love to see his children race one day. He is hoping to get his four-year-old son, Jacoby, in a Bandolero in the next few years.
“My dad always liked it so we always went to the races and I finally had a chance to get a car and went from there,” Pittman remarked. “I would love to see my kids race. Maybe in the next couple years, I can get a Bandolero for my little boy, Jacoby. He’s been here every week.”
Like many of the drivers in his division, Pittman is a weekend racer, not an everyday racer. During the week, he works at Hubert Vester Honda in Wilson, North Carolina, which also sponsors his car along with Carpets by David, Reese Signs, Richie’s Convenience Store and Quality Pre-Owned.
A victory on Saturday night would mean the world to Pittman.
“It would mean a lot. I’ve gone since the track opened and I never thought I would race even though it’s a U-CAR. It’s different than people think. It would mean a lot to get a win there.”
A victory on Saturday could also potentially put Pittman on top of the championship standings in the U-CAR division. He is currently tied for second in points, two points out of the points lead.
Pittman will be racing in the U-CAR division which will be in action for 25 laps. The Late Models will be in action as well along with the Legends, Chargers, Bandoleros, Virginia Mini Cups and Piedmont Mini Cups. Tickets for the Summer KickOff presented by Bridgestone are $15 for adults, $12 for students (with ID) and active and retired military (with ID), $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five and under admitted free.
For more information about Southern National Motorsports Park, check out SNMP’s website at www.snmpark.com, “like” Southern National Motorsports Park on Facebook or “follow” @SNM_Park on Twitter.
