MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — A familiar racing name returned to the track after nearly a year.
Daryn Pittman was back at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday racing in the Don Kreitz 69K. The Grove is the same track he last raced in back in October for the National Open. It's the same track where victory lane has also evaded him for eight years, but this time Pittman was aiming to change that.
Despite the long time away, Pittman says racing is just like riding a bike if you’re doing well on the track.
"If we run good, you can say it's like riding a bike. If you run terrible, you say, 'I just need more laps.' But I've been doing this for 20-plus, 25 years. So I think saying I need more laps is just an excuse at that point," said Pittman.
Pittman retired from full-time racing back in 2021 and now has two daughters and runs a business, which keeps him busy.
"[I'm] working harder now than I ever have to get up a lot earlier and work a lot later than ever have but it's busy," said Pittman. "I'm enjoying it. I don't miss the racing, I don't miss doing it, you know, all the time. I don't miss the traveling."
However, the itch to get back on the track overcomes Pittman every once in a while, especially when it's with the right people, team and car which he found on Friday with Don Kreitz racing.
"There's a big difference in the sport between driving the car and the car driving you. So when you're driving, it just makes you feel a lot more comfortable and that's not easy to do. So just hats off to [the team]," said Pittman.
Despite a solid car, Pittman says the time away from the track becomes a game of mind over matter.
"A lot of this is mental. I'd be lying if I didn't say it was wasn't nervous a little bit. You always have butterflies first race of the year," said Pittman. "That first race [you're asking yourself], 'Are you going to adapt to the speed?' At the end of the day, it's all about how, how racecar drivers can take going at a really high rate of speed and slow everything down to process what's happening."
All while taking in a track that he certainly is familiar with.
"I've had easily my biggest cheers and biggest boos at this racetrack and honestly, regardless, it's a lot of fun," said Pittman. "Just to race in front of a passionate crowd like Central Pennsylvania is unmatched anywhere else in the country."
A competitive feeling he misses most from his full-time racing days.
"I do miss the competitive side of it. I don't like to show up and not be competitive and so luckily it is fun if we can show up and compete for wins and and if that stops then I'll just really retire for good," said Pittman.
A full retirement consideration he won't have to think about after Friday. The 45-year-old driver took the top spot in time trials and won his heat. In the main event, Pittman started in the 3rd position and battled with Troy Wagaman Jr. for a large portion of the race. Until finally on the second turn about halfway through the race, Pittman was able to get by the #27 car to take the lead. Pittman would continue to build his lead from there, before finally taking the checkered for his first win at the Grove in eight years.
Wins at a track that has a special place in his heart.
"I don't really value trophies a ton—I have a lot of them, but I'll be honest with you, my Williams Grove victory lane flags that they give away are some of my most cherished possessions," said Pittman. "I don't care if they were a local race or an Outlaw race there. Those are flags that I won't be getting rid of and that I do cherish every one of them."