7/1/2025
Lancaster Speedway
CREW CHIEFS WITH CHOPS READY FOR NU-WAY AUTO PARTS 150 AT LANCASTER
Lancaster, NY (July 1, 2025): A pair of crew chiefs who have wheeled into Lancaster’s victory lane are now turning wrenches for two of the top contenders for the win in the running of the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 at Lancaster Motorplex on Saturday, July 12.
Billy Putney, crew chief for Jake Lutz, sits 20th on the all-time win list at Lancaster, and Rick Kluth, of Brockport, NY, a winner and champion at Lancaster, is the crew chief for Tommy Catalano.
Putney recorded 30 wins between 1992 and 2008 including 18 Modified and 12 Sportsman victories. In his short tenure at Lancaster, running full-time from 1994-1997, Kluth scored 7 sportsman victories. He visited Modified victory lane in August of 1999.
Both have been retired for many years. Putney hopes his experience will help not only Jake as he continues to emerge as a top driver but also the young team. “We only run the Tour part-time, so we are looking to put together stronger and stronger performances,” said Putney. “I just look to give Jake the best car I can using my knowledge and experience.” His experience includes a win in Lancaster’s prestigious Mr. Modified in 1996. “That was a really big win for me,” said Putney. “It was one of my first Modified wins and one that paid well and helped to boost my confidence.”
It’s likely a win at Putney’s home track would do much the same for Lutz.
“I’m really fortunate to be working with Jake,” added Putney. “He’s an athlete with an athletic mentality with a never-give up attitude.”
Rick Kluth joined Catalano Motorsports, who have their own long and storied history at Lancaster, as the crew chief for Tommy on the Modified Tour before the 2024 season. Now in their second season, they have this Lancaster race circled on the calendar.
“Tommy has just as much experience at Lancaster as me if not more,” said Kluth. “But I can understand what he is experiencing, so it helps our communication. And that’s really helpful as the race wears on and we need to make adjustments.”
If Kluth and Catalano can find victory lane together on the Tour, a career first for Catalano, it will be a continuation of ‘firsts.” Kluth scored his first Modified win at Lancaster as a rookie, in a car he built. The first of what would become today’s 2KWIK Chassis. “That was the first car I ever built,” said Kluth. “That night I beat Sege [Fidanza], the winningest driver at the Speedway, and Chuck Hossfeld, who had dominated that season. It was such a good field back then, so it was a memorable night.”
Rivals back in the day, these two second-generation drivers share a reverence for their family legacies. “Racing weekly for championships with my Dad [Bruce] was the best experience,” said Putney, and continuing a legacy of winning that began in 1981 with legends like Fidanza, Gail Barber, Joey Stearns, and others. Putney’ s father earned 9 modified track championships with four drivers. J. Lutz drives for car Joey Stearns, in a beautiful black and gold #14, reminiscent of Putney’s 1994 championship.
The racing roots run deep for Kluth as well. His father Dick campaigned Modifieds for over 50 years at Lancaster. “I will never forget winning the Sportsman championship,” said Kluth. “It was the first title for the family, with Dad having such a long history at the track.”
There have been many memorable nights at Lancaster Motorplex, now in its 66th season of operation. And the return of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour promises to add to the legend.
Lutz and Catalano will face a strong field of competitor when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Lancaster. With a roster that will include two-time and defending race winner Austin Beers, inaugural winner Patrick Emerling, perennial champion Justin Bonsignore, local aces and others, the Nu-Way Auto Parts promises competitive racing and excitement.
Both Putney and Kluth like the opportunities that the two-groove race track and the tricky drag strip front stretch offer them and their drivers. And all are up for the challenge.
The Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is scheduled for Saturday, July 12. A full racing card will also include Sportsman, Late Models, and Street Stocks. On Friday, July 11, the track is hosting Nitro Night of Fire on the 1/8th-mile WDRA sanctioned drag strip.
Tickets for the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 is available by going to www.lancastermotorplexny.com
Article Credit: Dale Wolbrink
Submitted By: Steven Petty