Otto Sitterly started P9 and fought his way to P3 and a second consecutive podium finish in the first two Novelis Supermodified Oswego Speedway 50-lappers of the new 2016 season Saturday night, May 21.
Once again Sitterly opted for the new redesigned independent front suspension Nicotra machine, sponsored by Royal Purple, G&I Homes and Riccelli Northern. One of the fastest cars in practice, Otto won his heat race and set a lightning quick time of 16.213 in the process, again proving the IFS car is an extremely fast mount.
Otto quickly moved into the P7 position on the start and trailed Canadian Dave McKnight Jr. in the early going. A couple cars dropped out ahead, moving Sitterly to the P5 spot, but still behind McKnight with Oswego opener winner Michael Barnes just behind.
Sitterly finally made the pass on McKnight for the P4 position soon after the lap counter hit 30. With less than 20 circuits remaining, Otto still had three cars ahead including leader Kody Graham. A caution on lap 43 closed the field, and Otto immediately pressured P3 runner Tim Devendorf when the race restarted.
But the final slot on the podium was all Sitterly could muster on this night. Otto would finish P3 to Graham and Brandon Bellinger.
“Near the mid to late stages of the race it was coming along,” Otto commented. “Overall it was just a good point night. Congratulations to Kody and the Bellingers. We’ll take it, just one week at a time.”
After two weeks, Otto is the only driver to podium in both features.
Next up for Nicotra Racing is the prestigious Jim Shampine Memorial 75 Saturday, May 28. Otto will have a teammate for the first time in 2016 as Ohio’s Dave Shullick Jr. will drive the Royal Purple / G&I Homes / Nicotra Racing #6.
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John Nicotra Racing is a Supermodified race team owned by John Nicotra and maintained by driver and chief mechanic Otto Sitterly. Nicotra Racing is based in Homestead, Fla., and Canajoharie, N.Y., and has won four International Classic 200s, six Oswego Supermodified track championships and now 25 regular-season Oswego feature races since their debut in 2007.
Nicotra Racing is proud to be sponsored by G&I Homes, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, Riccelli Northern, 5 Brothers Produce, Burnac Produce Limited, Provincial Fruit Co., Flavor First, Georgia Crate & Basket, Rite-Pak Produce, Quality First Produce, Sam Accursio Farms, Ritz-Craft Homes, Torbert Farms, Elite Harvesting, Green Bean Packers and Sunrise Growers.
PR written by New Concept Race Media.
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