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Pittman Proves Nice Guys Can Finish First

Daryn Pittman battles Steve Kinser at Volusia Speedway Park.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman receiving his championship ring.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman receiving his championship ring. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman in action in the Great Clips sprinter of Kasey Kahne Racing.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman in action in the Great Clips sprinter of Kasey Kahne Racing. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman in car ready to go racing.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daryn Pittman in car ready to go racing. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Baseball great Leo Durocher made famous the saying, “Nice guys finish last,” but over past half-century, many sports greats have disproved the statement.  One of the most recent to do so is race driver Daryn Pittman, who raced away with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship in 2013.  The fleet Oklahoma native won eight features, had 45 top-five’s and 59 top-10 finishes in approximately six dozen events on demanding dirt-tracks across the United States.

Pittman, 34, is not only an expert on the track he is well spoken and handles fans and sponsors equally well.  And he is expected to carry out his championship role in a highly polished manner.

Making Pittman’s championship impressive is that he did it with a new team owned by NASCAR star Kasey Kahne.  Pittman felt honored to be chosen to drive Kahne’s Great Clips winged-sprinter, and he was surprised how well they fared so early in their relationship.  “Me and Kale (Kahne) got on the same page quickly and we were able to ride it out,” the well-spoken driver said.

Kale Kahne, Kasey’s brother, runs the team, and he’s joined by two other talented mechanics that add substance to the team.

According to Kahne, he knew Pittman as a nice guy and a quality chauffeur, but he was surprised with how well his new driver fared in his debut season.  “Daryn surprised me how well he did and what he brought to the team,” Kahne said.    “He’s fast and really good at adapting to the different race tracks — fast, slow, hooked-up or slick tracks — he really adapts quickly.”

Pittman won the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park and held the point lead through the long season, becoming the ninth WoO champion in 36 years.  At times, he held a commanding lead but defending champion Donny Schatz put on late-season surge, finishing just 14 points behind Pittman and making it in the closest finish in history.

Said Pittman about his introduction to Kasey Kahne Racing, “We ran second the first night out (a non-WoO race at Ocala), and I was pretty excited about it.  At the end of the night, I thought that we have something going.  Winning the WoO opener at Volusia made it even better.”

While Pittman led in points from the outset, he never felt pressure until the final 10 rounds.  “Being on top didn’t affect me and I didn’t think about it until there were 10 to go,” the articulate driver said.  “Then, I put too much thought into it.  We ran well in some of the 10 and not so well in others, and I realized if you led after 65 races, it would be miserable to lose it in the last 10.  I knew my new team would do its job, and I had to do mine and not do anything dumb.”

Pittman didn’t let up and claimed the championship in the final race, and the night after clinching the title he said he couldn’t sleep wondering what it would take to repeat as champion.

“We could use some more wins and fast-times,” the new champion said.  “I had something to prove in 2013, and I want to prove to everyone that the first one wasn’t a fluke.  Once you win one, you don’t ever want to run second again.”

Racing with a top-flight team has its pressures but Pittman is up for the challenge.  “Their expectations are high and to be chosen by Kasey Kahne is a huge compliment.  I would be happy to stay here until I retire.”

Kahne and Pittman agree that it takes considerable effort for a small number of guys to work and travel together for 11 months without having any difficulties.  “That was a huge achievement for us and a testament to everyone,” Pittman commented.  “I have never been part of a team that can go that many races without someone getting mad and blaming someone else.  We did make mistakes, but we took it upon ourselves to fix it.”

Added Kahne, “I feel the way he works with the team and his attitude are key to our success.  Our team did change a lot this year, and they got along well and worked together very well.”

Except for the more distant races, Pittman’s wife Mandy and daughter Taylor travel with him.  He projected they went to 89 per cent of his outings.

Between his family and the close-knit team, Pittman knows he has the support needed to continue with his winning ways.  And he will do so in a polished and professional manner, proving once again that nice guys can finish first.

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